Basics of Digital Camera Key Controls: quality settings, noise problems and benefits, detail and resolution, compression and quality, color settings, color strategy, settings and color space, image sharpness, and workflow settings

This is the type of article that covers a subject without the fluff. We’ll focus today on what allows you to be a better photographer than others. In a previous post, we covered shutter settings, short / long exposure, depth of field, sharpness / space, observer’s eye, image analysis, and shutter times. Today we’ll be focusing on: quality settings, noise problems and benefits, detail and resolution, compression and quality, color settings, color strategy, settings and color space, image sharpness, and workflow settings.

Disclaimer — this article uses AI, and sources material from the book: Digital Photography Masterclass, by Tomang.

quality settings

Those who have experience with film photography know that using higher speed films results in an increase in grain. In digital photography, this phenomenon is known as noise, but it is a more complex issue compared to grain.

noise problems and benefits

Noise in digital photography is an irregular, random speckle or sparkle caused by various factors such as heat, the nature of the electrical signal, and activity in the sensor itself. It does not relate to specific details in the photograph and tends to mask detail, which is why it is generally regarded as a flaw that should be avoided or reduced. Similar to how film photographers tried to avoid grain in their photographs, digital photographers continually endeavor to avoid noise by using slow films and developing their images with special formulations.

The increase in sensitivity of electronic noise causes it to rise rapidly. When the sensitivity is higher, the image signal is amplified, making it louder, but it also amplifies the errors or noise already present in the signal. Although noise is reduced to some extent by advanced algorithms, it still generally increases with ISO setting, pixel count, and the use of smaller sensors. However, noise can be beneficial as it adds texture to an image that would otherwise be too smooth and clinical. It’s essential to experiment with different ISO settings to understand your camera’s noise characteristics and how to use them to your advantage. If you want to add noise artificially, it’s recommended to utilize specialized software such as DxO Optics, which simulates film grain and offers.

detail and resolution

Resolution refers to the level of detail captured in an image at a certain level of contrast. It is important to note that a high-resolution setting does not always translate to a high-quality image, but only indicates that the image contains a large number of pixels. The quality of the image also depends on the quality of the camera lens. Merely increasing the number of pixels in an image does not necessarily make it sharper. Hence, referring to the largest file setting as “high resolution” can be misleading. It is therefore essential to distinguish between measurements such as resolution and assessments such as quality. Unfortunately, in digital photography, the term “quality” is often used as a measure, and resolution is sometimes incorrectly considered as synonymous with quality.

Choosing a resolution setting for your camera involves more than just selecting the file size. High-resolution files require more data processing than low-resolution ones, which can slow down the speed of operation. Additionally, high-resolution files take up more memory space on your camera’s memory card. If your camera can record 18 megapixels or more, it’s worth comparing the results of the second-largest resolution setting to the largest one. You may find that the smaller file size is suitable for your needs.

compression and quality

When dealing with large files, it can be challenging to balance the need for high storage capacity and quality. One solution is to use compression to reduce the memory space taken up by the files. The JPEG protocol is an effective method for reducing file size, with the ability to shrink them to one-tenth of their original size without noticeable quality loss. However, it is important to note that JPEG is a “lossy” scheme, meaning that data lost during compression is permanently forfeited. Most digital cameras are capable of saving files in JPEG format, with some allowing for adjustments to compression or quality levels. It is generally recommended to set the compression to the lowest possible level for optimal results.

color settings

In the past, photographers relied on a team of knowledgeable color technicians to assist them with their color-related concerns. However, with the advancement of technology, photographers now have the ability to take control of their own color management. Although this is subject to the limitations of their equipment and personal skill level, photographers now have the power to manipulate and adjust colors according to their preferences.

color strategy

To better understand the correlation between what you perceive and the outcome you capture through your camera, it can be helpful to view your camera as a secondary observer, present alongside you and seemingly perceiving the same scene. However, just like another pair of eyes, your camera also adds its own values and alternative perspectives. To maximize the potential of your camera, it’s important to recognize both its strengths and limitations, much like you would with any other observer. An effective approach to achieving optimal results is by ensuring accurate white balance. This is as crucial as obtaining correct exposure, as precise white balance provides ample space for color adjustments, just as proper exposure offers greater flexibility in adjusting image brightness.

settings | color space

Achieving accurate color reproduction in digital photography is crucial due to the ability to instantly compare images on camera LCD panels with the original scene. To accurately reproduce these colors in print, a system of precise controls must be implemented. This begins with the manufacturing of the sensor and extends to the type of paper and ink used. Correct calibration of computer monitors and the utilization of ICC profiles are also necessary steps in this process.

