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The Essence of
IMAGE MATTERS
General Introduction
   

 


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Image Introduction
Image Basics
JPG ''Lossiness''
Picture ''Anatomy"
Color Models
Colors - More Facts
Image Tools
Image "Tweaks"
Animated Images
Graphics
Resolution and DPI
Scanning
Printing after
Scanning
Digital Cameras
Binary and Hexadecimal
with Color
Picture Taking
Considerations
Image ''Burden''
Pre-Posting,
Image edits
Posting Pictures
Introduction
Posting Attachments
Posting with
"Hot Links"
Photo Facts
Photo Facts - Diagrams



Note - Since the build of this quite basic site long ago, technology has advanced - also some external links may have expired, but basic principles still apply.  It was put together initially to help folks in a forum, thus some pages explaining how to post pictures are still included, even tho they may be out of date for exact method.

This is set up for 800 x 600 resolution, to cater for those few
who may be limited that way. Scripting is best enabled.

This was put together to try and help those, as yet not fully into digital image work or even just starting, and hope they will gain something.

There is no great attempt so far to be bothering with too many frills - this is about information and I won't apologize if some seems excessively ''basic'' - it is designed to try and help all levels, from total newbie upwards!

FYI ... some example pics are my daughter ... many, many years ago! I make use of this file set because I prepared it some time ago for similar usage.

We will try to cover things in a fairly logical manner, giving initially a brief description of the content (see below) so you can ultimately choose which to look at while using the links on the left, trying in part to have a sequence whereby we can progress from some theory and basics, to more advanced matters and techniques. Note - this is NOT meant to be encyclopedic!! Purely an attempt to aid understanding. Some aspects may not interest you at all but are included for completeness' sake.

In many of the sections listed, I have tried to utilize just one main image for the examples - in the hope that this consistency will better show and contrast the various points being illustrated.

Because obviously much can be best explained or demonstrated through actual images, this could produce a fairly heavy image burden - to minimize this, they will be well compressed and size limited for space-saving, and also pages kept small enough individually to avoid too heavy a download time penalty. If higher resolution images seem needed at any stage - then I will leave them separately available so you can access them when needed - this is mostly to help dial up users.

While the most popular and pretty much ''de facto'' application for image work tends to be Adobe's "PhotoShop® Version 7" or higher, I use and have used for some time now, Micrografx's application "Picture Publisher® Version 8.01" much more. Partly because I am long familiar with it but also because it has for me a much more user-friendly interface. ''Whatever works for you''!

Other packages, such as "Paint Shop Pro®", now in it's umpteenth incarnation, are also of great value and have plenty of power - the principles involved being all pretty much similar across the various application platforms and most packages now do most things, more or less efficiently.

Simple adjustments and size changes can also be done quite efficiently with IrfanView, a small and freeware application........ very adequate for the average user who's main prerequisite is resizing.

The sequence listed below approximates a fairly logical approach to this subject if you want to read through stage by stage but of course - feel free to view as you wish.

A quick rundown of what is hoped are some of the initial things you may wonder about when starting off with images, scanning etc.

How is a digital image made up? What is resolution? What are the image formats? We look at these and associated matters, to investigate the "ground level" aspects.

The JPG format has already been discussed but, here we look at examples to illustrate the effects of over compression, compared with a more moderate level.

We have a look at how colors are produced, displayed and influenced - the three 'models'.

Here, we concentrate more specifically on how the colors relate to the computer, the printer and also dig a little deeper into the RGB Model.

What software tools can we use on our images? Here we take a look at the main choice of implements you might have at your disposal for image processing and adjustments.

Once we have an image - what can we do to alter it? We look at some examples of major changes that can be made, and how to go about achieving them.

By exploiting the .GIF format, we can produce useful animated effects. Relatively simple to achieve...... and may be of interest.

This refers to the "manufacture" of images via a graphics application - of which there are many. ''Digital painting'' if you like.

This looks at resolution, how it affects file sizes etc and explaining the DPI relationship. It is worth gaining a grasp on these two.

A brief look at scanner matters ...... just some general considerations about the unit itself and its useage.

This is where we look at the relationship between the scanned image, and what is required for use in your printer. The basic function of your inkjet printer is explained and how that can affect choices.

There are a number of specification data quoted for cameras which can be difficult to interpret. This tries to explain a few and, also make some broad recommendations.

Anyone with a wish to learn or "brush up" on your binary and hex' - have a look here to take a quick run through the two number systems. Not essential reading, but can help understanding on color values. (Opens new window).

Just some basic suggestions as to how you might best achieve reasonable results..... often using quite simple equipment.

An example is included here to further emphasize aspects of file size and image size when considering posting.

After taking a digital picture, there may still be changes required to help balance the image for color and brightness, and even ''touching up'' to remove artifacts.

It's one thing to use the camera and get some useful images ...... another very often to know how best to let others see them on the board. We explore some general considerations.

Here we look at the methodology of getting those images on your hard drive on to the board, as attachments for all to see.

If you need to show an image from another site, or post your own already hosted somewhere - this is the way to go.

This where we run through things like 'f' stops, shutter speeds, depth of field, and how they are all interelated

To further attempt to clarify the matters in the last section - here are diagrams to make it more visual.

The categories on offer should help illuminate you on the whole subject of images, although it is of course a very large field - but I have tried to cover enough of the main elements to at least I hope give you a feel, following which an excursion into the realm of books and the web can add more to aspects you may want to study in further detail.

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