PHOTOGRAPHY Revisiting Virtual Studio Idea With VIZAGO

I stumbled into this Vizago 3D Head Reconstruction website today that gives a demo that allow user to upload a single portrait photo (frontal shot) and then it tries to convert it into 3D mesh object.

https://www.vizago.ch/demo

Full of curiosity, I quickly pickup a random photo from Google and I grabbed a portrait from here:

http://www.indianvanitycase.com/2012/06/makeup-for-passport-photo-tips.html
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Indian-Vanity-Case

VIZAGO 3D HEAD RECONSTRUCTION

Upload a single portrait photo into Vizago website.

Get 3D head mesh within a couple of minutes or a day (depends on the demands, I supposed)

It comes to my surprise that the result is actually quite nice. And you can preview the result in 3D on the web directly. You can rotate around the head mesh on browser as well.

In the past, I remember there are already few casual/hobby applications that does something like this, but the result was not great. Now you can do it really quickly on a website and at this demo stage, you can download the resulting OBJ complete with texture and UV. To download, you need promo code, just ask Vizago via email.

IMPORT TO BLENDER
When you bring this model into Blender, you may want to scale down the mesh x 0.0001 (or x 0.00001). The mesh was a bit too big to fit the scene.

• As you import the OBJ, just tap S and then type 0.0001.
• Scale down even more if still does not fit.
• You then want to center the pivot, simply Right Click on the mesh (to select it) and CTRL+SHIFT+C and select Origin to Geometry and the pivot will now centered to the mesh geometry.
• To freeze the Scaling, CTRL-A and Apply Scale.

This is fun for you all Blenderheads to try. Maybe create a 3D head of yourself, friends, or family and then do 3D printing, using service like Shapeways.

Or if you just like to play around with the mesh inside Blender, probably creating some facial animation using Blender Shapekeys, you can also do that. Perhaps create all kind of hair setup.

PAT DAVID VIRTUAL STUDIO FOR BLENDER

Remember my previous post on using Blender as Virtual Photography Studio? The one originally created by Patrick David?

http://blendersushi.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/render-cycles-conversion-of-pat-david.html

Time to use the setup:

3D Head Model based on a single photo using the Vizago 3D Head Reconstruction

Below are some results:

Colorful lighting.

Killer mood.

Sensual mood like in a night club or inside Virgin Airplane.

Before Sunset mood.

Environment Lighting (image based lighting)

Just like when I first time use this setup, I thought this was really brilliant setup by Pat. Super useful to test all kind of lighting situations.


Yeah, unfortunately most of the models will be bald without hair. So, probably time to sculpt some hair!

Anyways, now that we have a web service like Vizago to create 3D head model automatically, you can test it on different kind of heads. Maybe even create 3D portrait (stereoscopic)?

Try all kind of head result using Martin‑Schoellers photography, just for educational purpose. See which one actually works and which one does not work.

So, maybe you can guess who are the female actress/model below:

Angelina Jolie has similar look to Miranda Kerr and Emily Browning, who would have thought. Jennifer Lopez actually has very distinct look.

Natalie Portman looks a little like Monica Belucci.

You can do interesting study of head facial using this process:

• My quick guess is that they have template base head (one for male and one for female) that is morphed based on points you specified during the upload and reconstruction of the mesh.
• Face features that are morphed: eyes, nose, lips and the main shape of the head (more round, more triangle). Lips and eyes are taken care mostly by textures. 
• Nose is actually important in getting likeness. Probably they can improve if the user provides the NOSE PROFILE shape.
• What interesting is how Vizago tries to guess the "profile" of the head.
• The ears stay the same, probably just the position is different.

If you import some of the head mesh into Blender, noticed that the Vertex number of the mesh is the same. You can do "morphing" from one head to another. Shape Keys time!

UPDATE: The vertex number is apparently different. So you cannot quickly do Join as Shape Keys. But I think there is a way around this. Maybe Shrink Wrap Deformer and Vertex Weight Blending will do the job so that you can blend from one shape into another.

So far I only tried this using random photos that I found using Google Images, or Celebrity faces, which is really simple. Celebrity and model faces tend to be the most basic and simple. For faces that are more exotic, like islanders, probably the result will be more interesting. See if that works or not.


Doing this auto 3D head reconstruction process reminds me my previous experience on seeing this Chinese street artist doing small head sculpting from a real life model in realtime for about 30 minutes per head in Las Vegas. I thought that was really an amazing skill. Especially to get likeness to the persons face.

