San Francisco Canvas Photo Prints, Custom Made Picture Frames & Plaque Mounts, Face Mounting Prints On PlexiGlass

Glossary Of Photography Terms [22]

D Dead Pixel A dead pixel is a malfunctioning pixel on a digital camera sensor or electronic display that does not properly respond to signals and remains permanently "stuck" in one state. Dead pixels can appear as small, bright dots or dark spots in images or on screens, depending on whether they are stuck in an "on" or "off" position. Dead pixels can occur due to manufacturing defects, physical damage, or age-related deterioration of the sensor or display. While dead pixels are often negligible when they are few in number, they can become noticeable and distracting when they accumulate or appear in prominent areas of an image or display. Dead pixels are typically covered under warranty for electronic devices, and manufacturers may offer repair or replacement for affected units.
Deep Depth of Field Deep depth of field refers to a photographic technique where a large portion of the scene, from the foreground to the background, appears sharply focused and in focus. Achieving deep depth of field allows for greater clarity and detail throughout the entire image, making it ideal for landscape photography, architectural photography, and scenes where maximum scene sharpness is desired. Deep depth of field is achieved by using a combination of small aperture settings (such as f/11, f/16, or higher), wide-angle lenses, and appropriate focusing techniques to maximize the range of acceptable focus in the image.
Diasec Diasec is a registered trademark for a process used for face-mounting prints like photographs on acrylic sheets. The process was invented by Heinz Sovilla-Brulhart in 1969. Because of the different light penetration and refraction of acrylic compared to normal glass, the colours are more brilliant and the image sharper than compared to standard glass in a picture frame. A Diasec mount is usually of a high gloss finish. Because the print is glued to the acrylic glass, the result is a completely flat mount of the image. Process The process aims to mount the print without air bubbles or smears. The image is face mounted and bonded to the acrylic glass with a gel silicone sealant which acts as a glue. Normally the print is placed on a carrier at the backside. This is usually dibond, a composite plate of aluminium and plastic. Aluminium or other materials are also possible. If the print has to be backlit, translucent materials are necessary.
Diffusion Filter A diffusion filter, also known as a soft-focus filter or a softening filter, is a type of optical filter used in photography and filmmaking to create a soft, dreamy, or ethereal effect in images. It works by scattering and diffusing light entering the lens, which reduces the sharpness and contrast of the image while creating a gentle glow or halo around highlights. Diffusion filters are often used to soften skin imperfections in portrait photography, enhance the mood in romantic or atmospheric scenes, or create a sense of nostalgia or fantasy in artistic compositions. They come in various strengths and styles, ranging from subtle to more pronounced effects, and are available as screw-on attachments or drop-in filters for lens-mounted filter systems.
Digital Archiving The act of ensuring that digital materials are properly preserved. Though digital material is not fragile in the way an original drawing is, it is easily lost, altered or corrupted, and must therefore be conserved for the future. May also refer to the act of digitizing existing physical archives through scanning, database transfers and converting files to digital.
Digital Camera A digital camera is an electronic device that captures and stores images in digital format. Unlike traditional film cameras, which use chemical processes to record images on light-sensitive film, digital cameras use electronic image sensors, such as CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor), to capture light and convert it into digital data. Digital cameras offer various features and functionalities, including adjustable exposure settings, autofocus systems, image stabilization, and built-in flash units. They also typically include LCD screens or electronic viewfinders for composing and reviewing images, as well as storage media such as memory cards for storing captured photos. Digital cameras range from compact point-and-shoot models to advanced DSLRs (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) and mirrorless cameras, catering to a wide range of users from casual photographers to professionals.
Digital Image Stabilization Digital image stabilization (DIS) is a technology used in digital cameras and camcorders to reduce the effects of camera shake and motion blur when capturing images or recording video. Unlike optical image stabilization (OIS), which physically adjusts the position of lens elements or image sensors to compensate for camera movement, digital image stabilization works by processing and analyzing the captured image data to detect and correct for motion-induced blur. It typically involves software algorithms that analyze the image frame-by-frame and apply corrective techniques such as cropping, interpolation, or digital manipulation to stabilize the image and improve overall sharpness and clarity. While digital image stabilization can help reduce the impact of camera shake in handheld shooting situations, it may result in some loss of image quality or resolution compared to optical stabilization methods.
Digital Printing Digital printing refers to methods of printing from a digital-based image directly to a variety of media. It usually refers to professional printing where small-run jobs from desktop publishing and other digital sources are printed using large-format and/or high-volume laser or inkjet printers. Digital printing has a higher cost per page than more traditional offset printing methods, but this price is usually offset by avoiding the cost of all the technical steps required to make printing plates. It also allows for on-demand printing, short turnaround time, and even a modification of the image used for each impression.
Distortion Distortion in photography refers to the aberrations or alterations that occur in images, causing straight lines to appear curved, bent, or warped. Distortion can be caused by various factors, including lens imperfections, perspective distortion, and digital processing. There are two primary types of distortion: barrel distortion and pincushion distortion. Barrel distortion causes straight lines to bow outward, creating a bulging or barrel-like effect, while pincushion distortion causes straight lines to bow inward, resembling the shape of a pincushion. Distortion can occur in both wide-angle and telephoto lenses, although it is more noticeable in wide-angle lenses. In photography, distortion can be corrected using lens corrections in post-processing software or by using specialized lenses designed to minimize distortion, such as tilt-shift lenses or aspherical elements.
DIY or Do-It-Yourself Refers to any project that does not require professional knowledge or assistance - most often crafts or home decor ideas that can be carried out with minimal tools and supplies for relatively low cost.
