Creating a digital picture is so simple today that when we pick up our camera and push the button, we don't put any thought into the process that we just set into motion. The chain of events that occurs to create the photograph is called the imaging chain. The scientists and engineers who design digital cameras love to dive deep into the physics and the mathematics of the imaging chain, but discussing the imaging chain with people not well versed in this language will usually produce a blank stare or a yawn.

This book discusses the concepts used to design digital cameras for people who don't want to be blinded with equations and bored with geek speak. It will help the individuals who work with camera designers and want to know, but are sometimes afraid to ask, why they keep babbling about an "MTF" or some other mysterious acronym. If you ever wondered why pinstripe suits turn psychedelic on TV or why crosses appear on pictures of stars, the imaging chain will give you the answers, and this book is for you.

Many of us working in technical fields hesitate when people ask us to explain what we do for a living. After I received my degree in optics, I sometimes found myself saying "yes" when older relatives asked if I worked on eyeglasses. Explaining that I work on the design of digital cameras by modeling the imaging chain is sure to produce blank stares or questions such as, "Can I buy an imaging chain in the store?" When I attempt to explain further, I usually fall into the trap of using the scientific language that I have grown accustomed to with my colleagues. This, of course, produces a long yawn from the listener, who then says, "Interesting," and saunters into another room.

Formation of a Digital Image: The Imaging Chain Simplified discusses the process that creates digital images for people who don't want to be blinded with equations and bored with geek speak. This book is written for individuals who work with camera designers and want to know but are sometimes afraid to ask why they keep babbling about an MTF or some other mysterious acronym. If you ever wonder why pinstripe suits turn psychedelic on TV or why crosses appear on pictures of stars, I hope you will find this book helpful, and I apologize in advance for sometimes getting too close to geek speak. Habits are very hard to break. If nothing else, this book has photos of puppies that you will hopefully enjoy.

Bob Fiete

January 2012

Rochester, New York