Search:

Inside your digital camera

But most photographs aren't just well-defined black and white boundaries - in fact, none of them are. So when faced with angles, gradients, or irregular shapes, the computer has to use its stored rules to guess what color the new pixels should be. In theory, the better routines allow the computer to do a pretty good job at smoothing out the image when the resolution is increased and all those new pixels are put in place. In practice, unlike in the movies or on TV, you can't get information out of a picture that isn't there. That tiny black dot on the horizon isn't going to turn into an umbrella when you double the resolution, it will just be a bigger black dot. So if you need a "bigger picture" than you have, why not use interpolation? The trick is that the interpolation done in your camera is not the same as the interpolation done in your computer's editing software.
You can use your photo editing software or even many picture viewers or dedicated programs, to view and copy EXIF data. It can also be used by specialized software provided by the camera manufacturer when loading pictures into your computer to record information about camera settings and even provide editing options. One of the things these transfer programs can do is to change the timestamp of the newly created file to match the time the photo was taken. That's another good reason to set the clock on your camera to the correct time. This data can be used to record a log of photographs for a variety of purposes. The time a favored shot was taken may be referred to later in duplicating light conditions. You can keep track of settings for experimenting with changes in settings, and never get your pictures mixed up because the data is stored as part of the file itself. You can export or copy the EXIF information and not have to manually enter information in your log.
If you have ever wondered why TIFF files are historically larger than JPEGs we provide an explanation that will hopefully dispel the mystery. Even though TIFF files retain only 8 bits per channel of data, that data will take up twice the storage space because it has three 8 bit color channels versus the one 12 bit RAW channel. JPEG uses compression of the data at the cost of image quality to manage the data. Thus, RAW data offers the best of both worlds where it preserves the original color bit depth and image quality while saving space using only one 12 bit RAW channel. Some cameras offer compressed RAW that minimally compromises data. If you are taking photographs for fun, JPEG offers an option to increase the number of photos stored on a memory disk. So, why would you want to archive your photographs also as a RAW data file?
Analog or film cameras use the term ASA speed, however it is important to remember that a single digital camera can capture and store images at several ISO speeds. Amplifying the image signal in a camera can also amplify noise and thereby higher ISO speeds may produce progressively more noise in the photo. The character of an image in a photo can also change noise. Where lighter areas in analog or film photos tend to have the most noise, it is the darker areas of digital photographs that have the largest amount of noise. Digital cameras produce three types of noise called random noise, fixed pattern noise and banding noise. Random noise describes the abnormal intensity of color fluctuations compared to the rest of the photograph. It is most influenced by the ISO speed however the pattern of random noise may change even if exposure settings remain the same. Random noise may be the least objectionable, but the most difficult to remove where the noise is too often mistaken for true image characteristics. Fixed Hot pixels or fixed pattern noise describe pixel intensity that far exceeds that of ambient random noise fluctuations.
If you are looking to turn your pictures into pieces of art, there are many options available to you, as well. You can turn your print into a black and white picture and hand color some details. You can create beautiful special effects that will really make your digital photo stand out in a crowd, too. As you can image, the tools to create the perfect picture can cost a lot of money, if you have to purchase them. If you are on a budget, or just like to save money, anything you can find for free is a bonus! Well, there are free photo editors out there, you just have to look for them. Since the introduction of the Internet, there are literally thousands upon thousands of pages of information that are geared specifically toward helping you achieve the pictures of your dreams. You don't have to spend one penny to edit your photographs. All you need is access to a computer and scanner and you are well on your way. Just log onto any one of the number of free photo editor applications available and a whole new world of editing possibilities will be right at your fingertips. Don't let your money, or lack of, keep you from making the best pictures, just download some freeware and start editing your own pictures!
For best results using fill flash, try to have your subject in shade with lit areas behind it. The fill flash takes care of the shade, and helps balance the light level so the subject and the background are clear and proportionately bright. If your camera has a "slow synchronized flash" feature, this can be used to combine foreground and background elements in a way not otherwise possible (because of the short reach of small, built-in flashes). With the use of a tripod and relatively still subjects, good quality shots can be taken in otherwise difficult conditions, such as night shots or even shots on a moving platform. Longer shutter delays can produce blur effects similar to the "moving traffic" effects often seen in advertising, and with a little patient experimentation you can produce shots with a mid-range digital camera that rival expensive commercial art.
Secure Digital (SD) cards were designed to replace the older MMC standard - but it's beginning to look like the reverse may happen. The good news is that SD cards are available in larger sized - up to 4 Gigabytes, and higher speeds than MMC cards currently are. In theory, SD cards are the fastest on the market. In practice, it's almost a dead heat with Compact Flash cards. The bad news is that SD cards are losing market share rapidly, though they are still used in many cameras. The better news is that if the MMC standard takes over, full-size MMC cards can be used in SD slots. Compact Flash (CF) is one of the oldest and most popular standards available today. They have the widest range of sizes (up to 8 Gigabytes with larger microdrive-based cards rumored) and are quite quick. Currently they compete only with SD cards for the high-end camera market, and their position looks more secure than SD. New developments in wireless transfer support for cameras and links to external drive packs may cement CF cards' place.

Article Source: http://articles.yournetguru.com

Did you like this article? Interested in Dominating Digital Photography? Well now you can by Discovering this free Tutorial...what are you waiting for?

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated