| Copyright (c) 2008 Tom Jackson | | | | supports 16 bit printing. This may change in the |
| The wonders of modern technology never cease to | | | | future, but for now it is Mac only. Adobe Photoshop |
| amaze me. Growing up with a traditional camera and | | | | Lightroom 2 and Apple's Aperture 2 are the premier |
| film and understanding the complexities of color film | | | | software packages for producing 16 bit prints. |
| and the magic of color film processing, was indeed a | | | | Remember, 8 bit images will not have sufficient |
| fascinating period. Apple's Aperture 2 and Adobe | | | | image data to produce an effective 16 bit print from |
| Photoshop Lightroom 2 supports 16-bit print drivers | | | | the ink jet printer. What does that mean? |
| for Epson and Canon printers, allowing you to | | | | Here is the math formula which allows you to figure |
| produce high-quality output with smoother gradients | | | | the number of colors possible; 8 bit images capture a |
| and better color fidelity...no darkroom needed. | | | | maximum number of brightness values for each of |
| However, you do need to ensure that you have a | | | | the three primary colors, Red, Green and Blue of 256 |
| consistent 16 bit workflow from the image capture, | | | | different values. This means we have a possible 16.8 |
| through to image editing, and finally to the print | | | | million colors.8 million. The human eye can see |
| output. This means that you need to capture your | | | | approximately 11-12 million colors. However, if we look |
| images in the RAW format. You must shoot in the | | | | at 16 bit images, each pixel has a possible brightness |
| RAW format to make a visible difference in the final | | | | value of 65,536 values. So, if we multiply |
| printed output. | | | | 65,536*65,536*65,536 and get about 280 trillion |
| Of course, when making a decision to purchase a | | | | colors, a little more than what the eye can perceive. |
| digital camera, you need to look at the number of | | | | So, will all these extra colors really make a big |
| pixels the sensor will capture. Most low end digital | | | | difference on the final print. In most situations, it will |
| cameras, the consumer models, will not take RAW | | | | probably not make a lot of difference between 8 or |
| images, so those cameras cannot even be | | | | 16 bit printing, but when you need to show off your |
| considered. You need either a very high end | | | | best work, the 16 bit offers smoother gradations, |
| prosumer model or preferably, a DSLR. 6 Mega pixels | | | | especially in subtle areas such as sunsets. 16 bit |
| is the very minimum number, but you need to be | | | | printing offers unique advantages, and where there is |
| considering more. | | | | a large color gamut in the image 16 bit printing offers |
| Currently, only the Macintosh operating system | | | | the advantage of better gradations. |