The conference kicks off with Ramesh Raskar, head of imaging research at the MIT Media Lab, presenting computational photography promising richer, multilayered visual experiences that may include depth, fused photo-video representations, or multispectral imagery.
The cluster of sessions addressing 3D technology development starts with a demonstration of the new Fujifilm consumer 3D camera system. This is followed by “father of digital 3D” Lenny Lipton delivering an overview of the technologies grouped under the 3D label and discussing the impact of recent mainstream 3D products by Sony, Panasonic, Fujifilm, and Samsung, among others. Next, Rick Dean of THX and 3D@Home Consortium discusses the international cooperation agreements reached at the recent International 3D Fair and World 3D Expo in Seoul, South Korea. Dean also provides insights into the rapid shift of commercial movies and broadcasts to 3D standards and how it is driving consumer electronics manufacturers to bring 3D-capable TV screens to consumers.
A panel of 3D experts, including Russell Brown of Adobe, Jim Calverley of Fujifilm, Bonny Lhotka of Digital Atelier, and Jeff Miller of HumanEyes, addresses lenticular printing and how it is becoming increasingly attractive for numerous commercial applications, such as eye-catching marketing communications pieces. The panelists also consider what it takes to participate in this exciting opportunity. Lhotka, a pioneering 3D artist with work collected by prominent museums, explores how the availability of an “added dimension” changes the creative process from concept through execution. The final session of this cluster addresses bringing 3D to the consumer mainstream with noted media, investor, and business panelists: Rudy Burger, Woodside Capital Partners; James Chung, International Photographic Council; Jerry Grossman, Demystifying Digital; Dale H. Maunu, Insight Media; and Melissa Perenson, PC World.
The mobile imaging cluster of sessions features presentations from Sami Neimi of Scalado, Liam Goudge of Tessera, and Philippe Dewost of imsense about cutting-edge mobile imaging technologies. I3A President Lisa Walker and Future Image analyst Tony Henning join them to discuss how and why camera phones are ground zero for imaging innovation.
Day one concludes with dinner at the world-famous Sardine Factory restaurant and a 3D film at the Cannery Row IMAX Theatre.
Day two begins with Stephen Johnson, renowned photographer, author, and digital imaging pioneer, discussing the cameras of tomorrow, the future of imaging, and the broad possibilities of photography itself. The cluster of sessions addressing the rising industry influence of those photographers variously referred to as “amateur,” “enthusiast,” or “prosumer” kicks off with the unveiling of selected results from a research study conducted jointly by Future Image and PMA.The research covers shooting habits, participation and activities in online communities, printing, use of printing and book production services, use of large screen TVs in photographic activities, and more.
Subsequent sessions in the cluster examine selected topics in greater detail. Social networking for photo enthusiasts is the subject for Vince Broady, thisMoment; Seth Familian, JPG; Mark Kantor, Graffiti; Glenn Paul, dotPhoto; Stephen Terlizzi, WeArePhotographers.com; and moderator Paul Worthington, editor of the 6Sight Report. Then, John Griffin, Cutcaster; Amy Love, Picscout; Iain Scholnick, ImageSpan; Pete Wheelan, Blurb; and moderator Richard Weisgrau (former American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) director and author of “Selling Your Photography”) explore the emerging strategies to monetize the high-quality visual content created by nonprofessionals. This cluster concludes with new product introductions from ImageSpan and Digimarc.
The 6Sight industry-exclusive analyst panel features a “who’s who” of imaging analyst firms debating the key issues facing the imaging business in a discussion led by InfoTrends founder Kristy Holch. Speakers include: Liz Cutting, The NPD Group; Don Franz, Photo Imaging News; Ron Glaz, IDC; Steve Hoffenberg, Lyra Research Inc.; Marion Knoche, GfK Group; Ed Lee, InfoTrends; Gary Pageau, PMA; and Paul Worthington, Future Image.
The final cluster addresses the new technologies and business plans driving the trend to produce hard-copy output of complex, image-rich documents on demand, in whatever format and quantity desired. Rick Smolan, creator of the “A Day in the Life” and “24/7” series of books, discusses his latest project, “The Obama Time Capsule,” a radical experiment in both print-on-demand publishing and personalization. Pioneering industry consultant and author John Larish moderates a discussion of print-on-demand technologies with Greg Gresock, Kodak; Ron Kubara, Noritsu Canada Ltd.; Doug Rowan, 1000Museums; and Brian Segnit, Xerox Corp.
Pete Wheelen of Blurb describes the new world of photo book publishing his company is creating, and Michael Moore of RocketLife presents its latest photo book technology. Photo book software is discussed and presented, including contrasting approaches – from those emphasizing simplicity and automation to those seeking to provide greater creative options. Panelists are Reiner Fageth, CeWe Color AG & Co. OHG; Michael Moore, RocketLife; and Chanan Steinhart, DigiLabs. Scott Brownstein of Brownstein & McCabe Associates presents simple-yet-powerful industry conventions and strategies to couple the power of independent software developers with latent consumer demand to enable mass-market, image-rich document creation and production.
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