Dmax Dmax, short for maximum density, is a term used in the context of printing and digital imaging to describe the maximum achievable density or darkness of a printed or displayed image. It represents the blackest tone or the highest level of opacity that can be achieved in a printed or displayed image. Dmax is influenced by various factors, including the quality of printing materials, ink absorption, paper texture, and the capabilities of the printing or display device. Achieving a high Dmax is desirable in printing because it ensures rich, deep blacks and enhances overall contrast and image quality.
DNG (Digital Negative) DNG, or Digital Negative, is an open standard file format developed by Adobe Systems for storing raw image data from digital cameras. The DNG format was created to provide a universal, openly documented, and standardized format for raw image files, allowing photographers and imaging professionals to access and preserve raw image data without proprietary restrictions. DNG files contain uncompressed or losslessly compressed raw image data, along with metadata such as camera settings, color profiles, and other image-related information. The DNG format is supported by various software applications and camera manufacturers, making it a versatile and widely used format for raw image processing and archival purposes.
Dodge and Burn Dodge and burn is a traditional photographic technique used in darkroom printing and digital image editing to selectively lighten (dodge) or darken (burn) specific areas of an image to enhance contrast, adjust tonal values, and improve overall visual impact. In darkroom printing, dodge and burn techniques involve selectively exposing areas of a photographic print to light during the printing process using hand-held masks or tools to control the amount of light reaching the paper. In digital image editing, dodge and burn techniques are applied using software tools such as Adobe Photoshop, where photographers use brushes or adjustment layers to selectively lighten or darken areas of an image to achieve desired tonal and contrast adjustments. Dodge and burn techniques are widely used in portrait retouching, landscape photography, and artistic image manipulation to enhance texture, detail, and dimensionality in photographs.
Double Exposure Double exposure is a photographic technique that involves exposing a single frame of film or image sensor to two different images or scenes, resulting in a composite image where the elements from both exposures are superimposed or blended together. Double exposure can be achieved in-camera by intentionally overlapping exposures or by digitally combining multiple images in post-processing. This technique allows photographers to create surreal, abstract, or artistic images by merging unrelated subjects, textures, or landscapes into a single cohesive composition. Double exposure photography requires careful planning, experimentation, and creativity to achieve compelling and visually striking results.
Double Mat When mats are layered in a picture frame, the top mat forms the main border and the bottom mat shows slightly, just around the image (called the "reveal"). Double mats give an extra sense of depth to the framed piece.
DPI DPI is a printing term that describes the number of dots per inch that are used to create an image. The higher the DPI, the higher the quality of the image. 300 DPI is sufficient for most applications. We recommend a higher DPI if you plan on resizing your images to a size larger than the original photos.
DPI (Dots Per Inch) DPI, or dots per inch, is a measurement used to quantify the resolution or image quality of printed documents, photographs, and digital images. It represents the number of ink dots or pixels that can be printed or displayed in a linear inch of an image. In printing, DPI refers to the density of printed dots or pixels per inch and directly affects the sharpness, detail, and clarity of printed images. Higher DPI values result in finer detail and smoother gradients, while lower DPI values may lead to visible pixelation or loss of detail. In digital imaging, DPI is also used to describe the resolution of digital images, although in this context it refers to the number of pixels per inch (PPI) rather than printed dots. Increasing the DPI/PPI of digital images enhances image quality and ensures crisp, high-resolution output when printed or displayed on high-density screens.
Dry Mount Press The machine used for dry mounting a print. The print, adhesive and backing board are laid on the flat surface of the press and pressed tightly between the lid and the base. The machine activates the adhesive using heat, which affixes the print to the backing. We offer dry mounting services. Order online today!
Dry Mounting The use of a heat-activated adhesive to affix a paper print to a hard surface, such as foam core, Gatorboard or Dibond (a thin, aluminum sheet). We offer dry mounting services on various substrates.
DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) A DSLR, or Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera, is a type of digital camera that uses a mirror and optical viewfinder system to allow photographers to compose and focus images through the camera's lens. DSLRs feature interchangeable lenses, which provide versatility and flexibility in capturing different perspectives and subjects. They typically offer advanced manual controls, customizable settings, and high-quality image sensors capable of producing professional-grade photographs. DSLRs are popular among amateur and professional photographers alike for their reliability, performance, and ability to capture high-resolution images with exceptional detail and clarity.
DXO Photolab DxO PhotoLab is advanced photo editing software developed by DxO Labs, designed for processing and enhancing digital images with precision and efficiency. It offers a wide range of powerful editing tools and features, including RAW processing, noise reduction, lens correction, color management, and selective adjustments. DxO PhotoLab utilizes advanced algorithms and image processing technologies to optimize image quality, correct lens distortions, reduce noise, and enhance color accuracy. It also includes innovative features such as ClearView Plus for haze removal and DxO Smart Lighting for dynamic range optimization. DxO PhotoLab provides photographers with comprehensive tools and capabilities to achieve professional-grade results in their image editing workflows.
Dynamic Range Dynamic range refers to the ratio between the darkest and brightest tones in an image, representing the range of luminance values that can be captured or displayed. In photography, dynamic range describes the ability of a camera sensor to accurately capture and reproduce details in both shadow and highlight areas of a scene. A camera with high dynamic range can capture a wide range of tones, from deep shadows to bright highlights, without losing detail or becoming overexposed or underexposed. Dynamic range is influenced by factors such as sensor sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, and image processing capabilities. Cameras with higher dynamic range are capable of producing images with greater detail, contrast, and tonal range, making them ideal for capturing scenes with high contrast or challenging lighting conditions.