HD Photo format as an open imaging standard

The PMA convention in Las Vegas last week was the event to watch for any self-respecting shutterbug, with Sony unleashing svelte, new point n’ shoot Cybershots, and Canon dropping a 10 frames-per-second 1D Mark III beast on those with the cash (and the muscle) to carry one away. Not to be left out, Microsoft came to the show to talk about…platforms! In this case the new HD Photo image file format, which has been designed to provide superior image quality and features to support digital photography. CNET reported Microsoft’s intentions to make HD Photo a neutral standard, as it will be submitted to standards organizations in order to make sure it can get the widest adoption possible. Right now there are beta plug-ins for Photoshop that run in CS2 as well as the CS3 beta available for XP and Vista, with OS X drivers available shortly, and the finished plug-ins targeted for a May release. The HD Photo format has support for different pixel formats, high dynamic range, and wide gamut imaging. If those terms flew over your head, you can get the skinny in Bill Crow’s post about the HD Photo announcement.

[via Mattias talks…]