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Know Your Stuff
GUITAR_TAWATCHAI What is image DELETE RAWS
TIP
DON’T
compression?
JPEGs discard data, so
make sure you keep an
How should I save my photos? image
original uncompressed
Is it better to save as a TIFF? sizes,
file in case you need it
I don’t understand image taking up
for editing.
compression. What does it all mean? less space on
Is there a left- Tony Anderson, Oxford hard drives and
offering faster
handed camera? Chris says: There are a number of file transfer times while keeping as much
types you can use to save your photos. image quality as possible.
Is there a left-handed Each one uses a different form of image
camera available for the compression to reduce the file size. Lossless v lossy
average consumer? Obviously, it would be more efficient to There are two types of compression –
Leslie Knotts, Plymouth store images and transfer them if the file lossy and lossless. Lossless compression
size could be reduced without impacting is the type of compression used in TIFF
Kirk says: Unfortunately not. the image visibly. This is where image and PSD formats. It will reduce the file
Cameras are exclusively set up with compression comes in. It allows smaller size of your image without discarding
the shutter button on the right-hand or ‘losing’ any data. Once data has been
side. A few manufacturers have discarded, it can’t be recovered. The file
UNCOMPRESSED
experimented with some left- sizes remain relatively large, but there is
handed designs in the past but no degradation of quality.
the idea never seemed to gain any On the other hand, there is lossy
traction. Yashica made an old compression. This is the compression
half-frame film camera called the that file types such as JPEG and GIF
Samurai that had a left-handed use. They reduce an image’s file size
model. It was an interesting idea by discarding data, using algorithms to
and looked more like a video average out values of areas of pixels. This
camcorder than a 35mm stills results in a degradation of image quality
COMPRESSED
camera. Then there’s the Samsung but offers greatly reduced file sizes.
Q10 video camera released back How much it reduces quality is up to you.
in 2011 that could be used in A high-quality JPEG will look identical
either hand, but these are more to an uncompressed image to the viewer,
curiosities now than solutions to whereas a much more compressed image
shooting left-handed. If you can’t will start to have artefacts popping up as
use a right-handed camera, some a result of the compression process. TIFF
people have found success with a and PSD files are great for archiving
monopod and cable release setup. Above Major image compression starts to images, but for everyday use and
introduce JPEG artefacts and pixelation. viewing, JPEGs are fine.
What does this numbered
switch on my lens do?
There’s a switch on my lens be shooting with a telephoto lens tend to
that has different distances be far away. Switching this mode on will
on it. What does it do? prevent your camera focusing on things
Cedrine Urnst, Kingston-upon-Hull you might be shooting through, such as
long grass or tree branches. Secondly,
Adam says: That’s a focus limiting switch. it can speed up autofocus. In situations
Often found on mid to high-end telephoto where the camera is struggling to find
lenses, switching it on prevents your lens a focus lock the lens will ‘hunt’ back
from focusing at its closest setting. Why and forward to find some detail to be
wouldn’t you want your lens to be able to able to lock onto. Limiting the range it
focus throughout its entire range? Surely has to hunt through reduces the physical
more options can only be a good thing? distance the lens elements must be
Well, reducing the range like this has a moved, and brings down the time it takes
number of benefits. Firstly, subjects you’ll to find and lock on to the focus.
60 PRACTICAL PHOTOGRAPHY
