A student from Newcastle University has made images that 'show' Wi-Fi
Luis Hernan made a programme that can measure Wi-Fi strength
He then took long-exposure photography to expose wireless networks
The results are stunning arrays of colour in fantastic shapes
He has also released an app so can take other similar images themselves
By Jonathan O'Callaghan
A student has produced a series of vivid photographs that reveal what the networks that keep us connected to the web look like.
The images, created by Luis Hernan from Newcastle University, show spectres of Wi-Fi sweeping and swirling around in bright beams.
They were produced as part of Hernan's Digital Ethereal project, which aims to bring the invisible world around us to life.
Newcastle University student Luis Hernan produced these photographs of the invisible wireless networks as part of his studies. Hernan, who is studying for a PhD in Architecture and Interactive Design, used self-designed equipment to create the images
HOW THE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN
Student Luis Hernan created the photographs using a custom-made instrument designed to reveal them.
It scans continuously for wireless networks, and transforms the signal strength to colour LEDs.
The results are multi-coloured streaks of light which twirl and wrap in spaces, showing how they surround objects and people.
Hernan has also created an app which can be downloaded for free, for Android devices called Kirlian, which allows people to see the strength of Wi-Fi around them.
'I call the images "spectres" because wireless networks remind me of ghosts,' he said.
'They are there but you can't see them with the human eye.
'The fact we are becoming increasingly reliant on something that we can't see intrigues me. I wanted to find a way to show the wireless which is around us and also to show how it changes.
'It is an impossibly fragile and volatile infrastructure that holds our digital technologies together, and shapes the way in which we interact with the digital world.
'Something as seemingly inconsequential as walking around the house will interfere with and reshape their propagation and strength field.
'Close the wrong door, and the bedroom becomes a dead spot for wireless.'
Hernan captured the images using a piece of self-designed equipment that converts signal strength into colour images. He also has an app available on Android called Kirlian that enables people to measure the strength of Wi-Fi around them for themselves
The images show how Wi-Fi signals of different strengths surround objects and people. They were created using a programme that changes colour depending on the strength of a signal - blue is strongest, ranging to red at the other end of the scale
Hernan created the photographs using a custom-made instrument designed to reveal them.
It scans continuously for wireless networks, and transforms the signal strength to colour LEDs.
The results are multi-coloured streaks of light which twirl and wrap in spaces, showing how they surround objects and people.
The top-hand image shows how Wi-Fi signals around a ladder may appear, while the image below reveals how Wi-Fi signals surround people when using their phones
Hernan has also created an app which can be downloaded for free, for Android devices called Kirlian, which allows people to see the strength of Wi-Fi around them.
He said: 'I would love other people to get involved and to create their own images using the app.
'I used it as part of an exhibition of my work, where we hung mobile phones from the ceiling and it showed how signal strength was varying as people moved around the room.'
Replies
Hey people,
The guy said he had used LEDs that would change color respectively to the signal strength.
If this visualization was created using LEDs, then it is not really an accurate representation rather than an artistic impression. The lines where created by moving the LED array faster than the camera recording. That is a common camera effect using lights, and because the limitation of being able to only swirl the LEDs around him, only that limited area would get exposed (and in a really abstract manner).
Here a better visualization in my opinion:
http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/this-is-what-wi-fi-would-look-like...
Cheers!
i suppose a little knowledge in photography would help to differentiate the difference, so i can't say much .... but it start with idea; thanks for the link Enigmabfd ... interesting to see others perception ;)
very interesting ara. thank you for posting this.......portals that is what we are going into when we are locked into the internet.......no wonder why it is so addictive :( a starseed told me to put the violet flame of st. germaine around the computer......probably wouldn't hurt to put some other energy saving devices around it as well, like crystals or gems.....women should not have iphones in their bras which they do all the time, and usually people think you are making a big deal out of nothing when you tell them not too......it is funny the new dream is just to unplug from all of this and get an old fashion phone........like that is the new oasis in this modern time
sounds like what 'old' people would say 'not like in old times' ... ;)) omg are we getting old - er -ish ... ;))
however technology is a tool to make our life easier, so we can spend more time to develop 'spiritually', and not send us back to 'cave man age' ... which is possible with the way everything is going ... ;)
thank turtles ;)
yes it's a choice ... ;) however like any 'addicts' ... it would be difficult to acknowledge those choices, people tend to justified things especially when they are attached to them and reluctant to deal with them.
my friend has too many mouths to feed, self-employment wouldn't be sufficient.
one never knows which city 'genius' will be born ... ;)
but how to avoids something that is a part of everyday life, more a 'mandatory' ... my girlfriend was 'forced' to get a iphone just for 'texting purposes' company regulations ... ;))
there are some gemstones that helps to keep it to the minimum ‘harmful radiations’: Amethyst; Fluorite; Malachite; Baltic Amber; Rose Quartz; Tourmaline (Black and Watermelon); So Wearing certain gemstones help to act as a grounding device to limit your exposure to harmful computer radiation or wifi and etc ...
Also, turn all data and WiFi signals off, unless you "need" them... and even put the phone in "Airplane" mode, where are signals are shut down... or just turn the phone off completely when not using, or carrying on your body. Also carry the device in a purse or bag so that it is a little further from your body, when transporting.
we certainly do create our own ‘demons’ … or digging our own holes … ;)
I did an experiment one time where I used only the WiFi data signal on a "smartphone" for a couple hours straight, with the phone in one hand... and immediately afterwards my hand that was holding the phone was swollen up and sore... it felt like I had bruised it or injured it. After a couple days of no use the swelling and pain went away.
Also I have found that if you use the touchscreens a lot, it can make your fingertips go numb, and it eventually feels like you have burned them.
Thank you for sharing this....
Blessings...
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next