[10.24.2001]
Interview with Robin Myers: Part 4
Robin: Well, I'd like to see color management be implemented in operating systems so that you cannot avoid it. It should be always working to make the images match, not an optionally selected feature. This means that I would like video applications like QuickTime to also use color management. To support some of these applications, I'd like to see hardware support for color management, which implies that there would be more standardization of the implementation of color management.
Jeff: Do you think we'll ever have digital cameras with spectrophotometers built in to characterize the scene and auto-correct?
Robin: Almost every digital camera is already doing scene analysis and correction. This is how they do their white point correction and other processing. As for spectrophotometric cameras, there is the field of multi-spectral imaging, which NASA and the government have been doing for years. With the availability of low-cost cameras, ones that do not need a Department of Defense budget, multi-spectral imaging is being applied to more fields, such as fine art reproduction.
Jeff: How about televisions? Could TVs have the capacity to be visually calibrated at least and correct the signal as it comes? I'd think perhaps with HDTV this might evolve more easily...
Robin: Sure, the technology exists. Adding auto calibration would add to the cost, but it is very possible. Calibration does not require HDTV, but the creation of a new standard is allowing some tightening of specifications.
Jeff: I'd think it's been a pleasure seeing the ICC, ColorSync, and color management in general grow up and blossom before your eyes. I feel we're going to see continued mainstreaming of the technology, with Adobe pushing the envelope and instruments — like GretagMacbeth's Eye-One — getting cheaper and cheaper. Are you encouraged by what you see?
Robin: Yes, I'm very happy to see color management becoming common enough that even the local copy shops are starting to implement it. Low cost accurate instruments and easy to use software is making the process much simpler and more accessible. As it becomes more common, I look forward to the day that everyone has color management actively working for them and cannot remember a time when it was not present.
Jeff: Thanks so much for sharing your time!
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