| Digital
Basics: |
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Bitmap
Files: [The
Circle and the Dot] When working with digital photographs, we use
bitmap files. Unlike a vector based file (PowerPoint) that creates
an image from a list of instructions, a bitmap file maps all the
bits of information for each pixel of the digital image. |
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File
Resolution: Remember
that file resolution is made up of to components: "Line"
and "Color".
- "Line Resolution" is made up of the number of pixels [pixel
width X pixel height] that create the digital image.
- "Color Resolution" is made up of the number of colors
[bit depth] in the digital image.
- File Size KB = [(pixel width X pixel height) x (bit depth/ 8)]/1024 |
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File Formats: Of
the many bitmap file types the most common are .JPEG, .GIF, and .TIF.
Bitmap files tend to be large in file size so some file formats compress
their data. There are 2 types of compression: "lossy" and
"lossless"... pretty self explanatory.
- JPEG and .GIF
files use "lossy" compression (JPEG losses line res. while
GIF losses colors res.) Because these file types are used mostly for
screen presentations (the Internet and PowerPoint) the loss due to
compression in less noticeable. NEVER JPEG a JPEG file because the
lossy" compression is compounding during subsequent savings.
- TIF files can
be either compressed or non-compressed. When Compressing TIF files
may or may not create smaller files depending on subject mater of
photograph However the compression is lossless and because of that
TIF files is the most common file format used when the final output
is print. |
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RGB:
Just
as color film is sensitive to Red, green and blue light, digital images
displayed on or monitors are comprised of red, green and blue pixels. |
| Photoshop
Basics: |
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PSD
Files: [PhotoShop
Document] This is a hybrid file containing "layers"
of bitmap as well as vector based objects. It is native (unique) to
PS and must be "Saved As" one of the many common file formats
to be distributed or or included in other software applications. |
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Monitor Settings: To
view all the photographic information in your digital file your monitor
should be set to "millions of colors". Sometimes called
"True Color" or "24 bit color". Also, a minimum
screen resolution of 1024 x 768 is recommended to view PS's palettes
comfortably. (See Monitor
Settings) |
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PSP
Photoshop Defaults: |
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Color
Management:
Unless
you have spent time creating specialized "Color Profiles",
under the PS "Help" menu, select: "Color Management"
then select "Imitate Photoshop 4.0 color handling". |
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PSP
Photographer Palette:
Because
of the workspace in PS is so precious you should close the palettes
that are not use frequently and only "show" them when
you need them. My PS workspace consists of 2 groups of palettes.
One group in a standard PS default. It consists of the Navigator;
Info and Options palettes. I usually place this under the tools
palette on the PC (bottom left on the Mac). The 2nd group consists
of the layers, History and Brushes palettes and I locate this
at the top right on the PC (bottom right on the Mac). |
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Double
clicking the "Zoom" tool
will display your image at 100% magnification.
Double
clicking the "Hand" tool
will magnify your image to fill the screen.. |
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