Digital Imaging for the Underwater Photographer: Computer Applications for Photo Enhancement and Presentation

by Jack Drafahl, Sue Drafahl

Overview

Designed to help the underwater photographer make a smooth transition to digital imaging, this handbook discusses how to digitally refine, correct, and enhance underwater photographs. The equipment necessary for digital imaging for underwater photography is explained, and includes a discussion on the essentials of scanning in order to develop underwater pictures. Along with extensive information on Adobe Photoshop and how it can be used to edit underwater pictures, this new edition features instructions on how to use Adobe Photoshop Elements, a more basic program geared toward beginning photographers. Images and screenshots have also been updated, and information on the best software plug-ins for underwater imaging using Adobe Photoshop is provided.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781584281672
Publisher:	Amherst Media, Incorporated
Publication date:	04/01/2005
Edition description:	Second edition
Pages:	219
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.59(d)

About the Author

Jack Drafahl and Sue Drafahl are the founders of the Oregon Coast Digital Center and maintain a professional website, www.jackandsuedrafahl.com. They are the coauthorsof "Advanced Digital Camera Techniques," "Photo Salvage with Adobe Photoshop," and" Plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop." They have written articles for "Petersen Photographic Magazine, Rangefinder Magazine, " and "Sport Diver, " among others. They live on the Oregon Coast.

Table of Contents

1	Introduction	10
2	The Digital Process	12
	Input	12
	Digital Camera Images	12
	Film Images	13
	Edit	15
	Hardware	15
	Software	17
	Output	18
	Inkjet Printer	18
	Dye Sublimation Printer	19
	Film Recorder	19
	Digital Slide Shows	19
	Taking the Plunge	19
3	Scanning Your Underwater Images	21
	Film Choices	21
	Slides	23
	Color Negatives	23
	Black & White Negatives	25
	Scanning Techniques	25
	Software Controls	25
	Bulk vs. Single Scan	29
	Scanning Cleanliness	29
	Sharpening	29
	Editing Tools	30
	Color Management	30
	Color Balancing Your Monitor	30
	Color-Management Software	32
4	Digital Resolution	37
	Resolution	38
	Perception of Quality	38
	Pixel Dimension	40
	Scanning Resolutions	41
	Rescan to Change Page Size or Resolution	42
	Scanning for the Internet	42
	Scanning for Inkjet Printers	43
5	Photo Software Basics	46
	Adobe Photoshop and Elements	46
	Toolbox	48
	Pull-Down Menus	50
	Plug-in Filters	51
	Actions	54
	Palette Menus	55
	What's Ahead?	55
6	Basic Image Adjustments	57
	Quickfix and Auto Smart Fix	57
	The Three Autos	59
	Auto Levels	59
	Auto Contrast	60
	Auto Color	60
	Variations	63
	Adjustments Command	66
	Saturation	67
7	Image Compression	70
	Image Compression Types	70
	JPEG	71
	Fractal	74
	Wavelet	75
	Final Thoughts	76
8	Selection Tools	77
	Rectangular and Circular Marquee	78
	Lasso Tools	79
	Lasso	79
	Polygonal Lasso	79
	Magnetic Lasso	80
	Magic Wand	80
	Color Range	81
	More Selections	81
9	Photographic Curves	84
	Levels	85
	Other Options	92
	Curves	92
	Final Thoughts	95
10	Noise Reduction	96
	Film Grain	96
	Higher-ISO Films	96
	Depth of Field	96
	Underexposure	97
	Blue Layer	97
	Enlargements	97
	Digital Camera Noise	97
	Underexposure	98
	Color Corrections	98
	Image Compression and Resolution	98
	Solutions for Film Users	98
	Digital GEM	98
	Despeckle and Dust & Scratches Filters	102
	Solutions for Digital Camera Users	104
	nik Multimedia Dfine	104
	Alien Skin Image Doctor	106
	Final Thoughts	106
11	Sharpen and Focus Solutions	108
	Unsharp Mask	109
	Focus Magic	110
	Other Solutions	111
	Creative Focus	112
12	Working with Channels	114
	Black & White Conversions	114
	Blue Water Film Scans	117
	Alpha Channels	118
13	Working with Layers	119
	Nai'a Nudis Project	121
	Selecting a Subject	121
	Getting Started	121
	Adding Images	122
	Layer Styles	122
	Saving the File	123
	Poster Output	123
14	Backscatter	125
	Clone Tool	125
	Eraser	129
	Polygonal Lasso Tool	129
	Magic Wand	134
15	Scratch Repair for Film Images	137
	Digital Repair	137
	Clone Tool	138
	Healing Brush	143
	Patch Tool	144
	Select a Similar Area	145
	Lasso Your Area	146
	The Image Doctor	146
16	Processing Errors	148
	Missing Black Detail	148
	Missing Color	151
	Underexposed Images	153
	Color Streaks	158
17	Burning and Dodging Techniques	162
	Digital Options	165
	Flash Fill	165
	Light Traps	167
	Shadow Play	167
18	Printing Techniques	168
	Color Management	168
	Image Rescaling	172
	Paper and Ink Types	173
19	Digital Slide Shows	176
	Computer-Driven Slide Shows	176
	Video-Editing Programs	180
	DVD Authoring	183
	Presenting Your Underwater DVD	183
20	Archival Data Storage	189
	Temporary Backup Storage	189
	Archival Storage	191
	CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW	195
	Multi-Session Recording	196
	Final Thoughts	198
21	Photo Database Systems	199
	Drafahl Numbering System	199
	Photo Database Programs	200
	Color Negatives	202
	Digital Camera Images	203
	Thumbnail Images	204
	Storage	204
22	The Future of Digital Imaging Underwater	207
	Enhancement vs. Manipulation	209
	Photo Enhancement	209
	Photo Manipulation	209
	Do You or Don't You?	209
	Do We or Don't We?	210
	Appendix	213
	Index	215

Editorial Reviews

"Digital Imaging for the Underwater Photographer is the definitive guide to using digital technology to produce stunning underwater images."  —California Diving News

"Packed full of information relevant to photographers who shoot underwater with a digital camera."  —Outdoor Photographer

From the Publisher