Digital Photography articles

Articles about digital photography, processing and printing, by Keith Cooper

We've got lots of photography related articles on the site, hope you find them of interest. Keith is always happy to answer questions about anything on the site. New items on the site will also be posted on our What's New page.

For articles new or updated from the beginning of 2007, we've included the publication date

Other sections on the site...
Reviews - Digital Black and White - Tutorials - Rumours - Photography info and links - What's New

Topics

Image processing techniques

Printing

Colour Management

Photography - Personal views

Photography - Equipment use

Using images on the web

Travel pictures - Keith's landscape photography travels

Using equipment in non-standard (fun) ways :-)

There are more articles in other sections of this site:

Reviews (hardware and software)

Tutorials

The What's New page is where all the latest additions to the site are mentioned.

Can't find what you wanted? We've set up a customised Google Photography Search to search for info on this site and the web

This page is part of our Info and Resources section

Northlight Images prides itself on its independence when giving advice. We do not sell hardware or software and have no direct commercial links with any of the software or hardware vendors that may be mentioned here. See our Review Policy for more information.

Image processing techniques

Why use RAW format
Does your camera have a raw format for saving images? All about what it is and why you should use it.

Convert your 8 bit RGB images to 16 bit before converting to black and white?
If you are going to be doing much in the way of image manipulation (curves etc) to your black and white image, it -may- be better to convert your 8 bit colour images (such as JPEGs) into 16 bit colour first. Sometimes 8 bit RGB can be equivalent to 10 bit greyscale.

Pictures at an Exhibition
Keith has written an article about some of the technical image processing and resizing issues that he came across when producing 29 prints (up to 78"x43") for a large exhibition of his landscape work (mostly digital images, but some from scanned film). One more reason he's glad to have the original RAW files to go back to if need be. There is a link to the exhibition page showing versions of all the images exhibited.

Resampling to make your images bigger
Never be afraid to go back and re-evaluate your workflow. There is nothing wrong with changing a technique you have done for a while when something better comes along. Keith looks at how changes in software (resampling algorithms) can alter the way you work. In this case, whether to resample in Adobe Camera Raw.

An Introduction to Black and White digital photography
The basics of producing high quality black and white images from your digital camera. An extended version of an article that Keith first wrote for Canon in their CPS magazine.

Black and White pictures from ordinary (color) digital cameras
A collection of different techniques showing the many ways of getting black and white from colour.

Printing

Printer test images
Links to all our own Black and White test images, a copy of the Colour PDI image, and links to other sources of printer and lens resolution test images.

Using the X-Rite ColorMunki for improved Black and White printing
A revised version of our B/W test image that incorporates a randomised 21 step greyscale strip for use with QuadToneRIP and generating B/W icc profiles for improving prints using print modes like Epson's ABW black and white printing mode [April 08]

Media test images
A selection of test images for use in determining the best media settings before profiling. Used in conjunction with our article on the importance of media settings selection. [April 08]

Selecting a good image resolution for your prints
With larger prints you can use a lower image resolution - 300dpi is not any form of 'standard'. It all depends on the viewing distance and some of the features of the human visual system.

Cleaning dried up inkjet printers
What we use to clean up all the old printers we get given.

Black and white printer test images
Designed as a harsh but fair test for any black and white printing system, Keith's Test image is available for download.

Using QTR and PrintFIX PRO for better black and white prints
By using the PrintFIX PRO to take readings from a greyscale test target, you can create luminance only icc profiles that can give a noticeable improvement to black and white print set-ups. It can even be used to improve the results from the likes of Epson's new 'advanced black and white' print settings.

Why don't my prints match my screen?
A short article showing why there is more to getting your prints to match your screen, than just calibrating your monitor. It's the vital first step, but you do need to consider some other factors for best results.

ImagePrint paper thickness Epson media settings
When printing with this RIP (on an Epson printer) you need to set the media thickness by using one of the closest standard Epson paper types - this lists them and what thicknesses of paper they correspond to.

MonoChromePro Inks
A review of a particular ink set for black and white printing that has a lot of additional information on getting better black and printing.

