Meeting Highlights

Keynote Address
Visual Medical Decision Making: Re–engineering the Medical Atlas to Aide Recognition and Diagnosis

Art Papier, MD
Chief Scientific Officer
Logical Images, Inc., Rochester, NY

Doctors and other health care providers are often asked to diagnose a visual clue such as a skin rash, an oral lesion, or an eye problem. Until recently, the generalist aided visual diagnosis by flipping though atlases or searching by diagnosis. This presentation will highlight new methodologies in assisting pattern recognition using the combination of a decision support database wed to a rich medical image and graphic database.   [more]

Ann Shiras Pioneer Lecture
The Development of the First Digital Camera

Steve Sasson
Eastman Kodak Company
Rochester, NY

This will be largely a historical discussion of the development of the first digital camera prototype at Kodak Apparatus Division Laboratory in 1975.  The prototype camera and playback system will be described along with how the concept was demonstrated within the company during the following year.  Sasson set about constructing the digital circuitry from scratch, using oscilloscope measurements as a guide. There were no images to look at until the entire prototype an 8-pound (3.6-kilogram), toaster-size contraption was assembled. In December 1975, Sasson and his chief technician persuaded a lab assistant to pose for them. The black-and-white image, captured at a resolution of .01 megapixels (10,000 pixels), took 23 seconds to record onto a digital cassette tape and another 23 seconds to read off a playback unit onto a television.  [more]

Photo Composition & Critique
Field and Classroom, Day-Long Workshop in Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park, renowned as the "Grand Canyon of the East," is one of the most magnificent scenic areas in the eastern U.S. The Genesee River roars through the gorge, over three major waterfalls, between cliffs – as high as 600 feet in some places – surrounded by lush forests. More information can be found at the Letchworth State Park website and the New York State Office of Parks website.

The historic, completely restored Glen Iris Inn will be our retreat for lunch and a chance to look at our morning images. Bill will discuss techniques on successful water and nature photography. We will then again go out and shoot for some late afternoon images.

Bill Fortney is a professional photographer of 35 years experience. For the last fifteen years Bill has been one of America’s leading nature photographers. His best selling books well exceed 100,000 copies, making him one of the top photographic authors in America today.  [more]

An afternoon at the George Eastman House  International Museum of Photography and Film

As the world’s preeminent museum of photography, the George Eastman House cares for and interprets hundreds of thousands of photographs encompassing the full history of this medium. Eastman House is also one of the oldest film archives in the United States and is now considered to be among the top cinematic collections worldwide.

Be sure to explore the mansion that was once home to George Eastman, founder of the Eastman Kodak Company. The house and its exquisite gardens have been restored and offer visitors access to what was once a privileged view.

Mendon Ponds Park BBQ

Put your feet up and relax or take a walk down one of the many trails. Mendon Ponds Park is a true nature photographer’s delight. About 2600 acres, Mendon Ponds Park has numerous hiking trails. Large eskers exist on both the east and west sides of the park and numerous glacial ponds may be found throughout the park. It was registered in the National Registry of Natural Landmarks in 1969 because of the glacial geology that features several ponds and many low swampy areas. Visit the Mendon Ponds website for more information.

A BBQ picnic dinner will be catered by Dinosaur Bar B Que. This genuine Honky Tonk Rib Joint is a favorite in Rochester so be prepared to enjoy some great food. After dinner we’ll try our hand at painting with light and some other hands-on activities.

Rochester, NY

Greater Rochester is the third-largest metropolitan area in New York State and is the 79th largest city in the U.S.A. During the 1990s, Rochester was called "The World's Image Centre," a title stemming from its unique and impressive history in photography, xerography, and optics along with its leading role in manufacturing and research activities, and impressive educational resources in both traditional and evolving imaging sciences.

Rochester is also the western gateway to the fabulous Finger Lakes Region, part of the Seaway Trail, this country's longest scenic byway. The Rochester area has many waterways including Lake Ontario (one of five, fresh-water Great Lakes), the Genesee River with its deeply carved gorges and several waterfalls, Irondeqouit Bay, hundreds of scenic streams and ponds, plus the nearby Finger Lakes.

Rochester's appealing waterways can always be enjoyed from the shore, too. Many restaurants and several lodging facilities offer great water views from sunrise to sunset. For those who prefer viewing their landscapes from the water, there are cruise ships, fishing charters, tour boats, and even canoes from which to choose. Seneca Park Zoo, Seabreeze Amusement Park, and hiking or golfing at Durand-Eastman Park are three more reasons to spend time traveling along Rochester's many shores.

Walking around Rochester is also a great way to discover its fascinating history and modern-day charm. The grace and grandeur of East Avenue, with its towering shade trees and broad lawns, are reflected in the mansions and grand estates from the 19th and 20th centuries that line this impressive thoroughfare. Often called simply "The Avenues," Park Avenue and Monroe Avenue are parallel city streets featuring one-of-a-kind boutiques, charming cafes, lively pubs, and a range of services.

More information can be found at the Greater Rochester Visitors Association website.