Modern life requires a constant flow of selfies and this photogenicity of course also creates new problems. Because some only look good in front of the camera if the lighting conditions are just right. Fortunately there is now Halo, an invention by MIT graduate student Nan Zhao. Halo is an illuminated aluminum frame that is strapped to the body. When the function is activated, the ring illuminates the facial features, creating the ideal visual mood for a selfie that makes you look thoughtful or intelligent.
Halo is pre-programmed with a range of lighting compositions. Referring to theater and photography, we designed patterns to make the user appear happy, sad, angry, anxious, evil, passionate, etc. Using the mobile app the user can choose from a list of presets. You can also design her own patterns. Instead of defining brightness and color for each LED, using our software she can place virtual light sources into the space around the halo. This way she can easily define a key light or a fill light. The corresponding LED setting is then generated automatically. As you can see in the video even if the user does not move, facial expression seems to change with the transition of the lights.