Digital Photography Introduction II

A Brief History 1960s-70s Digital imaging used only for space, military 1986 1.4 megapixel CCD sensor introduced 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 How long have digital cameras been around? Megapixel – the dpi length X the dpi width = total # of pixels in an image; images with over 1 million pixels are expressed in mega terms Dpi = dots per inch or pixels per inch Dpi length and width = the dimensions of the image expressed in computer terms

Oops! In 1998, Sony accidentally sold approximately 700, 000 camcorders that had a limited ability to see through clothes

A 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 $30 1.3 megapixel camera for $80 14 megapixel camera for $3000 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

Summary 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 Process Transfer Preview Edit Capture Distribute Store LCD screen Cable or reader Edit Crop and scale Touch up and filter Distribute Print CD Web Preview LCD screen Zoom Exposure control Capture CCDs or CMOSs convert Store JPEG or TIFF Card or CD LCD = Liquid Crystal Display CCD = Charge Coupled Device CMOS = Complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor Image sensor = device that captures and transforms light into digital information JPEG = common file type of digital images TIFF = common type of digital images

Camera 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. SLR = single lens reflex

Basic Cameras Subcompacts - 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 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 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 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

Resolution (dpi) and Image Size 72 pixels equals 1 inch. EXAMPLE An image taken at a resolution of 1600 X 1200 pixels = 1600 / 72 = 22.222 1200 / 72 = 16.666 How big would an image be taken at a resolution of 640 X 480 pixels? How big would an image be taken at a resolution of 800 X 600 pixels? Resolution dictates image size Higher resolution = larger images = more storage space required to store an image Typical sizes of a high quality jpeg image 640 X 480 = 300 kb 800 X 600 = 500 kb 1600 X 1200 = 1.7 mb

Disadvantages Advantages 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

Applications Print journalism Art Web publishing Astronomy Portrait photography Law enforcement Real estate Insurance Medicine Advertising

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

Issues – Copyright What is in the public domain? Must one get permission to alter an image?

The Future Will traditional film disappear?

Summary 2 Camera Types – Professional, Consumer, Point and Shoot Storage Options – Resolution Advantages/ Disadvantages Who uses digital photography? Issues – evidence/ copyright Public Domain image use