Most cameras are typically set to SRGB by default, which is a smaller color space that works well for web use and average printing quality. However, choosing a larger color space can produce a wider range of colors. Adobe RGB (1998) is the most popular large color space, although some photographers prefer Wide Gamut RGB. Many newer cameras now offer Adobe RGB (1998) as an option in their menu under color settings. By selecting the largest practical color space, you can achieve the richest and most vibrant colors in your photographs.

delayed decisions

When it comes to evaluating the color quality of your images, the LCD screens on the back of cameras may not be the most reliable option. A high-quality monitor or laptop screen viewed indoors without direct sunlight is a safer and more effective way to assess your images. It’s beneficial to delay decisions about color space, profile, saturation, and white balance until after photography is completed. One way to accomplish this, if your camera allows it and you have the necessary software, is to capture images in RAW format. RAW format captures the image without processing it for full color reproduction. When you open the image in a RAW converter, you can apply the color space profile, white balance, and color saturation settings to achieve optimal color quality.

image sharpness

When it comes to camera controls and settings, discussions of image sharpness can be confusing. In the digital age, lens performance plays a role in sharpness, but camera settings also contribute to the final image. It’s important to understand that each step of the photographic process can introduce blur and result in a loss of detail. This can occur when using lenses that are not perfectly sharp or focused, or when sensors do not align with the recorded detail. To achieve sharpness, it’s essential to start with a lens that can project a highly detailed and clear image. Focusing the lens precisely is crucial, and it’s important to minimize any movement of both the subject and the camera during exposure.

in-camera sharpening

When taking photos using JPEG compression, it’s important to be aware of the camera’s sharpening settings. By default, the camera will apply sharpening to the image to prevent it from appearing soft. This is because images without sharpening can often look blurry even if they’re actually in focus. It’s important to keep this in mind when adjusting your camera settings.

It is common for images to appear soft due to the natural tendency of the camera system towards blur. To prevent users from noticing potentially perceived focusing errors, manufacturers apply a significant amount of sharpening to make images appear sharper. While this may seem like a reasonable solution, it can lead to problems in post-processing. In-camera sharpening enhances the contrast between edges in an image, which can make it appear sharper. However, this effect is applied globally and indiscriminately, without consideration for the subject’s details or nature. For example, sharpening applied to blemishes on a person’s face may not be desirable.

Sharpening an image can have both positive and negative effects. One possible drawback is that it can amplify image noise, making it more noticeable. Additionally, excessive sharpening can actually result in the loss of image detail, even though this might seem counterintuitive. Attempting to correct over-sharpening by blurring or softening can make the problem worse by further reducing detail and creating unnaturally smooth edges.

last step

When it comes to image sharpening, there are several factors to consider, such as the size and mode of viewing. It is important to strike a balance between sharpening the image enough to enhance its clarity and avoiding overemphasizing edges or creating haloes that can detract from the image’s overall quality. Depending on the final viewing size, less sharpening may be required for on-screen viewing than for print. A useful guideline is to leave image sharpening as the final step in image processing. This entails minimizing camera sharpening or turning it off altogether when saving to JPEG or RAW, respectively.

workflow settings

To capture the perfect shot, using the appropriate camera settings is crucial. These settings enable the photographer to achieve their desired level of quality while still having full access to the camera’s functions. This not only ensures a smoother workflow but also improves the overall outcome. In this particular scenario, it was imperative to use the highest resolution available to capture fine details. Additionally, the smallest aperture was used to provide the greatest depth of field. It is recommended to avoid using basic or easy settings that limit options such as color space or white balance. For this shot, the color space was set to Adobe RGB (1998) since it was intended for publication, but SRGB is sufficient for most cases.

This and my previous article covers the key controls of camera basics, taking you from automatic to manual. Mostly, get out there and experiment. Who knows if you’ll find your style by hitting the wrong button, only to realize it’s the one that has the desired effect you didn’t know you wanted? I’ll be going down the rabbit hole of photography moving forward, so stay tuned for more.