A digital image can be modified, enhanced or even made to lie. This was not so in the case of negative or transparency. They could not be made to lie because the alteration was easily noticeable. But digital image and manipulation go hand in hand.
Maybe, manipulation is a strong word to use. A more appropriate word would be digital enhancement. This is what every photographer tries to achieve – to improve the quality of the picture. He does this by using photo-editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Photopaint.
Some of the characteristics that the photographers play around with on the computer screens are: color, angle, size, pixellation or removal of distracting elements like tables, chairs etc. If need be, the photographers also use a digital brush to change the color of eyes or remove identifying marks. All this, and more can be done with the tools available in any good photo-editing software. The picture invariably comes out looking better.
No one will complain if the changes improve the quality of the picture. But there are times when photographers go further and alter parts of the picture. They import another face or person into the picture or change the surroundings. When they do this they are clearly guilty of manipulation. The photograph then is not a document but a lie. It can prove to be dangerous if it was submitted to a court of law. It could very easily upturn a verdict if the manipulation was of a quality that could fool digital forensic experts.
The danger is that the manipulation tools are so easily available. Anyone can buy photo-editing software, and edit or morph pictures of celebrities. There have been scores of cases when pictures of celebrities have been morphed and hosted in compromising positions on the net. This is indefensible; all acts of manipulation need to be punished.
Some photographers put forward the argument that it is impossible to capture reality. They are right. Even the best digital cameras cannot capture colors in the same way that the eyes do. But this is not manipulation. This is acceptance of reality. Actually, we should feel happy that we can capture nature so closely now.
What is more important is that we don’t manipulate digital images. We should limit ourselves to enhancing their quality.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Digital Camera Memory
Picture size, number, depends upon digital camera memory. Digital camera memory is one of the key components of a digital camera. It works as a temporary receptacle of photographs that are taken from a camera. After the shoot, the photographer can transfer or download the pictures into a computer or laptop, and delete the pictures from the camera’s memory. The memory can then be used to store fresh photographs. It is this reusable feature of the memory that makes it so useful and convenient.
The most common form of such memory is a memory card. Each memory card has a fixed capacity and can store a certain number of pixels. After that, the memory card needs to be cleaned -- that is the photographer needs to delete the images to create space to shoot new photographs.
Generally, digital cameras come with a low capacity memory card. Since these can store a limited number of pictures it is advisable to purchase an additional memory card of higher capacity as a standby. A photographer can also buy two or three memory cards of smaller capacity. This too gives him sufficient memory space to shoot pictures.
However, it becomes necessary to use higher capacity memory cards as the mega pixel count (resolution) of the camera increases. Some of the small size cards have a memory capacity of 64MB, and are not suitable to save high resolution pictures. To shoot such pictures, photographers need to use memory cards of 1 GB capacity or more.
Depending on the type of digital camera and the number of pictures to be stored, digital camera memory is available in many shapes and configurations. These memory cards are solely dependent on the requirements of the digital camera. For example, a compact flash type 1 digital camera memory needs to be used for a camera using compact flash type 1. The small and low cost Flash Digital Camera memory is suitable for rugged and rough handling.
Generally, the memory cards come in 64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB and 1GB capacity. Photographers can optimize the use of memory cards by using the JPEG format to store photographs. This may allow them to save more photographs but it will also lead to a loss of picture quality. To be on the safer side, one should buy one 256 MB or two 128MB memory cards. This will provide you sufficient memory space to meet your photo shoot requirements.
The most common form of such memory is a memory card. Each memory card has a fixed capacity and can store a certain number of pixels. After that, the memory card needs to be cleaned -- that is the photographer needs to delete the images to create space to shoot new photographs.
Generally, digital cameras come with a low capacity memory card. Since these can store a limited number of pictures it is advisable to purchase an additional memory card of higher capacity as a standby. A photographer can also buy two or three memory cards of smaller capacity. This too gives him sufficient memory space to shoot pictures.
