Re: What Average People Really Want From Pictures

[P3D Greg Erker <erker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Eric doesn't say much on this list but when he
does it's well worth reading and usually right
on the mark.

  The typical snapshooter today wants 4x6 prints
(in 1 hour). Maybe a 5x7 or 8x10 once a year. He
or she want to get reprints or double prints to give
to  grandma and grandpa etc.

  If tomorrow you had a magic technology that gave
perfect lenticular photos (invisible lenticular screen,
lots of depth, and available in one hour) they would
buy it. But the camera couldn't cost 50 or 100% more.
A premium of 10 or 20% more might be okay. But it would
have to be fully automatic like the existing P&S's and
have zoom and other features he is used to.

  Using twice as much film is a no no as well. To be
successful (capture 50% of the P&S marketsay ) the film
and developing costs would have to be close to that
of flat cameras.

  Like Eric said. The emotional content of the photo
(blurry baby or vacation photo) is more important than
the technical quality of the photo. Thus the incremental
value of 3D to John Q Public is low. He'll accept it if
it fits into his existing usage (P&S, 1 hour, view in a photo
album) but won't pay a big premium.

  So as much as I (we) love our 35mm and MF slides that
immerse us in the scene, a viewer based system will never
(again) be mass market.

>My opinions/experiences...

  Mine too.

Greg



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