TechPost IV-Sherry Bi(301137649)-Tech114-Spring 2011

Summary of Historical Precedent:

In 1814, A Frenchman called Joseph Nicéphore Niépce obtained the first ever photographic image with his “Camera Obscura” (which is the first camera). This image was taken by having the shutter left open for eight hours ad faded shortly after.
camera obscura

In 1838, Professor Charles Wheatstone established that humans perceive depth when the brain combines two slightly different images. This discrepancy he believed, allows us to see the world in three dimensions.

In 1888, George Eastman founded a company that produced gelatine dry plates, later known as Kodak. Eastman later invented a preloaded, hand-held camera, the Kodak’s very first one (Davenport, 1999, p.25).

In 1900, with the introduction of small portable cameras, imaging only in 2D but easier to use, rapidly reduced the popularity of stereo photography (Hays, 2011).
Kodak’s $1.00 Brownie Camera

In1960s, after the 3D-mania struck when colour film and comics are allowed to produce in third dimension by Kodachrome colour camera a decade ago. It was arrival of the Kodak Instamatic camera, along with the color Polaroid, with 3D cameras remaining less portable and needing glasses (Hays, 2011)

In 1971, the first “touch sensor” was developed by Doctor Sam Hurst (founder of Elographics) while he was an instructor at the University of Kentucky. The “Elograph” was a significant milestone in touch screen technology (Bellis, 2009).

On December 1975, Eastman Kodak Co. developed the prototype for a digital camera which is later known as the first digital camera. The device was a large 8-pound box about the same size as six staked books. The lens on the camera was about the same size as the screen on most modern digital cameras (Bellis, 2009).
Kodak’s first digital camera

In 2000 the first touch screen camera was introduced to the general public, but it did not receive much attention because of its hefty price tag. However, in the years since its debut, the touch screen digital camera has gone mainstream. In addition to becoming more affordable, touch screen models are easier to use (Helen, 2009).
FujifilmZ700 touch screen camera

Summary of Present Events:

Nowadays, due to the commonly use of computer and other digital devices and convenience of digital camera, more and more people choose to use digital cameras instead of film cameras especially amateur photographer.

Three types of using digital camera have developed along with the technology.
– The majority of people use camera phones, operated as a mobile application through the cell phone menu.
– The professional photographers use relatively larger and more expensive DSLR (digital single-lens reflex cameras)
– Between two extremes we have digital compact cameras (relatively portable and designed for casual “snapshot”) and bridge digital cameras (higher-end cameras that resemble DSLRs and share compacts use of a fixed lens and small sensor.)

Digital cameras are made in a wide range of sizes, prices, functions and capabilities. For example, the release of the Fujifilm FinePix camera in 2011 brings compact 3D cameras into the modern age, allowing images to be viewed in 3D without the need for special glasses (Callaghan, 2010). With IMAX movies becomes a popular form of entertainment. Over 25 major 3D Movie titles have been produced between 2005 and 2009 with numerous movie theatres becoming equipped with polarized projectors.

Additonally, as touch screen smart phones and other devices are widely used and gradually become mainstream, the function is enabled into digital cameras to provide many more functional features such as face reorganization and built-in image editor. While touch screen brings more convenience to users it still hasn’t fully integrated into the digital camera field for following reasons:
– The price of touch screen cameras are much higher than traditional point-and-shoot digital cameras.
– It may not appeal to photographers who are not use to new technology, and can take a long time for those who are used to shooting with classic digital cameras.
– The interfaces of touch screen digital cameras can be slow, especially compared with physical controls. – Using the screen to control the camera’s features puts a real strain on the battery, which means there will be burning batteries at a much faster rate than a traditional digital camera (Helen,2009).

Reflection:

Perspective and Reasons:

I think the price of digital camera in general would be lower, due to the commonly usage of people in daily lives, and more sophisticated production technology the manufacture gain.

Also, portable wireless transmitting lens that allows user to take pictures from all kinds of different (or awkward) angles is possible for future cameras. So that the viewfinder no longer needs to be tightly coupled to the camera and users won’t need angle finders any more. Moreover, the viewfinder image can be automatically displayed brighter when preview, to compensate for the light loss caused by the closed aperture.
The portable wireless lens is highly possible to be widely used in the future, because it allows more freedom to manipulate the viewfinder image and faster speed to transfer image to computer or printer.

The size of camera will continue to get smaller it may even get small enough to built-in into glasses that way users will be able to carry it around more easily and actually take picture of exactly how they see it. Convenience has constantly played an important role while users are choosing cameras, so I believe product like this could be produced in the future to fulfill certain needs.

