Models of digital imagery
A hierarchy of abstraction - a hierarchy of user intention
Pixel - a mosaic of colored tiles
"Set [100,200] to red."
Image - layers of primary colors (RGB)
"Increase the picture's contrast."
Shape - graphical operations
"Draw a yellow square."
Object - a simulated photograph
"Render a frog in a spotlight."
Making and modifying images
Define pixel values from scratch
- Explicitly set values of RGB
- Graphic operations set values
- Three-dimensional rendering defines pixels based on geometric scene
Modify existing pixel values
- Scanned imagery
- Digital video
- Images created from scratch
If the pixel is within 73 pixels of the center, make it red.
A red circle.
A praying mantis.
A mosaic of enough tiles and enough colors such that the picture looks like a praying mantis.
If the pixel is within 73 pixels of the center, replace it with red.
If the pixel is within 73 pixels of the center, negate its color.
If the pixel is within 73 pixels of the center, negate its color, then blur the entire image.
Determine the color of the object in space at the pixel position in the image.
Combine the pixels of two images based on information produced during rendering.
Simulate surfaces and light with rendering equations.
A window into the Platonic realm of forms?