The Camera And The Influence Of Digital Technology
By Dave Saunders, Fri Dec 9th

In the study of the camera, digital technology influence comesfrom a variety of different sources to give rise to moderndigital photographic capabilities. Some of these technologiesare then advanced in special niches to create new advances inscience. One of the best examples of this exchange of digitaltechnology is the CCD or Charge-coupled device. This is thedigital technology breakthrough that made the digital camerapossible.

When light strikes the CCD surface, it frees electrons to movearound and those electrons accumulate in capacitors. Thoseelectrons are "counted" at regular intervals by a circuit whichdumps the electrons from each point on the CCD surface. When allof these measurements are combined, a picture can be instantlyreproduced as a "virtual mosaic" of the individual pointmeasurements. This is the picture we see. The more points ofmeasurement found on the CCD, the higher the "resolution" of theresulting picture.

When building a highly specialized camera, digital technologysuch as this opens new doors which are not possible with filmbased technology.

In dentistry, an X-ray machine can be converted to a digitalcamera with a CCD which is sensitive to the photons that make upthe X-ray spectrum. Instead of imprinting an image of X-ray onfilm, developing the film and finally reviewing the tiny filmimage, modern X-ray can instantly display an X-ray imageon a computer screen as the CCD processes the array of photonmeasurements. This not only saves time, but also produces nowaste in the form of exposed film and development chemicals. Sowith this frequently used, specialized camera, digitaltechnology creates improvements

in a dentist's practice andprotects the environment.

Another specialized camera that benefits from digital technologyis the telescope. Traditional cameras, mounted to telescopescollect points of light and expose the film. This can providemore sensitivity than the human eye to faint points of light,but brighter points of light can also obscure fainter ones by"washing out" the image. With the application of digitaltechnology the film camera is replaced by a digital camera usinga CCD. The CCD can continue to receive and measure photonsindefinitely. This means the process is a continuous measurementin contrast to the more simple exposure of a piece of film.Computers can then electronically filter out brighter sources oflight making possible the detection of very faint points oflight in the sky and even the study of celestial objects by thedetection of the shadows they cast instead of the light theygive off. By comparing the light collected over time, digitaltechnology also allows this digital camera to detect distantobjects by inferring their presence.

These are just two examples of how are influenced bydigital technology. New applications and even new science canresult from such seemingly small advances in technologies thatdon't seem to be related at all. Think on this the next time youexamine your own digital camera.

About the author:Dave Saunders is a professional lecturer, and lifelongtechnologist. He lives in the Washington, DC area with his wife,Irene and writes about his many passions. While pursuing his ownenjoyments in broadly experiencing life, Dave enjoys creatinginterconnections through his writings and lectures to helpothers create context enjoy technology application. You can findout more about digital at www.aboutdigitalcameras.net.