RPS Imaging Science Group

Some infrared telescope systems are purposefully sited at high altitudes in dry climates. This is because asymmetric molecules such as carbon dioxide and water vapour absorb strongly at some infrared wavelengths. Placing them at these high dry sites maximises the atmospheric windows they can look through.
However, these atmospheric absorptions can be a benefit to other applications. Today I have been looking at MIRTHE (Mid-Infrared Technologies for Health and Environment). Their definition of “mid-infrared” is pretty wide (3 to 27µm) and encompasses the infrared absorptions of many asymmetric atmospheric gas molecules. Amongst other work they use quantum cascade lasers to measure the concentrations of these molecules for air quality monitoring.
Definitely a case of one groups problem being another groups opportunity!

I spent some time considering where to go next with my infrared photography. My plans fall into 3 strands.
1. Get some imaging done with my new Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens. This should allow me to collect plenty of IR light even though my Fuji S1 Pro DSLR still has an IR filter fitted.
2. More work on the HP Photosmart compact camera. I have a vision of attaching some better optics.
3. I have a small collection of old camera and optics – see image. I plan to convert one of these old 35mm cameras to a DSLR with a basic sensor chip to make my own IR camera. Watch this space!

Most groups within the RPS are primarily concerned with the art of photography. The Imaging Science Group seeks to promote the science of photography too. There is the potential for a gulf between these 2 cultures as outlined 50 years ago by CP Snow in his Rede Lecture at Cambridge (see R P Crease, “Critical Point ‘Two Cultures’ turns 50”, Physics World may 2009 page 19, www.physicsworld.com). The benefit for the RPS of having groups both sides of the potential “cultural divide” is to ensure that we make best use of the contributions from both sides of the debate. Is photography an art or a science – it is both!
On the 50th anniversary of this influential lecture it is fitting to use another anniversary to celebrate this, Infrared 100, the centenary of infrared photography. This blog and the work of the infrared 100 group (http://infrared100.blogspot.com/ ) seeks to show that the art and science of infrared photography can be combined to give some interesting and educational imagery. Truly in the spirit of CP Snow!

The IS&T are holding another Color Imaging Conference – see http://www.imaging.org/conferences/cic17/ . As in the past, this year’s Color Imaging Conference (CIC17) is accepting Late Breaking News (LBN) papers, which will either be included in a session to be held Friday afternoon or incorporated into the Interactive Paper Session. LBN papers offer researchers the opportunity to provide the latest technical results on recent research, i.e., results that were not available in April, at the time of the deadline for regular paper submissions. Oral presentations are 15 minutes in length; Interactive presenters will be allowed a two-minute oral preview and will participate in the two-hour poster session.

If you have a topic you would like to present at CIC17, please submit something to cic17@imaging.org by September 8, 2009 . This could be

 a full-length paper (2,000-3,500 words)
 ready for publication
 in MS-Word or PDF format
 following the guidelines found at www.imaging.org/conferences/guidelines.cfm
 using the US letter-size template

The RPS, as a contributing member to ICIS nominates 3 delegates. A full list of the membership can be found under http://www.icisimaging.org/membership.htm.

The RPS have kindly nominated me to take on one of these 3 slots. This has now been accepted by ICIS. If you want to know what I have been up to in recent years check out the announcement under http://www.icisimaging.org/spotlights/ICIS_Doc_No_2009-01_Membership_changes_in_UK.doc

The RPS is a member of the International Committee of Imaging Science. Every 4 years this group holds a meeting called ICIS – the International Congress of Imaging Science. The next meeting is in 2010 and will be held in Beijing, China, May 12-16, 2010. The deadline for abstract submission is December 31, 2009.
The ICIS2010 Call for Papers has been released and is available for downloading at http://www.imaging.org/conferences/PDF_CALLS/ICIS2010_CFP.pdf
ICIS has provided a platform for imaging scientists and researchers to exchange information on the latest developments in imaging science and technology. Under the theme “Imaging Science and Technology in the Digital Era,” ICIS2010 is placing special focus on digital imaging and its applications over a wide spectrum of topics including, but not limited to:
•         Digital methods, systems, and equipment for image capture
•         Color science and technology for digital imaging systems
•         Digital image processing, manipulation, and communication
•         Novel imaging and related functional materials
•         UV curing materials and technologies
•         Evaluation methods and instrumentation for digital imaging and related performances
•         Digital imaging technologies and systems
•         Digital media and image performance
•         Digital output and hardcopy technologies
•         Digital photofinishing and systems
•         Digital and on-demand printing/publishing technologies and systems
A full listing is found in the call.

Back on line again after my 2002 vintage laptop developed deathwish. It took to steadily corrupting the Windows O/S which I took to be a progressive fault on the well used and over full 30GByte hard drive. Thankfully all the data was backed up but the data files remained readable anyway.

I changed the drive for a newer, faster 160GByte version. Still the same problem! Chased it down to a faulty memory module. So now up and running with more memory, more disc capacity and a lot less junk on the drive.

And still lots to say. The learning point is ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR IMAGES. Through all this I appear to have lost nothing except a lot of time!

Just back from a week away in the UK. No photography this time but time to ponder my next move in infrared photography.

I currently have 2 cameras on the go for this. The converted HP Photosmart compact is fine but many of my Budapest pictures show lot of image noise. Perhaps I should consider adding some better optics. My Fujifilm S1 Pro DSLR has the optics but I am loath to take out the IR filter. With this in the exposure times are quite long.

One option would be to get the S1 a faster lens. Today I was taking a look at a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 unit on ebay. Unfortunately it went for a silly price. Let’s not give up though. Now if only I could afford one of the new Sigma units reviewed in the RPS Journal (”Back to the future”, May 2009, pages 242 – 244 by David Land).

The final expensive option would be to buy another camera. John Horne, writing in the June 2007 of the RPS Journal (page 225, “Shooting infrared with Sigma DSLRs”) showed some success with cameras where it it easy to remove the IR blocking filters.