Eventually I think there will be lots of digital artist doing this manually in real time using Blender/Mudbox/ZBrush and print it out under 30 minutes. Right?

The applications like Vizago or perhaps the Autodesk 123DCatch that allows anyone to quickly take photos and create 3D mesh are amazing. You can use this as starting point reference, or use it right away.

Decide whether creating virtual avatar manually or automatically is more preferable? Here is another example from company in Korea "3D Avatar Generation": (probably for game figure)




Wonder if anyone like to use own figure for game or the better self?

Please show me your creations, it would be nice to see what you created with this!

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Vaadin theme compilation with maven

Implemented goal vaadin:compile-theme (separate from vaadin:update-theme and vaadin:compile).

From Ticket

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On Photo Assignment with a Sony

I was shooting a wedding on Sunday, and as planned originally, the main camera system would be Olympus DSLR E-5 and two primary lenses I use on it: ZD 11-22mm F2.8-3.5 that provides me with all my wide angle needs and ZD 50mm F2 macro for close up shooting and medium telephoto range. The Sony DSLR system that I recently acquired as a back-up tagged along in a separate bag, just in case something unexpected happens (I hear horror stories on assignment on all levels, including a Nikon D3 that just wont turn on to a Canon 5Dmk2 that died halfway through the shoot without warning), I have a reliable camera that I can work with. 

Then a thought hit me, why dont I start using two camera bodies? My usual shooting style was quick changing lenses, between two main lenses and that has worked very well for me this far. However, I think sometimes it is good to try something new and different, and see what how that new method or alternative could help or improve the game. I have the 11-22mm fitted on my Olympus E-5 at all times, with FL-50R flash mounted, for most important shots of the wedding day. I then have alongside that, with the Sony A350 and 50mm F1.8 lens attached to it, and I used this combo to capture close up details and expressions (emotions, laughter, smile, hugs, etc). And you know what? I am starting to open up to working with two camera bodies. Not bad at all, and all that trouble of changing lenses, though I am already very efficient with the whole process, still came in handy when I needed to do some macro work, or know that I need the incredible sharpness and superior image quality the ZD50mm F2 macro brings. 

Do take note that the wedding only took place yesterday, and I shall not include any photographs that show faces or people from the event, as I have not delivered the images to my clients. I always made sure I deliver the photographs to the clients first before blogging here, and also seeking their permission in advance. 

Therefore, I can only show details and close up shots, which I have taken with the Sony Alpha 350 and the 50mm lens. 

Nigel Sia, the official videographer of the day. Do check out his amazing work here (click). 

The dinner reception was in a hotel sky-lounge, hence the lighting was very dark. I decided to utilize the Sunpak TTL flash (Guide Number 42), together with the Sony A350 and the 50mm F1.8 lens. Camera settings: Manual Exposure with Shutter Speed at 1/80sec to 1/100sec, Aperture wide open at F1.8, ISO400 and TTL Flash at +1.0EV bounced off high ceiling. The results? I quite like the overall color output and balance between available light and flash exposure. It is very crucial to maintain the available light so the images wont appear washed out, and at the same time, using the flash to gently fill in the skin exposure for more pleasing skin tone appearance. I have shot mostly with this combination for expression and close up portraits, which I am not showing in this blog entry. Sharpness from this 50mm F1.8 lens is indeed poor, and falling miles behind the Olympus 50mm F2 macro, which I would use without hesitation for more important shots. However, NOT every photographs have to be critically sharp, especially shooting a large events when you come home with more than a thousand photographs. 

Oh and I found a mirror and some time to camwhore. 

No doubt my main Olympus system, even if I were using the older Olympus E-520 (if only it was not dying) would have produced much more pleasing colors and consistent results. You have got to admit, Olympus Zuiko lenses are amazingly sharp, and I am starting to really appreciate how wonderful my Olympus main system really is after pixel peeping what the old Sony was producing. 

Nevertheless, Sony has come a long way now, they have made many improvements in their latest iterations of cameras (NEX and SLT line) and most of the concerns and complains addressed by the users of Sony older systems have been fixed, and improved further upon in the latest upgrade. I am sure many Sony users (some of my readers also commented the same thing) would say that the A350 was not the finest Sony camera, and was the earlier version which did have some flaws. 

