Editing MPEG Files and the Basics of Frame Editing/Group of Picture Editing

Writen by Richard Yates

If you wish to edit MPEG files, it is important to understand the basics of MPEG compression and the main differences between “frame editing” and “Group of Picture (GOP) editing.”

Let’s first start by stating that MPEG compression was not developed with the intention of supporting precise editing. Instead, MPEG serves as a high-powered compression tool made for pre-edited video. Nevertheless, with some fundamental knowledge and appropriate tools, it is possible to perform highly accurate edits of MPEG files.

Fundamentals of MPEG Compression

The main characteristic that complicates editing of MPEG video is the way in which MPEG encodes a compressed file. MPEG uses what’s referred to as “reference frames” and “difference frames.” For every 15 frames of movie footage, the normal standard of compression is 1 reference frame for every 14 difference frames. The difference frames only encode changes such as foreground movement, and therefore much less storage space than the preceding reference frames. This is where MPEG’s high compression comes from.

Since each set of difference frames depends on a previous reference frame in order to be decoded, the only place in a MPEG stream that you can do cuts is at the reference frame. If you were to cut the video at a difference frame, that difference frame and all subsequent difference frames would refer to a preceding reference frame that doesn’t exist any more. Such a stream of frames would then fail to decode properly at run-time, producing nonsensical movie playback. In everyday terms, the movie playback would be extremely choppy. This is the inherent weakness in editing MPEG.

Group of Picture (GOP) Editing

The simplest type of MPEG editor doesn’t try to work around this problem. So-called “GOP-accurate editors” only do cuts on a “group of pictures” boundary. GOP is adequate for cutting commercials out of a recorded television program, for example, but not accurate enough for serious video editing.

Pixela’s Pixe VRF Browser falls within this category of editors; however, it boasts additional capabilities that competing products in the category do not:

Pixela’s Pixe VRF Browser supports viewing and editing of popular DVD formats not supported by Mac. This makes viewing any movie recorded in the Video Recording Standard readable.

Furthermore, while most editing software only supports GOP (Group of Picture) unit editing, VRF Browser also supports highly precise frame editing with the use of frame markers.

Frame Editing

To create precise cuts and smooth transitions, it is necessary to move beyond GOP editing to frame-by-frame granularity. In the case of MPEG data streams, this requires enhancing the editing software with the power to decode an MPEG file’s GOPs into a sequence of uncompressed frames, which are then edited by the user as desired, then re-encoded into GOPs so that the advantages of MPEG compression are regained.

The ability to re-encode split GOPs allows you to do frame-accurate cuts. This type of MPEG editor can also offer tools that change the frames themselves (e.g., titling and transitions) because it can re-encode all the GOPs that contain changed frames.

Pixela’s Capty MPEG Edit EX resides in this more powerful category of editor.

“With the advanced editing features of Capty MPEG Edit EX software, you can create professional quality DVDs at an affordable price,” say Richard Yates of Pixela Corporation. “High performance frame by frame video and sound track editing features, with Dolby Digital support, enable you to tell your story the way you want it, without compromise.”

Richard Yates is the Marketing and E-Commerce Manager for Pixela Corporation.

Digital Photography Pointers

Writen by David W Johnson

Even those of us who’ve owned digital cameras for a while can use tips on how to make better pictures and troubleshoot when problems arise. And beginners to digital photography need a little guidance to build confidence in their ability to take great shots.

Here are some digital photography pointers:

Ever see a fantastic scene outside your bay window at home or your car window and wonder whether you can shoot a good picture through glass? The answer is, yes, you can. All you need to do is stand as close as you can to the glass when you take the shot. This reduces the effect of light reflecting on the shiny surface of the glass.

Would you like to take some shots of rectangular paintings to put in an online gallery, but fear they’ll come out resembling parallelograms instead of rectangles? Don’t worry.

Digital photography can work for you in this case if you line your camera and picture up so they are perfectly parallel. Mounting the picture on the wall and the camera on a tripod so the center of the camera lense is trained right on the center of the picture should do the trick, and you’ll seem like a pro.

Have you tried to take pictures of children at play and been disappointed because the great scene you tried to capture is already gone by the time you push the shutter button? You’re left with something not very interesting and possibly blurry. You might know the solution to this.

