Finding and Using Digital Images

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Finding and Using Digital Images
Bradford 12th December 2005

• Alastair Dunning, AHDS Executive Office
• Kings College London, http//ahds.ac.uk/

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Outline of Practical Session

• Preparing and manipulating digital images
• Locating and using existing images
• Using trusted sources
• Importance of metadata
• Added online facilities

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Preparing an image for web (1)

• Download tiff (taged image file format) image
  from http//ahds.ac.uk/halliwell.tif
• Open image in Adobe PhotoShop
• Check properties of image (click on Image / Image
  Size)
• Check pixel size
• Check document size
• Check image resolution

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Preparing an image for web (2)

• Alter resolution for web maximum screen
  resolution is currently 72dpi
• What pixel size do you require? Depends on
  context, e.g. thumbnails, illustration, analysis
• Often useful to keep to a standard for width or
  height.
• In this case alter height to 350 pixels width
  will automatically adjust
• We can also crop images to focus on certain parts

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Preparing an image for web (3)

• What format? Two compressed formats
• jpeg / jpg (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or
  gif (Graphics Interchange Format)
• JPEG for complex images, e.g. photos
• GIF for line art, logos, more simple images

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Preparing an image for web (4)

• Go to File / Save for Web
• Choose settings to optimise file size and quality
  of image
• Click the box labelled Progressive
• Save (with different file name! always hold on
  to master version)

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Locating Images (1)

• http//www.google.co.uk/images
• Can you trust the images?
• What is their quality?
• What are their right issues?
• Using images depending on the type of usage you
  are considering public, private, educational,
  commerical

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Locating Images (2)

• http//ahds.ac.uk/visualarts/
• Images from a trusted source
• Value-added metadata (catalogue info)
• Mostly cleared for rights use
• Collections include
• Imperial war museum collection, contemporary
  design, 50s fashion, medieval sculpture,
  19th-century music covers, Bretton Hall artwork
• Over 60,000 images in total
• All jpegs ready for web use

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Locating Images (3)

• Try basic search on word Yorkshire
• Some useful hits some not so useful
• Go to advanced search
• Try war in description and watercolour in
  material
• More precise range of hits
• (Be careful results might open in new window)

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Locating Images (4)

• Scan through short metadata or look for longer
  catalogue information
• Choose medium or larger image
• Use right hand button on mouse to save picture to
  your PC
• Lightbox facilties for saving and sending
  multiple images
• Image now ready for use in website, powerpoint
  etc.