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9. Glossary
Bit
- Representing a value of 0 or 1, a bit is the smallest unit of memory in a
computer.
Bit depth
- The measurement of the amount of color information in an image for
display or print. Higher bit depth translates to more color and more accurate color
information in the digital image.
BMP
- Bitmap images, also called raster images. Bitmap files use a grid of pixels to
represent images, with every pixel in an image given a specific location and color
value. The number of pixels combined make up the image data. Dependent on
resolution, bitmap images are best used to show gradations of color. Bitmap images
cannot be enlarged unless you change the resolution first, or the images will blur.
Brightness
- The balance of light and dark shades in an image. Brightness is distinct
from contrast, which measures the range between the darkest and lightest shades in
an image. Brightness determines the intensity of shades; contrast determines the
number of shades you get.
Byte
- The smallest amount of computer memory needed to store one character of
data.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)
- The base colors in the printing process.
When printing, you should change the color mode for your images to CMYK to give
them a better representation of colors.
Color Calibration
- The process of ensuring accurate reproduction of color for
images. Full color calibration is usually a two-step process: calibrating your input
device, such as a scanner; and calibrating your output device, such as a printer or
monitor. By calibrating input and output devices correctly, color is accurately captured
by your scanner and is reproduced faithfully on your monitor or printer as well.
Compression
- To compress is to decrease in size. Compressing a file makes it
smaller and makes it take up less space on a hard drive or other storage device.
Contrast
- The relationship between the light and dark areas of an image. Contrast
is the range between the darkest and lightest shades in an image, while brightness is
the balance of light and dark shades. Contrast determines the number of shades you
get; brightness determines the intensity of the shades. An image with low contrast
tends to look dull and flat.
Dot pitch
- The measure of how much space there is between a monitor display's
pixels. Smaller is better, and packing pixels closer together is fundamental to
achieving higher resolution.
DPI
- Dots per inch; the measurement of resolution. DPI equals the number of dots
that fit horizontally and vertically into a one-inch measurement. Typically, the higher
