ADAPTing to a digital imaging future - Print21 Feature
Billed as 'Sydney's only professional digital imaging exhibition in 2005,' ADAPT - the Australian Digital Art and Photo Technology show is all about two specific and breakneck-fast growing sectors of digital image making: the reproduction of artwork and photography using the latest digital technologies.
Art and photography is everywhere. It's on the walls of homes, offices, in galleries and museums and adorns every room in hotels, motels and clubs. Not satisfied with mass-produced 'licenced' art, people are constantly seeking differentiation - a 'new look.'
Of course one way to achieve this is with originals, but this can prove expensive and quality supply is limited. Art, poster and photo reproduction has traditionally used traditional methods - screen, offset, gravure, letterpress and silver-halide to name but a handful. Typically, 3,000 offset prints are made of a marketable work of art and then sold to framing stores. At ADAPT, Ross Coffey's Image Products - distributor of LivePrint - will show how a more profitable business can be built by printing one at a time.
Images that outlast the history of photography
Digital capture, processing and printing of valuable images is now capable of quality and durability levels that may outlast the originals themselves! Kodak and HP now cite 300 years plus as achievable longevity before noticeable fading, using specific combinations of ink and media.
ADAPT's Platinum sponsor - EPSON will release its new breed of printers and ink to the art and photographic markets. EPSON's UltraChrome ink changed inkjet image reproduction with its durability and wide-gamut in 2002 but now UltraChrome K3 goes several steps further.
K3's gamut is wider, especially in the reds and yellows; it has an additional 'Light-Light Black' making three blacks capable of surpassing silver-halide appearance, and smaller pigment particles that 'sink in' to the media for a flatter, more natural look.
Four new EPSON 'Pro Graphics' eight-colour printers, from A3+ to BO+, have been introduced to take K3 ink.
Image capture not overlooked
One of the biggest challenges for art reproducers is 'how do I capture the file for reproduction?' ADAPT has all the answers with the highest resolution digital cameras, camera backs and scanners. Lighting too is critical. Hasselblad cameras - the ones NASAA chose to take into space - are represented through CR Kennedy but now they can be fitted with Hasselblad/Imacon 26 Megapixel digital backs instead of film.
Baltronics will present the Creo-Leaf wireless digital capture system along with its ColorByte software and host of digital imaging cameras and accessories. Kodak, in association with Starleaton and Encad will show ADAPT visitors how the film-based Rochester giant has changed into one of the slickest professional digital imaging suppliers for both art and photographic applications.
Media is critical
The substrate used to image digital art and photography is vital. ADAPT will show the widest choice ever under one roof. French Arches and Canson media from Kayell Australia will have a major presence showing many grades of acid-free, rag-made art papers and canvas. Other digital media grades from Hahnemühle (Image Products), DES, Longbottom Paper, Ricky Richards, Gicleé Media and Jan Neil - as well as original EPSON, HP, Kodak media will be shown and demonstrated.
Win prizes in ADAPT Awards
The inaugural ADAPT Awards offer great prizes in four categories - the Epson Award for Digital Imaging excellence (valued $5,000), the DES Award for Art Reproduction (valued $2,000), the HP Award for Photographic Reproduction (valued $2,000) and the GASAA Award for Digital Young Achiever (valued $2,000). Details on how to enter are on the ADAPT website
ADAPT seminars will teach
On each of its three days, ADAPT will feature day-long seminars with top international and local speakers, teaching how this new and exciting market sector can be made to work profitably. Co-organised by GASAA, the seminar programme is repeated three times but seats are still limited. For bookings and general ADAPT information see www.adaptshow.com.au.
ADAPT is held from July 21-23 at the Byron Kennedy Hall, next to Fox Studios, Sydney. Organised by Exhibitions Pty Ltd, Tel: 02 9416 3992.
ADAPT seminars will teach
On each of its three days, ADAPT will feature day-long seminars with top international and local speakers, teaching how this new and exciting market sector can be made to work profitably. Co-organised by GASAA, the seminar programme is repeated three times but seats are still limited. For bookings and general ADAPT information see www.adaptshow.com.au.
ADAPT is held from July 21-23 at the Byron Kennedy Hall, next to Fox Studios, Sydney. Organised by Exhibitions Pty Ltd, Tel: 02 9416 3992.