9 January 2008

   

Despite the rising popularity of digital image storage and display, Europeans’ favourite way to display photographs is still within a traditional family album, according to an Epson® study.

The digital era has done nothing to suppress the popularity of the traditional family photo album, according to the latest research conducted by Epson. The results of the survey highlight that despite the growing popularity of digital photography and display methods, the family album remains Europeans’ favourite way to share and display images. Over three-quarters of those questioned in the survey display their favourite photograph, with 72% of respondents preferring to display images in a traditional photo album.

Jason Savage, Group Product Manager, at Epson Europe, says, “Our research has shown us that printed photography is more important than ever before to families across Europe. The longstanding tradition of taking and displaying shots of family members, and special occasions such as birthdays and holidays, lives on.”

“Far from detracting from the appeal of printing photographs, the technological advances of the digital age have enabled families to be more creative than ever with their images, helping to inspire the evolution of the family album and fuel the growing popularity of hobbies such as scrapbooking.  Although family albums have traditionally contained shots developed at a photo lab, printing at home is now the most popular mode of printing photographs for digital camera owners, preferred by 61% of those questioned. However, Europeans remain discerning in terms of the quality they expect of their prints, with 69% of those questioned expecting their photographs to be of lab quality regardless of the output method.” Savage says.

“Printing at home is increasingly popular because technology has progressed so much. Photo enthusiasts are now able to create lab quality prints at home, with the capacity to resize them, crop them or manipulate them. People can even print on a variety of media for added visual effect. The family album is now more creative than ever – and this is catalysed by improving digital technologies.”

Women are the biggest advocates for keeping photo-albums, with 77% of female respondents choosing them as their favourite method of display against 67% of male respondents. Other popular places to display photographs identified in the research include the living room, utilised by 56% of respondents, the bedroom (42%) and the desk at work (45%). Displaying pictures in the wallet/purse, in the hallway and on the refrigerator are also rated highly.

Despite the growing popularity of digital storage and display methods, viewing images as printed photographs was the favourite method for Europeans, rated higher than all modes of electronic display. Looking into the relationship we have with photography, the research found that the majority of respondents would describe a world without photos as sad, impersonal and colourless.

Savage says, “With our range of printers featuring DURABrite™ Ultra ink and individual ink cartridges, Epson is offering consumers an alternative away from a world without photos. It is now easier than ever before to print photos at home and it is increasingly efficient and convenient. The DURABrite Ultra range is designed for everyday use such as text documents, reports and homework. Its ability to also print on Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper ensures high-quality photos. For the high-resolution or D-SLR camera owner, Epson’s six-colour Claria Photographic Ink printer range offers lab-quality photos. All Epson’s printers feature individual ink cartridges, so only the colour that is used needs to be replaced.”