6Sight

6Sight reports new photo enthusiast insights

PMA and Future Image released a new research report, “Rise of the Amateur,” at the 6Sight Future of Imaging Conference.

6Sight attendees were the first to hear the findings of this groundbreaking survey, conducted in partnership with the DP Review photo site. The report is a comprehensive overview of the enthusiast photographer market, generated from more than 15,000 responses from DP Review members.

PMA estimates the photo enthusiast market has doubled in the past decade, driven by high-quality, relatively low-cost digital technology.

“Our recent research demonstrates explosive growth in the segment, and reveals the experience of the digital photo enthusiast today is much richer and multifaceted than generally believed: It involves not only SLRs, but also multiple cameras, large-screen televisions, photo book production, and intense online community involvement.”

Among the most striking findings are:

33 percent have 20,000 or more digital images saved in their archives.

16 percent use 4 or more cameras.

 Until Dec. 1, 6Sight attendees will be able to purchase this report for $199; the regular price will be $495. 

November 9, 2009

MIT MEDIA LAB RESEARCHER EXPLORES COMPUTATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

The state of the art in advanced imaging takes center stage as Ramesh Raskar of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass., presents the latest developments in the field of computational photography at the 6Sight Future of Imaging Conference.

Computational photography exploits plentiful, low-cost computing and memory; new kinds of digitally enabled sensors; optics; probes; smart lighting; and communication to capture information far beyond just a simple set of pixels. 

Raskar is head of the Camera Culture research group and codirector of the Center for Future Storytelling, both at the MIT Media Lab. He predicts a richer, multilayered visual experience including depth, fused photo-video representations, or multispectral imagery. 

“Computational photography offers the promise of major advances in visual expression and communication,” says Alexis Gerard, 6Sight cofounder and conference chair. “It will enable us to create images that break out of traditional constraints to retain more fully our fondest and most important memories, and it will extend the archival and artistic possibilities of photography. Our attendees will witness the absolute state of the art as Professor Raskar explains and demonstrates advances his group is working on in the areas of generalized optics, sensors, illumination methods, processing, and display. His talk will truly be a window into the future of imaging.”

The 6Sight conference brings together technologists, marketers, futurists, artists, industry and financial analysts, educators, high-volume users, and members of the media who meet to preview breakthrough technologies; forecast innovative uses; and spark new ideas and alliances that benefit current and potential customers, participating companies, and the imaging industry as a whole.

The 6Sight Future of Imaging Conference is Nov. 10-12, 2009, at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, Calif.

LEADING ANALYST FIRMS DEBATE AT 6SIGHT FUTURE OF IMAGING CONFERENCE

Major imaging analyst firms will contrast and compare their varying opinions on the future of imaging at the 6Sight conference. 

Also, for the first time, the top imaging analysts will provide discussions with conference attendees in the 6Sight Tech Fair during the conference. The analyst session is moderated by InfoTrends founder and consumer electronics reporter, Kristy Holch, with top industry analysts from Future Image, Gfk, IDC, InfoTrends, Lyra, NPD, Photo Imaging News, and PMA comparing and contrasting views and predictions.

The 6Sight conference brings together technologists, marketers, futurists, artists, industry and financial analysts, educators, high-volume users, and members of the media to preview breakthrough technologies; forecast innovative uses; and spark new ideas and alliances that benefit current and potential customers, participating companies, and the imaging industry as a whole.

The 6Sight Future of Imaging Conference is Nov. 10-12, 2009, at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, Calif.