Applied image science: from consumers' digital files to tangible products

The market for picture capturing devices is booming and as a result, household penetration is increasing rapidly. In the traditional analogue market, prints from processed film were the only, albeit a very convenient, way of sharing and archiving memories in albums or in the famous shoebox. Nowadays innovative developments have given rise to new ways to view, share and archive images. Image taking habits are also changing. People are afraid of not "capturing the moment" and nowadays pressing the shutter is not directly linked to costs as was the case with silver halide photography. This behaviour seems to be convenient but can result in a dilemma for the consumer. This paper presents tools designed to help the consumer overcome the time-consuming image selection process while turning the chore of selecting the images for prints or of placing them automatically into a photo book into a fun experience. The digital files processed by these tool originate from various sources. These files are transferred into a production process either in a modified or in their original state. The device origin might be a high resolution SLR camera or a low resolution mobile phone camera. The customer expects all of these images, regardless of source, to be printed in the perfect quality he is accustomed to from analog film processing. Customers often expect an even higher standard of quality due to the elevated retail price of DSCs. Digital photo services also offer the customer the option of a simple order process, enabling them to order various image formats which cannot be printed on a single machine. Therefore color management and the enhancement tools used on different types of machines play a very important role, especially with regard to online photo services which also offer products which do not necessarily have to be printed on light-sensitive photo paper, e.g. calendars, greeting cards, etc. These products are printed using different technologies e.g. digital printers such as the hp Indigo or Xerox machines. The customer expects to receive both prints and personalized photo creations in exactly the same quality. This paper will also describe how non-virtual products from pictures taken by digital devices can be implemented in the wholesale industry, regardless of image resolution and source, in order to fulfill the consumers' requirements (delivery time and quality). The goal when selling these products is convenience and quality of the whole industrially finished product.