The Image Network - Sharing Digital Knowledge

UK company Electric Lane and the University of Westminster Business Development Unit are launching The Image Network (TIN) to promote the exchange of knowledge and ideas in the field of digital imaging.

Loosely modeled on the University's thriving network for new media companies (www.nmk.co.uk) the network will be based on an informative web site and will host events, training and knowledge-sharing for people dealing with digital images - including photographers, picture libraries, publishers, ad agencies, designers, pre-press, imaging labs, and anyone using or producing images.

The need for exchange of views and information across the industry was highlighted at a recent meeting in London hosted by TIN, attended by representatives from photography, press-press, picture libraries and picture research.

Trade associations represented were : AOP (Association of Photographers), APPA ( Advertising Pre-press Association), BAPLA (British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies),CEPIC (Coordination of European Picture Libraries and Agencies), EPUK (Editorial Photographers UK), PRA ( Picture Research Association).

The call for standards was loud and clear, with people from all sectors only too aware of the problems dogging the industry at present. Many customers are only dimly aware of the specification they need for their particular job. There need to be guidelines on file-size, format, colour space and compression ratio as well as standards to reassure customers about the integrity of the image data they are receiving - particularly in the field of colour management.

The Image Network will start work now to coordinate a standards- setting initiative which will draw together work already done on the subject, notably by the AOP Digital Imaging Group, and find ways to develop and promote standards across the industry.

The web site will launch in the autumn, with a program including both technical and business development issues, particularly those relevant to small businesses.

If you are interested and want to be on the mailing list, or want to contribute to the standards discussion e-mail Sarah Saunders at The Image Network. sarah.saunders@theimagenetwork.co.uk

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