Imaging Science
How photography works, and how this can help make you a better photographer
About Imaging Science
The origins of the Imaging Science Group can be traced back to 1919 when the concept of a Scientific and Technical Group was developed to provide a forum for those members interested in the science behind photography. In 1986 the group was renamed the Imaging Science and Technology Group and in 1998 it became the Imaging Science Group, reflecting the changing scientific, technological and imaging landscape. Now over a century later the Group has a wider purpose than just the underlying science behind photography. While maintaining our interest in the core technologies, we share knowledge of issues such as colour space, resolution and hardware as well as experience with scientific imaging techniques. Knowing what can and cannot be done allows us all to push the boundaries of our photography, no matter in what part of the medium we practice. In 2020 we celebrated our centenary as the Scientific and Technical Group’s inaugural meeting was held on the 1st January 1920.
Imaging Science Group Newsletters
Here you can access our archive of series 2 of the group newsletters
RPS Good Picture Symposium 2024 – Elements of Imaging
Following the success of our previous nineteen Good Picture Symposia, the Imaging Science Group of the Royal Photographic Society organised another in its series of tutorial seminars, open to all, on selected technical aspects of Imaging. The aim of these lectures and discussions was to provide imaging practitioners, keen amateurs and students with insights into the broad field of Imaging in all its aspects and to provide some tools and guidelines for improving output.
See the programme here: RPS Good Picture Symposium 2024
RPS Good Picture Symposium 2023
GOOD PICTURE 2023 – DIVERSITY OF IMAGING
Following the success of our previous eighteen Good Picture Symposia, the Imaging Science Group of the Royal Photographic Society is organising another in its series of tutorial seminars, open to all, on selected technical aspects of Imaging. The aim of these lectures and discussions is to provide imaging practitioners, keen amateurs and students with insights into Imaging and provide some tools and guidelines for assessing cameras and software thus improving output.
Find out more here: RPS Good Picture Symposium 2023
Good Picture 2022 – Attributes of Imaging
Following the success of our previous seventeen Good Picture Symposia, the Imaging Science Group of the Royal Photographic Society is organising on the 3rd DEcember 2022, another in its series of tutorial seminars, open to all, on selected technical aspects of Imaging. The aim of these lectures and discussions is to provide imaging practitioners, keen amateurs and students with insights into Imaging and provide some tools and guidelines for assessing cameras and software thus improving output.
For more information check out the following link to the meeting >>> "GOOD PICTURE 2022"
Symposium held on Wednesday 22nd September
The vast majority of our photography is done using the wavelengths of light that our eye responds to. However, capturing images at wavelengths we cannot see, opens up a whole new world for us. Our two speakers focused on two very differing subjects, photographs of human skin and photographs of plants. However, both utilise light that is beyond the range of visible wavelengths (400nm – 700nm).
This event was recorded, please follow the link below for more information about this symposium and to view the recording.
Symposium held on Wednesday 20th October
Pinholes and Artificial Intelligence. The earliest known descriptions of pin hole images (camera obscura) are found in the Chinese Mozi writings (circa 500 BCE) and the Aristotelian Problems (circa 300 BCE – 600 CE). The field of artificial intelligence (AI) research was born at a workshop at Dartmouth College in the US in 1956, where the term "Artificial Intelligence" was coined by one of the attendees, John McCarthy a computer scientist and cognitive scientist. Today’s digital world allows us to see and utilise pinholes in a different way, and bring AI to bear on our everyday photography.
This event was recorded, please follow the link below for more information about this symposium and to view the recording.
Symposium held on Wednesday 24th November
Colour Gamuts and the Colour Response of Cameras. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is very helpful to understand the range of colours your camera can capture and the range of colours that you can see on a monitor and subsequently print. Our two speakers will give you an insight into how to choose equipment and consumables best suited to your imaging needs.
This event was recorded, please follow the link below for more information about this symposium and to view the recording.
The Science Behind Multigrade
If you have read Simon Hill’s news article about Frank Forster Renwick HonFRPS and his work on Ilford Multigrade Paper you may be wondering about the imaging science behind it. If so, you can find out here.
