Developed by American photojournalist and filmmaker Danfung Dennis and launched in November 2011, Condition ONE is a new tablet app allowing photographers to shoot 180 degrees frameless stories straight from the line of action.

Condition ONE is based on a Canon video-capable digital camera that captures the human eyesight and engages viewers by giving them control on what and where to look in a 180° field of vision.

For Dennis, the aim is to convey emotions: “This is possible thanks to technology today that gives us the chance to create highly immersive experiences by combining together the narrative power of the still image with the interactivity of virtual reality.”

The Condition ONE app, which is free to download via the iTunes app store, comes with three short films shot by war photographer Patrick Chauvel. One of them is a very raw, powerful footage he took on the front lines of the revolution in Libya in April 2011.

My Freedom Or Death, a film by war photographer Patrick Chauvet using Condition ONE

It is all about a stylistic choice,” says Dennis. “Traditional voiceovers and standups can take away from the visceral experience that we’re trying to offer. There is a dynamic between narrative and interactive that needs to be carefully considered.”

Further reading:
Condition ONE: is immersive storytelling the next big step in conflict reporting?, a review by Fabio Forin

Published: January 17, 2012