About IF

The current focus of the Image Forum, indeed the catalyst for its inception, is the question of how and why different cameras and formats are selected for different productions. There exists a common concern that, despite the ever increasing variety of image acquisition tools on the market, decisions about which formats to use for which projects are being made without full understanding and consideration of the issues involved.

Misinformation and confusion are rife in today’s film and television industry. The sheer quantity of hype surrounding the coexistence of digital and film technologies makes it difficult to plot clear workflows through to broadcast or exhibition. With the rapid advance of HD broadcasting and huge investment in HD channels, fears about possible inconsistencies in the visual quality of HD output have prompted regarding acceptable acquisition tools. These close the door on a vast array of cameras, lenses and film stocks that many cinematographers, not to mention directors and producers, value highly.

Image technology is progressing apace, with new products hitting the market continuously. The fact that improvements to individual links in the production chain can drastically alter the viability of tools at other points in that chain makes it all the more important for decision makers to be aware of the latest developments.

The Image Forum aims to be a source of balanced, reliable information that will help producers and broadcasters make informed decisions about cameras, formats and postproduction pipelines. As an ongoing symposium comprising a broad cross section of the industry, Image Forum is in a position to ensure that issues and innovations relevant to image quality are immediately brought to your attention via this website.