From Photon to Pixel

10Photographic Software

Evidently, the range of software developed for the purpose of treating photographic images is too broad to cover in its entirety here; interested readers may wish to consult specialist publications [BOV 00, MAI 08a]. In this chapter, we will consider:

• – programs integrated into cameras, which, in addition to the treatments required when taking photographs, are used in certain models to provide additional functions: facial tracking, motion detection, the creation of panoramas, etc. (section 10.1);
• – programs which may be loaded onto camera hardware in order to increase performance beyond the levels intended by the manufacturer (section 10.2). Distributed by specialist suppliers, these programs either replace or supplement existing camera software. While programs of this type remain relatively rare at the time of writing (2015), they are likely to become more widespread due to the increasing synergy between photography and telecommunications;
• – finally, programs which are generally installed on a computer and used for postprocessing, in order to derive full benefit from the properties of the recorded signal and to provide additional functions: focus across the whole field, very high dynamics, etc. Many of these programs are still at the experimental stage, and can be used to test functions which may, 1 day, be integrated into camera hardware (section 10.3).

10.1. Integrated software

The software integrated into a camera is intrinsically linked with a ...