3677e digital image capture essentials for...

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Digital Photography

Digital Image Capture E ti l

Prepared by George Holt

Essentials

Module Content• Identify the features of a digital camera

and capture an image.• Download photographs from a digital

camera and store on disk.• Features of a scanner and to scan an

image.I t di it l i i t b i


• Import a digital image into a basicdocument.

• View and print a digital image.

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Camera Types

• Point and Shoot –eg Canon Powershot A300 Sony DSC S700eg Canon Powershot A300, Sony DSC S700

• Mid Range –eg Fujifilm S9500, Fuji Finepix S100FS, Nikon Coolpix P50


• Pro-sumer – Digital SLReg Canon EOS 400D Kit Black, Canon Powershot PRO1 , Olympus E1

Typical Specs – Mid RangeCanon Powershot A590IS

• Features:8 0 M i l• 8.0 Megapixels

• 4x zoom with optical Image Stabilizer • Motion Detection Technology • Face Detection Technology • Red-Eye Correction • DIGIC III and iSAPS • 2 5" LCD and OVF

Price:$279 95 (inc GST) on


• 2.5 LCD and OVF • 19 Shooting Modes and My Colors • VGA and LP movies • Range of accessories

$279.95 (inc. GST) on 3/3/2008http://www.teds.com.au

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Standard Controls• Diopter

• Viewfinder

• LCD

• Menu Navigation


Menu Navigation

Camera Features

• Lens.A t• Aperture.

• Shutter.• Sensor.• Storage.• Flash


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Advantages• What was that shot like?

Instant viewing of photos

• No more film!Take as many pictures as you want without having to pay for printing ‘dud’ photos.

• EditingPhotos can easily be cropped, rotated, spots removed, fix the colour and lighten, darken and sharpen images.

• Taking NotesTake digital photos of things you need to remember or prove eg. Wiring inside your computer, condition of a road, damage from a storm, valuables in your house


in your house..

• It will last foreverIf carefully stored digital images will last forever and if a printout gets ripped, torn or coffee spilt on it, just reprint. Only cost is paper and ink/toner.

• ITS FUN!!Experiment, experiment, experiment!!!

Disadvantages• Shutterlag – Delay between pressing the button and getting the photo.

• Set up Costs$200 $1200 f A i d bl ft$200-$1200 for camera + Accessories eg memory cards, cables, software, batteries, computer etc.

• Light Digital cameras are not as sensitive to light but you can change the ISO setting on most better cameras. Usually can’t have extremely long exposures like SLR film cameras can.

• Camera shake Some of the ultra compact cameras are too light in your hand and can be a bit “shaky”.


bit shaky .

• Power Digital cameras are power hogs you can be forever recharging batteries.

• New SkillsGetting the image out of the camera, processing it and getting a great looking print are not as easy as they were before at first.

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Why convert documents to digital documents?

Advantages DisadvantagesCan be easily transported on a disk Have to gain new skills to captureCan be easily transported on a disk, across the network or by email

Have to gain new skills to capture images

Cheap to reproduce – No printing costs. – SAVE MONEY$$$

Not everyone likes working on a computer

Puts the responsibility of managing handouts and missed work onto the user

What happens when the computer crashes

Users can’t loose their handouts and Can’t highlight or take notes on the


Users can t loose their handouts and pages.

Can t highlight or take notes on the page

Documents can be backed up and made safe

Can’t take it to bed. Yet?

You can edit the document Some documents can’t be edited

Can be used for lots of other courses etc.

CompromiseHow can we keep the advantages and deal with the

disadvantages?• Do short courses to gain skills or hire someone to do the

i d th d tscanning and manage the documents.• The trend to electronic work is continuing and growing.

People will have to get on board or get left behind.• You can’t easily take notes on scanned pages yet but

soon we will plus we can takes notes on other pages or type our own text into some documents.

