Some Topics in Digital PhotographySome Topics in Digital Photography

Eric StusnickEric Stusnick

Mid-Peninsula IBM PC ClubMid-Peninsula IBM PC ClubAugust 22, 2005 August 22, 2005

Basic Elements ofBasic Elements ofDigital PhotographyDigital Photography

Image InputImage InputDigital CameraDigital Camera

Flatbed ScannerFlatbed Scanner

Slide/Film ScannerSlide/Film Scanner

Image ProcessingImage ProcessingComputerComputer

andand

SoftwareSoftware

Image OutputComputer/TV ScreenComputer/TV Screen

Color PrinterColor Printer

Color SlidesColor Slides

Computer ProjectorComputer Projector

Professional ServicesProfessional Services

Digital Camera FeaturesDigital Camera Features

Camera DesignCamera Design ResolutionResolution ViewfindersViewfinders Storage MediaStorage Media Additional FeaturesAdditional Features Digital File TypesDigital File Types

Camera DesignCamera Design Compact CamerasCompact Cameras

– Small size, very light weightSmall size, very light weight– Fixed focus or limited zoom lens (3x)Fixed focus or limited zoom lens (3x)– Liquid crystal display (LCD) + optical viewfinderLiquid crystal display (LCD) + optical viewfinder

Prosumer CamerasProsumer Cameras– Moderate size and weighModerate size and weigh– Fixed zoom lens (3x to 12x) with wide-angle and Fixed zoom lens (3x to 12x) with wide-angle and

telephoto adaptors availabletelephoto adaptors available– LCD + electronic viewfinder (EVF)LCD + electronic viewfinder (EVF)

Digital SLR CamerasDigital SLR Cameras– Larger and heavier than other two typesLarger and heavier than other two types– Interchangeable lensesInterchangeable lenses– Optical through-the-lens viewfinderOptical through-the-lens viewfinder

ResolutionResolution Determines the maximum amount of detail Determines the maximum amount of detail

that can be contained in the digital imagethat can be contained in the digital image Similar to grain in film photographySimilar to grain in film photography Measured in pixels, which are the basic light-Measured in pixels, which are the basic light-

sensing elements on the camera’s solid-state sensing elements on the camera’s solid-state image sensorimage sensor

For example, a sensor that is 1280 pixels wide For example, a sensor that is 1280 pixels wide and 960 pixels high would contain on its and 960 pixels high would contain on its surface: 1280 x 960 = 1,228,800 pixels, which surface: 1280 x 960 = 1,228,800 pixels, which would be abbreviated 1.2 mp or 1.2 would be abbreviated 1.2 mp or 1.2 megapixelsmegapixels

Most cameras allow images to be stored with Most cameras allow images to be stored with the maximum resolution of the camera or with the maximum resolution of the camera or with several lesser resolutionsseveral lesser resolutions

Resolution (continued)Resolution (continued)

Resolution (continued)Resolution (continued)

The resolution needed depends on the The resolution needed depends on the ultimate use of the image. If one only wants ultimate use of the image. If one only wants to send snapshots via e-mail to be viewed to send snapshots via e-mail to be viewed on a computer monitor then a resolution of on a computer monitor then a resolution of 2 mp or less is adequate.2 mp or less is adequate.

The resolution required for color printing The resolution required for color printing depends on the size of the color print depends on the size of the color print desired. Although there are many different desired. Although there are many different opinions on how many megapixels it takes opinions on how many megapixels it takes to make a good print of a given size, the to make a good print of a given size, the table that follows is a reasonable guide table that follows is a reasonable guide

Resolution (concluded)Resolution (concluded)

5 mp5 mp1920 x 24001920 x 24008” x 10”8” x 10”2 mp2 mp1200 x 16801200 x 16805” x 7”5” x 7”1 mp1 mp960 x 1200960 x 12004” x 5”4” x 5”

ResolutionResolutionPixel SizePixel SizePrint SizePrint Size

These resolutions represent best-case situations.Acceptable images may be obtained with lowerresolutions. I have obtained quite good 8”x10” printsWith 2 mp resolution.

