External documents and software
Here are links to documents (e.g. Optimum Print Width) and to external sites (e.g. IMATEST and Scion Image) which have software and tools of interest to imaging scientists.
Scion Image was originally written by the National Institute of
Health, USA. It is an image processing package that allows you to
perform a large array of processing tasks from a more scientific
basis. It enables you to perform convolution, creating your own
masks, as indicated in the talk by Dr Robin Jenkin at Good Picture
2004. In addition it will allow you to perform Fourier transforms
and a whole host of other
functions. Finally it has a fully functioning macro programming
language to take the strain out of repetitive tasks. The package
may be downloaded free of charge at http://www.scioncorp.com/.
Imatest is a very reasonably priced digital camera testing program that has been written by Norman Koren. It provides comprehensive information on sharpness, colour, tone reproduction and noise information in a simple and easy to use manner. Trial and full versions may be downloaded from http://www.imatest.com/. Norman has written a comprehensive website based on a huge amount of experience as a photographer and it is well worth a browse with its comprehensive information and tutorials covering a wide range of subjects. This may be found at http://www.normankoren.com/
Lionel Baker gave a presentation at the Good Picture 2004 symposium (December 2004) in which he described a novel method of assessing the quality of images produced by digital cameras. He defined a parameter called "Optimum Print Width" which uses a sector star test chart in a simple, cheap and very practical test which can be carried out by even the most non-numerate user. Full details of the technique can be found here (PDF file) and on Lionel's website.
Links to external sites of interest
Here are links to sites (e.g. universities, institutions and companies) known to be active in imaging science and technology.
School of Media Arts and Design, University of Westminster
The School of Media Arts and Design is the home of an interdisciplinary group
of researchers that provides a unique synthesis between the many
scientific disciplines associated with the quantification of images
and imaging systems. These areas include: physics, psychophysics,
computing, statistics, image processing, colour science, visual
perception and art/science interaction.
Society for Imaging Science and Technology is an international non-profit organization whose goal is to keep members aware of the latest scientific and technological developments in the field of imaging through conferences, journals and other publications.
Rochester
Institute of Technology, Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging
Science
The faculty at the Center for Imaging Science are involved in many
facets of imaging research, and are always looking at the emerging
trends in many areas of imaging science.
National Museum
of Photography, Film & Television
This interactive museum is located in Bradford, UK, and is part
of the National Museum of Science and Industry. It is the most visited
national museum in the UK (outside London), attracting approximately
750,000 visitors each year.
Novartis Visions of Science web site. In conjunction with the Daily Telegraph they are looking for (and displaying examples of) photographs that communicate the impact of science, medicine and technology on all our lives.
British Institute
of Professional Photography
Independent non-profit association designed to put you in touch
with the best photographer for your purpose.
UK Association
for High Speed Photography and Photonics
Founded in 1954 by a group of enthusiastic engineers, scientists
and photographers, all keen to share and expand their knowledge
and expertise in the applications of high speed photography and
the development of high speed recording techniques.
Royal Photographic
Society
Parent organisation of this group.