World's biggest selfie-taking machine
In an age where taking a self-portrait is as easy as pouting into a mobile phone, a German artist is trying to bring some patience back to the much-maligned "selfie".
- Webby Award honoree, 2x Gold Telly Award winner
In an age where taking a self-portrait is as easy as pouting into a mobile phone, a German artist is trying to bring some patience back to the much-maligned "selfie".
The IMAGOphotour, a portmanteau of "photo" and "tour", is a transportable, life-sized camera that can take portraits of people who step inside. It is based on the IMAGO1:1, which was developed by Werner Kraus and Erhard Hößle in 1970 and still in use today in Berlin, Germany.
Kraus' daughter Susanne has created a Kickstarter, seeking £95,000 to fund the development of a lightweight aluminium structure with fibreglass elements to save on weight.
The original machine weighs 1.7 tonnes, while the more portable version will tip the scales at just 700 kilograms. It will be able to travel the world in a shipping container and deliver black-and-white prints for visitors to take away.
Because both of the IMAGO models produce photos on direct positive paper, there are no negatives involved, and each shot is unique. The photos measure 60x200cm, which makes them truly imposing, and a true slice of photography history.