Digital Photography

Introduction II

A Brief A Brief HistoryHistory 1960s-70s

Digital imaging used only for space, military 1986

1.4 megapixel CCD sensor introduced 1986

First commercial camera - 180K pixels, $3000 1993

First webcam pointed at Cambridge coffee pot 1994

1.5 megapixel camera available for $8000 1995

LCD preview screen introduced 1996

300K pixels camera available for $300

Oops!Oops!

In 1998, Sony accidentally sold approximately

700, 000 camcorders that had a limited ability

to see through clothes

A Brief History thru 2002A Brief History thru 2002 2000

Camera sales for digital surpassed film BUT digital has not taken over yet

2001

18 million digital cameras sold worldwide

($8 billion in sales)

2002

78 billion digital images, 100+ on film

300K pixel web cam for $301.3 megapixel camera for $8014 megapixel camera for $3000

2002

In the US there is roughly 1 camera for every adult

2003-Present

Improvement of existing camera technology

New sensor technology, more megapixels

New storage technology and transfer technology

SummarSummaryy Digital camera technology has

improved

Image quality has increased

Consumer prices have dropped

Consumers are using digital more

Digital has not replaced film at this time

The ProcessThe Process

1. Preview• LCD screen

• Zoom

• Exposure control

2. Capture• CCDs or CMOSs convert

3. Store• JPEG or TIFF

• Card or CD

4. Transfer• Cable or reader

5. Edit• Crop and scale

• Touch up and filter

6. Distribute• Print

• CD

• Web

Camera TypesCamera Types

Basic Cameras - simple point-and-shoots with fixed lenses and just the features needed for routine shots.

Advanced Cameras - feature-laden cameras that include sophisticated point-and-shoot and models that let you change lenses.

Basic CamerasBasic CamerasSubcompacts - Subcompacts fit in a pocket, are lightweight but generally have few manual controls. A few include nontelescoping zoom lenses, and others have zooms as high as 14x. Compacts are a bit larger, and often have

more manual controls than subcompacts. They can also be among the most inexpensive cameras available.

Rugged and Waterproof Models - claim to resist moisture and withstand falls. All have non-telescoping zoom lenses.

Compacts - Compacts are a bit larger, and often have more manual controls than subcompacts. They can also be among the most inexpensive cameras available

SuperZooms - offer 15x or greater zoom, with some recent models including optical zooms as great as 60x. Like

compacts, superzooms often, though not always, include manual controls. They're also among the more expensive basic cameras.

Advanced CamerasAdvanced Cameras

Advanced Point and Shoot - Advanced point-and-shoots have a non-detachable lens but differ from basic models because they have lots of manual controls, a hot shoe for an external flash, and support for RAW files. It's the lightest advanced type.

SLR Like - SLR-like models have interchangeable lenses, but they lack a through-the-lens viewfinder. They're smaller and lighter than an SLR but are usually larger than a point-and-shoot.

SLR - SLRs have the most features, with interchangeable lenses and the largest sensors for the best image quality in low light, and a through-the lens viewfinder. Controls are extensive. They're also the heaviest, most expensive cameras.

New Camera FeaturesNew Camera Features

Wireless capabilities - allow you to connect to Wi-Fi hot spots and to mobile devices and to upload your photos and video to social networking websites. Some also include NFC (near-field communication), which makes connecting to mobile device quick and easy.

Full frame sensors - These types of sensors, which are the size of one frame of 35mm film and significantly larger than sensors found in point-and-shoot digital cameras, allow the camera to handle a wider variety of lighting situations more accurately. They also limit the amount of visual noise that can distort and degrade an image.

Camera PricesCamera Prices

For basic point-and-shoots (subcompacts, compacts, rugged & waterproof models, and superzooms), expect to spend $75 to $500.

For advanced point-and-shoots, expect to spend $350 to $1,100.

For SLR-likes, expect to spend $450 to $1,200.

For SLRs, expect to spend $500 to $2,000

72 pixels equals 1 inch.

EXAMPLEEXAMPLEAn image taken at a resolution of 1600 X 1200 pixels =

1600 / 72 = 22.2221200 / 72 = 16.666

1. How big would an image be taken at a resolution of 640 X 480 pixels?

1. How big would an image be taken at a resolution of 800 X 600 pixels?

Resolution (dpi) and Image Resolution (dpi) and Image SizeSize

AdvantagesAdvantages

Image preview Instant view and

delete Low cost to take

pictures Direct input to

computer Quick turnaround

Need high resolution to enlarge

Not as convenient as film

High initial investment

High cost to print pictures

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

ApplicationsApplications

Print journalism Art Web publishing Astronomy Portrait

photography

Law enforcement Real estate Insurance Medicine Advertising

Issues – Visual Issues – Visual TruthTruth

Are digital photos legal as evidence? Should news photos be manipulated? Is it deceptive to alter an advertising photo?

Issues – Issues – CopyrightCopyright

What is in the public domain?

Must one get permission to alter an image?

The FutureThe Future

Will traditional film disappear?

Summary 2Summary 2

Camera Types – Professional, Consumer, Point and Shoot

Storage Options –

Resolution

Advantages/ Disadvantages

Who uses digital photography?

Issues – evidence/ copyright

Public Domain image use