Printing your black and white photos
In part two of a recent interview, Keith discusses his approach to printing his black and white photographs. Covering such things such as printer, ink and paper choices. [September 2007]

Some Epson printer notes

Reseting the maintenance tank on Epson printers.
Info about the maintenance tank on large Epson printers.

Swapping black inks on a 7600 or 9600
How not to waste loads of inks doing it the official 'Epson Way'

Deactivate the ink counters on an Epson 7600/9600

Deactivate the ink counters on an Epson 4000

Epson 4000 Service manual and maintenance tank reset

7600 and 9600 Service manual, tips and fixes

Some Epson 4800 tips

Colour Management

Also have a look at our reviews, which have detailed info on colour managment hardware and software. They are usually written to help give an idea of the principles behind the equipment, not just how it works.

See also the section on Images on the web

Room and office decoration and lighting for photo editing
Some information on what to consider when setting up a space to work on digital images and evaluate prints.

Media settings and profiling for third party inks
Keith recently converted an Epson Stylus COLOR 1160 to third party inks. In describing the profiling of a this set-up with a third party glossy paper, he shows how that often neglected aspect of profiling -driver media settings- can make all the difference between a so-so print and one that he would be happy to send out as a sample to his commercial clients.

Beware the colour management tar pit
As colour management hardware comes down in price, more and more people are being told it will cure all their problems. A brief personal view from Keith covering some of the things it is good for, but also why you should be careful to understand why you are doing it in the first place.

The very simple guide to 'what is colour mangement'.
Is the red in RGB the same as a London bus, or a UK Telephone box? A very short explanation of what colour management is, and why you use it.

Introduction to colour management
We have helped many people and companies get into colour management. This article covers some of the key questions we get asked and provides links to the many colour management related resources on this site.

Viewing this site - making sure your monitor is set up correctly
The 'Viewing Tips' page has some greyscale test images and advice for setting up your monitor. Includes links to software and monitor calibration info to make the task easier.

Calibrating dual monitor systems under Windows
A brief note on profiling and calibrating dual monitor systems under Windows XP SP2. Additional information that may be of use to readers of our reviews of monitor profiling hardware and software. Includes link to free Microsoft software that improves colour management functionality for all XP SP2 systems.

Removing Adobe gamma on Windows PCs
Adobe Gamma gets intalled with some Adobe software. If you are installing your own monitor profiling software then it's best to deactivate Adobe Gamma (Win PC only) [April 2008]

'Improving your Mac's Color'
An article on colour management on the Mac. Originally published in TidBITS. Still appropriate for most Mac systems.

Photography - Personal views

Moving to the 1Ds3
Keith's impressions and testing when moving from the 11MP Canon 1Ds to 21MP 1Ds3 [December 2007 -ongoing]

Digital Black and White Photography.
Keith was recently interviewed about how to approach digital black and white photography, for a magazine article. We have an expanded version here, covering some of his thoughts, techniques and tips for those thinking of trying out black and white. [September 2007]

Printing your black and white photos
In part two of the interview with Keith, he discusses his approach to printing his black and white photographs. Covering such things such as printer, ink and paper choices. [September 2007]

Digital Photography - two years on
Two years after his first all digital trip to Colorado, Keith discusses some of his thoughts following a return visit. After using a 1Ds for a couple of years, what's changed?. Article includes details on how some images were processed for making large prints in black and white (a follow up to his original 'moving from film to digital' article)

Using a tilt and shift lens
Keith has been experimenting with using the Canon TS-E 24mm 3.5L lens on his 1Ds. Lots of images showing some of the effects you can get and why in conjunction with Photoshop it makes a good choice for some interior and architectural work (even hand held).

A 35mm film based black and white landscape photographer tries digital
When Keith first moved to digital capture for his landscape work there were some notable changes in working to consider. This article gives some comparisons and results, along with some of his first impressions.

A Digital only trip to Colorado
This second article covers Keith's first serious use of the Canon 1Ds for landscape work. It contains references to pictures on this site and how going digital has affected his work.

