The Evolution Of Photo ID Goes From Analog Film To Digital Simplicity

Kaysville, Utah, August 2006 — A trip to the local department store will reveal that very few cameras use traditional film. The majority of personal hand-held cameras sold today are digital. They are easy to use, inexpensive (compared to film and processing costs), and allow the user to pick and choose which photographs they want to print or delete. Print quality is now equal to, or in many cases surpassed, traditional photo paper prints.

Thirty years ago, digital photography managed to only create a 0.01 megapixel picture, which is barely a dot. In 2006, regular household digital cameras vary between six and eight megapixels. The cameras commercial photographers use have even higher megapixel ratings. Some people still prefer traditional film, but they are in the minority.

Traditional manufacturers of film and cameras were reluctant making the transition. According to MSNBC, Kodak had a hard time letting go of their trademark celluloid film. Kodak didn’t even produce a digital camera until 2001. The digital revolution was in full swing.

Along with the camera, photo ID has had its own the evolution. Creating an ID card used to be as easy as snapping a photograph, cutting it to size, typing some text on a card and laminating it together. Polaroid cameras made the process even easier. Some people still prefer the traditional Polaroid-style ID cards due to their simplicity (http://www.idhouse.com/cam1.htm) and inexpensive initial cost.

Modern photo ID systems use new digital technology. IDs are now printed on PVC plastic cards, the same material used for credit cards. Photos are taken with digital or video cameras, uploaded to ID card software, then thermally printed using a digital card printer (http://www.idhouse.com/print1.htm). Photos are easy to edit, and templates are used to design and create cards on the fly. Bar codes, electronic chips, magnetic stripes and more can be added to increase the effectiveness and security of an ID card.

As technology changes, photo IDs will continue to evolve. One thing is certain, digital technology is here to stay.

For further information, please contact Morgan Cloward, Marketing Director of ID House, 1-800-247-9143, e-mail protected from spam bots.####