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Advice on Still images
Still images: Creating new digital media
This section deals with the creation of digital image content for research, teaching and learning purposes. These technical advisory papers are targeted towards readers who will have hands-on responsibility for building new collections.
An Overview of Colour Management for Still Images
There is a lot of confusion around the subject of digital colour and the process of ensuring colour consistency for still images. This document provides an introduction to the different methods used to manage digital colour.
Read full advice document...Colour and Resolution Targets
In order to accurately calibrate and benchmark imaging devices, it is standard practice to capture colour targets and resolution targets. Capturing a target and assessing the results can give an accurate indication as to how your system is performing. This document lists a variety of targets that are used to measure a capture device's ability to resolve detail or record colour information. Some of these targets are widely used to calibrate cameras and scanners as part of an effective open loop colour system.
Read full advice document...Colour Management in Practice
This document provides a detailed explanation of the different approaches to colour management. The document also covers the process of calibration of monitors, scanners and printers as well as conversion between aditive and subtractive colour systems.
Read full advice document...Colour Theory: Understanding and Modelling Colour
Colour is an area of digital imaging that can lead to considerable confusion. This document provides a detailed introduction to colour theory.
Read full advice document...Creating JPEGs from your Master Archive Images
I need to create a copy of our master archive for online delivery. I understand that I will have to convert the high resolution TIFFs to JPEGs, what is the advantage?
Read full advice document...Digital Cameras
Digital cameras come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, this document details the different technologies used to capture a digital image. This paper also covers the features that a user should consider before choosing a digital camera.
Read full advice document...Digitising Microfiche and Microfilm
A microfiche is a very compact analogue storage media. A single 6" x 4" polyester microfiche can store all the pages of an average book.
Read full advice document...Do Digital Images Exist in the Real World?
While the traditional photographic print or negative is a 'real' tactile object, the digital image is just a series of ones and zeros stored on computer media. This document explains how the digital data is used to display or print a digital image.
Read full advice document...Image Editing Software
Once you have created a digital image, you will nearly always need to undertake some form of image editing before it is ready for archiving or delivery. This paper looks at what you will need to consider when choosing the right software for your needs.
Read full advice document...Introduction to the Vector Image Format
Digital image formats fall into two main categories: raster and vector. The raster format lends itself to continuous tone images such as photographs. This document introduces the vector image format which is more suited to the defined lines, curves and shapes of charts, logos, web graphics, technical drawings, cartoons and fonts.
Read full advice document...Is There Still a Role for Film?
As digital cameras become more popular, we ask whether there is any need for traditional analogue cameras and film.
Read full advice document...Photographic Guidelines
There are many factors that need to be considered before and during a photographic session, this document provides a set of guidelines which will assist in planning a photographic project.
Read full advice document...Resampling Raster Images
This document uses images to illustrate how different resampling methods will affect the appearance of the resized image. The most suitable method varies according to the type of image being resampled, this paper helps to guide the user to the appropriate resampling method for their images.
Read full advice document...Resolving the Units of Resolution
Much confusion is caused by the over-use of the generic unit of image resolution 'dpi'. It is always much better to use the correct unit specific to use. This paper looks at the definitions of spi, lpi, ppi as well as the generic dpi.
Read full advice document...Setting up a Workspace for Digitising Images
In planning a digitisation project, one of the major considerations will be where you decide to do the digitising and how to make best use of the workspace. Ensuring the area is designed and set up correctly will not only help establish a smooth and effective workflow, but will also make sure the project personnel involved are at their happiest and therefore at their most productive. This document looks at the main issues to be considered when planning and setting up a workspace for digital imaging.
Read full advice document...Taking Care of Your Digital Camera
It is almost impossible to avoid dust and airborne particles from entering your camera, but if a few precautions are taken, specialist cleaning can be postponed.
Read full advice document...Taking Pictures under Available Light
Most modern digital stills cameras have built in flashes, however these do not always produce a pleasing light, have a limited range and the flash can be distracting in some situations. Professional photographers normally like to have complete control over lighting in order to produce the highest quality images. It is however possible to produce high quality images without the cameras built in flash or in situations where you do not have total control over the lighting. Available or ambient light is the light in the scene before the photographer starts work and this FAQ document looks at common problems associated with available light and how to overcome them. You may also be interested in our Light Sources for Still and Moving Images advice document.
Read full advice document...The Camera Raw File Format
The Raw file format is the native format offered by most digital SLR cameras. The format can offer greater levels of control over the conversion of capture data to more widely accepted formats such as TIFF or JPEG formats. This document is an introduction to the format and how to make use of it.
