Figure 1: Two examples of context photographs. Context Photography Lalya Gaye, Lars Erik Holmquist, Maria Håkansson, Sara Ljungblad Future Applications Lab, Viktoria Institute Hörselgången 4, 417 56 Göteborg, Sweden www.viktoria.se/fal {lalya, leh, mariah, saral}@viktoria.se Panajotis Mihalatos Art & Technology program IT-University of Göteborg P.O. Box 8718, 402 75 Göteborg, Sweden http://www.ituniv.se/ it2mipa@ituniv.se ABSTRACT Context photography consists of capturing context when taking a still picture, by sensing physical input in addition to light and representing it visually in real time. With this new concept, we explore alternative potentials of the digital camera as an everyday creative tool. We have developed a working prototype that senses sound level and movement and represents them visually in real time into the picture being taken. In the interactive exhibition we wish to present, visitors would be able to try out this prototype. The pictures taken by visitors would be dynamically displayed throughout the day as a large projection on a wall. Large hardcopy photographs taken at previous occasions would be hung on another wall. This exhibition is meant to serve as a forum for discussions about alternative approaches to digital photography. Keywords Context photography, digital cameras, everyday creativity. Website www.viktoria.se/fal/projects/photo/ CONTEXT PHOTOGRAPHY As creative tools, digital cameras have the potential to transcend the mechanical and optical constraints of analogue devices, thereby giving birth to new aesthetic practices in the act of taking a picture. However, for the average photographer, taking pictures with a digital camera is still very similar to its analogue counterpart. In order to explore alternative means of creating pictures, we are developing a particular concept, context photography (Figure 1). This consists of capturing more than incoming light in an image, i.e. the context. Information about the physical context, such as sounds and movements gathered from sensors, visually affect pictures as they are taken. This opens a new scope of possible experiences and practices. The following scenario shows how a context camera can be used.