Increase your shutter speed because that will help freeze action. Also, knowing that your kids are almost always in motion, try to judge where the action is going next, and point the camera there, and you’ll have a better chance of catching the next perfect moment evolving before you.

Have you given up on nighttime shots because when you took pictures of your friends at an evening gathering with your new digital camera the shots were all way too dark? With this problem you do the opposite to what you do to get great shots of kids at play. You decrease your shutter speed-1/15 or 1/30 of a second rather than the standard 1/60 of a second should do it for you.

The most important thing, though, is to read the manual that came with your camera, and don’t be afraid to try out all the features to see how they work. Also, find others who are interested in learning how to make the most of digital photography. Share tips and go out on picture taking adventures together. You’ll be giving other people better tips than these in no time.

The Art That Is Photography

Writen by Max Pow

Pictures speak a thousand words, this statement is incorrect. Stating that a picture speaks only a thousand words is ridiculous. There are countless interpretations of a photograph and unlimited different impressions on what the photo represents and/or symbolises. I have been taking photos for about 3 years now and within that time I have learnt a lot.

One of the things I have learnt is a photo is not fact. The saying the camera never lies is untrue when you understand the circumstances within photography. We all have a favourite photo where we think we look good. Some where we think we look better than we do in real life, other we dislike because they make us look fat, ugly or unnatural. Cameras do lie – Fact!

You can use this to your favour. Everyone likes to look good in a photo and what if I told you I could explain exactly what you need to do to get an amazing photo every time.

Here goes, Firstly lighting is the most important factor. The most gorgeous super model can look like a disaster in poor lighting or lighting coming from the wrong angle to disfigure her face. The trick is to get the light pointing at you but not directly. For example if your outside look in the direction of the sun but not strait at it. Make sure the sun is coming at you at about an angle of 25

How to Choose Your Photo Paper Wisely

Writen by Ann Woods

Choosing the right paper for printing is one of the most important factors in producing great prints. Be it pictures or text, you usually just borrow what’s in the copier. But the right paper makes an immense difference in print quality. To make the right choice, we must know the basics of selecting and printing on paper for general use and pictures.

Paper Basics:

To choose the right paper for the required print keep in mind -the opacity, brightness, weight, caliper and finish. First, it is important to know what you are printing. Black and white documents are very different from full color photos. There are some multipurpose papers which are good for both. But if you want crisp, vibrant photos that will last a long time, then of course you need to use paper which is designed just for photos.

Opacity:
This means how see-through is the paper? The more the opacity, less of the printed text will bleed through to the other side. This is especially important for double-sided prints. High opacity paper is considered good for documents such as brochures, newsletters and calendars. Photo papers have high opacity of about 94-97 usually.

Weight:
Paper weight is expressed in pounds (lb.) or as grams per square meter (g/m2).This ranges from light weight newsprint to very heavy cardboard. Mostly quality business paper is 20 to 24 pound bond; the greeting card paper is heavier – usually in the range of 60 – 65 lb.

Brightness:
Brightness basically means the amount of light reflected from the surface of the paper. Higher brightness will produce crisper text with better contrast and a brighter background for color and images. It is expressed in numbers 1 to 100. Photo papers have brightness number in high 90’s. But then not all papers are labeled with their brightness rating. You will simply have to compare two or more papers side by side to compare their brightness.

Caliper:
This is basically the thickness of the paper. Thickness affects its handling; whether the paper is stiffer and will resist creases and tears etc. Its unit of measure is ‘mil’. Photo paper is usually 7 to 10 mils thick.

Finish:
The finish of the paper can be matte glossy with lessening degrees of glossiness as semi-gloss, soft-gloss or satin-gloss. It is the coating on paper as glossy photo paper gives the printed photos the look and feel of photographs. Glossy papers take time in drying as the coating keeps the paper from readily absorbing the ink. However, quick dry gloss finishes are available nowadays. Mirror-like finish of high-gloss media is preferred for color photographs and smooth matte finishes for black and white photographs and business documents.

Paper has come a long way in the last decade. Choosing the right paper for printing is one of the most important decisions in creating great pictures. It is also important to know that the paper designed for your printer looks and performs better every time. The print depends upon what happens when the ink hits the paper. The wrong amount of ink can lead to jagged images that are too saturated or sometimes too light.

