Flying all around the web today is the new Projector Camera from Nikon: The S1000jp.  People are taking about it and the responses are mixed it seems.  I think it’s the initial reaction and that most of us don’t want to think about the ways that it could become integrated with our lives.  First, check out the description from Nikon:

One touch projection
If you’ve ever wanted to share your photos or videos at a party or relive a day’s memories while on your travels, then now you can with one-touch projection on the COOLPIX S1000pj. The built-in projector easily projects an image size from approximately 5 inches up to 40 inches*1. A supplied remote control means that you can wirelessly operate both the projector and usual camera functions, and a simple projection stand is supplied for optimal viewing wherever you are.

Yea, pretty rad.  But would you use it? A lot of people say that if the quality is good maybe.  A lot of responses that I have noticed say that it’s not worth it right now.  I understand these initial reactions but I think this camera is just the first step in ultimate awesomeness.  It’s got uses far beyond just displaying your photographs on the wall; however, there are many reasons why you’d love the simple use of projecting onto the wall.  Before reading the list I’ve created, watch this killer talk on TED.com and you will probably understand why I am excited.

Boomshakalaka! If you watched the video, I’m sure you said the same thing.  This camera is the beginning to me and another way to make photography less boring!!! If you didn’t know already, I am all about cutting the umbilical cord on boring photography and helping you start your own home photography business.

Now, the S100jp will not be as interactive as that crazy device in the video but that’s okay for now. Check out a quick list of 11 possible ways to utilize or love this slick new camera from Nikon.  And If you think of any other funky uses for this little device, please feel free to leave a comment!

• A much more interesting and interactive way to show your photographs to your friends.  It could also be a way to show pictures back to people you just took of them, but in a format that’s larger than a 2″ LCD.  Picture these two scenarios: you’re a photographer and you’re on the way home from a totally non-boring vacation in Iceland.  You’re on the red-rye flight home, the cabins lights are dimmed and you’ve got your digital camera because you took some pictures out the plane window at take off.   You don’t know the person beside you, but you’re having a chitchat about your vacations.  You remember that you’ve got your projector camera and have the opportunity to say: “Want to check out some of my pictures?”  You’re neighbor is blown away that he doesn’t have to look at the small LCD and you project the pictures on the back of the seat in front of you, on the ceiling, or on the floor.  BLOWN away.  Scenario 2: You’re in Africa on a life changing photography trip and you run into a group of children that are very happy to pose in pictures for you.  You snap a bunch of their photographs and once done, you decide to show them the photographs because they have have never seen themselves in a photograph before (maybe not in a mirror ever).  You are about to turn your camera around and show them the LCD but it’s tiny and there is a group of children.   You spot some shade that will work perfect to project the images onto the ground, the wall, or  a rock.  The children go crazy with excitement as you show them the images of themselves.  You feel on top of the world.   Pretty awesome to me.
• View your photographs anywhere in a larger size than your LCD
• Size is no longer matters – For LCD’s (cmon)
• Boost your creative projects by projecting inspirational images, illustrations, designs onto any surface from camera. You left your laptop at home because it was too bulky for today.
• Project way more than just photographs.  Inspirational, or important videos on your memory card.  Load images onto the memory card and use the projector for a small scale powerpoint type presentation for clients, managers, potential clients, teachers or potential employers.
• Tracing! I remember when I wanted to project an image onto my wall to trace it and then paint it.  You could totally use this to scale your image properly because your projecting it right onto the wall.  Save you time, and make your space much more awesome.  Project inspirational words or phrases on the wall (from a file you created in photoshop/illustrator) and be able to trace them.  Personalize a childs room! Use it to help with your art!
• Show pictures to grandparents in a much larger form if they have trouble seeing the small LCD, have an old tv you can’t hook the camera up to, or don’t have a computer to show it on.
• Use the projector to help you with house work, home improvements and working on anything else.  For example, ever had a time when you took something apart and didn’t remember what it looked when you go to put it back together?  Project the before image onto a place you can easily see it and work from there.  Even cooler, imagine you’re doing some work and you’ve found a photograph of how your project SHOULD look or an image that will help you work through something like, plumbing.  You’re not sure what you’re doing and instead of flipping through some random book in a place that’s hard to see it anyways, you project the page from the book onto a surface in the low light you’re working in.
• Amazing because of the quickness and ease of showing your photographs or graphics
• Use it to project textures or patterns onto models while you take photographs with your DSLR on a shoot.
• You’ll be much less boring when showing off your photography.  People will be impressed!

Nikon, if you would like to use any of these ideas for advertising and marketing, contact me! Seriously. Okay, but this list could go on and on. There are obviously a lot more amazing uses when you bring the internet and things into the mix like the video.  Are you a little bit more excited about this small step for technology?  I hope so.  Please share this with your friends, family and photographers!