Touch screen will be more integrated into cameras with shorter battery loss and cheaper price. The reason for this is obvious since touch screen has integrated into almost every digital device lately.

In addition, waterproof will become one of the common functions of cameras to not only prevent accident but also allows users to take photos underneath the water. Since photographers travel a lot this function can be extremely useful for them to protect and get special effects of images.

Impact:

Impact of the relatively low price will definitely results in an increase in demand for digital cameras, in the future not merely every family every individual would have his/her own camera. For the society, digital industry would provide more and better quality products, such as films, posters and images in magazines and so on.

As for portable and size of the camera, it will make communication more instantaneous with transfers of images almost right after it’s taken. However, the convenience could also bring issue with privacy and exposure of security secrets due to the concealed appearance of the small camera.

Finally, touch screen and waterproof technology will also allow users wider range of opinions while taking photos as well as protection. The invention of touch screen may result in less production of classic cameras, which would bring up the price of classic relatively more complicated cameras.

Reference:

Bellis, C. (2009, Mar 20). History of touch screen.InfoBarrel,
Retrieved from http://www.infobarrel.com/History_Of_Touch_Screen__and_How_This_Technology__Works

Callaghan, Jonny . (2010). Top five facts: 3d camera history. How It Works,
Retrieved from  http://www.howitworksdaily.com/technology/top-five-facts-3d-camera-history

Davenport, Alma. (1999). The History of photography: an overview. Boston: Focal Press.

Gustavson., T. (2009). Camera: a history of photography from daguerreotype to digital. New York: Sterling.

Hayes, John. (2011). A short history of 3d movies. Wide Screen Movie Magazine, Retrieved from  http://widescreenmovies.org/WSM11/3D.htm

Helen, C. (2009, Mar 20). Touch screen camera.Photography, Retrieved from http://photography.lovetoknow.com/Touch_Screen_Camera

Maryam, C. (2011, Feb 20). Top 5 touch screen cameras. ProductUSP, Retrieved from http://www.productusp.com/top-5-touch-screen-cameras.html

Perri, E. (2004). History of camera. Retrieved from http://collectiblend.com/Cameras

Ramadan, Sam. (2009). The history of 3d photography. Retrieved from http://blog.mission3dgroup.com/2009/01/22/the-history-of-3d-photography

TechPost III-Sherry Bi(301137649)-Tech114-Spring 2011

Since the invention of “Touch Screen”, more and more digital devices like smart phones and computers have adopted this technology. Similarly, touch screen has become the latest addition for digital camera as well.

Historical Precedence

In 1971, the first “touch sensor” was developed by Doctor Sam Hurst (founder of Elographics) while he was an instructor at the University of Kentucky. The “Elograph” was a significant milestone in touch screen technology. Historically, the touchscreen sensor and its accompanying controller-based firmware have been made available by a wide array of after-market system integrators, and not by display, chip, or motherboard manufacturers (Bellis, 2009).

Touch screen digital cameras combine cutting-edge technology with a traditional picture-taking device. The centerpiece of the high-tech tool is a high-resolution touch screen located on the back of the camera, which allows users to simply tap an icon with their fingertip to make fast setting changes.

The first touch screen camera was introduced to the general public in 2000, but it did not receive much attention because of its hefty price tag. However, in the years since its debut, the touch screen digital camera has gone mainstream. In addition to becoming more affordable, touch screen models are easier to use (Helen, 2009).

The Present

Touch screen has enabled users for more convenience and features, it gradually becomes the mainstream in not only smart phones but also digital cameras.

One of the advantages of owning a touch screen digital camera is that users can control every function by a simple touch, without having to press all those keys. Another beneficial feature of a touch screen camera is the ability to select items that you want to focus on just by tapping on the subject in the display. In addition, the size of the screen is helpful for those who struggle to preview and review images on standard-sized digital LCDs. In playback mode, manufacturers have made it easy to flip through images by dragging your finger across the screen. Finally, some companies, including Nikon and Sony, give you the ability to write on a photo and save a copy, which can be both fun and practical.

In 2008, Nikon joined in the touchscreen and revealed its first touchscreen camera the 10-megapixel Coolpix S60 who’s only physical buttons to be found are the power and shutter.  A year later, Canon announced its advance first Touchscreen Powershot G11 which added even more feature such as face recognition and built-in image editor (Helen, 2009).Nikon Coolpix S60

Canon G11

Currently, the top three touch screen cameras are Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7, Nikon Coolpix S4000 and Fujifilm FinePix Z700EXR. Although they have different brands, appearance and lens they still share lots of common merits which make them the top three. All those digital cameras have high performance and great capabilities which gives users comfort in managing and capturing the high quality photographs. Also, their LCD displays make all the activities easy and smooth especially with advance face detection and image stabilization technology (offered by Fujifilm), which gives fantastic image and video results (Maryam, 2011).