Resolution vs. NoiseResolution vs. Noise The more pixels you place on a sensor of a The more pixels you place on a sensor of a

given size, the smaller each pixel must be.given size, the smaller each pixel must be. A pixel converts the light energy entering it A pixel converts the light energy entering it

into electrical energy - a small pixel produces into electrical energy - a small pixel produces less electrical current that does a larger pixel.less electrical current that does a larger pixel.

The smaller the pixel, the more amplification The smaller the pixel, the more amplification you must have to get the required signal level.you must have to get the required signal level.

The more amplification provided, the more The more amplification provided, the more electrical noise produced.electrical noise produced.

Thus 8 mp sensors have inherently more noise Thus 8 mp sensors have inherently more noise than do 5 or 6 mp sensors of the same size.than do 5 or 6 mp sensors of the same size.

Don’t get more megapixels than you need for Don’t get more megapixels than you need for the type of photography you intend to do.the type of photography you intend to do.

ViewfindersViewfinders Most digital cameras allow the image to be Most digital cameras allow the image to be

seen with a liquid-crystal display (LCD). seen with a liquid-crystal display (LCD). However, continuous use of the LCD reduces However, continuous use of the LCD reduces battery life. battery life.

Most compact cameras also have an optical Most compact cameras also have an optical viewfinder which, like the viewfinder in a viewfinder which, like the viewfinder in a rangefinder camera, does not quite give the rangefinder camera, does not quite give the same image as is being recorded.same image as is being recorded.

Prosumer cameras have an electronic view-Prosumer cameras have an electronic view-finder (EVF) which gives the same image as finder (EVF) which gives the same image as does the full-size LCD but which uses much does the full-size LCD but which uses much less power.less power.

LCDs and EVFs also provide additional LCDs and EVFs also provide additional information about the camera setting, information about the camera setting, superimposed upon the image being recorded.superimposed upon the image being recorded.

Storage MediaStorage Media

The size of a digital image file depends on The size of a digital image file depends on the resolution used and the format of the the resolution used and the format of the file. File sizes from a few tens of kilobytes file. File sizes from a few tens of kilobytes (kB) to tens of megabytes (mB) are common.(kB) to tens of megabytes (mB) are common.

The most common storage media in digital The most common storage media in digital cameras are:cameras are:– Compact flash card (CF)Compact flash card (CF)– Smart media card (SF)Smart media card (SF)– Memory stickMemory stick– Multimedia (MMP)Multimedia (MMP)– Secure digital (SD)Secure digital (SD)– XD picture cards XD picture cards

Additional FeaturesAdditional Features

Shooting modesShooting modes– Macro (getting close to subject)Macro (getting close to subject)– Preset configurations (e.g. sports-action, Preset configurations (e.g. sports-action,

portraits, landscapes, night scenes)portraits, landscapes, night scenes)– Burst mode (taking several images in Burst mode (taking several images in

quick succession)quick succession) Exposure controlsExposure controls

– Full automatic - ExposureFull automatic - Exposure– Shutter priority compensationShutter priority compensation– Aperature priority - Color temperature Aperature priority - Color temperature

– Full manual balanceFull manual balance

Additional Features (concluded)Additional Features (concluded)

Image stabilization – compensates for Image stabilization – compensates for small motions of the camerasmall motions of the camera

LCD zoom – allows you to magnify the LCD zoom – allows you to magnify the image on the LCD to check details of image on the LCD to check details of the recorded imagethe recorded image

Digital zoom – artificially magnifies a Digital zoom – artificially magnifies a portion of the image to be recorded; portion of the image to be recorded; does not increase the amount of detail.does not increase the amount of detail.

