Digital Photo Problems - Digital Camera Imaging Software

Noise is the most annoying imaging problem but it is not the only one. Additional problems related to colour, contrast, detail and sharpness may also be experienced.

Colour Balance

Colour balance can be adjusted on digital cameras but in order to do that, they need a reference point which is where the white balance control comes in to play. Using white as a reference point, the camera should be able to faithfully reproduce all of the other colours

White Balance

White balance is an adjustment that most cameras can be set to carry out automatically although there is normally an option where the automatic setting can be turned off and the adjustment carried out manually. This is particularly useful in less than favourable light situations. Extreme adjustments of the white balance can also be used to artistic effect

Most of the time, however, precise colour reproduction is desired. Imprecise colours can be compensated for with imaging software, but it is always good practice to capture the best colours at source.

In practice, it is always best to capture the best possible image when taking the photograph rather than rely on software to correct any imperfections afterwards. Ensuring that the correct exposure time is selected when taking the photograph will save a lot of time trying to make adjustments later on with software. However, if all else fails, then software adjustment is the only way to go.

Digital Camera Lenses

Of all the imaging problems, those caused by poor quality lenses can be the most difficult to rectify. If the camera has a bad lens then the resulting images will also be poor quality. It is therefore essential to select a digital camera with the best quality lens you can afford.

That said, even some of the best quality lenses can produce distortion at their extreme focal lengths. As this type of distortion will most likely be inaccurate horizontals and verticals, it is reasonably easy to correct. Imaging software can be used to make amends for small variations in straight lines, and the slight irregularity in these situations are at times not at all objectionable.

It is practically impossible, though, to clear up a blurry image caused by a cheap plastic lens. If image quality is critical to you, be sure to get good-quality glass lenses and keep them well maintained. Dirt and dust on lenses can cause distortion and noise in the final image, so maintain them as clean as possible without excessive handling. A soft brush and a blower should be all that is required if the lenses are kept covered when not in use.

Imaging Software

At the end of the day, most of the imaging problems mentioned above can be cured with the use of professional imaging software such as Photoshop. Corrections can be made to colour irregularities, white balance, lens distortion, incorrect exposure, and blurring. Although Photoshop has a steep learning curve, many of the selfsame functions are available in other software packages which are easier to use and less costly.

Digital photographs, after all, are computer data which can be manipulated down to the bit level, so it is always possible to change the smallest detail of any image. Software can automate many of these corrective functions, and manual manipulation is also possible to improve any digital image.