However, it becomes necessary to use higher capacity memory cards as the mega pixel count (resolution) of the camera increases. Some of the small size cards have a memory capacity of 64MB, and are not suitable to save high resolution pictures. To shoot such pictures, photographers need to use memory cards of 1 GB capacity or more.
Depending on the type of digital camera and the number of pictures to be stored, digital camera memory is available in many shapes and configurations. These memory cards are solely dependent on the requirements of the digital camera. For example, a compact flash type 1 digital camera memory needs to be used for a camera using compact flash type 1. The small and low cost Flash Digital Camera memory is suitable for rugged and rough handling.
Generally, the memory cards come in 64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB and 1GB capacity. Photographers can optimize the use of memory cards by using the JPEG format to store photographs. This may allow them to save more photographs but it will also lead to a loss of picture quality. To be on the safer side, one should buy one 256 MB or two 128MB memory cards. This will provide you sufficient memory space to meet your photo shoot requirements.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Digital Camera Accessories
When you buy a digital camera don’t forget to buy digital camera accessories like rechargeable batteries, battery charger/AC adapter, memory card, soft camera case, camera bag, lens cleaning kit, tripod, external flash and filters. These add value to your photo shoots, and also increase the life of your camera.
A soft camera case costs $10 to 20 but it can protect your camera from damage caused by dropping or careless handling. Those who travel a lot should buy a strong camera bag for further protection.
Another important accessory, which you should buy, is a lens cleaning kit from a reputed camera dealer. You should never clean any optics of your camera using your shirt, fingers, water or breath. The kit, which costs a few dollars, includes a small blower brush, a soft cloth, a small plastic bottle containing the lens cleaning solution and a number of lens cleaning tissues.
Another accessory is a tripod, which is needed to prevent camera shake especially when the shutter speed drops below 1/60 second at a wide angle shot. Some digital cameras are equipped with an LCD monitor, which flashes a blinking light as a warning when the shutter speed is likely to cause a camera shake. A tripod is necessary when you are too close to the object in macro photography.
It is also advisable to buy a spare set of rechargeable batteries. This saves you the embarrassment of getting stuck with drained out batteries during the middle of a photo shoot. Rechargeable batteries last longer, and save you the bother of hunting for battery stores in desolate places.
You also need a battery charger or an AC adapter. However, it is always better to go for a charger because it allows you to continue charging spare batteries without interrupting your shooting. In the case of an AC adapter, your shooting will come to a halt while the battery is being charged.
Most digital cameras come with a starter memory card of 16 or 32 MB. However, if you are a professional photographer or a shutterbug you may need a larger memory card. A larger card will help you take more pictures, and you need not rush to your computer to transfer them. You also have the option of using a number of small memory cards.
Digital camera flashes have a limited range and you must learn to live with them. The best you can do is to go for a high-end camera that comes with a horseshoe to install an external flash.
A soft camera case costs $10 to 20 but it can protect your camera from damage caused by dropping or careless handling. Those who travel a lot should buy a strong camera bag for further protection.
Another important accessory, which you should buy, is a lens cleaning kit from a reputed camera dealer. You should never clean any optics of your camera using your shirt, fingers, water or breath. The kit, which costs a few dollars, includes a small blower brush, a soft cloth, a small plastic bottle containing the lens cleaning solution and a number of lens cleaning tissues.
Another accessory is a tripod, which is needed to prevent camera shake especially when the shutter speed drops below 1/60 second at a wide angle shot. Some digital cameras are equipped with an LCD monitor, which flashes a blinking light as a warning when the shutter speed is likely to cause a camera shake. A tripod is necessary when you are too close to the object in macro photography.
It is also advisable to buy a spare set of rechargeable batteries. This saves you the embarrassment of getting stuck with drained out batteries during the middle of a photo shoot. Rechargeable batteries last longer, and save you the bother of hunting for battery stores in desolate places.