Short motion picture capabilityShort motion picture capability Voice message recording capabilityVoice message recording capability

COMPACT CAMERASCOMPACT CAMERAS

Canon PowerShot S500 Nikon Coolpix 5200

Olympus Stylus 410

PROSUMER CAMERASPROSUMER CAMERAS

Canon PowerShot Pro 1Nikon CoolPix 5700

Olympus C-8080

Digital SLRsDigital SLRs

Canon Digital Rebel

Nikon D70

Digital File FormatsDigital File Formats

Maximum resolution:Maximum resolution:– TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)– Raw file (name and format proprietary to Raw file (name and format proprietary to

the camera)the camera) Compressed files:Compressed files:

– JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) Movie files:Movie files:

– MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group)MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) Sound files:Sound files:

– WAVWAV

Image Editors Basic Software

– Microsoft Picture It! Photo Premium 10.0 ($50)

– Roxio PhotoSuite 7 Platinum Edition ($30) Intermediate Software

– Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 ($100)– Jasc Paint Shop Pro Studio ($80)– ULead PhotoImpact 10.0 ($90)

Advanced Software – Adobe Photoshop CS2 ($600)

Color PrintersColor PrintersAmong color printers – laser, thermal inkjet,Among color printers – laser, thermal inkjet,

dye sublimation, and inkjet – the inkjet is dye sublimation, and inkjet – the inkjet is thethe

most common. Common features tomost common. Common features to

consider are:consider are: Maximum resolution – measured in dots Maximum resolution – measured in dots

per inch (dpi) – higher is betterper inch (dpi) – higher is better Dot size – measured in picoliters (pL) – Dot size – measured in picoliters (pL) –

smaller is bettersmaller is better Printing speed - higher is betterPrinting speed - higher is better Connectivity – USB or Firewire (IEE 1394) Connectivity – USB or Firewire (IEE 1394)

(faster) or parallel port (slower)(faster) or parallel port (slower)

Color Printers (concluded)Color Printers (concluded)

The most popular color inkjet printer The most popular color inkjet printer lines are:lines are:– Epson Stylus Photo seriesEpson Stylus Photo series– HP Photosmart seriesHP Photosmart series– Canon Photo seriesCanon Photo series

What if I Don’t Want to Use a What if I Don’t Want to Use a Computer?Computer?

Several years ago you had to be computer Several years ago you had to be computer savvy to get prints from digital images.savvy to get prints from digital images.

What if I Don’t Want to Use a What if I Don’t Want to Use a Computer? (continued)Computer? (continued)

Three years ago printer manufacturers provided Three years ago printer manufacturers provided slots for digital storage cards, so you didn’t need slots for digital storage cards, so you didn’t need to have a computer to make prints.to have a computer to make prints.

What if I Don’t Want to Use a What if I Don’t Want to Use a Computer? (continued)Computer? (continued)

At that time, there were only three types At that time, there were only three types of digital storage cards commonly used.of digital storage cards commonly used.

Card Types: Smart Media, Compact Flash, Sony Memory Stick

What if I Don’t Want to Use a What if I Don’t Want to Use a Computer? (continued)Computer? (continued)

But, as time went on, more types of But, as time went on, more types of digital storage cards were developed.digital storage cards were developed.

Now, there are at least 10 types.Now, there are at least 10 types.

Smart MediaCompact lashMemory StickMemory Stick ProMemory Stick DuoMultimedia (MMC)Reduced Size Multimedia (RS-MMC)Secure Digital (SD)XD Picture CardsMicrodrives

What if I Don’t Want to Use a What if I Don’t Want to Use a Computer? (continued)Computer? (continued)

So, a few years ago, manufacturers who made So, a few years ago, manufacturers who made both cameras and printers provided for direct both cameras and printers provided for direct connection of their cameras to their printers.connection of their cameras to their printers.

What if I Don’t Want to Use a What if I Don’t Want to Use a Computer? (concluded)Computer? (concluded)

Recently a technology (called PictBridge) was Recently a technology (called PictBridge) was standardized so that any compatible camera standardized so that any compatible camera can be connected directly to any compatible can be connected directly to any compatible printer.printer.

PictBridge SupportersPictBridge Supporters

Manufacturers who support, or are Manufacturers who support, or are planning to support, the PictBridge planning to support, the PictBridge standard are: Canon, Epson, HP, Sony, standard are: Canon, Epson, HP, Sony, Olympus, Konica-Minolta, and Fuji.Olympus, Konica-Minolta, and Fuji.

