An RPS Symposium

Following the success of the previous seven Good Picture Symposia, the Imaging Science Group of the Royal Photographic Society is organising another in its series of tutorial seminars, open to all, on selected technical aspects of Digital Imaging. 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.

Over the years we have endeavoured to showcase the technical diversity of digital imaging. As 2010 is the 100th anniversary of Infrared photography, we have taken the opportunity to celebrate this by including some IR topics that should be of great interest to all.

Location:	University of Westminster, Regent Street, London. For a map, see here. (Note: There is full disabled access to this meeting)
Date:	Saturday 4th December 2010, 10am - 4pm
Charges:	£64.00 Concessions: £36.00 (Students, Retired, Unemployed) Includes buffet lunch plus morning and afternoon coffee and biscuits
Contact:	Dr. Mike Christianson: tel. 01753 890 480 Web based application form

Programme

John Smith: Infrared in the Surveillance Society
University of Westminster
This talk will review the historical landmarks in the development of Infrared imaging from films to digital capture and manipulation and discuss some of its many applications by law enforcement and forensic agencies. Examples include the video spectral comparator (VSC); covert surveillance imaging; traffic speed cameras; the use of infrared fluorescent fingerprint dyes; the photography of blood stains, gunshot residue and muddy tyre marks on dark fabrics; biometric imaging of iris and venous patterns. Infrared imaging is one of many examples where these agencies rely on the ability of imaging systems to make the invisible visible: the images are significantly different from those we could see with our eyes: a true and accurate record of the invisible!

Dr. Kevin Howell: Digital Infrared Thermography in Medicine
Royal Free Hospital
Recent developments in uncooled infrared detector arrays, along with improvements in desktop computing power, have brought thermographic imaging within the reach and budget of most medical practitioners. This presentation will introduce some of the applications of medical thermography, and consider the requirements for producing reliable and trustworthy radiometric temperature measurements of the human body surface.

Prof. Robert W.G. Hunt OBE DSc FRPS: The Use of Colour Appearance Models in Imaging
Colour Consultant
In imaging, original scenes and their reproductions often involve differences in the colour and levels of their illuminants. These differences affect perceived colourfulness and brightness, but basic colorimetry does not include measures for these percepts. A model of colour appearance provided recently by the CIE will be described that meets this need.

Dr. Graeme Awcock: How Infrared Sensing Might Help Us Manage the Resources of Planet Earth
University of Brighton
Satellite-borne remote sensing instruments now provide an established and demonstrable capability to collect invaluable data from the 'high-ground' of space. This is a critical resource in developing our awareness of both Earth's resource potential, and the implications of its exploitation. This presentation will introduce some of these applications of satellite-borne multi-spectral sensing. Since this capability happens to be critically dependent on imaging with infrared light, both in its reflected (NIR & MWIR) and emitted (TIR) forms, this topic is particularly relevant to our celebrations of 100 years of IR photography.

Dr. Tony Kaye ASIS FRPS: Canon "RAW" Conversion Options - Too Much of a Good Thing?
Independent Imaging Consultant
At Good Picture 2007 results from 10 different "RAW" software converters used with Nikon "RAW" files were compared. At Good Picture 2009, the colour reproduction of 11 different camera profiles available within Adobe ACR 5.3 for Nikon "RAW" files were compared with some surprising results. Requests were received to share something similar for those using Canon cameras. For Good Picture 2010 we will use Canon "RAW" files and compare and contrast the tone and colour reproduction offered by Adobe Camera Raw with that produced "in camera" and via Canon software, and assess how closely they match.

Prof. Francis Ring ASIS FRPS: Infrared Imaging - The Fever Screening Dilemma
Faculty of Advanced Technology, Univ. Glamorgan
A new application for infrared imaging has developed in recent years, sometimes encountered by travellers in international airports. Used correctly, it is possible to image a person's face so that a high temperature caused by fever can be detected. Many applications however fail to meet the criteria defined by the ISO. The implications of correct and incorrect technique will be discussed.

Dr. Alan Hodgson ASIS FRPS: Practical Options For Infrared Photography
3M Security Printing and Systems Ltd.
There are many ways to create IR photographs and this presentation explores some of the low cost options available to photographers. Starting with the options with simply fitting a filter to a standard DSLR we will explore the options of using some of the old kit residing in camera bags, car boot sales and junk boxes. Modifications to old compact cameras, webcams and video camera systems will all be considered. The potential of these to easily experiment with interesting camera configurations will also be covered. Some of these may make interesting student projects too!

N.B. Further information about other events being held to celebrate the anniversary of Infrared photography can be found on Andy Finney's Infrared 100 Blog.