Student takes mobile photography to another level with portable external flash

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Up and coming product designer Chris Whellams, 21, has designed and created an external flash for smart mobile phones, which can either be attached to the back of the phone or used wirelessly on a tripod or surface.

The Middlesex University product design student wanted smartphone owners to be able to take professional photographs on their phone, so he designed ‘Snap’ as his final year project and unveiled it at the Middlesex University art and design show on 7 June 2013.

iphone flash

Designed to give users more control over lighting when shooting photographs, Snap can be magnetically attached to the back of a smart phone for everyday use, or held overhead, attached to a tripod or even stuck to a wall for more ambitious and creative photos.

The smart phone accessory consists of two small parts with its mobility being a key feature.  Snap features a circular flash known as a ‘ring flash’ which gives more even illumination of a subject and softens shadows.  It can also be used to provide special lighting effects such as back or side lighting when attached to a tripod or can be attached to a nearby metal surface without the need of a tripod due to the magnetic connections on the back of the device.  This allows users to take more creative photos with greater depth and shadow.

Chris Whellams

Middlesex University Chris Whellams said: “Mobile photography has become part of everyday life, capturing everyday things because of its accessibility and ease of use. Therefore I thought why not make a normal photo special with the use of external lighting to create further depth and character. ”

The low cost accessory is made up of LEDs, programmable printed circuit board, switches and a light sensor. Snap has been on exhibition since Friday at the Truman Brewery until this evening.  Chris hopes to further develop the product and bring it to market in the future.   

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About Author

I love gadgets and technology, so i write about them. +Tomi Adebayo

2 Comments

  1. I think everybody love to take pictures, not only as a remembrance but also for some business. Smartphones today has camera, though the camera has high specs but it will still give a low quality of pictures especially if the area or place is not well lighted compared to standard camera with flash. It is a clever idea to put portable flash in our smartphones.

  2. Smartphones today has camera, though the camera has high specs but it
    will still give a low quality of pictures especially if the area or
    place is not well lighted compared to standard camera with flash. I think everybody love to take pictures, not only as a remembrance but also for some business. It is a clever idea to put portable flash in our smartphones.

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