Sony Cyber-shot

FujifilmZ700

Nikon Coolplx

Although touch screen brings new feature and more convenience to users, it still  has some downsides and room for improvement.

While the price of touch screen digital camera has gone down in the years since their release, the high-tech toys are still much more expensive than traditional point-and-shoot digital cameras. Another disadvantage of the camera is that it may not appeal to photographers who are technology challenged. Getting used to new technology can take a long time for those who are used to shooting with classic digital cameras.
In addition, the interfaces of touch screen digital cameras can be slow, especially compared with physical controls. Finally, using the screen to control the camera’s features puts a real strain on the battery, which means there will be burning batteries at a much faster rate than a traditional digital camera (Helen,2009).

Relationship between the two

From the above information we notice that the touch screen technology hasn’t fully integrated into the digital camera field. At least, not as commonly used as smart phones. It is mentioned above that the first touch screen camera didn’t make a good impression because of the price tag, the similar problem still exist for many users now. Also, due to the late development of bringing touchscreen into digital cameras, many user are not use to this new form of photography compare to the classic digital cameras.

Despite that, the population of users that choose touchscreen cameras is still growing since touchscreen is very commonly used in other digital product and people would inclined to more convenience and visual pleasure. As a result, companies still keep producing more and more advanced touchscreen cameras to fulfill the consumers’ needs.

Reference:

Bellis, C. (2009, Mar 20). History of touch screen.InfoBarrel,
Retrieved from http://www.infobarrel.com/History_Of_Touch_Screen__and_How_This_Technology__Works

Helen, C. (2009, Mar 20). Touch screen camera.Photography, Retrieved from http://photography.lovetoknow.com/Touch_Screen_Camera

Maryam, C. (2011, Feb 20). Top 5 touch screen cameras. ProductUSP, Retrieved from http://www.productusp.com/top-5-touch-screen-cameras.html

TechPostII-Sherry Bi(301137649)-Tech114-Spring 2011

In the last TechPost the focus in mainly on the size and structure of cameras, in this second Techpost the modern 3D technology applied on cameras will be introduced.

Historical Precedence

It seems hard to believe but 3D photography has existed for over 150 years.

In 1838 Professor Charles Wheatstone established that humans perceive depth when the brain combines two slightly different images. Each eye, separated by about two and a half inches, sees things with a slightly different aspect. This discrepancy, Wheatstone believed, allows us to see the world in three dimensions.

At almost the same time, Mr. Fox Talbot invented the process of putting pictures on paper through the action of light. To prove his theory, Wheatstone invented an instrument he called the stereoscope to view paired images, known as stereographs. Within fifty years, stereo photography grew to become one of the most popular forms of entertainment, becoming as widespread as TV is today (Ramadan, 2009).

A stereoscope poster

However, in 1900, with the introduction of small portable cameras, imaging only in 2D but easier to use, rapidly reduced the popularity of stereo photography.

In 1950s, 3D-mania struck again when Kodachrome colour camera film and a new stereo camera allowed comic books, movies and pictures to all be produced in the exciting third dimension.

In the 1960’s it was arrival of the Kodak Instamatic camera, along with the color Polaroid, with 3D cameras remaining less portable and needing glasses (Hays, 2011).

Kodak’s Brownie Camera during 1900

 

 

Present

In recent years 3D has become more and more popular. With IMAX movies becoming a popular form of entertainment, media publications such as Sport Illustrated and TV Guide have used 3D to drive reader interest.  Over 25 major 3D Movie titles have been produced between 2005 and 2009 with numerous movie theaters becoming equipped with polarized projectors.

The widespread adoption of digital cameras and desktop photo printers has now removed any obstacles to stereo 3D photography in the home or office. With the introduction of Photo3-D, now anyone who can operate a digital camera can take their own, eye-popping 3D photos.

In 2010, the release of the Fujifilm FinePix camera brings compact 3D cameras into the modern age, allowing images to be viewed in 3D without the need for special glasses (Callaghan, 2010).

 

Relationship between the Two

Compare the first stereoscope to the newest Fujifilm camera there’s been a huge change on appearance, display mode, material and quality of output. Although it has been through significant changes, the fundamental principle of combining two slightly different images to create new 3D image stays the same. Nowadays, consumers demand more high quality images with more visual impact than before, but the peruse for entertainment also remains the same just expressed in different forms (1960–comics, stories; 2010–IMAX movies, Avatar).

