Do You See What I See?
Over the years I have used various cameras. My analog archive of negatives and slides states that it is mostly 35mm film. When did I first start using a digital camera? A quick look through the 20K images in iPhoto reveals a date as early as 2/15/1995. These where taken with a Apple QuickTake 100 camera borrowed from a client of Olson Photo. Ken Olson and I conspired to establish a very fine digital photo department inside his prestigious photo lab on Harbor Boulevard in Anaheim, CA.
Speaking of Olson Photo I am reminded of one of the primary devices that made “commercial” digital photo processing a reality. No, it was not a particular camera... it was the Fujix Pictrography 3000 SCSI RGB printer. Yes, it was the ability to print high quality digital files in a manner acceptable to professional artists, architects and photographers that I believe allowed digital camera technology to move forward. Oh yea, this early digital photo department at Olson Photo also utilized one of the first Leaf Cameras. This camera as I remember was a bit of a disappointment but that Fujix printer never failed to impress.
Today when I require a professional quality print of a digital file I send the file over the internet to the local Costco. Within hours my order is ready for pickup. From 4x6 to enlargements as big as 20x30. All this and ICC color management too. It’s pretty good deal for todays “prosumer”.
So this leads me back to my opening question. Do you see what I see?
Over the years my understanding of photography has evolved. Today, if all of my faculties are participating at the time I press the button to release the shutter I am aware that various factors will determine what the data I am capturing what it will communicate. Those primary factors start with and include my eyes, camera, operating system, monitor, software and output device such as printer if any. The better I understand the capabilities and limitations of all of the devices involved the easier it will be to predict the results before I “click” the button. Beyond the experience that time and repetition bring, this process is greatly assisted by ICC color management. This one factor cannot be understated.
All technology aside, if the “time” is right I can share more than just data, I can hopefully convey a time, a place, a feeling...