The synergy of ink, paper and printer is important so as to create color photos that are as bright as your memories. The latest coating technology prevents photo jams, curling and printed pages from sticking together. Lastly, you know how sunlight damages a printed page. Special photo inks and special coating premium photo papers are available that resist the effects of indoor halogen and glowing light. You will be able to frame your photos and display them proudly as they will resist fading longer than most traditionally developed photographs.

Therefore, the right printer paper will not only give better results, it will also be more economical in the long run. There will be fewer paper jams and the output will look great every time.

Let Those Digital Photos Out! (You Don’t Have To Print Them Yourself)

Writen by Liz Beresford

What have you done with the photos you’ve taken with your digital camera? Hands up if they are languishing on your hard drive waiting to be printed. If your hand is up you are not alone. Well I have my hand up too! But I’ve promised myself that two years worth of digital photography will see the light of day before Christmas.

The problem is that we expect to do out own digital printing. Its supposed to be a feature. This “feature” puts many people off buying a digital camera in the first place. For one thing its not cheap. First you may need to upgrade your printer, or buy a photo printer. Then there are the running costs, which come as a shock to most new printer owners. The price of inkjets and photo paper doesn’t encourage much trial and error.

Having assembled all the equipment we then have to spend some time working out how to use it. Suddenly we have a hobby that we really didn’t want and don’t have time for. We just wanted a nice easy way to take fantastic photos. How much simpler it was to take a roll of film into the photo shop and collect the prints an hour later!

Well, here is the good news, you can still take you photos to the photo shop. Not only that but you can delete the duds first. Now that’s an improvement on film. Even better you can email your digital images to an online photo lab and receive the prints back in the post. If you have Microsoft Windows XP you can just click on “Order Prints” in the My Pictures folder and off they go. What could be simpler?

Ok so what about all the cool stuff you can do with digital images? You can do that too, but you don’t have to. The best thing for non experts to do is very little. You can crop and usually adjust the contrast and brightness with a single click using the software that came with your camera. If the software can manage red eye removal too, that is a trick worth learning-its easy.

The thing to remember is that digital images are free. Take lots. You can ditch the duds and still have one or two that are good for printing. Then you won’t need to bother with a lot of tricky time consuming editing.

Another option, useful if you do not own a computer, is to use one of the self service kiosks that are springing up in urban and tourist centers. These machines allow a little simple editing and you get your prints instantly. Over the next 12 months these are likely to be more widely available.

For more information about printing your digital photos check out http://tinyurl.com/4fm3q.

About The Author

Liz Beresford owns and operates the web site Digital Cameras and Accessories, which provides information and resources for digital camera buyers, particularly new buyers. You can find the best value digital cameras, equipment and accessories online at the Digital Cameras and Accessories shop.

http://www.digital-cameras-and-accessories.com/

What Are Digital Picture Frames And How Do They Work?

Writen by Ron Donnelly

A relatively new product in the digital imaging industry is what has become known as the digital picture frame. These clever devices use a flat-panel TFT (usually just referred to as LCD) screen to electronically store and display digital photos, which can be transferred directly between the picture frame and your digital camera. They can be powered by either batteries or an AC adapter power supply that plugs into your mains wall socket, and are capable of storing between thirty and more than a thousand digital photos, depending on the frame, the size of the files, and the capacity of the memory card being used. While most people are probably aware of the numerous advantages of digital photography, there have always been a few areas where modern digital imagery simply didn’t offer what people wanted out of their photos. With only a slightly wider profile than a normal picture frame, a digital picture frame retains all the benefits of digital photography, combining them with the convenience and most of the features people liked about conventional paper photos.

Digital picture frames solve most of the remaining problems people have about digital photography in a simple, easy to use, and cost effective manner. One of the main problems people have is that they don’t have the time, opportunity, or knowledge required to view their pictures on the computer any time they feel like going through their albums. Digital picture frames solve this easily, as all prominent models on the market can store multiple images, and display them as a slide show. Most models allow the user to flip through each photograph one by one, much like they would with an old photo album. Older users, or the very young, who may not be familiar with computers, or may have no desire to learn, will enjoy the practical and straight-forward interface offered by these products. Learning how to use one could be compared to learning just the basic functions of a new television remote-control.

