Definition & Meaning of "slit-scan photography"

What is "slit-scan photography"?

Slit-scan photography is a technique where a camera uses a narrow slit to capture an image in a unique way. Instead of taking a single photograph of an entire scene all at once, the camera records light as it passes through a thin, moving slit. As the slit moves horizontally or vertically across the scene, it allows only a narrow band of light to pass through at any given moment. This process means that the camera is continuously capturing light from different parts of the scene over time. The result is an image that appears stretched or distorted because it shows the changes in light and movement across the entire scene during the scanning period. This technique creates visually interesting effects that reveal how the scene evolves, capturing motion and transformation in a single, abstract image.