Photo credit: www.androidcentral.com
What you need to know
Samsung’s “Coral in Focus” initiative is actively aiding marine researchers in restoring coral reefs across Fiji, Indonesia, and the United States. A notable advancement in this initiative is the introduction of the “Ocean Mode” feature on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, specifically designed to enhance underwater photography. This feature reduces the dominance of blue tones, resulting in more vibrant images of coral reefs, and includes tools such as optimized shutter speeds and multi-frame image processing.
For over a year, Samsung has collaborated with marine researchers, enhancing their efforts to study and restore coral ecosystems with the support of Seatrees, a nonprofit dedicated to innovative coral restoration methods.
In a recent report, the company noted that scientists are now utilizing the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s “Ocean Mode” instead of traditional, bulky underwater cameras to capture stunning imagery of coral reefs.
This innovative camera feature addresses common underwater photography challenges by minimizing image blurriness from movement and reducing the prevalence of blue tones, making it easier to capture clear and colorful images. The inclusion of preset shot intervals streamlines the process, allowing researchers to take multiple pictures without needing to press the shutter each time—particularly useful when submerged.
With the ability to set the time interval and number of images to be taken, users simply press the shutter once, enabling the camera to automatically capture a series of essential images. This functionality is vital for researchers constructing accurate 3D models of the reefs.
It’s worth mentioning that “Ocean Mode” is exclusive to a specific version of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and not available on standard retail models.
This technological advancement has enabled researchers to produce seventeen 3D models of coral reefs, facilitating analysis of their health and growth. The initiative has led to the planting of 11,046 coral fragments, covering an area of 10,705 square meters—equivalent to approximately 25 basketball courts, according to Samsung’s data.
The automated approach to photography not only increases efficiency but also ensures high-quality images that are crucial for studying coral ecosystems and their inhabitants.
This effort is part of Samsung’s larger “Galaxy for the Planet” initiative, launched in 2021, which has also seen the company recycling discarded fishing nets for use in smartphone production, starting with the Galaxy S22 series.
Source
www.androidcentral.com