Looking for a first digital camera?
Keith is often asked for advice on buying a first digital camera. He has collected some tips and advice for people. Includes a couple of questions you might want to answer before you part with your money.

Travel Pictures

Travel diaries/blogs from Keith's travels ... taking photographs.

Washington-Oregon Autumn 2007
A trip from Seattle

California-Oregon Spring 2007
A journey up the coast from San Francisco

Colorado Spring 2006
Around the Mountains - a couple of weeks in Colorado. This personal photo-diary /'blog' covers Keith's travels. It includes many new photos and some of his thoughts on why he likes it there ;-)

Note this was originally published on two pages, but has been reorganised in an easier to follow format (Page1 - Page2)

Photography - Equipment related

Autofocus accuracy check
A method for checking the autofocus (AF) accuracy of your lenses and digital camera body. A (downloadable) test image, when shown on a screen allows precise testing of focus accuracy through the moire patterns caused between the pixels of your screen and camera sensor. For Canon 1Ds Mk3 and 1D Mk3 cameras this enables rapid (15 minutes for 5 lenses) customisation of AF corrections (AF Microadjustment) [February 2008]

Turning off fractional stop ISO settings
A quick test reveals why a setting of ISO 160 produces noisier pictures than ISO 200 on the Canon 1Ds3 - applicable to many other digital cameras. [December 2007]

A Canon View Camera
Keith has made an adapter ($20) to use an old MPP 5x4 view camera with his Canon 1Ds. Article shows details of construction and just what it can be used for [August 2007]

Shift lens modification
A short 'How-to' article showing how to modify a Canon tilt/shift lens to line up the tilt and shift axes [May 2007]

Tilt and Shift lenses - what they do
Looking at the Canon 24mm tilt/shift lens

Canon Camera batteries
A guide to the range of batteries and chargers used in Canon EOS DSLR cameras [December 2007]

Images on the web

Better pictures for your web site
Keith was recently asked for advice on getting better pictures on a web site. His top ten tips cover the process of taking the pictures in the first place, through to sharpening and saving for web use. There are links to further information, tutorials and articles on this site.

Web colour management and Web photo galleries
A discussion of the various options for compression, sharpening and colour management when putting photographic images on the web.

Web browsing by Photographers
A short survey of the web viewing habits of some pro photographers. Food for thought if you are designing pages with this group in mind.

Making your website easier to use
Some sites are easy to find your way around, others positively fight your progress. Keith offers some advice on creating a better user experience (There is also a collection of top usability tips, gathered from surveying many of the key researchers in the field). The article links in to our Usability and Design section.

Web browser colour management test page
Just how well does your web browser handle colour management (if at all). This page has a collection of test images to try it on.

Using equipment in non-standard ways :-)

The 1Ds digital pinhole SLR camera
Keith converts his Canon 1Ds into a pinhole camera, making a 50mm 'standard' pinhole and a 200mm zoom version - results are compared to a lens £1400 more expensive.

Canon View Camera
An adapter ($20) to use an old MPP 5x4 view camera with a Canon 1Ds. Article shows details of construction and just what it can be used for. Could be adapted for any DSLR and many old large format cameras. [August 2007]

Using your film scanner as a microscope
Some pictures from when Keith used his FS 4000 film scanner as a microscope, including the hairs on bee wings and onion cells

Can't find what you wanted? We've set up a customised Google Photography Search to search for info on this site and the web

Other areas of our site that may be of interest...

NEW -- Create your own customised A3 size wall calendar from a choice of 90 of Keith's images. Choose your own images for your own custom printed calendar - 12 months starting any month of the year - many all new images not yet in our main gallery.

Digital Black and White. Keith was recently interviewed about digital black and white photography for a magazine article. We have an expanded version here covering some of his thoughts, techniques and tips for those thinking of trying black and white.

As well as our Commercial Photography services and Training there is a growing collection of photography Articles and Reviews on the site aimed at helping you get the best out of your own photography. We also have a growing collection of Photography related information and links that we hope you find useful.

New site features and some of Keith Cooper's latest work are always covered in the What's New page.

Visiting Leicester or wondering where it is? We have views from the Leicester traffic cameras.