IX
VIDEO PORTRAIT SYSTEMS
GLEN R. SOUTHWORTH
Colorado Video, Inc.
Boulder, CO
Computer art has intrigued many people over the last twenty years, and a few brave souls have even attempted to introduce it commercially. About 2 ½ years ago, a new variation was introduced which has opened up some very intriguing possibilities in the consumer market. The key factor involved is simply the processing of "real world" pictures by computer to produce intriguing images. In its simplest form, a small electronic portrait studio uses a standard television camera viewing a subject. The resulting signal is digitized and a minicomputer employed for picture processing. Typical output to hard copy is a line printer using 7x9 matrix characters and a special set of read-only memories to provide a simulation of grayscale.
The market for this basic type of system has expanded rapidly in the last two years, fueled, in part, by the large profits reported from some installations. Hardware costs can range from $7500 for a low resolution "simple minded" configuration of TV camera, digitizer, controller, and line printer, up to perhaps $50,000 or more for a moderately elaborate system with multiple capabilities.
At the retail level, the selling price of a single 12"x12" picture may range from $.90 to $5 with an average price of $3. Profitability of an installation can apparently vary widely and is influenced by factors such as basic image quality, studio location, and plain old-fashioned salesmanship. Several strategies may be used, such as selecting high traffic locations in shopping centers and amusement parks, or operating a seasonal business in resort locations. Another approach is to set up at special events such as new business openings, conventions, rock concerts, etc., in which case pictures may be sold directly or, alternately, short term rental of the equipment and operator is provided with pictures being given away for promotional purposes.
A block diagram of a typical system is shown in Figure 1 and comprises lighting, CCTV camera, video disc frame store, video digitizer, TV monitor, minicomputer, and line printer. In operation, the subject is seated before the camera and a fixed lighting pattern used. The subject is posed, "frozen", and the resulting image observed to insure that a pleasing picture has been obtained. Following this, the operator sets video levels and selects an appropriate computer program to generate a printout.
–121–
