What makes a digital image, particularly a raw file, so special? We've compiled 10 intriguing facts about digital images that every photographer should know. While all of these are important, three stand out as particularly crucial for mastering image quality - more on those later..

Here are some interesting facts about digital image files that good to know:

1. Image Metadata (EXIF Data): Every digital image typically contains hidden metadata called EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) data. This includes information like the camera model, exposure settings, GPS location, and even the date and time the photo was taken.

2. Compression Loss: JPEG images are compressed to save space, but this compression can lead to a loss of detail. Each time a JPEG is saved, some data is lost, which can degrade the image quality over time.

3. Bit Depth and Colour: The bit depth of an image determines the number of colours it can display. For instance, an 8-bit image can show 16.7 million colours, while a higher bit depth, like 16-bit, can display billions of colours, providing more detailed gradients.

4. Colour Spaces: Digital images are created using different colour spaces like sRGB, Adobe RGB, or ProPhoto RGB. These colour spaces define the range of colours that can be represented in the image, with some spaces capturing a wider range of colours than others.

5. Resolution vs. PPI/DPI: Image resolution is often confused with PPI (Pixels Per Inch) or DPI (Dots Per Inch). Resolution refers to the total number of pixels in the image (e.g., 1920x1080), while PPI/DPI refers to the density of these pixels when printed, affecting the image's print quality but not its on-screen appearance.

6. Dynamic Range: Digital cameras capture a range of light from the darkest to the brightest parts of a scene, known as dynamic range. Some high-end cameras can capture a wider dynamic range, preserving more detail in shadows and highlights, while most smartphones have a more limited dynamic range.

7. File Formats Matter: Different image file formats serve different purposes. JPEG is common for general use due to its small file size, but RAW files preserve all the data captured by the camera's sensor, offering greater flexibility in post-processing.

8. Artefacts in Digital Images: When an image is heavily compressed or edited, artefacts like pixelation, banding, or colour distortions can appear. These artefacts are unwanted changes that can degrade the quality of the image.

9. Invisible Watermarks: Many digital images, especially those used professionally, can contain invisible watermarks. These watermarks aren't visible to the naked eye but can be detected by software to protect copyright and track the use of the image.

10. Digital Noise: In low light conditions, digital sensors can produce noise, which appears as grainy or speckled areas in the image. This noise is more prominent in images taken with high ISO settings or in very dark environments.

These facts reveal the complexity and intricacies involved in digital imaging, which go beyond what most people see on the surface.

Now, let's focus on the top three factors that truly help in achieving the perfect image, and even push it beyond expectations…

(3) Bit Depth & Colour, (6) Dynamic Range, (10) Digital Noise

I use bit depth in 16 bit to help fine tune the colour, and sometimes use pre-sets to cast a special theme. With the file in 16 bit, there is a lot of flexibility to create that surreal image.

The dynamic range helps recover any areas of under or over exposure, with a raw file, the flexibility is quite remarkable.

Digital noise, which with a hi res raw file this isn’t the biggest issue, (it can depend on how much you want to enlarge the image), and there are some remarkable post processing AI tools to help if needed.

While factors like image resolution, file type, and colour space are undeniably important, focusing on bit depth, dynamic range, and minimising digital noise provides a solid foundation for maximising the potential of every image.