Inventor plans to take smartphone photography to the next level

Murray Schofield, who went to The Forest School and Collyer’s, has invented a new device called the Capture Case.

Murray said: “It is the world’s first high power compact xenon flashgun for your smartphone.

“We have all enjoyed the rapid advance of smartphone cameras but they do not give high quality photos in low light so often they are dark, grainy and really disappointing. I wanted to change that so everyone can capture great pictures at night and indoors.”

Murray said he realised that using a compact high power xenon flashgun with a phone instead of the built-in phone light would enable high quality shots in low light conditions and also gives the option of amazing high speed action photos of extremely fast motion such as exploding party poppers and smashing objects.

Since finishing his Physics degree at Birmingham University he has started a company to develop his product and has spent the last two years developing the flashgun design into a soft-touch, slim, and easy to use phone case. The initial design is for iPhone but his company intends to develop it for other phones too.

Murray is now raising funds to enable its manufacture and has launched it on Kickstarter, the crowdfunding website. The Kickstarter video shows some remarkable photos were impossible with an iPhone until now.

He said: “I urge County Times readers to click on our website and look at the Kickstarter project. This will increase its rating which will help us achieve my dream of bringing the Capture Case to the world. Thank you in advance for your help.

“We believe that the Capture Case is an amazing product that will bring much better and more exciting pictures to everyone who loves to have fun with their phone camera. Their photos will look even better on social media, especially action shots.”

Crowdfunding enables people with a great idea to gain support from the general public for the funding they need for a new product.

The business sets a minimum target for the money it needs to raise and explains how it will use the cash. People - known as backers - can then make pledges for small amounts of money in return for a reward if the target is reached. If it doesn’t meet the minimum, people get their money back. Backers find it fun to watch the project and support it to completion.

When the funding campaign reaches the target amount Murray will be able to set up a manufacturing line for the Capture Case. He intends to have the product available in stores later this year.

Murray’s website is at https://www.capturecase.co.uk

Follow him on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/capturecase/ and on Twitter @capturecaseteam

The Capture Case Kickstarter project started on July 12 and will run to August 18.

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