Avi Blizovsky
In the photo: Corals from the Gulf of Eilat before using the method (left) and after
Direct link to this page: https://www.hayadan.org.il/technionphoto.html
Technion researchers have succeeded in developing a unique method that dramatically improves the quality of underwater photography. The method, the first of its kind in the world, has many potential applications in diverse fields such as testing underwater pipelines and cables, bridge piers built in water, ships and nuclear reactors. It may also be of great help in the field of scientific research (marine biology and archeology and underwater mapping) and underwater photography enthusiasts, who have so far managed to achieve good results only in close-up photography.
Dr. Yoav Shechner, with Master's student Nir Karpel, from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, developed the method for about a year and a half until they reached the breakthrough. They connected a special polarizer (filter) to the camera, which together with a mathematical algorithm they developed produced excellent results. The photos that the two took at a depth of 26 meters in the Gulf of Eilat, constitute a considerable improvement of the quality of photography obtained earlier, without the use of a polarizer and an algorithm. You can clearly see in them objects that previously looked cloudy and blurry, or were not seen at all.
With the help of the innovative method, it is also possible to measure distances under the surface of the water and give XNUMXD images.
The new method is already attracting a lot of interest in the world and will soon be presented at scientific conferences.
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