Perfection was never what I looked after, not in camera system, not in photography, because chasing perfection is a waste of time, considering the best camera today will be surpassed by a new camera tomorrow, and there is no such thing as perfect photography. Reflecting humanity which is flawed in so many ways, photography as an artistic medium, including the tools to create photographs all come with flaws as well, and acknowledging this fact, it is more important for us to accept the flaws, and work with it. There is no need to complain or go into endless debate/argument (as seen rampant on photography forums and online groups these days) on which system is superior, which camera can shoot better higher ISO, full frame vs cropped sensor, mirrorless system vs DSLR, or whatever common discussion which started initially as something innocent and harmless, turned into war-like crisis. Just choose what works for you, and learn how to make the best out of it. 

I think the most important thing is to be happy with the gear you are using. I am VERY, VERY happy with my Olympus gear (if you have not figured that out, you must be very new to this blog, then do take some time to browse my other 1000 blog entries available through the span of years discussing about Olympus system and tens of thousands of photos taken with Olympus camera). And now, I am starting to warm up to the Sony. 

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Ramadan Night Bazaar with PEN

It is the month of Ramadan, a holy month for the Muslims to observe the fasting practice, before celebrating the Hari Raya on the first day of the following month. During this particular Ramadan month, stalls and bazaars are being set up everywhere, selling all sorts of merchandise such as Hari Raya clothings, accessories, house decors, and all sorts of festive themed food. All the stalls and tents set up were done in a night-market style, or what the locals here would call "pasar malam". I happen to pass by one of the longest Ramadan Bazaars around the city at Jalan Masjid India on my way back from work every day, hence it was only natural that one fine evening I would arm myself with the PEN that I carry everyday to do some shutter therapy there. I did it earlier this evening.

All images were taken with Olympus PEN E-PL1 and 14-42mm Mk1 kit lens. Noise filter: Standard.

Who does not love bokeh?

ISO640

A vendor in a temporary collapsible tent.

ISO640

"Buka puasa", meaning breaking fast together with family inside the tent.

ISO1600

I did not expect this uncle to allow his photos to be taken, but when I approached him, he was all smiles.

ISO2500

Most of the stalls were run by youngsters. Quite an interesting sight.

ISO1600

A boy in an island of slippers.

ISO1600

Joy in a Night Market.

ISO1600

The peace sign.

ISO1600

This was my first time shooting all out with the PEN out in the open at night. The lighting condition was far from what any photographers normally could consider ideal. The lighting was very dim, and I needed to bump up my ISO setting between 1600 to 3200 to achieve enough shutter speed. There were mixture of all sorts of weird lighting, coming from strong warm tungsten to greenish fluorescent, with different shades and intensity. The fact that I was only using the kit lens with variable aperture opening from F3.5 to 5.6, instead of my usual DSLR gear that provided the flexibility of shooting wide open at F2.8 or F2, was quite a disadvantage to work with. Under difficult, dim lighting, the E-PL1 does have trouble locking focus, and sometimes, it refuses to focus at all, or focused inaccurately. While the shooting conditions and camera performance may sound frustrating to a certain extent, the shutter therapy turned out to be quite an enjoyable one. I do not think the outcome was that bad at all.

Shooting high ISO was not Olympus best fight, but up to ISO1600, the E-PL1 really produced pleasing images. Although noise was present, but it was so well controlled, with small negligible traces of chroma noise. I can live with luminance noise, which added character to the photograph, and can be easily smoothened away if I needed to, in expense of details of course. Even at such high ISO, the resolution and details captured were still quite acceptable. Color rendition was superb, and I have no issues at all. Skin tone was surprisingly consistent and pleasing, even under horrendous multiple casts of light sources. There really is very little to complain about the image quality, but so much to like.

Plastic expression

ISO1600

Just after the rain.

ISo1600

Another young vendor. Selling drinks.

ISO2000

Baju Melayu, a traditional Malay costume usually worn during the celebration of Hari Raya, after the fasting month of Ramadan.

ISO800

Another close up of a very young vendor at the bazaar.

ISO2500

Pushing it.

ISO2500

I really like the way he looked into my lens !

ISO2500

Cheap, yummy, but unhealthy dinner.

ISO2000

An important mode of transport to go through the narrow paths along the Bazaar.

ISO2000

It was an unplanned shutter therapy session, something that I just decided to make happen there and then on the way back from work, a spur of the moment thing. I did not know what to expect from the Ramadan Bazaar, as I seldom visited one. Little did I know, people here were all so friendly, and all smiles greeting me and my cute PEN. I think there is something about the way they look at me (or my camera) that made those photos, different. Maybe I am imagining things, but those street portraits are being shot at a close distance, since I was only using the kit lens. The eye contact, the way the subjects looked at you, does affect the overall outcome of the photograph.

Do bring your camera to the Ramadan Bazaar in your next visit !! You never know, you might bump into great photography opportunities there too.

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