Digital Imaging - Things you need to know

Things you need to know
That technique is more important than equipment
The structure of a digital image
The advantages ( and disadvantages ) of RAW files
Workflow: how to save, rename, and store files and protect original images

Things you need to discover
How to properly use image manipulation software ( not just Photoshop )
The theory and the technique not the software
You don't need to know how Photoshop works you need to know how an image behaves
Raw file conversion
How to batch convert
File formats for different use - jpg, tif. psd, xcf etc.
Bit depths, 8 bit, 16 bit, 32 bit, floating point and integer.
How to resize for different print output
Colour management the difference between workspace profiles - SRGB, ARGB etc.
Using, applying and discarding colour profiles - which profile for which printer
Correct use of sharpening - not over sharpening
File sizes from different cameras and what is possible from them
The difference in image 'quality' from different chip sizes ( not number of mega pixels )
The concept of 'Fit for Purpose' - learn about printing techniques and the best way to prepare files.

What is expected of Professional Photographers
File preparation for purpose - print - web - publication
With digital photography more is now possible and often more is expected from the photographer.
They can no longer hand over a set of transparencies, they are often expected to supply images ready for print and publication. This may involve colour balancing, resizing, removing small unwanted items or complete backgrounds. Burning and dodging, selective correction and adjustment.

What has not changed
Good camera craft, exposure, focus, understanding of depth of field, lighting and colour correction.
Composition, cropping, adjusting or correcting verticals, ( although some of these tasks have moved from the camera to the digital darkroom )

Learning to think in pixels:
The building blocks of a digital image are pixels
A six mega pixel camera gives an image 3000x2000 pixels ( 6 million pixels )
3000x2000 pixels gives an image of 10"x6.7" @ 300dpi - print size
This will usually interpolate up to 4500x3000 pixels 15"x10" @ 300dpi without noticeable loss of quality
This will print through RIP software to 20"x13.5" without noticeable loss of quality

Industry Standards
Whilst there are pieces of equipment and software programmes commonly used there are no standards in these areas.
File formats are standard ( or should be ) equipment and work methods differ.