Apple Aperture Digital Photography Fundamentals - Manual (Page 42)

42 Chapter 3 Understanding Resolution
Display Resolution
The maximum number of pixels that can appear on a display’s screen determines its
maximum resolution. Most displays have a variety of resolution settings from which to
choose. For example, the 23-inch Apple Cinema HD Display has resolution settings
from a minimum of 640 x 480 to a maximum of 1920 x 1200 pixels. As a photographer,
you will want to operate your display at its maximum resolution setting. This ensures
that you see as much of the image as possible on your screen.
Printer Resolution
In the end, it’s the quality of the print that counts. The quality of the print is determined
by the combination of two factors:
 Image file resolution: The resolution of the image file is determined by the number of
pixels in the image and the bit depth of the pixels themselves. Obviously, the more
pixels the image file has, the more information it’s capable of displaying. However,
along with the number of pixels, the bit depth plays a large part as well. The greater
the bit depth, the more colors a pixel is capable of displaying.
For more information on bit depth, see “ Learning About Bit Depth ” on page 38.
 Printer resolution: A printer’s resolution is determined by how closely together it is
capable of placing dots on paper within a square inch, measured in dpi. A printer’s
maximum dpi value determines the highest-quality image it can print.
About the Differences Between CRT and Flat-Panel
Display Resolutions
CRTs and flat-panel displays are not bound by the same resolution characteristics. CRT
displays are capable of resolution switching, so that the resolution you select is
displayed at the actual resolution, and the pixels are drawn properly and sharply at
any supported resolution. Flat-panel displays have only a single native resolution that
appears sharp and true, which is the maximum resolution. Choosing any other
resolution forces the entire screen image to be interpolated to that size, resulting in a
soft, or slightly blurred, image.
8-megapixel
camera
1920 x 1280
pixel image
2400 dpi
printer