RITphoto News: Facebook Surround360 VR camera project

Surround360 VR camera project
by Nitin Sampat

During the summer of 2016, RITphoto and Facebook, Inc discussed the idea to build, test and deploy an 8K, stereo surround 360 camera. A collaborative group, “frameless labs” , comprising of students and faculty from RIT have been working together on this project since that time.

The project has focused on:
Technology assessment:
Building,  testing and optimizing image quality from the camera.

Creativity emphasis:
Deployment of the camera  for generation of  VR content such as storytelling or generating immersive experiences

Building the Camera

RITphoto Sciences student Nick Franco conducts a test on the camera rig

CIAS students from Photography and Film frequently conducted testing on aspects of the camera’s performance and portability. The above photograph and two below were taken while working at the Rochester Public Market

Pictured below are some members of the Team photographed at the Rochester Public Market

The testing of the camera proceed into the Fall as part of the imaging workflows class.

About Nitin Sampat
Nitin Sampat is a professor in the Photographic Sciences department in RIT’s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences where he teaches and conducts research in imaging systems design, color management, image quality, imaging workflows and electronic sensitometry. An industry trainer for more than 25 years, Sampat also actively consults for the imaging industry in the areas of digital cameras, image quality, printers and image processing used in the implementation of digital imaging products.