• Electronic books that are truly portable and comfortable t d i b d i


to read in bed are coming.• Computers can be reloaded and files recovered from

backup copies on disk. It’s pretty hard to reconstruct a burnt page from a house fire.

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Terminology• Megapixel – approx 1 million pixels. 1024x1024 pixels• CCD – Charge Coupled Device. An electronic sensor

that converts light into electrical signals that are stored as a digital imageas a digital image.

• Lens - A ground or molded piece of glass or plastic that focuses an image onto a CCD. Zooms and focuses the image onto the CCD

• Aperture - adjustable opening(iris) in an optical instrument, such as a camera or telescope, that limits the amount of light passing through a lens. often expressed as an f-number. Eg F2.8 or F8


p g• Shutter - A mechanical device of a camera that controls

the duration of a photographic exposure, by opening and closing to allow light coming through the lens to expose film or CCD.

Terminology continued.• Memory card – an electronic device that

stores digital images.• Interpolation – A mathematical process

that Changes the resolution images by estimating pixel colours based on surrounding pixels.D th f Fi ld Th di t l th


• Depth of Field – The distance along the cameras axis that the image is acceptably in focus.

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SensorsSensors are the digital equivalent of film.

Prepared by George HoltFurther Reading

Types of Sensors•Charge Coupled Device (CCD)The most common of the two main types ofThe most common of the two main types of image sensors used in digital cameras. When a picture is taken, the CCD is struck by light coming through the camera’s lens. Each of the thousands or millions of tiny pixels that make up the CCD convert this light into electrons.

C li t M t l O id


•Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)One of the two main types of image sensors used in digital cameras. Its basic function is the same as that of a CCD. CMOS sensors are currently found in only a handful of digital cameras.

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ApertureF Stop Number EffectF8 Small apertureF8 Small aperture,

Long depth of field, Landscape mode

F2 Large aperture, Short depth of field Portrait


field, Portrait mode.

http://www.andrewmacbeth.com/articles/camera_basics.htm

http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/shutterandaperture.php

Shutter Speed• The shutter speed is the amount of time that the

lens opens the aperture and exposes the film or CCD Measured as fractions of seconds suchCCD. Measured as fractions of seconds, such as 1/60th or 1/500th.

• The longer the shutter is open, the more light enters through the aperture and hits your film or CCD.

• If you have a shutter open for too long, it may


"blur" the picture if the subject (or the camera) moves. This is particularly troublesome in sports photography, where you usually have to select a shutter speed of 1/500 or faster.

http://www.andrewmacbeth.com/articles/camera_basics.htm

http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/shutterandaperture.php

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Storage cont…

Memory Card SizeC

16 32 64 128 256 512

CA

MER

A

16 MB

32 MB

64 MB

128 MB

256 MB

512 MB

2 MP 17 35 71 142 284 570


3 MP 13 26 52 106 213 425

4 MP 8 16 32 64 128 256

5 MP 6 12 25 50 100 200

Interpolation – What is it?

• When software (camera, scanner, or photo diti ) t i l t iediting) creates new pixels to an image

based on the colour values of the surrounding pixels.

• Basically the software guesses colours for pixels based on the surroundings


pixels based on the surroundings• Digital Zoom uses interpolation

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Resolution and Print Size• How much resolution do I need?

Megapixels Print SizeMegapixels Print Size

1MP 6 x 4 inch

2 MP 5 x 7 Inch

3 MP 8 x 10 inch

4 MP 11 14 i h


4 MP 11 x 14 inch

In between A4 Size

5 MP 12 x 18 inch

Memory StorageGet the biggest memory card you

can afford

• Memory Card Types:Smart Media, Compact Flash, Memory Stick, Secure Digital

• Capacity:8Mb, 16Mb, 32Mb,128 Mb, 256 Mb

• Cost:$$$


$$$

Having a Spare card can keep you going when you fill your main card up and are away from your PC without having to delete any pics

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Lenses• Short (Wide Angle)

(38 mm) for

•Fish eye lenses are extremely short and have lots of distortion.(38 mm) – for

capturing a wide view

• Long (Telephoto) (380 mm – 10 x)

• Zoom (Short to Long)


• Zoom (Short to Long) (38-380mm)

The longer the lens the more camera shake will affect your images.

