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Definition of the Day

Exposure- the phenomenon of light striking the surface of film or digital imaging sensor. The exposure is determined by the volume of light passing through the lens aperture (f/stop) combined with the duration of the exposure (shutter speed).  The proper exposure, which is best determined using a light meter, can be established in a number of exposure modes including manual, program (automatic), shutter priority and aperture priority.

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Depth of Focus- Depth of focus is the measurement of the area in focus within an image, from the closest point of focus to the furthest point of focus.

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Definition of the Day

Chromatic Aberration-  occurs when the collective color wavelengths of an image fail to focus on a common plane. The results of chromatic aberration are most noticeable around the edges of contrasty images, especially toward the edges of the frame. Chromatic aberration is most common on less expensive lenses, although even the best optics can occasionally display lower levels of chromatic aberration under certain conditions.

Another form of chromatic aberration is called “purple fringing,” which are the purple streaks or halos that often appear within images produced by digital cameras. Purple fringing originates from light refracting from the light-gathering micro lenses that cap the sensor's pixels. In backlit scenes, this form of purple fringing is commonly called “blooming.”

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Blocked Shadows- Term for lack of, or loss of, shadow detail in a photographic image, usually the result of underexposure or images captured by a lower resolution (and less dynamic) imaging sensor. Although lost shadow detail can often be (partially) reclaimed in Photoshop or similar photo editing applications, HDR (High Dynamic Range) imaging, in which two or more bracketed images are sampled and combined into a single image file containing increased levels of shadow, highlight and mid-tone detail has become an increasingly common in-camera solution for retaining both shadow and highlight detail.

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Aliasing- The process by which smooth curves and lines that run diagonally across the screen of a low-resolution digital file take on a jagged look as opposed to a smooth, natural rendition. Smoothing and anti-aliasing techniques can reduce the effects of aliasing.

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Watermark- Traditionally, a watermark is an image or icon that is embedded into paper for security purposes. In digital photography, a watermark refers to information that is embedded in the image data to protect the copyrights of the image.

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Time Lapse- A series of photographs captured over a period of time. These images can be captured in variable or set time intervals over the course of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, etc. Although several more advanced cameras offer the option of custom function time-lapse imaging, most cameras require optional hard wired or remotely operated triggering devices to capture time-lapse imagery.

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Shutter- A part in the camera that controls the duration of transmission the light that reaches the film or sensor. 

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Racking Focus- Racking focus is the technique of directing the attention of the viewer of video footage by shifting the focus of the lens from a subject in the foreground to a subject in the background or vice versa.

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Definition of the Day

Pixelization- The breakup of a digital image file that has been scaled up (enlarged) to a point where the pixels no longer blend together to form a smooth image. Pixelization can also appear in the form of step-like or choppy curves and angled lines (also known as the jaggies). As a rule, the greater the number of pixels there are within an image, the less likely it is that you will see pixelization in the image.

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Optical Resolution- The physical resolution at which a device can capture an image. The term is used most frequently in reference to optical scanners and digital cameras.

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Noise Reduction- A process within a digital camera's image processor in which the artifacts caused by “pushed” ISO ratings or other electrical or heat-related artifacts are suppressed or eliminated in an image.

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Micro Drive- one of the original types of digital memory cards for digital cameras. Have been replaced by compact flash cards that have no moving parts and are more reliable.

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Lossy- a data-compression technique that can reduce the detail of a digital image file. Most video compression techniques utilize lossy compression.

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Inkjet- a printing method in which the printer sprays micro-jets of ionized ink at a sheet of paper in droplet sizes as small as 2-picoliters. Magnetized plates in the ink's path direct the ink onto the paper in the desired shapes and patterns to make an image.

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Hardware Calibration- a method of calibrating a digital camera, scanner, printer or monitor using specialized hardware such as colorimeters, densitometers and spectrometers. 

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Gain- the relationship between the input signal and the output signal of any electronic system. higher levels of gain amplify signal, resulting in greater levels of brightness and contrast. Lower levels of gain will darken the image, and soften the contrast. Effectively, gain adjustment effects the sensitivity to light of the CCD or CMOS sensor. In a digital camera, this concept is analogous to the ISO or ASA ratings of silver-halide films.