Rather, it is a work in progress. The photography business, DiCamillo observes, is on the threshold of change. Its evolution is being affected by the Internet, personal computers and peripherals, and the information explosion. We're smack in the middle of it. DiCamillo takes a somewhat cautious approach, however, to the enthusiasm surrounding digital imaging.
Some people think photography is going to go away as everything in our industry becomes digitized.
I think analog photography will endure, because it still satisfies many users, and digital imaging businesses will grow up around it, creating a much bigger, faster-growing market. Our challenge will be deciding which of those markets to pursue. With more than half of the company's business outside the United States, DiCamillo sees tremendous potential abroad, especially for instant imaging, where infrastructure is not required. You won't find a Walgreens. To begin a relationship with a new country, Polaroid, the world's largest driver's license producer, often starts with a national identity-card program.