Software

Software program that may be used to view, store, catalogue and enhance digital images.

Software that you load on a computer of a given system to make it work like a computer of a different system, so applications for the other system can be run on it. This can be useful, for instance, for Mac owners who want to run Windows imaging software on their computers, or the other way around.

Image manipulation software that merges one image into another. You choose two images draw maps around them and the software takes the mapped reference points and cleverly locates similar points on the other picture before blending the two. This technique is regularly used by the media as fun way off showing us what the offspring of two famous people could look like.

Software that either allows users to access peripherals, such as a scanner, through their image manipulation software or adds features to an existing application, such as filters or third-party add ons.

Computer memory that is used to run the computer’s operating system and software programs. The software program indicates how much memory is needed to run it on the box or in its instruction leaflet. This figure is on top of what’s needed to run the operating system.

High dynamic range (HDR) processing is a technique achieved using software that takes the best tones from several exposures and combines them in one HDR image. The dynamic range is the range of brightness levels in a recorded scene from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights. This is typically measured in f/stops and has always been a problem for film users shooting on colour transparency film, especially on films such as Fuji Velvia. The dynamic range is around six f/stops from the brightest to darkest points. And while colour negative and black & white film users have always had a few stops to play with, even at a maximum of around nine stops most photographic systems struggle with high contrasts scenes. Several software programs offer the possibility of combining differently exposed shots to one high dynamic range (HDR) image. Also see "High Dynamic Range explained technique".

A method of smoothing out pixels' jagged edges using software.

A problem in software or hardware that was'nt discovered when it was originally created. This can cause conflicts, erratic operation and crashes and can often be fixed by introducing an upgrade programme or installing a newer bug-free version.

This looks just like an audio CD and is used to carry up to 740MB of computer data, including images and software.

Manufacturers' factory settings for hardware or software that can usually be overriden and then returned to the safety of default settings should problems occur.

Producing newsletters, magazines, stationery, and other printed material using a software programme on a computer.

Part of a software programme or plug-in for a programme that is used to alter the appearance of a digital image. Countless options are available to distort, blur, sharpen or add artistic effects.

Hardware used to pull one frame from a movie sequence taken with a camcorder and digitise it. Software can also be used with digital camcorders to grab an already digitised picture.

A digital picture can be enlarged in size by adding new pixels to the existing grid. Some camera and scanner software do this as the picture is processed to give higher resolution results. The fact is, interpolation increases the picture by guessing what pixels are required and uses information from the surrounding pixels to achieve this. Although the overall picture count will rise image quality can actually suffer and definition is often reduced.

A way of connecting PCs in an office or home environment so they can share software, information and hook up to the same printer etc.

The leading image manipulation software for professional and advanced digital image makers. Now in version CS5.

Name given to the type of computer system such as Apple (Mac) and Windows (PC). Many peripherals such as cameras, scanners and printers come with a dual CD that allows downloading, scanning and printing software and drivers to be installed on MAC or PC computers. USB products are often compatible with both types of computer platform.

Software used by high-end postscript printers that prepares the file to be printed by converting vector images into a bitmaps.

A measure of the strength of colour in a photograph. Many software programs allow you to adjust saturation adding grey to make the image appear more monochrome or removing grey to produce rich, highly saturated colours.

A darkroom technique that is used to change the blacks of a black & white image into a chosen colour. The paper base is not affected so whites stay white. Common toning colours are sepia and blue. This can be achieved digitally using most software’s hue/saturation settings or Photoshop’s duotones system.

Peripheral connector that allows items such as printers, scanners and digital cameras to be connected and unconnected to the computer without turning it off. The computer detects when an item has been plugged in and asks you to install the necessary software if it isn’t already on board. Up to 127 items can be connected at once.

An image with an edge that gradually fades to black or white. Used mainly by wedding and portrait photographers either created by on-camera filters, using masks in the darkroom or digitally using software.

Some digital cameras have a sequence mode that takes moving images. The length of movie sequence depends on the camera and results can be played back using a movie player like QuickTime and edited using software such as MGIs Video Wave.

Indicates which method the product uses to connect to the computer. SCSI methods are generally the fastest, but also potentially the most difficult to set up, especially when you have several other items connected or installed. SCSI needs a special card installed to support the product. Most PC and new Macs don't have one so you may need to add this. Parallel is the slowest method of data transfer that's normally used to connect a printer to the computer If you also have a scanner or older card reader there's usually an adaptor to run it from the same connection point as the printer. This can protrude further out of the back of the computer so make sure you have the space to allow this.USB and Firewire are the new, easier methods of connection. Firewire is more popular on MAC platforms and is the fastest system, but also currently the least popular. Both recognize that an item has been attached and install necessary software from the supplied CD, using simple help menus. Both can be connected and disconnected with the computer and peripheral turned on. Unlike SCSI or Parallel, where both have to be switched off.

Also known as objects in some software programs. These are really useful when building up an image. Each layer is like a sheet of plastic or glass that can be laid on top of each other. Areas that have pixels block pixels from the layers below and areas that are clear let the pixels show through from lower layers. Layers are used to create complex collages and add repositionable text and graphics. More advanced programs have Layer blend modes that allow pixels on one layer to react with ones on layers below.