An RPS Symposium
On 3 December 2011 The Imaging Science Group of the Royal Photographic Society held another in its series of Good Picture tutorial seminars. The programme is detailed below together with links to some of the papers presented. These have been made available by kind permission of the authors. More may be added if and when the files become available to us.
This was the 9th in our series of annual Good Picture symposia. The aim of these lectures and discussions is to provide imaging practitioners, keen amateurs and students with insights into Digital Imaging and provide some tools and guidelines for assessing cameras and output.
This year we returned to the general topic of OUTPUT with talks covering many areas of this important subject.
N.B. A full review of the event written by Mike Christianson, Symposium Chairman, can be found on the Good Picture 2011: Symposium Review webpage.
Programme
Dr. Tony Kaye ASIS FRPS (in collaboration with Dr. Harry Adam ASIS FRPS): How Many Pixels?
Independent Imaging Consultants
For consumer and enthusiast cameras the “pixel race” appears to have significantly slowed (in some cases regressed). It is however still common to find 14MP sensors in relatively low cost point and shoot compact cameras, a number that an early DSLR user could only have dreamt of, even with relatively large sensors. Does this make sense, or is it a combination of marketing numbers, memory and computing power? This presentation will focus on the resolution of the human eye and how that translates into how many pixels are really needed for high quality prints. The presentation will also address how the number of pixels really needed vary as a function of print size and viewing distance.
Andy Johnson: Overview of the Camera, Printer and Storage Market
National Digital Sales Manager, Calumet Photographic
This talk will look into current equipment developments and future trends, this will include the move of 35mm DSLR to multi-purpose devices i.e. Video and storage with RAID solutions for better security and recovery from the loss of images. The talk will also examine software and workflow solutions and how these have changed the way photographers work and view images and the effect of future developments in the photographic market.
Dr. Graeme Awcock: A New Take on Atmospheric Pictures
University of Brighton
As a photographer you probably frequently dream about upgrading your picture taking kit. This presentation will show you how you can upgrade it to ‘sky-high’ levels and it needn’t cost you a penny! This is achieved by accessing the Landsat data archive, which gives free access to data collected since 1972 by the Landsat Earth-observing satellite programme. Using simple web-based tools you can browse images from anywhere in the World, and identify a dataset from a time and place that takes your fancy. Then, using freely downloadable software, you can process this data into stunning images of these exotic landscapes.
Dr. Alan Hodgson ASIS FRPS: Into The Third Dimension – How Deep Are Your Prints?
3M Security Printing and Systems Ltd.
We commonly think of photo prints being flat and thin, neglecting the significance of the thickness of the image recording layer. The purpose of this presentation is to show how the drying characteristics, colour gamut, gloss and image permanence of the print are dependent on this 3rd dimension. We will finish by showing how these print technologies can be used to construct real 3 dimensional objects. One day you may be able to print the camera too!
Dr. Philip Green: Extended Colour Gamuts
London College of Communications
Displays and printers with larger colour gamuts have been available for some time. Working with such devices requires support for extended gamuts throughout the imaging chain, including standard extended-gamut encodings, methods of representing different gamuts, and process aims for colour reproduction.
Dr. Peter Plassmann: 3D Imaging – A Review of Current Trends and Techniques
Faculty of Advanced Technology, University of Glamorgan
This contribution will provide an overview of recent developments in 3D imaging in the media, medicine and engineering. It will introduce the underlying concepts of various 3D image acquisition technologies their respective image processing challenges and the results that can be achieved. A demonstration of a small and portable stereo-photogrammetric device will demonstrate the practical aspects of taking, processing and working with stereo images.
John Charnock and Andrew Wilson: Photobooks and Printing Technology to Enable Photographers to Self Publish
Print Research International Ltd.
John Charnock will discuss the technologies available to photographers to create professional printed books and Andrew Wilson, a keen amateur photographer, will show how he used this printing knowledge to produce 2 beautiful photographic books. John and Andrew will discuss how photographers can use new production techniques to enhance their product portfolio.