LensesLens Zoom or Mm Advantages DisadvantagesWide or Short 1X

28mmFits a lot into the scene, Very wide

Slight distortion of the proportions,

view objects can appear distant

Normal 50mm Approx the same as the human eye sees


Long 10X280mm

Great for zooming into distant objects

Dust haze, hard to hold the camera still

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Optical vs. Digital ZoomDigital Isn't Always Better

• Always use optical zoom. Optical is what the lens seessees.

• Digital zoom enlarges a portion of the image, thus 'simulating' optical zoom but results in “softer” images

• Digital Zoom is the same as using Photo Editing Software


• Always compare optical zoom on camerasThere is no point in comparing digital zoom with digital zoom or optical zoom with total zoom. Always compare optical zoom with optical zoom

Viewfinders and LCD’sOptical Viewfinder

Same as regular cameraNot always exactly what camera sees

TTL (Through-the-Lens)Sees what the lens sees

Digital ViewfinderLCD - reproduces exactly what camera sees but it is a

power hog!!


power hog!!LCD is low resolution and hard to see if the image is

focused correctly.LCD is hard to see in bright light.

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Transfer MechanismHow easy/hard is it to get your

photos from camera to PC?• USB Cable most common• USB Cable – most common• Cradle with USB for some cameras• Firewire for video cameras• Multi Card Reader• Printer with Memory port

• AV(composite RCA plugs)cables for ti t TV


connecting to a TV• DVD player with card slots.• We also need software eg. Windows XP or the

software that came with your camera to interface between the computer and the memory card.

Shooting ModesMost digital cameras have a range of shooting modes to

help you take photos in a number of common conditions.• Automatic (AE)• Portrait• Landscape• Macro• Sport or action• Aperture Priority- The user sets the aperture, controlling depth-of-field.

The camera automatically selects the appropriate shutter speed.

These 5 are the most important modes


• Shutter priority - The user selects the shutter speed, and the camera automatically selects the appropriate aperture.

• Night• Manual• Panoramic

Canon site

http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/cameramodes.php

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Flash

• Flash Equipment.

• Flash Modes• When should we

use flash?


• Advantages and limitations.

Flash Equipment

• Built in flash.Available on almost all digital cameras– Available on almost all digital cameras.

– Can be very limited in range.– May have different modes of flash

• Flashguns.– Connects to some cameras by a “hot shoe” mount.– May have a separate power supply to the camera.

Oft h b tt th b ilt i fl h


– Often has a better range than built in flash.

• Flash heads.– Used for studio lighting.– Can be very expensive and bulky.

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Flash Modes• Auto Flash - Front Curtain

Sync. Most common mode of flash

• Red Eye Reduction.– Uses a double flash to cause the eye to

contract before the main flash.

• Slow Sync.– Flash plus a slow shutter speed for dim

backgrounds.


• Slow Sync + Red eye.– Combination of the above 2 modes.

• Rear Curtain Sync.– Fires before shutter to create a trail on

moving subjects.

http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/controllingflash.php

When should we use flash?

• So we can take photos in dark conditions.• Try using flash in the day time to light up

shadowed areas. Eg faces.• So we can use a faster shutter speed for

fast moving objects.It can enhance the brightness and


• It can enhance the brightness and intensity of colours.

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Flash limitations• Experiment to discover the range of your

fl h it T i ll fl h i ff ti tflash unit. Typically flash is effective up to about 3-5m depending on the type.

• Flash can be very harsh and “wash out” photos.

• Choose the flash mode for the job don’t


• Choose the flash mode for the job don t just leave it on auto.

