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Camera phone
Summary: A camera phone is a handy thing to have. This is evidenced by those camera phone pics when the London subway was bombed. When London's subway system was bombed, the world watched the surreal trek of survivors to safety, recorded in a short video clip and dramatic camera phone pics from a cameraphone. Photographers in the digital age are recording history and it is published at warp speed on websites worldwide. Literally, we are living in the "eyewitness age".
2006 First quarter announcement...THIS JUST IN FROM DEVELOPERS IN ASIA
Samsung has just announced a 10 megapixel cameraphone. In what will no
doubt be a technological game of leap frog the SCH-B600 is dual face
bar type phone featuring 3x optical zoom,5x digital zoom, focus
adjustment, shutter speed of 1/2000, self timer, exposure compensation,
continuous shooting. “Autofocus fill light” enables users to take
clearer pictures even when it is dark.
The phone also has 16m color LCD, S-DMB, Bluetooth, MP3 player, dual speaker and
TV out.
Cameraphones recently dominated the conversation
among a group of photojournalists. You know, those photographers that
use photographs to communicate visually. In the visual storytelling
world, today's photojournalists want quality images combined with the
ability to deliver those images to their publication quickly.  | | Web image shows how "citizen journalists" contributions make front page news in an instant. |
It turns out that the public wants the same thing.
The cameraphone is providing that instant visual communication mode
right now. Cameraphone users are making good use of expanding
technology, despite compromised optical quality of cameraphones.
Young and upwardly mobile users
According to industry research published in
mid-2005, over 10 percent of households own cameraphones. Those
mid-30-year-olds, well-educated, well-heeled and well on their way to
success are embracing cameraphones. In equal numbers, males and females
are snapping scenery, portraits, fender benders, pets and photoblogging.
One of the most exciting sites on the internet for cameraphone display of photos is textamerica.com.
The selection of photos and creative use is impressive and
inspirational. When viewing the site, the square format of the photos
reminds one of the Polaroid One-Step days.
Demand for quality
Nearly two-thirds of all cameraphone owners have a
digital camera. Because of that linkage you can assume many users have some knowledge or concern about image
quality. Cameraphone users are asking for better optical quality in
lenses and that might signal an expanding market based on optical
advances.
Well, that image quality is available in Asian markets. In March 2005, Samsung announced a 7-megapixel cameraphone that set industry analysts buzzing. Not to be outdone, Samsung trumped themselves with a November announcement of an 8-megapixel cameraphone.
Nearly all US cameraphones feature 2-megapixel
CCD's.
Increased resolution increases image quality and Motorola now
features a 3-megapixel cameraphone that actually looks more like a
camera than phone. More megapixels are coming soon because Asian tech
developments soon find their way into US markets.
Lens optical quality questionable
The biggest questions surrounding the quality of
images from cameraphones is the optical quality of the lenses.
Important aspects to consider when evaluating the optical quality of a
cameraphone lenses are contrast, resolution and distortion.
- Contrast is important to images because it gives depth to the
photo. Contrast provides visual sharpness and tone from vivid black to
sparkling white.
- Resolution records detail, the higher the resolution, the higher
the detail. Detail in dark shadow areas enhances the visual perception
of the photo. Sharpness in the middle tones is important as well. The
auto exposure mode of cameraphones exposes the photo to best render
detail in the middle tones and tends to let the deep shadows and
highlights take care of themselves.
- Distortion in cameraphone lenses is a fact. The lenses distort in
a number of ways, but most of that distortion is not perceptible to the
casual viewer. What is clearly visible is an effect called barrel
distortion. It is a gently bowing of horizontal lines that tends toward
a fisheye effect, especially if the image is enlarged on a computer
screen or printed.
What are people doing with cameraphone images?
Cameraphone users aren't just snapping photos,
viewing them and hitting the delete button. They are making use
of the images in e-mails and postings on personal web pages and blogs. The
emergence of "citizen journalists", and the controversial embrace of
the concept by major news organizations, has given rise to making news
with a cameraphone.  | | Cameraphones are big! This oversized advertising effort in Dallas is located in a new terminal at DFW airport. |
Star watchers, the Hollywood type, are on the prowl
with cameraphones in hand. Kate Moss, allegedly caught using
contraband, was recorded on a cameraphone. Advertising contracts were canceled as a result.
The Presidents of the United States, a band, has
recorded a music video using a number of cameraphones. All of the video
sequences were shot with cameraphones for the novelty of the project as
well as the economics of the industry. Internet reports say the director
was looking for an economical and novel approach for the project.
Although it is cutting edge today, the director fears that in a short
time it will be "so 2005".
Corporate contributions
Kodak has announced a postcard service where you download your cameraphone photo through a Mobile
Service Postcard application. Access the service, select a frame and
send it on to Kodak. They will print and send your postcard.
An Asian phone company has announced a service that
will let you send your favorite photo as a calling card when you place
a call. However, personalized ring tones prove annoying as often as
not, so make the photo a good one, when this capability lands on the US
shore.
Cameraphone technology is here to stay. It might
turn out to be a good thing for photography. Questions surrounding
optical quality of lenses, exposure control and making quality prints
form cameraphone image files still remain. As demand increases it will
drive market developments in a positive direction. Few people leave
home
without phones and soon they'll be sure to have a cameras as well.
Meanwhile, camera retailers are asking the camera
companies for a camera that is also a phone. Seems like everyone wants
in on the action.
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Good photographs begin with good light. In the digital photography world, the quality of light corresponds to the quality of the photograph. The dramatic light of the early morning and late afternoon can raise the quality of your images. In poorly lit situations use supplemental lighting from the camera's flash in the fill-flash mode.
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Adobe's Photoshop is very expensive at nearly $700, Is it worth it?
Dear PS,
Adobe's Photoshop is very expensive at nearly $700, Is it worth it?
On the cheap in Oregon
Dear On the cheap,
Yes! If you plan to take creative steps in dealing with your images, photoshop and the lastest Creative Suite 2 are simply the best and most efficients image handling programs available. Is it "worth it" to you, that depends on what you hope to achieve with your images. I would suggest the Elements version of photoshop as an entry level position. Better yet, check a local computer store or even the Apple Store an invest a little time in attending a couple of their tutorial classes for a "test drive" of the program. Then you'll be better informed before you spend your money.
Thanks for your question,
Michael at PS
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