Comm tech

Pixel and Megapixel

Pixel:

The smallest unit of a digital picture or display that can be displayed or processed. Each pixel represents a single point in the image and contains colour information.

Megapixel: 

One million pixels; a measurement for image resolution, indicating the total number of pixels a camera can capture.

Resolution

Resolution refers to the amount of detail an image holds, typically defined by the number of pixels along the width and height of the image (e.g., 1920x1080). 

Bitmap

A bitmap is a type of digital image that is made up of a grid of individual pixels, each with its own colour value. Bitmap images can lose quality when resized because they are based on a fixed number of pixels.

Compression

Compression is a process that reduces the file size of an image by eliminating redundant data. 

JPEG

JPEG is a popular form of lossy compression for digital photographs. It is especially effective for photographs because it significantly reduces file sizes while maintaining acceptable quality for most users.

Image Sensor (CCD or CMOS)

An image sensor is a device that converts light into an electrical signal through digital cameras. The two main types are: CCD and CMOS

CCD (Charge-Coupled Device):

Known for high quality and low noise; often used in cameras requiring high sensitivity.

CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor):

More commonly used in modern cameras; cheaper to produce and consumes less power but may have higher noise levels at lower light.

Exposure

Exposure refers to the amount of light that reaches the image sensor during a photograph. It is determined by three main factors: aperture (the size of the lens opening), shutter speed (the length of time the sensor is exposed to light), and ISO (the sensitivity of the sensor to light).

Studio Strobe Unit

A Studio Strobe Unit is a powerful flash used in professional photography to illuminate subjects. Unlike regular camera flashes, strobe units produce a brief burst of light, which can be adjusted in intensity and often allows for the practice of controlled lighting setups.

Image Brightness and Contrast

Brightness refers to how light or dark the image appears. Adjusting brightness changes the overall lightness of the image.

Contrast is the difference between the darkest and brightest parts of a pictureHigher contrast means more distinction between light and dark, while lower contrast results in a more muted appearance.

Image Hue and Saturation

Hue refers to the colour itself (e.g., red, blue, green). It describes the position in the colour spectrum.

Saturation refers to the intensity or purity of the colour. High saturation means the colour is vivid and intense, while low saturation indicates a more washed out or muted colour.

Layer Mask

A Layer Mask is a nondestructive editing tool used in image editing software (like Photoshop) that allows you to hide or reveal parts of a layer. This enables selective adjustments and effects without permanently altering the original image.

Adjustment Layer

An Adjustment Layer is a layer in photo editing software that applies colour and tonal adjustments to the layers beneath it without permanently changing the original images. This allows for flexibility in editing, as adjustments can be modified or removed easily.