Read full advice document...The Digital SLR Camera for Teaching, Learning and Digitisation
Digital SLR cameras have improved dramatically over recent years, they have also become much cheaper. Consumers can now buy an entry level digital SLR for around the same price as a top of the range compact. This paper explains the difference between a digital compact and digital SLR and shows how to get the most out of this type of camera.
Read full advice document...The Digital Still Image
The digital image is a more than just a loose arrangement of pixels; to accurately represent an image it must have a resolution and colour depth. This document explains what makes a digital image and how to use the resolution and colour depth appropriately.
Read full advice document...The PNG File Format
The Portable Network Graphics or PNG format is a versatile file format that is an open standard and provides many advantages.
Read full advice document...Using a Budget Digital Camera for Teaching, Learning and Research
Over recent years the price of digital cameras has tumbled while there has been a corresponding improvement in image quality. Compact digital cameras are compact flexible devices that work well in the modern workflow. This document provides an introduction to the compact camera and how to get the most from it.
Read full advice document...Using GIMP Software for Teaching and Research
GIMP is a free open source image editing program. It has a comprehensive set of tools comparable to those available in commercial software such as Adobe Photoshop. GIMP can help you with simple and advanced image editing tasks, such as photo retouching, image composition, image optimisation and image creation. This document will look at the GIMP features that are of most use to those wanting to use images in teaching and research.
Read full advice document...Vector Drawing Software
If you need to create your own diagrams, illustrations, logos or other graphics, there are a number of programs to choose from. This document looks at the main applications as well as some more specialist programs. It also highlights the main points to consider when choosing software.
Read full advice document...Vector Graphics Illustrated Glossary
An alphabetical list of commonly-used terms in vector graphics. Each term is defined and accompanied by one or more illustrations.
Read full advice document...What is Wavelet Compression?
The wavelet transform has been around about for some time, but has only recently been applied to image compression. It is now used within several file formats, but the best known is JPEG 2000
Read full advice document...Which Digital Camera Do You Recommend?
Unfortunately we are not able to recommend specific brands or models of camera. However, we can provide pointers to help you decide if a particular camera will suit your needs.
Read full advice document...Which Digital Camera File Formats Should I Use?
Our camera offers so many file formats, which one should we use?
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Related cross-media advice:
Analogue Film Types Used for Still and Moving images
This document looks at the history of photographic and movie film and how and why the film type has altered over time. The document also contains some frequently asked questions on film types and handling.
Read full advice document...Audio/Video Production: Recording Lectures, Seminars and Events
The principles and practice of location recording of sound and video for educational use.
In this paper we discuss requirements and issues to consider when recording events. We look at both sound-only and combined sound-and-vision recording. The discussion focuses on considerations applicable to any scenario the reader may encounter; for issues specific to different types of event the reader is directed to the appropriate Basic Guide.
We conclude with some example scenarios.
Read full advice document...Choosing a File Name
File naming is a vital first step for those beginning to digitise. This document examines planning and using an effective file naming system when managing digital files. This paper highlights the advantages of using the 8.3 convention and looks at some options when naming derivative, surrogate files.
Read full advice document...Light Sources for Still and Moving Images
The word photography means drawing with light, without light it is impossible to record a video or still image. So lighting whether in a classroom, office or dedicated photographic studio is an essential component in a photograph or video. The captured image is a record of the light that is emitted, reflected or absorbed by the subject. With a basic understanding of light and how it can be modified the photographer or filmmaker should be able to improve the appearance of their images. This document will look at commonly used light sources and how the user can get the most from them.
Read full advice document...Overview of JISC Digital Media Materials for those involved in Business and Community Engagement
This guide provides an overview of the JISC Digital Media website, highlighting materials we think may be of particular use to HE/FE staff involved in business or community engagement (BCE).
Read full advice document...Stands and Supports for Still and Moving Images
One of the easiest ways to improve the quality of still or moving images is by using a support. Supports and stands can reduce or eliminate vibration or movement which otherwise would degrade the quality of the captured media. Supports come in all shapes and sizes: this document looks at a variety of support types including tripods, copy-stands, clamps and brackets as well as improvised solutions.
Read full advice document...Vector Graphics Resources
The links listed here have been gathered to provide a useful collection of vector graphics resources.
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Training courses
- Managing a Raw Digital Photography Workflow
- Digital Photography - Getting Started with your SLR 23 February 2010
- Digital Photography - Taking Control of your SLR 24 February 2010
- Essential Photoshop Skills 16 March 2010
- Audio Production: Recording Lectures, Seminars, Interviews and Podcasts 17 March 2010
- Image Optimisation 23 March 2010
- Video Production 1: Lectures and Interviews 2-day course 21 April 2010
