Videoblog 20/02/2012 Part 2
Further Discussion with Peter Burton
From Me-
“Thank you for your help Peter, I was just wondering if I could ask you a
question specific to one of my Projects
For my advanced digital applications I have to create a "product" using
advanced digital techniques.
The brief I have given myself is to create immersive 3d environments that
link together to create a virtual scene,
360 panoramas would have hot spots that would link to the next room in a
house, or if outside then a nearby perspective (which would function
similar to Google street view)
But also objects in the room (I.E evidence items) would also be linked so
that if for instance there was a knife used in a murder then it would lie
in situ in the panorama, but clicking on it
would bring up any forensic imagery of the object, which in my project
would be macro photographs and/or Photo-textured 3 models that you could
manipulate the view around.
I was just wondering if this was anything similar to what you are currently
doing, and if so how it varies.
The end result would be an environment that investigators could re-enter
and re-assess without having to return physically, If this isn't anything
similar I was wondering
if this would be something that could be used in the future or if there are
any problems surrounding this which would render it a redundant approach.
Also the environments could potentially be used to create simulation crime
scenes for investigators to train with.
Any general feedback on this idea will be appreciated.
Thanks peter
Best Regards
Paul O'Brien"
The Reply-
"Paul
What you describe is what we do. We use QTVR photography to create 360
degree scenes with hot spot links. We also produced graphic 3-D scenes in
order to simplify scenes (by removing clutter) whilst retaining forensic
accuracy. We also use 3-D laser scanning of scenes and combined with a
photographic overlay produces a fully interactive scenes that allows not
only movements around the scene but viewpoint within the scene to be used.
These are very time consuming to create and so used sparingly.
Peter"
Website Critique for ADA
For this critique I have chosen to look at the website of BIPP Advertising photographer, Jonathan Beer, which can be found at www.jonathanbeer.co.uk
Aesthetics
The splash page for the site has a very modern, dark metallic feel, which fits well with the photography on display here, which displays a smooth, dark lighting style. The title font is minimalistic and doesn’t stand out or detract from the rest of the page. The central section of the page is flash so it also scales in size depending on the monitor resolution ( I viewed the site on both 1280x1024 and 1920x1080 resolutions) which means nothing gets cut off the edges of the page. The menu section of the site lets it down a little as it doesn’t sit well and seems to be erratically composed with the rest of the page. The loading animations between pages is calm and discreet, however depending on connection it does tend to jutter. The images are however displayed nice and big so they can be taken in, so the site does a good job of showing his portfolio. Unfortunately the portfolio is disturbed by the very same menu button which cuts into the images and is a little distracting. The info section cascades from the menu section which is a little gimmicky and cuts again into the images. Once open, the Contact details sit in their own window over the top of the portfolio and again there seems to be no thought to how this is composed. The aesthetic of the site is rescued purely by the splash page and the quality of the portfolio found within. The logo for the template site is displayed in the bottom corner which does detract from the professionalism that the photographer displays in his work,
Functionality
The website is the first result on google for his name, as well as Yahoo and Bing, making the site easy to find. The first item on the agenda regarding functionality is the fact that the centre module which displays the portfolio is in Adobe Flash, rendering it un-viewable with iPhones, ipads etcetera. The animation between pages are nice distractions from the loading times but those loading times still exists and make it hard for someone to navigate the site with any speed. The Fold-out menu is slow to animate also which is irritating, and once the contact details section opens they have to be scrolled through which is a confusing choice since there is plenty of room to just have all the details up front without the extra user input. The images run automatically through a slideshow which runs a little too fast to really take in the individual images, although these can be paused. Instead of thumbnail images, there are numbered thumbnails which the images pop out of, which is an over complication of function and serves no real aesthetic purpose. Overall the site is relatively simple and finding the sections is easy as they are minimal, but the animated menus and slow loading are less than desirable. The site is linked from his BIPP page and links to his Tumblr page, so there is a building of web presence apparent.
Summary
This site demonstrates the limitations of working with flash templates, having one that perfectly suits your style is difficult and I think other than the splash page the site doesn’t suit Jonathan’s style, there is an immediate feeling that the site is not unique to him. Although it is easy to find his contact details there is no bio on the page or details of who he has worked with professionally, which would make me as a client wonder whether all the works were commissioned or simply self-briefed. This is cleared up in his tumblr blog which is linked, but I feel there should be more about him on his own website. Flash animations are very “bells and Whistles” but they do affect the functionality and speed of a site and when flash is done wrong, viewing sites can become hard work.
What I have taken for myself from this Critique is that an effective website should be fast, unique and give the viewer what information they need in a simple matter. A fully HTML/CSS site is easier to navigate, especially to go back a page for instance. Flash templates are fine for new photographers but for established professionals a personal, well thought out website is crucial.
Homework Reconnaisance
I managed to contact a person in the West Yorkshire Police Digital Imaging department this week, below is my outgoing email and the response i received, any information i deemed private has been redacted.
My Email:
Thank you -----, here's a few questions:
What are the possible career roles within the digital imaging
department?
What are the required/preferred qualifications and entry requirements
for these roles?
Other than SLR cameras and lighting, what hardware do you use for image
capturing?
What software would a prospective applicant need to be proficient in?
Do you prefer to see a portfolio of images for an applicant and if so
what do you look for?
I've had trouble finding most information from the website, the jobs
section just takes me to the main police careers site, how do i find out
when there are openings and apply?
Below is the response i received:
Paul. To answer your questions:
What are the possible career roles within the digital imaging
department?
Imaging Officer (mufti skilled mainly photography and video)
Image Analysis Officer (CCTV retrieval, image enhancement video editing)
Multi-Media Officer (3-D reconstructions and computer animations)
Photo Technicians (image management and processing using photoshop and
other packages)
Engineers (camera and equipment maintenance and testing)
Crime Scene Surveyors (survey and plan creation inc 3-d laser scanning and
AutoCad)
Facial Imaging Officer (facial composites such as e-fits)
Audio Technical Officer (sound/audio enhancement)
What are the required/preferred qualifications and entry requirements
for these roles?
Usually a degree in an 'imaging' subject relevant to the role. Suitable
practical experience in a professional imaging environment is also required
for many of our roles.
Other than SLR cameras and lighting, what hardware do you use for image
capturing?
We use video cameras of various kinds including PanasonicP2 system and
DVC-Pro. Still images are mainly captured using DSLR's but we also use high
resolution cameras such as the Hasselblad digital camera for detailed
forensic work. All capture is digital.
What software would a prospective applicant need to be proficient in?
Not defined as any 'suitable' software is acceptable for the role in hand.
It is up to the applicant to tell us what they are familiar with and will
depend on the role they are applying for. We are not prescriptive on actual
software products. Obviously most people use Photoshop for photo editing
and we use this too. We also use Avid and Adobe Premier for video editing.
We use 3-D Studio Max and Lightwave for 3-D and many other products
besides.
Do you prefer to see a portfolio of images for an applicant and if so
what do you look for?
No a portfolio does not form part of the recruitment process as such but we
sometimes (depending on the role) as the candidates to make a presentation
and examples of their work would be expected to form a part of this.
I've had trouble finding most information from the website, the jobs
section just takes me to the main police careers site, how do i find out
when there are openings and apply?
All vacancies are advertised on the West Yorkshire Police web site. ----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
There may be no jobs
on the website because there aren't any!. Keep looking periodically though
as jobs will eventually return.
Hope this helps
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