TRAINING SEMINAR

High-Speed Imaging Technology Film & Video

VIC Home Page

Once each year, Visual Instrumentation conducts a four day program on high-speed imaging technology.  It provides scientists, engineers and photographers with an opportunity to learn about image capture applications of fast moving events from an engineering perspective.   The next seminar is scheduled to start on May 4, 2009 thru May 7, 2009 and will be conducted in Lancaster, California, which is about 75 miles north of Los Angeles.  The program will start at 9:00am on Monday morning and at 8:00am on the following days and ends early-afternoon on Thursday.  This program is limited to a maximum of 20 attendees and early registration is advised. The program fee is $1,200.00.  

 A cadre of speakers will discuss their areas of expertise and some will participate in the hands-on experience.  The following is a brief outline of the topics to be covered.  During this 3˝ day program seminar attendees will have ample opportunity for hands-on experience with the latest high-speed digital cameras and related accessories.  Representatives of several high-speed camera companies will also discuss and demonstrate their latest generation cameras and related accessory products.   

1. The imaging process:  A discussion of digital image sensors.  How these sensors respond to light, color, infrared and ultra violet energy.

2. Types of high-speed cameras:  Framing and streak cameras, digital and film

3. High-speed imaging for data acquisition:  Defining the imaging task from an engineering perspective.

4. Lenses and optics:  How to select the correct lenses; for digital cameras with different size CMOS image Sensors.   How to calculate lens angles, depth-of-field etc.

5. Lighting considerations:  High intensity illumination is essential when the image capture process requires high camera and shutter speeds.  High lighting levels usually require more electrical power and selecting the correct and most efficient lighting equipment is discussed to deal with these circumstances. 

6. Data Analysis: Qualitative or Quantitative:  Reducing imaging data to numbers.  Discussion of 2D/3D software for motion analysis applications with automatic detection and tracking of moving objects in a series of image frames. The result is: object position, size, acceleration, displacement, angle etc. vs. time.

7. Data Analysis: Qualitative or Quantitative:  Reducing imaging data to numbers.  Discussion of 2D/3D software for motion analysis applications with automatic detection and tracking of moving objects in a series of image frames. The result is: object position, size, acceleration, displacement, angle etc. vs. time.

8. Spatial measurement aids:  Targets, grids, reticules etc.  These devices can enhance the data from captured images.  Also, targets differ for automatic and computerized digitizing vs. manual collection of data.

9. A systems approach:  Transferring film and video images to high-resolution digital requires an efficient library technique and large data base.   A discussion of methods to store digital image files: Temporary, archival and retrieval. 

10. Useful formulas:  How to calculate camera speeds and shutter speeds for known object velocities, angles, distances etc to stop motion blur in the image capture process.

11. Hands on Experience:  Attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss their “real world” imaging problems and perhaps glean insight on applying some of the seminar techniques to assist with particular imaging applications.

12. High-Speed film camera maintenance:  See the final paragraph on the next page for details.  

The following is a list of speakers that will participate in the seminar. 

            SPEAKERS                                                                    TOPIC  

• Mr. Gil Pendley:  President VIC. Understanding the Physical Principles of light.  How digital image sensors and film respond to light. 

• Mr. Tom Pincu:  Consultants.  Lighting considerations for high-speed imaging; how to select the type and quantity of lights to do the job.

• Peter Repich:  Vice-President, UniQoptics.  Understanding lenses & optics; a practical perspective.

• Mr. Gil Pendley:  President VIC.  Data Acquisition using high-speed cameras; defining the task from an engineering perspective.

• Ms. Bev Pasterczyk:  Motion picture imaging specialist, Eastman Kodak.  Trends in films for high-speed photography.  New generation Color Vision 3 negative films.

• Dr. Jack Sanders-Reed:  Technical Fellow, Boeing-SVS.  Analysis of imaging data, qualitative or quantitative.  And, a detailed discussion of 2D/3D motion analysis software.

• Prof. Andrew Davidhazy:  Rochester Institute of Technology.  School of Imaging & Photographic Sciences.

• Mr. Frank Kosel:  Photo-Sonics, Inc.  Ultra high-speed Image converter cameras and their applications.

• Mr. Victor De Francisco:  Systems Engineer, VIC.  Current computer technology: How to organize, store and manage large volumes of high-resolution digital imagery.

 Some speakers will also conduct laboratory sessions with actual hardware/software that relates to their topics.  Each attendee will receive a 3-ring binder that includes detailed reference information; formulas, charts, and a potpourri of reference tables and useful information on the application of high-speed imaging.  Seminar attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss their specific areas of interest with staff and other attendees.  These discussions frequently lead to suggestions on application techniques that may be useful.  Attendees are also encouraged to bring digital video or film samples of non-classified image sequences captured in their organization’s testing environments.

 In addition, attendees interested in film camera maintenance are offered the opportunity to spend time on Thursday afternoon, after the close of the formal sessions. This will take place at VIC’s Lancaster facility.  The purpose is to receive hands-on maintenance instructions by factory technicians on 16mm Hycam, Locam and related high-speed film cameras.  If you have a troublesome camera, bring it along and it will be evaluated and if possible repaired and/or adjusted to factory performance specifications during this session.

Feb 2009