You also need a battery charger or an AC adapter. However, it is always better to go for a charger because it allows you to continue charging spare batteries without interrupting your shooting. In the case of an AC adapter, your shooting will come to a halt while the battery is being charged.
Most digital cameras come with a starter memory card of 16 or 32 MB. However, if you are a professional photographer or a shutterbug you may need a larger memory card. A larger card will help you take more pictures, and you need not rush to your computer to transfer them. You also have the option of using a number of small memory cards.
Digital camera flashes have a limited range and you must learn to live with them. The best you can do is to go for a high-end camera that comes with a horseshoe to install an external flash.
Terms Used In Digital Photography
The following terms are used in digital photography:
Aperture: The opening that lets light travel to the camera’s interior where the sensor is placed.
Digital zoom: The process of blowing up a part of the picture. This function that is performed within the digital camera leads to a loss of picture quality.
JPEG: The term used to describe the compression of a digital image. This compression ratio was fixed by the Joint Photo Experts Group to reduce the picture size. However, the reduction leads to a considerable loss of picture quality.
Megapixels: An image that is made up of one million pixels.
Memory: The storage space provided within digital cameras to store pictures.
1 MP camera: This is a camera that can shoot an image which is made up of one million pixels.
Optical Zoom: This is used to change the focal length and magnification of the lens.
Pixels: It is a contraction of the term PIcture Element with a numerical value between 0 and 255. Each pixel is made up of three color channels.
Pixel Count: This is the number of pixels that go into making each image.
PPI: This is the acronym of pixels per inch, and is used to describe the picture quality. The higher the number of pixels per inch the better is the picture.
RAW/NEF: This is an uncompressed image as shot by the camera. The RAW picture format has been introduced by Canon. Nikon calls this format as NEF.
Sensor: The digital strip that receives light. It performs the same role that the negative does in the conventional camera.
Aperture: The opening that lets light travel to the camera’s interior where the sensor is placed.
Digital zoom: The process of blowing up a part of the picture. This function that is performed within the digital camera leads to a loss of picture quality.
JPEG: The term used to describe the compression of a digital image. This compression ratio was fixed by the Joint Photo Experts Group to reduce the picture size. However, the reduction leads to a considerable loss of picture quality.
Megapixels: An image that is made up of one million pixels.
Memory: The storage space provided within digital cameras to store pictures.
1 MP camera: This is a camera that can shoot an image which is made up of one million pixels.
Optical Zoom: This is used to change the focal length and magnification of the lens.
Pixels: It is a contraction of the term PIcture Element with a numerical value between 0 and 255. Each pixel is made up of three color channels.
Pixel Count: This is the number of pixels that go into making each image.
PPI: This is the acronym of pixels per inch, and is used to describe the picture quality. The higher the number of pixels per inch the better is the picture.
RAW/NEF: This is an uncompressed image as shot by the camera. The RAW picture format has been introduced by Canon. Nikon calls this format as NEF.
Sensor: The digital strip that receives light. It performs the same role that the negative does in the conventional camera.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Basics Of A Digital Camera
It is important to understand the basics of a digital camera, especially terms like pixel, pixel count, white balance, sensor, sensitivity, optical zoom, digital zoom etc. These improve your understanding of digital photography, and can help you become a better photographer.
A pixel is the basic unit of measurement used to define a digital photograph. The more the number of pixels per square inch the higher is the clarity or resolution of a digital picture. Each pixel is made up of three color channels – red, green and blue -- and has a numerical value of between 0 and 255.
The makers of digital cameras use the term pixel count to describe their cameras. A camera that can shoot images whose pixel count is one million is categorized as 1 MP or one million pixel camera. These are the low-end cameras, used by beginners. The high-end cameras used by professionals range from 14MP to 22MP. The pixel count in these cameras is as high as 14 million or 22 million per image.
