Observation

A practical oriented and technical question which was attempted by a few. Candidates that attempted the question performed poorly. The candidates were expected to provide the following answers in order to score good marks:

1. Manipulation
   • Simply refers to the special rendering/treatment of images in post production.
   • It involves transforming images from their original state to something else e.g. removing the mouth and nose of a subject and replacing it with cat mouth and nose.
   • Happens in photo editing to achieve special effects.
   • It is done with photo editing software e.g. Photoshop, Photopaint, Corel draw, etc.
   • Aim is to enhance images which could be positive or negative (to deceive or persuade viewers).
2. Editing
   • Image editing in digital photography refers to the treatment/enhancement of original pictures.
   • It is done in a manner to either improve or recreate with a view to achieving desired goals.
   • Image editing could be done to achieve certain special effects on the image.
   • Examples of editing software include Adobe Photoshop, Photopaint, Corel draw, etc.
   • Editing can be minimal as in photojournalism or extensive in many other types of photography such as Advertising, Portrature, etc.
3. Printing
   • It is the process of producing digitally taken pictures with ordinary or specialized printing machines.
   • Digital printing can be done directly from the memory card, camera or computer connected to a printer.
   • Images can be viewed on the camera or computer before printing.
   • Digital printing can be done with inkjet or laser printers on different surfaces e.g. paper, fabrics, metal, etc.
   • It reduces time spent when compared to the dark room printing process.
4. Finishing
   • Finishing of printed digital images is done to enhance its aesthetic quality.
   • It prolongs photographs’ life span.
   • It can be done by coating photographs with varnish, laminating, trimming, framing and embellishing it with some decorative effects and package.
   • It enhances the economic value of the finished product.
5. Storing
   • Digital images can be preserved either in hard or soft/electronic/digital copies.
   • The soft copies are stored in devices like flash, disc, zip, hard disc or virtual cloud.
   • Hard copy print outs are preserved in albums, portfolios, synthetic envelopes and Photobook.
   • Photographs are kept for retrieval and future references.
6. Inputting
   • The process of sending image data into a digital system and network.
   • Examples of input devices are mouse, keyboard, scanner, floppy disk,CDs, DVDs, memory card, flash, external drives, USB, wifi, Bluetooth, etc.
   • Inputted data can be edited, shared, collated and used for different purposes.
   • Inputted data can be uploaded to the internet using application and tools such as cloud computing, social media, etc