Bio.:
Joel was born at an early age and attended some colleges.
B.S. Engineering Physics, Cornell Univ., 1966
M.S. Nuclear Engineering, University of Ill., 1968
33 graduate level hours in Physics, 1970-1974
Numerous courses in communications and systems engineering1975 – 2008
Retired 31 March 2011
Joel initially took up photography in 1972 with the purchase a Mymiya Sekor 1000. His first digital camera was purchased in 2000, after a trip to Alaska during which he shot 28 rolls of high speed Ectachrome ($10/roll, $10/roll processing) shooting a total of 110 rolls that year. He deemed the capital cost to be more than worth the elimination of supply cost for film camera operation.
He has been pursuing his version of excellence in photography, without ever reaching it, ever since. He has attended many workshops with some effect on his photography, which NVPS as re-enforced. His photography interests are nature, sports and automobile.
Topic: Camera Technology.
Most photographers have some idea of optics and a very good knowledge of imaging (making an image of reflected light). The adjunct of that is that most photographers have little idea what is actually happening in the camera’s image pipeline.
I am hoping that this presentation will demystify some of that, filling in some of that knowledge and help the photographer understand how a camera operates beginning with the observation that the camera in your hand is a special purpose computer. What is practical in cameras is limited by size and weight. But how do you know what camera is best for your needs? In addition, I hope to give the photographer knowledge to ask questions as to where camera technology is going and whether that is interesting/worthwhile to the photographer. As to why you want this knowledge: The camera is your tool. It seems to me that knowing how to use it and its limitations (technology limitations) are an imperative.
I do not expect to answer all your questions. I do expect to this to serve as a prompt for you to ask questions, either of me, yourself or others.