Last year Getty Images launched its first 360-degree images made for the virtual reality Oculus Rift . At the time the photo agency vowed to become more involved in virtual reality, and wanted to incorporate it into news, sports and entertainment.
A year later, Getty Images has created Getty Images Virtual Reality Group, with the hopes to increase distribution of virtual reality. The company announced that as the official photographer of the Rio Olympics, each photographer at the games will be equipped with a 360-degree camera to capture the experience in virtual reality.
Getty Images Will Capture Rio Olympics in 360°. Bring on VR Stock Images! by @KlyeOnFire https://t.co/R4I7neSRjA pic.twitter.com/mPdDVFG0hm
— VRScout (@VRScout) June 8, 2016
Currently, Getty has 12,000 360-degree images ready to view, with more on the way. They have been compiling them these images over the last four years.
Even though the company is new, Getty CEO Dawn Airey knows there will be growth for VR. “The technology is still in its infancy, as are the business models addressing how to use it, but we can expect to see VR become a leading tool for visual storytelling.”
Currently, VR tools such as Oculus and HTC are very expensive. Many in the industry believe that with the increase in the technology of smartphones, VR is likely to improve and gain more market support, making it more accessible and cheaper.
As sports fans, we certainly look forward to seeing the VR content that Getty produces at the 2016 Rio Olympics.