Shopping – What you Need

• A cameraA d t PC• An adequate PC

• Batteries• Memory/Storage• Image Editing Software• Printer


• Printer• Tripod• Cleaning Kit• Zip Lock bags

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Accessories• Image Editing Software

Some with cameraTry out a few: Photoshop Elements, Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro

• Printer• PrinterGood inkjet colour printerPremium photo paper – don’t skimp Try a few out to see what works with your printerWhy have good camera and use budget printer with lousy paper

• Tripod Close ups or long range telephoto (digital zoom)Night scene/slow shutter speeds

• Lenses and Filters


Lenses and FiltersWide angle, close ups and telephotos may become out of the range of the lens your camera came with.Not straight away but consideration for later on. Can they be add ons

• Camera BagFor camera and accessories but easy to use

Maintenance• Keep it packed up and clean!!• Lint free cloths for wiping down the bodyLint free cloths for wiping down the body.• Lens cleaning wipes for the lens – Wipe in

one direction once only and then discard and use another wipe.

• Brushes and air puffers.R f t d i ll


• Reformat your memory card occasionally.• Battery charging.

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ISO Settings

• A digital camera's ISO rating corresponds to the speed ratings for 35mm film: A low number suchspeed ratings for 35mm film: A low number, such as ISO 100, is "slow," or relatively insensitive to light; a high number, such as ISO 400, is fairly sensitive. Every time you double the ISO, you halve the amount of light needed to properly expose a picture--and vice versa. The bigger the number of the ISO the more sensitive the sensor


number of the ISO the more sensitive the sensor or film.

• Digital cameras amplify the signal from the CCD to simulate the effects of a faster(higher ISO) film.

Types of Scanners• Flatbed scanners, also called desktop scanners, are the

most versatile and commonly used scanners. Many flatbed scanners also do negatives or transparencies.Sh f d i il fl b d h• Sheet-fed scanners are similar to flatbed scanners except the document is moved and the scan head is immobile. A sheet-fed scanner looks a lot like a small portable printer.

• Handheld scanners use the same basic technology as a flatbed scanner, but rely on the user to move them instead of a motorized belt. This type of scanner typically does not provide good image quality. However, it can be useful for quickly capturing text.

• Drum scanners are used by the publishing industry to capture incredibly detailed images. They use a technology called a photomultiplier tube (PMT). In PMT, the document to be scanned is mounted on a glass cylinder At the center of


to be scanned is mounted on a glass cylinder. At the center of the cylinder is a sensor that splits light bounced from the document into three beams. Each beam is sent through a color filter into a photomultiplier tube where the light is changed into an electrical signal.

• Transparency Scanners can be used to scan slides or negatives.

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/scanner.htm

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How scanners work.

• The entire mechanism (mirrors, lens filter and CCD array) make uplens, filter and CCD array) make up the scan head. The scan head is moved slowly across the document by a belt that is attached to a stepper motor. The scan head is attached to a stabilizer bar to


ensure that there is no wobble or deviation in the pass. Pass means that the scan head has completed a single complete scan of the document.

Power Systems

Digital cameras are power hogs

• AA, Lithium Ion, NiMH, AC PowerRecommend • Two sets NiMH or Lithion Ion rechargeable

batteries• AC Adapter for use when transferring images or


• AC Adapter for use when transferring images or displaying on TV; or a CARD READER!!

• Card Reader. Cheap and very versatile.

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Safe use of batteries


Links• http://www.photonhead.com/• http://www steves-digicams com• http://www.steves-digicams.com• www.teds.com.au• http://www.dpreview.com• Kodak Tips and Project centre• http://www.olympus.com.au/• http://www.sony.com.au


http://www.sony.com.au• http://www.kodak.com• http://www.canon.com.au/• http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/

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Mastering LightLight has a colour and is measured in degrees Kelvin. White Balance can be set for:

•Cloudy

•Daylight

•Fluorescent


•Tungsten – light globes.

•Flash.

•Custom.