Definition of definition
Q After a long break, I have recently returned to photography and have a two-part question. First, when using image-editing software and I move a slider for, say, Color Contrast to the left or to the right, what exactly is the program doing to the file? Also, what are the trade-offs? In the simple Apple Photos app, for example, there is an adjustment for ‘definition'. How exactly does it increase this and what do they mean by ‘definition'? Why wouldn't I always turn it up?
Frank H Wu
A In digital imaging, everything is mathematically manipulated, pixel by pixel. We can visualise this through exposure histograms, tone curves, and so on, and use these visualisations as frameworks for adjusting tonal characteristics. Essentially, over many years, imaging experts…
