Context-Aware Photography

The idea for that project is to augment a standard digital camera with sensors such that the context in which the images are taken can be captured.

Context-Aware Photography is a project to augment a (digital) camera with additional context information about the images being made. Additionally to the EXIF information (which is captured by the digital camera), we are recording two light values, a temperature value, the orientation (magnetic compass), etc. before, when and after the image is made. We are currently equipping several amateur and professional photographers with our sensor. With the data gathered, we expect to find new ways for automatic categorization or evaluation of photographs. In addition to that, we observe professionals while they are using our device. From analyzing the data, we hope to be able to find out some aspects of what constitutes "good" photography.

The project is currently in an early state. The device has been built, can be attached to any standard camera and is currently being tested.

Current results are:

P. Holleis, M. Kranz, M. Gall, A. Schmidt
Adding Context Information to Digital Photos (pdf) (project page)
Paper at IWSAWC 2005, held in conjunction with ICDCS Conference

The project thesis done by Marion Gall is also published as technical report:

Marion Gall
Adding Context Information to Digital Photos (pdf).
Media Informatics Project Thesis. November 2004.