De Montfort University (DMU) has drawn upon its international expertise in creative imaging to create a unique 3-D portrait of the Duke of Edinburgh to mark his visit to the university.
The three-dimensional ‘lenticular’ image of the Duke was presented to him as The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Cambridge left the university yesterday (8 March) – the first stop on The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee tour.
Professor Martin Richardson – Chair of Modern Holography at DMU and an internationally renowned holographer and digital artist – created the lenticular using a photograph of the Duke taking part in one of his favourite pursuits, carriage driving.
The two-dimensional image was scanned using specialist equipment at DMU and then developed into a lenticular print – a technology in which a lenticular lens is used to produce images with an illusion of depth, or the ability to change or move as the image is viewed from different angles.
Professor Richardson said: “Holographic and lenticular imaging is pervading our everyday lives, from copyright in the entertainment industry, applications of holography in marketing and architecture, to a range of medical applications.
“To be invited to present His Royal Highness with an example of this cutting-edge technology is a tremendous honour, particularly as the subject of the art will be the Duke himself.”
Professor Richardson – regarded as an imaging pioneer – has made holograms of many famous people, including film directors Martin Scorsese and Alan Parker, as well as the fine artist Sir Peter Blake and writer Will Self. He also worked with rock star David Bowie on a project using 3-D promotional material for the album ‘hours’.
Current research being undertaken at the Holographic Research Centre at DMU includes work on the next generation of 3-D televisions. The team is helping to develop the latest cinematography equipment and auto-stereoscopic televisions – TVs that provide a 3D effect without the need for special glasses – by analysing existing display technology and researching its improvement through next generation digital holography.
More information about the royal visit is available at www.dmu.ac.uk/royalvisit.
Posted on Friday 9 March 2012