The pixel count also decides the size of a print in case you want to print photographs. A 3MP camera can provide excellent 4x6 inch prints, while a 4 or 5MP digital camera can deliver high quality 8x10 inch prints.
Another important term is digital sensor. A typical digital camera may have a digital sensor element that is as big as a small finger nail. Most 5MP digital cameras use a sensor that is 7mm x 5mm in size. This is much smaller than the size of the negative of a 35 mm camera. However, high-end digital cameras have large sensors, and generate superior images.
With a digital camera you can pick the white balance to suit the light source. This is meant to ensure that white looks white and not yellow, or blue. Normally your digital camera will do this automatically. You can also set the white balance yourself for better effect.
Digital cameras also have sensitivity settings similar to ISO ratings on film. Most digital cameras will have settings for sensitivity equivalent to ISO 100 and ISO 200. Many also have a setting for ISO 400. A few expensive digital SLR cameras with large sensors have settings for ISO 3200 or even for ISO 6400.
Most digital cameras also have an optical and a digital zoom. An optical zoom lens works by changing the focal length and magnification as it is zoomed. Image quality remains high. Digital zoom works by cropping the image to a smaller size. The cropped image is enlarged to fill the frame, causing a significant loss of quality.
Since each pixel generates three bytes of data, a photographer using a 3MP camera will need a storage space of 9 million bytes or 9MB to store a single image. This is a huge amount of space. Camera companies therefore allow for a compression of image using a format called JPEG. This reduces the file size significantly but while doing so a lot of data is lost. To overcome this problem companies have come up with different storage formats. Canon calls it RAW while Nikon calls it NEF. The data loss is less in these formats.
A pixel is the basic unit of measurement used to define a digital photograph. The more the number of pixels per square inch the higher is the clarity or resolution of a digital picture. Each pixel is made up of three color channels – red, green and blue -- and has a numerical value of between 0 and 255.
The makers of digital cameras use the term pixel count to describe their cameras. A camera that can shoot images whose pixel count is one million is categorized as 1 MP or one million pixel camera. These are the low-end cameras, used by beginners. The high-end cameras used by professionals range from 14MP to 22MP. The pixel count in these cameras is as high as 14 million or 22 million per image.
The pixel count also decides the size of a print in case you want to print photographs. A 3MP camera can provide excellent 4x6 inch prints, while a 4 or 5MP digital camera can deliver high quality 8x10 inch prints.
Another important term is digital sensor. A typical digital camera may have a digital sensor element that is as big as a small finger nail. Most 5MP digital cameras use a sensor that is 7mm x 5mm in size. This is much smaller than the size of the negative of a 35 mm camera. However, high-end digital cameras have large sensors, and generate superior images.
With a digital camera you can pick the white balance to suit the light source. This is meant to ensure that white looks white and not yellow, or blue. Normally your digital camera will do this automatically. You can also set the white balance yourself for better effect.
Digital cameras also have sensitivity settings similar to ISO ratings on film. Most digital cameras will have settings for sensitivity equivalent to ISO 100 and ISO 200. Many also have a setting for ISO 400. A few expensive digital SLR cameras with large sensors have settings for ISO 3200 or even for ISO 6400.
Most digital cameras also have an optical and a digital zoom. An optical zoom lens works by changing the focal length and magnification as it is zoomed. Image quality remains high. Digital zoom works by cropping the image to a smaller size. The cropped image is enlarged to fill the frame, causing a significant loss of quality.
Since each pixel generates three bytes of data, a photographer using a 3MP camera will need a storage space of 9 million bytes or 9MB to store a single image. This is a huge amount of space. Camera companies therefore allow for a compression of image using a format called JPEG. This reduces the file size significantly but while doing so a lot of data is lost. To overcome this problem companies have come up with different storage formats. Canon calls it RAW while Nikon calls it NEF. The data loss is less in these formats.
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