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Digital Imaging

Digital imaging refers to the creation, conversion, and manipulation of photographs, diagrams, and logos in a digital format. It is also known as digitizing. As an example, a flatbed scanner (see below) can be used to convert a standard photographic print that you took with a traditional film camera. The scanner copies the photographic print electronically to a computer and stores it as a digital file. You can then manipulate the digital file by changing its colors, or adding text and other effects with a photo manipulation program like Adobe Photoshop.

What are some typical imaging devices?

Scanners

There are many types of scanners, such as flatbed scanners (pictured), hand-held scanners, and slide scanners. Similar to the way a copier scans a sheet of paper, all of these devices will scan a photograph (or slide in the case of a slide scanner), and create a digital “copy”. The scanner is attached to the computer and communicates with software to save a digital image.When Do I Use a Scanner? When you have a photograph, slide, or other “hard copy” of an image.
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Digital Cameras

Digital Cameras are very much like regular cameras except they use a memory card instead of film. You can take pictures at different resolutions. Low resolution images take up less space, but they show less detail. Compared that to high resolution images which take up more space, but show greater detail. The images on the memory card can then be transferred (usually with a supplied cable) to a computer. Once on a computer they can be printed with a color printer. The least expensive digital cameras start at around $100 and are of the “point-and-shoot” variety. The most expensive can exceed $10,000 and will have interchangeable lenses.When Do I Use a Digital Camera? When you need to digitize large objects. Digital cameras eliminate the step of processing film because the image is saved in a digital form.
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Film Services

As mentioned before, you can take standard photographs and scan them into a computer. However, some photo-processing companies offer services where they will make digital “pictures” at the time of your film processing. One popular way is Kodak’s Photo CD. Your images get professionally scanned and saved to a special CD-ROM. You can then view the pictures on your computer with special software (supplied with the Photo CD). PhotoWorks, and others, offer to save your photos as files on floppy disks for an extra charge. They also have a service where you can download your photos from their web site. More and more photo-finishers are offering these digital services.When Do I Use a Film Service? When you own a standard camera (35mm or other) and would like to get digital images, along with your prints, at the same time. This service eliminates the need for you to scan the photos yourself.
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What’s Next?

Now you can take those digital images and manipulate them to create simple graphics or works of art that are limited only by your imagination . . .