Bluetooth TechnologyBluetooth Technology

More recently still, some cameras use More recently still, some cameras use Bluetooth wireless technology to Bluetooth wireless technology to transmit images to computers and transmit images to computers and printers.printers.

Some printers have built in Bluetooth Some printers have built in Bluetooth receivers to receive these transmitted receivers to receive these transmitted pictures.pictures.

Other Ways To Get PrintsOther Ways To Get Prints

Digital storage cards Digital storage cards can be taken to a local can be taken to a local photo processor and photo processor and selected images selected images transferred to their transferred to their photo printing systems.photo printing systems.– LongsLongs– Wal-MartWal-Mart– CostcoCostco– Wolf CameraWolf Camera

Other Ways To Get PrintsOther Ways To Get Prints

If you have a computer with an Internet If you have a computer with an Internet connection, you can upload digital connection, you can upload digital images to photo processors and have images to photo processors and have the prints mailed to you or picked up the prints mailed to you or picked up locally.locally.

Some photo processors allow you to Some photo processors allow you to post digital images on their web sites, post digital images on their web sites, where others can view them and, if where others can view them and, if desired, order prints of selected images.desired, order prints of selected images.

Film Photographers Aren’t ForgottenFilm Photographers Aren’t Forgotten

Some photo processors will create Some photo processors will create digital images from your film anddigital images from your film and– return a CD with digital images along return a CD with digital images along

with your prints or slides,with your prints or slides,– post your digital images on their web post your digital images on their web

sites, where others can view them sites, where others can view them and buy prints.and buy prints.

Why Get Prints At All?Why Get Prints At All?

Increasingly, folks with computers and Increasingly, folks with computers and Internet connections are simply e-Internet connections are simply e-mailing digital images to each other and mailing digital images to each other and viewing them on their computers viewing them on their computers without every printing the images.without every printing the images.

And slide shows are being replaced with And slide shows are being replaced with television shows or digital projection.television shows or digital projection.

Photography and the InternetPhotography and the Internet

Photographic ServicesPhotographic Services Photo MagazinesPhoto Magazines Equipment ReviewsEquipment Reviews PhotographersPhotographers Camera GroupsCamera Groups Photograph DisplayPhotograph Display Instruction – General PhotographyInstruction – General Photography Instruction – Digital PhotographyInstruction – Digital Photography Instruction – PhotoshopInstruction – Photoshop Instruction – Photoshop ElementsInstruction – Photoshop Elements

PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICESPHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES

Costco: Costco: http://www.costcophotocenter.comhttp://www.costcophotocenter.com Walmart: Walmart: http://http://

www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?catwww.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=175779=175779

Ritz/Wolf: Ritz/Wolf: http://http://www.ritzpix.comwww.ritzpix.com Longs/Walgreens (Fujifilm):Longs/Walgreens (Fujifilm):

http://www.digitalcameradeveloping.comhttp://www.digitalcameradeveloping.com Kodak (Snapfish): Kodak (Snapfish): http://http://www.snapfish.comwww.snapfish.com Shutterfly: Shutterfly: http://http://www.shutterfly.comwww.shutterfly.com

PHOTO MAGAZINESPHOTO MAGAZINES

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EQUIPMENT REVIEWSEQUIPMENT REVIEWS

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egory?idegory?id=2=2

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PHOTOGRAPHERSPHOTOGRAPHERS

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#prev#prev

CAMERA GROUPSCAMERA GROUPS

Northern California Council of Camera Northern California Council of Camera Clubs: Clubs: http://n4c.org/http://n4c.org/

Photographic Society of America: Photographic Society of America: http://www.psa-photo.org/http://www.psa-photo.org/

PSA Electronic Imaging Division:PSA Electronic Imaging Division:

http://psa-eid.org/http://psa-eid.org/

PHOTOGRAPH DISPLAYPHOTOGRAPH DISPLAY

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INSTRUCTION – INSTRUCTION – GENERAL PHOTOGRAPHYGENERAL PHOTOGRAPHY

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INSTRUCTION – INSTRUCTION – DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHYDIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

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