6 MP camera: A camera capable of shooting an image measuring six million pixels in size.
Aperture: The opening behind the lens that permits light to travel to the camera's interior where the sensor is located.
JPEG: The term used to describe a type of digital compression used for digital images. This particular compression ratio was fixed by the Joint Photo Experts Group to reduce the picture size. This reduction, however, results in considerable loss of picture quality.
Digital zoom: The process of digitally enlarging a portion of the picture. This function is performed within the electronics of the digital camera without any physical adjustment of the lenses, and results in a loss of picture quality.
Megapixels: A measurement of digital photo quality. A one-megapixel image is made up of one million pixels.
Memory: The electronic storage space built into digital cameras for the purpose of storing pictures.
Optical Zoom: As opposed to digital zoom, this is the process of changing the focal length and magnification of the lens physically, without altering the quality of the recorded digital image. Superior to digital zoom.
Pixels: A contraction of the term "Picture Element". It is the smallest element of a digital image, a single "dot" of light or ink.
Pixel Count: The number of pixels that go into making each image. The higher the pixel count the more realistic an image is likely to appear.
PPI: An acronym for "pixels per inch", and is used to describe an element in picture quality. The higher the number of pixels displayed per inch, the better the picture will appear to the human eye and the less easily viewers will notice individual pixels.
RAW/NEF: The uncompressed image as shot by a digital camera. Canon introduced the RAW picture format, while Nikon calls this format NEF.
Sensor: The digital strip within the camera that converts incoming light into an electrical signal. It performs the role of "re-useable negative" within a digital camera.
Shutter Speed: The duration for which the camera's aperture is opened, thereby allowing light to stream in. Longer shutter speeds leave the aperture open longer, letting more light in and resulting in more exposure.
TIFF: An acronym for "Tagged Image File Format". While there is no loss of information in this format, the resulting file sizes are also very large.
White Balance: Human eyes compensate for lighting conditions with different colors of light. A digital camera, however, requires a reference point that represents white. It then calculates all other colors based upon this setting.
Courses In Digital Photography
Digital photography is a phenomenal development for that field. So many of the hassles of traditional film photography are not problems with this new medium that more and more people are trying them. Just think-you never have to wait until your film is developed to see your pictures; you never have to be miserly about how many shots you take, and you can experiment with different light settings and see on the spot if your shots are shadowy or over lit. With digital pictures you have the added options of printing them at home, sending them to friends via the internet, or using a photography program to doctor them up.
The quality of the pictures shot with a really good digital camera are sharp. The computer offers an amazing array of possibilities for cropping, magnifying, and editing your downloaded shots. In addition to being able to print your photographs off at home, you can also design Christmas cards, calendars, posters, and many other items with just as good quality as a professional printer might produce.
The more sophisticated digital cameras can be somewhat bewildering to anyone used to a point and shoot, but do not let that put you off. It is worth the time it takes to learn to use the manual features on your camera. Fun short courses in digital photography can easily be found through distance education programs. Using a combination of DVD's, CD's, and online material, you can learn how to get the most out of your camera as well as how to be a more polished photographer in general. Downloading and editing are also part of the coursework. Distance education is a smart option for anyone with limited time because the lessons can be done whenever you have the time.
Taking amazing pictures with a digital camera is not difficult once you understand it. It is fun to put your camera through its paces, photographing anything that captures your fancy, playing with light and shadow, taking detailed close-ups. Best of all, you can tell at once if the shot was any good. If you are not satisfied with it, erase it! When your memory card is full, just transfer your photos to the computer and start all over again! Once you get used to it, you will never miss your old camera at all.
Both Barbara Jackson & Fabian Toulouse are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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