Additionally, from the historical development of 3D camera we can see that it’s not successfully integrated into the market all the way at the beginning. In 1900 the popularity of stereo photography declined due to invention of the portable and more user friendly Kodak Brownie camera. This information provide an important fact on consumer’s needs throughout the years is that they almost constantly demand product to be more and more convenient to use at reasonable price. As for now, we didn’t stop at 3D glasses in front of the big screen, as the invention of 3D cameras, TVs and even printers. The technology has developed into a more portable, user friendly and personal device which is one of the main factors that determine the value of one device by consumers.

Reference

Hayes, John. (2011). A short history of 3d movies. Wide Screen Movie Magazine, Retrieved from  http://widescreenmovies.org/WSM11/3D.htm

Callaghan, Jonny . (2010). Top five facts: 3d camera history. How It Works,
Retrieved from  http://www.howitworksdaily.com/technology/top-five-facts-3d-camera-history

Ramadan, Sam. (2009). The history of 3d photography. Retrieved from http://blog.mission3dgroup.com/2009/01/22/the-history-of-3d-photography

TechPostI-Sherry Bi-Tech114-Spring 2011

TechPostI
Sherry Bi
301137649

I choose Camera  for my first TechPost. It’s a device that stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies.

Historical Precedence
In 1814, A Frenchman called Joseph Nicéphore Niépce obtained the first ever photographic image with his “Camera Obscura” (which is the first camera). This image was taken by having the shutter left open for eight hours ad faded shortly after. The first photograph was taken approximately 1817 by Nicephore Niepce using cameras of his own making (Perri,2004).

The first camera “Camera Obscura”

how Camera Obscure works

Before the invention of photographic processes there was no way to preserve the images produced by these cameras apart from manually tracing them. In 1817, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce obtain the first photograph with his “Camera Obscura” (which is the first camera). The image was taken by having the shutter left open for eight hours ad faded shortly after. The photograph required eight hours of light exposure to create and after appearing would soon fade away.   In 1871, after several modifications, photographic images were eventually accomplished to print on gelatin dry plates, “[with] a fraction of a second in normal sunlight and processed at the leisure of the photographer”(Davenport, 1999, p.23). In 1888, George Eastman founded a company that produced gelatin dry plates, later known as Kodak. Eastman later invented a preloaded, hand-held camera, the Kodak’s very first one. “The original Kodak camera measured 3¼ x 3¾ x 6½ inches, with a price of $25” (Davenport, 1999, p.25).

Kodak(1888 Original)- first “point and shoot” camera

With the development of practical process of photography like tintypes, Wet-Plate Negatives and Hand-held Cameras.The first color photograph was made by Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell with the help of English inventor and photographer Thomas Sutton in 1861 (Bellis,2009). The electronic video camera tube was invented in the 1920s, starting a line of development that eventually resulted in digital cameras which largely supplanted film cameras after the turn of the 21st century.

Tourist Multiple (1913 )

first trully digital camera to be sold on the market (1990) Dycam Model1

The present

Today there are various different types of cameras on the market. Since the invention of computer the way cameras are used have changed dramatically. More and more people choose to use digital cameras instead of film cameras especially amateur photographers.
Digital cameras are made in a wide range of sizes, prices and capabilities. Professional photographers and many amateurs use relatively larger and more expensive DSLR (digital single-lens reflex cameras). As the technology has developed rapidly the majority of people use cameras phones, operated as a mobile application through the cell phone menu. Between the two extremes lie digital compact cameras (relatively portable and designed for casual “snapshot”) and bridge digital cameras (higher-end cameras that resemble DSLRs and share compacts use of a fixed lens and small sensor.) The advantage of digital cameras is that many shots can be taken and then deleted with on the best to be kept, they can also be stored on disc, SD card or printed.

Relationship Between the Two

From the above information we can see that as the cameras evolve from a wooden box and took image which could only last for hours to high-tech digital device that can store, transfer and print large amount of high quality photos. But, the basic purpose of the invention has stayed same: capture momentary events and preserve permanently. Also, throughout the history of camera, there is continuously change in the size of the camera. For example, the “Camera Obscure” went through significant change to “Tourist Multiple” which is lighter and smaller, even the appearance of a suitcase indicates the concept of “portable”. This result shows that users’ pursue for convenience and high quality of cameras are equally important and the requirements cause fast development of digital portable cameras.

Reference:

Bellis, M. (2009). History of camera and photography. Retrieved from                 http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/a/stilphotography.htm

Davenport, Alma. (1999). The History of photography: an overview. Boston: Focal Press.

Gustavson., T. (2009). Camera: a history of photography from daguerreotype to digital. New York: Sterling.

Perri, E. (2004). History of camera. Retrieved from http://collectiblend.com/Cameras

Sherry Bi-Tech 114-Spring 2011