A bit of the mystery about the future of photography will be peeled away this weekend in Los Angeles. If you are even mildly interested in learning about the merger of still and motion photography, then make last-minute plans to head to the Collision Conference.

Long-time PixSylarians know that I’m a huge fan of Michael Britt and his posse at Image Mechanics. As I’ve freely admitted, much of my digital workflow is based upon techniques that I’ve learned at IM workshops. As digital capture specialists, IM often manages more images in a week than most photographers will shoot in a lifetime. So, when I learned that Michael was organizing the Collision Conference, I put it on my calendar as a must-attend.

The two-day Collision Conference will look at the ideas and gear that are blurring the boundary between still and motion photography. Saturday August 29 will focus on Video Capture for Stills (VCS). Think of this as the ability to deliver stills and video from one capture device. Sunday August 30 will focus on digital filmmaking with hybrid cameras like the RED One and the Canon 5D Mark II. Check out the conference agenda and the list of speakers – which includes Vincent Lafloret and Shane Hurlbut ASC as keynote presenters.

Why I’m Attending The Collision Conference

There’s no doubt in my mind that the economic viability of earning a living as a still-only photographer is eroding quickly. Photogs who don’t start evolving will be caught in a lethal cross-fire that will outlast their careers.

Newspapers and magazines (once the largest consumer of still photos) are headed to the graveyard because the Internet continues to grow a viable source of news and entertainment. Read Magazine Death Pool, if you don’t believe me. Or look around at the number of people staring at their iPhones the next time you’re waiting in any type of line. Print media is dying because advertisers get more bang for their buck on the Internet.

The supply of still images continues to skyrocket. For a thousand bucks you can buy a DSLR that has more resolution and features than the high-end cameras targeted at pro shooters just five years ago. Flickr and the micro-stock agencies are becoming a viable source for photo editors. It’s a sad day for all photographers when a guy is happy to get less than $30 for the use of his photo on the cover of Time.

Interestingly, the digital revolution is bringing the economic viability of motion to my doorstep. It’s one thing to be at the doorstep. It’s entirely another to step over it. I’m doing everything I can to evolve with my industry. Digital motion is in its infancy. I know that I and the others on this journey have a long way to go. It’s like being in the late-90s and taking the first toddler steps with digital stills. Moving into motion is expensive and hard.

As I experienced recently, anyone who thinks that he can point a 5DM2 and start making well-crafted video with the push of a button will learn quickly that having a camera body is only a first, small step. If still photography is two-dimensional, then motion is poly-dimensional. Beyond the frame, there’s the sound. Beyond the sound, there’s the flow of time. Having the gear, workflow and insights to put it all together is just the beginning. Having a network of colleagues, well that’s why I’ll be attending the Collision Conference.

Save $50 On Your Two-Day Registration

There’s still time to register. There’s still time to get a cheap flight into LAX or Burbank/ Bob Hope. There’s still time to get a room at funky motel or a swanky hotel in Hollywood near the conference site (LA Film School, 6363 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028).

Use Promo Code impromo_twoday50 and you’ll save $50 on the two-day registration. If you need more incentive, check out the long list of door prizes on the registration page.

PS – if you see a guy with crazy, red hair and a confused look – come up and introduce yourself.

Michael Britt and a bit of VCS gear.