The document provides an overview of digital images, including sources for obtaining them, copyright considerations, and types of images (bitmap and vector). It discusses technical aspects such as resolution, pixel values, and color depth, as well as practical tips for formatting images for web, print, and presentations. Additionally, it covers the process of downloading, resizing, and optimizing images for various uses.

1. An Introduction to Digital Images
Michele Turre
June 2009
Academic Computing
Office of Information Technologies
University of Massachusetts Amherst

2. Getting images…
• Flatbed scanner • Search the Web
Google, Flickr, Creative Commons
• Film scanner
• Online Collections
• Digital camera Public: loc.gov, NASA, museums
Library: ArtStor, Luna Insight
• Computer drawings Commercial: Corbis, Getty Images, etc.

3. Fair Use for teaching & research
Can you use it ?
1. Purpose for which you are using the work.
2. Natureof copyrighted work (phone
directory vs creative expression).
3. Portionof work you intend to reproduce
(small portion vs entirety).
4. Effect of your use on potential market,
number of copies you make.
Copyright:Monday, June 15th (11:00 a.m. - Noon)
Finding Copyright-Free Media: Monday, June 15th (1:00 - 2:00 p.m.)

4. Technical background
• What is a pixel-based image?
• What is resolution?
• What do I need to know about color?

5. Two types of digital images:
BITMAP IMAGES VECTOR GRAPHICS
camera captures & scans computer drawings

6. Two types of digital images:
BITMAP VECTOR
Scan of a pencil Drawing made in
photograph
drawing PowerPoint

7. A bitmap image is like a mosaic crossed with
paint-by-numbers

8. Each picture element (or ―pixel‖)
has a numerical color value
255.204.153

9. Resolution: pixels per inch (ppi)
1 inch
33 ppi 11 ppi
80 K 5K
more pixels in an inch fewer pixels in an inch
= =
more detail, bigger files less detail, smaller files

10. Pixel-based images should only be made
smaller, enlarging just makes them blurry

11. Vector images can be scaled, no problems!
Same drawing, same file size
(4 K) — whether rendered large
or small looks the same.

12. Color Depth: Number of colors in image—
less colors, smaller file size
16 million colors 8 colors 256 shades of gray
212 k 12 k 65 k

13. Use the right number of colors for the
image, and no more than needed
photograph Solid-colored graphic
Needs millions of colors Needs only 3 colors

14. Downloading images from Online Collections
Look for images with enough pixel resolution for your use.
Sometimes you have a choice to download different sizes…

15. Formatting images for different uses…
• Web
• PowerPoint
• Print

16. SCANNING? Start from a high quality scan.
Create new files from the scan for different purposes.
Web site
PowerPoint
Original scan
(See page 7 of handout
for scanning tips)

17. USING A DIGITAL CAMERA?
Backup your camera files. Save new files for each purpose.
Web site
PowerPoint
Original 10 MP camera file
(See page 7 of handout
for scanning tips)

18. Some software will resize pictures for you…
• Camera software, Vista Photo Gallery,
MS Picture Manager, Apple iPhoto or
Apple Preview
Look for …
Email this picture
Export for Web
• Web apps such as Flickror Facebook
resize pictures for you.
- Upload full sized file
- A smaller, resized version is
sent tovisitor’s browsers

19. HANDS-ON…
Locate a large image (at least 5 Megabytes).
We will show you how to…
1. Open in Photoshop
2. Crop
3. Adjust color
4. Resize for different uses

20. Formatting images for the Web
Original scan Cropped & sized down for Web page
1. Resize (shrink) in Photoshop or another application.
2. • Save photos as JPEG (lowest possible quality).
• Save line art as GIF (fewest possible colors).
3. • For Web apps (e.g., Blogs or SPARK), upload resized image
• Dreamweaver or other HTML editor: Upload both image file
and HTML file to the Web server.

21. Sizing an image to fit on a Web page
Most Web pages are about 780 pixels wide. Layout columns are narrower.
Resize images accordingly…
.
Original scan at screen resolution Cropped &sized-down
2100 x 2100 pixels 250 x 220 pixels
(7‖ x 7‖ at 300 ppi) (~ 2.5 x 2.5 at 96 ppi)

22. Use JPG format for photographic or
continuous tone images

23. Why use JPG format for photographic or
continuous tone images?
TIF GIF - 128 colors JPG - Medium 168 k
20 k 4k
58 seconds* 7 seconds* 1.3 seconds*
*On a 28.8 kilobits per second dial-up connection

24. Use GIF or PNG format for
graphics with solid colors

25. Why use GIF format for
graphics with solid colors?
TIFF LQJPG 4 color GIF
156 k 8k 4k
54 seconds* 3 seconds* 1.3 seconds*
*On a 28.8 kilobits per second dial-up connection

26. Use ALT Tags (Alternate Text)

27. Formatting images for PowerPoint
slideshow
Original scan
1. In Photoshop, resize to 96 ppi
(full screen is 10 x 7.5 inches)
2. Save as a High Quality JPEG (photos) or GIF (line art).
3. In PowerPoint, insert picture from file.

30. Leave room for text (if needed)

31. Take advantage of the drawing tools
Cloud streets
off the coast
of New England

32. Find the right compromise between size & quality
Moderate size, Smaller, but may be
common file type* more trouble to produce
96 ppi 96 ppi 72 ppi 96 ppi
TIFF HQ JPG LQ JPG 4-color GIF
204 k 120 k 8k 8k
very large file size moderate file size small file size small file size
very good quality good quality poor quality good quality
*Note: If you use the Compress images feature in PowerPoint (Windows) all images are compressed to JPGs.

33. Use the smallest, best-quality files
PHOTOS
TIFF HQ JPG LQ JPG 4-color GIF
204 k 120 k 8k 8k
(file size (file size large (small size (small size
very large) quality ok) poor quality) best quality)

34. Formatting images for print
Original scan
1. Resize to a dimensions in inches, and best resolution
for paper size and printing device.
2. Adjust color mode if needed (grayscale, CMYK).
2. Save a copy as TIFF or PSD (Photoshop Document).
3. Send to printer or deliver to print shop.

35. How printing works
Computer monitors use red, green
and blue light to mix colors:
Most digital printers use CMYK inks:
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

36. How printing works
Desktop inkjet Desktop laser Commercial photo
Spay of water-based Screened patterns Laser exposed chemical
CMYK dyes of CMYK toner photo prints

37. Offset Printing
4 color offset
Rosette patterns
of CMYK inks
Spot color
Solid areas of inks in
specially mixed colors
Pantone DS 62 – 1 C White paper

38. Formatting imagesfor video
Original scan Cropped to 4:3 &resized to 720 x 528
1. Crop to aspect ratio for video (4:3 or 16:9).
2. Use RGB or Grayscale.
3. Save as JPG.

39. Formatting imagesfor video
Original scan Cropped to 16:9 &resized to 1280 x 720
1. Crop to aspect ratio for video (4:3 or 16:9).
2. Use RGB or Grayscale.
3. Save as JPG.