Monday, April 15, 2002		Article

Imagine dabbling in digital imaging
Sumesh Raizada

TILL few years ago, nobody would have believed that a black and white film could ever be viewed in colours or photograph of past. Rapid advancement in the field of imaging techniques has however made all this possible. Today with the help of digital imaging one cannot only recreate the old photographs but can also modify them according to convenience. A background can be added or removed, facial characteristics can be changed and a photograph can be instantly developed and printed to nearly any possible size. Moreover, the same can also be sent to any corner of the world with the help of the Internet in a time that is significantly shorter then sending it through mail or courier. Another important application of digital imaging is in Web designing, where a designer makes use of imaging tools to bring out the attractive Web pages.

Besides cameras and computer-aided developing devices, digital imaging technologies are also utilised in scanners, printers and film projectors. In several films, special and 3D effects are provided with the help of imaging tools and techniques. The career prospects are, therefore, bright for the professionals who are trained and qualified to provide digital imaging services in varied applications. These experts are employed with film studios, consultants or work as freelancers. They are also involved in the design and development of IT-enabled hardware devices and software for the clients. Several leading companies like Kodak, Agfa, HP, Epson, etc. provide lucrative career openings for these IT-proficient professionals.

India being the growing market in terms of consumption of goods and services has been in focus among most of the multinational firms, which are setting up their base here. As a result digital imaging professionals have a bright career prospects in number of applications and industries. With cinema being a large medium of application for imaging tools and techniques, and with the exponentially growing market for hardware devices like printers, scanners, Web cameras, requirement of digital imaging professionals is bound to increase in near future. These persons can also find avenues in advertising or music video filming in which special effects or imaging techniques are largely utilised.

Digital imaging techniques are also being applied in medical sciences in advanced research and therapy.

Most of the hospitals in Europe or the USA are utilising it in teleradiology, where images from a digital modality such as CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, or a film digitiser are sent from a hospital or a clinic to the expert physicians for their opinion. Digital imaging has also made possible the surgery of tumours or stones where doctors are able to assess the nature of ailment by inserting micro cameras inside the affected parts and perform the operations. The IT-proficient professionals working in a radiology department of hospital or a clinic, needs to have a science or paramedical background. They acquire images digitally, view and store them on an optical disk and are involved in development of specialized imaging software for the aid of physicians.

Digital imaging experts perform restoration of historical photographs or pictures that gets distorted over a period of time. With the help of software like Adobe Photoshop, they even convert black and white picture into a coloured one, without even touching the original one. They work with photography studios, consulting companies or government archive department. In digital consulting firms, professionals are required to develop programs for varied imaging applications. Those desirous of working in this field should have experience of platforms like Visual Basic, Visual C++ and Java. They should be able to work on technologies like OOP, OpenGL and VRML for graphics performance.

People working in digital imaging and publishing careers, use digital technology to create data, text and graphics for publishing in print or electronic media, Web or CD-ROM. Though in India there are not many formal courses on digital imaging as such, except for some multimedia training institutes, several foreign universities conduct detailed courses on the same. These are Brookhaven College, North Lake College, Richland College, etc. Students can choose diploma or degree programs for the digital imaging courses for application in computer publishing, digital media publishing, digital prepress production and custom colour lab. Those desirous of joining such courses must have science or mathematics background. The students are trained on illustrations and photographic images for print reproduction, digital display and digital distribution; graphic presentation, special-effects images for film and digital formats, digital retouching and restoration of photographic images, operation of analogue and digital video equipment, digital printing systems, etc. Graduates have employment opportunities in commercial printing plants, book and magazine publishers, newspaper, government printing facilities, custom or commercial photographic laboratories, media, imaging production houses, etc. Professionals are also required for digital image preparation, film processing, etc. Companies like Kodak, AGFA, Casio offers career opportunity for the development of software for digital cameras and printing.

Those working for digital film processing are involved in non-linear editing, composting and special effects that are used in film or video production as well as post-production editing and special effects. One has to extremely creative, dedicated and organised and must possess excellent communication skills. Those involved in creative media and publishing must be able to plan, evaluate and assess the information or ideas. They must have thorough understanding of art and history, contemporary design, current trends and market preferences as well as their effects upon design and visual communication. Moreover, these professionals have to be inventive and innovative. In video or film production, imaging professionals can work as Graphic Designer, Post Production Supervisor, Film and Tape Editor, Digital Photographer and Printmaker, Digital Visual Effects Supervisor & Artist, etc. They work on a wide range of software applications, production methodology and creative outlets. They are involved in design, colour, composition, etc.

Digital imaging course conducted by Kodak provide exposure to candidates on colour imaging and on products offered by the company. The candidate learn about Image manipulation using Photoshop and to design a cover page layout, etc. Advanced Diploma in Digital Prepress and Multimedia Authoring conducted by some private institutes, provide students exposure on Digital Scanning, Electronic Image Manipulation & Special Effects, Colour management & Calibration, Digital Proofing, Image setting & Film setting, etc.

Digital imaging professionals are also involved in GIS, Satellite Imaging and Presentation Graphics. The consultants also offer 3D modelling, Virtual Reality modelling and data visualisation solutions. These have applications in Interior design, Landscape architecture, 3D modelling of geoscientific data, seismic trace digitisation and reconstruction. Digital Imaging System Engineer is responsible for the design and characterisation of CMOS and CCD image sensors in addition to the creation of system architectures. They manage the imaging laboratories and are involved in documentation, procurement and specification of electronic and optical test and measurement equipment. Qualification required for the position are signal systems engineering with experience in system design & development for image sensor technologies.

For specialized applications say in geological research, these experts make use of software like MapSoft for digitisation of seismic traces, aeromagnetic contour maps and other geophysical contour maps. They also make use of virtual imaging packages for modeling of potential fields, chemical structures and architecture.