The Lasersmith Inc. was Steven L Smith's Professional holographic imaging studio that developed optical systems for Display holograms up to 16" x 20" with multicolor transfers via the Pseudo-color transfer technique. Mastering for embossed holography that encompassed 2D-3D all the way to Stereoscopic RGB masters from a multi-camera capture system that could shoot live content and could also couple blue screen capture with state of the art CG scenes. We also handled all embossing and conversion finishing process for these projects. Before we delve into the techniques and projects that were accomplished over the 17 year period of the lab a bit of background is in order.
The Lasersmith has its beginning in 1978 with the formation of the Chicago Holographic Cooperative. The CHC was formed to provide a forum for the discussion and encouragement of holography among a small group of individuals in the Chicago area. (sounds like the Holography Forum without the internet) Initially the CHC met at the loft photography studio of Steven Smith, 952 W. Lake St. Chicago Illinois. This group continued through the early 1980's and held several juried public exhibitions of holography in the Chicago area. Starting at the Rizzoli gallery at Water Tower place, and ending with it's final exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center that was seen by ~200,000 visitors.
Chicago Holographic Cooperative (link to be added)
Within the formation of the Chicago Holographic Cooperative was the effort to assemble a holography laboratory. Steven Smith, Tom Cvetkovich and one other member were the primary active members that worked and funded the effort that became the holography lab at 114 N. Aberdeen St. This lab was located in the 1st floor garage of one of the few remaining Firehouses predating the Chicago Fire located just to the west of the downtown Chicago loop area. One year into this effort it became apparent that only two members were investing in the effort to get the studio off the ground. After the first table was built and floated, Tom brought in his laser and Steve finished the darkroom and processing area, work began perfecting the process of imaging reflection holograms with the Pyro Chrome processing technique. At this point Tom and I decided to transition the laboratory into it's first entity "Smith and Cvetkovich Holography".
Smith and Cvetkovich Holography (link to be added)
A second company, Chromagem formed inside of S & C Holography in 1983 to develop the process of Photo-Resist Imaging for commercial embossing with a new financial partner Walter Clark. In 1984 the partners came to the decision to split the two companies, Steven Smith retained the S & C Holography assets and Tom and Walter left with the Chromagem assets.
Tom Thies joined as accounting manager and S&C Holography emerged as The Lasersmith Inc. shortly there after. The Lasersmith continued in the 114 N. Aberdeen labs until the completion of it's new 2,400 square foot office and lab spaces at 1000 W. Monroe in 1985. From 1984 until 1997 when I left to work for Steve Benton at the MIT Media Lab Spatial Imaging Group, The Lasersmith produced significant advances in Professional holographic imaging. As there is a lot of work to cover, and as time allows I will begin to document these activities with images, animations, and process details - - - - -Steven
The Lasersmith Inc links:
Medium format display holograms
Pseudo-color display holograms
Photo - Resist mastering
-2D - 3D Masters
-color separations for RGB color 2D/3D masters
-model painting work for RGB full color resist masters
Holographic Embossing
Computer Generated rainbow masters for Photo-Resist
Computer Generated rainbow masters for Display holograms
AHIT (Advance Holographic Imaging Technologies)
The Multi-Camera System (1987 first real time image capture for Holographic Stereograms)
"Holographic Moments"
Clients and images of commercial work.
More as details emerge..............