Digital picture frames allow the user to leave a photo on display for the long term, much like a conventional picture frame. This eliminates the cost of maintaining a printer and buying consumables, and allows you to have your picture of choice on display without tying up the computer.

When making a purchasing decision, you should compare the feature set offered by the different models available, with regard to your budget, and what you want from digital picture frames. Some things to consider include:

How to Photograph Children

Writen by Alanna Jurden

After a wonderful day at the park with your children, you stop at the local one hour photo processor to drop off your film. You choose to do one hour because you are so excited to see how your photos will turn out.

An hour later you return with excitement only to find that your children are so small in the image you can hardly make out their faces.

Here are some great tips for improving your family photos.

1. Get down to the childs level
   When you take a picture of your small child playing, kneel down to his/her eye level. Photos taken from above makes the viewer of the image look down on the child. This makes the child seem small, weak and insignificant.
2. Keep clothing simple
   If you are planning on bringing your camera with you on your family outing, dress your kids in simple clothes. Bold patterns and colors on a child will make the clothes be the center of attention, not the child. (However, if the flower covered dress is from grandma, this rule can and should be broken) Make sure the child is comfortable in his/her clothing. This will create a more relaxed photo. If the child is dressed in tight, non-fitting clothing, the child will be constantly pulling and re-adjusting his/her clothes. This will result in a stiff and unnatural picture.
3. Get in close
   Get in close to the child without them being aware by using your zoom or telephoto lens. I love candid close-ups of children. Capture the wonder on their faces as they explore the world around them.
4. Objects growing out of a child’s head
   Keep an eye on the background as well as the child before you snap the shutter. Objects behind or in front of the child such as trees, branches, light poles and fences, may look like they are growing out the child or cutting them in half. Reposition the camera and re-shoot.
5. Keep it fun!
   The best images of children are the candid shots. Give them an activity to do and hang low. A leaf, sand pile, bug, or flower can be a great distraction for an inquisitive child. Let them play with and investigate the object. Wonderful natural expressions will result.

Learn these 5 simple rules and you will create wonderful images of you’re children. To see some examples visit http://www.ajurden.com/child1.htm

A. Jurden is an award winning Northwest landscape and nature photographer. Visit her online at http://www.ajurden.com.

Abstract Photography and its Selection

Writen by Sam Zaydel

Of all the different genres of photography, Abstract must be the most interesting, and confusing at the same time. The word Abstract itself may mean a lot of things. By definition abstract photography is an aspect of photography that does not depict subject as they would appear in natural world. This is a very vague statement, and may include nearly any image which does not look like anything at all. So, how do we know which photographs we can classify as abstract and which we cannot.

A Good Photograph

Because anything at all may be called abstract photography we have to take a methodical approach to determining what is really art, and what is a photograph of nothing in particular. In most cases, with all other types of photography, whether glamor, nude, nature, architectural, portraits, we can easily determine good photographs, and differentiate them from lesser photos. We typically look for striking details, that cause parts of the photograph to stand out. Good photographs typically incorporate good design elements, such as leading lines, selective focus, striking lighting or shadows, and isolation of important details. All good photographs accentuate important features, while reducing, or completely eliminating less attractive or uninteresting features. We usually only need a few seconds to identify a good photograph, because its photographer made the necessary efforts to direct the eyes of the viewer to the most important elements, which trigger an emotional response. A good photograph will invite you to look at it, and examine some of its details.

Identifying Elements

Because we cannot be as objective about abstract photographs as we can be about photographs that clearly identify a subject, we have to apply the same process as we discussed previously, to determine whether or not the photograph triggers an emotional response when we are looking at it. A good abstract photograph will still have some striking elements, even if you cannot readily identify the main subject. Dynamic lighting, or shadows are a great example here. Most of us have seen abstract photographs where a geometric subject is complemented with strong, dynamic shadows. While we may not be able to immediately identify the subject, we can quickly see interesting, perhaps intriguing elements. Of course, this is just one such example. While an abstract image is meant to make you think about it, and wonder about what you are looking at, striking elements must be present, and the main subject, or theme needs to be identifiable. In abstract photography main subject, does not necessarily need to be identified by what it is in the natural world, but it should infer, or resemble some commonly identified elements. For example, you may have a photograph of architectural columns taken in a way, which does not clearly identify the subject; however, certain elements, whether it is grooves cut into the columns, the familiar elements in its base or its crown, quickly trigger a response in you, the viewer and provide a lead for your brain to infer the main subject. In most cases, a good abstract will remind you of something, instead of leaving you dissatisfied, and wondering about what you are really looking at. Common geometric shapes are a good subject for abstract photography. Elements such as leading lines, and controlled depth of field enhance an abstract image, just as they would a real world photograph.

Keep in mind, these are not hard rules, which every photograph needs to follow. This is more of a guideline, which should help you identify and select a good Abstract. After all, if you are looking at a photograph and you like the subject matter, regardless of whether or not it fits with this guide, to you the photograph is good, and you will likely enjoy it, if you choose to purchase, and display it. Do not expect for everyone to see an abstract photograph as you would. After all, it is an abstract.

Written by Professional Photographer, and an owner of a Photography Selling Service. To learn more about this, and many other general, as well as more specific photography related subjects, or to explore a Fine Art Photography gallery, please consider visiting WorldonPaper.com Contemporary Fine Art Gallery.

Inkjet Photo Paper: Selecting The Best Quality

Writen by Tom Watson

There is an overwhelming variety of photo papers on the market today. The main topic in this article is concentrating on selecting the best photo paper for your inkjet printer. Here are some pointers, especially if you are a beginner like me.

Inkjet photo paper should not bleed-through, or in other words, not allow you to see the ink or image on the other side of the paper. A higher opacity of 94 to 97 is what you are looking for.

It is best to look for a photo paper with a high degree of brightness. How bright, or more precisely, how white? The best way to tell, is to compare two or three different papers side by side, and pick the paper that is more white than the others.

Photo papers come in a range of 4.3 mil to 10.4 mil. This is the thickness, or “caliper” of the paper. The heavier or larger numbered mil is preferred, as it will be able to accomodate a greater ink coverage for your photos. Certainly, you want the best quality for your keepsake photos!

If you want your printed photographs to have the feel and the look of photographic prints, pick the “gloss finish” or “glossy” paper. The package may tell you if it is high gloss, gloss, soft gloss or semi gloss. This enables you to decide how “shiney” you want your pictures.

It is also possible to go to a matte finish if a soft or non-reflective result is preferred. The matte finish photo papers are specially formulated for photos, and are thicker, and in most cases printable on both sides. They are not the same as regular inkjet finish papers.

I am amazed with the continuous improvements and changes in computer technology today. That being said, I can’t recommend a particular inkjet printer, or even a good quality digital camera. But, photos are something people keep, and possibly cherish. Memories are captured and preserved in these special pictures, and they deserve great quality photo paper.

Tom Watson is the owner of the Adhesive Label Store at http://www.topamarketing.com. For more information and a great choice of photo papers, please visit http://www.topamarketing.com/site/1618467/page/767899.

Free Stock Photography

Writen by Peter Emerson

The term “free” stock photographs does not mean that the photograph or images are free by default. Royalty free stock photography means a customer pays fees only once for a photograph. They don’t have to pay every time they need to use it. A free stock photograph can be used as many times and as long as the customer wishes. However, the copyright remains with the photographer who owns the photograph. When a customer buys free stock photograph, it is theirs to use, but they cannot sell it.

If a customer wants to use royalty free stock photographs on their website, they must make sure that their license permits the right of publication of the image. Many royalty free stock photographs are sold under the license for printing or electronic use only. These photographs are becoming more and more popular and are available on many websites and CD’s. The main drawback of free stock photographs is images can be purchased by anyone and used multiple times. A potential buyer has no way of knowing whether someone else is using the image.

Generally, fees for royalty free stock photographs depend on size and not on usage. A copyright holder can sell a photograph to anyone. However, is a customer is looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind image for a corporate campaign, etc., and then is wiser to hire a professional photographer? The difference between stock photographs and royalty free stock photographs is that a stock photograph can be used only once after licensing. If a customer wants to use it again, he needs another license. Royalty free stock photographs can be used many times over a long period of time.

Stock Photography provides detailed information on Stock Photography, Free Stock Photography, Digital Stock Photography, Nature Stock Photography and more. Stock Photography is affiliated with Black and White Photographs.