Chapter 12: Images GRADE 6 Key Points

Key objectives
In this chapter you will learn about:
• Resizing
• Colour depth
• Resolution
• Brightness
• Contrast
• Aspect ratio
• Text wrapping
• Cropping
• Rotation
• Reflection

Key terms and Definitions

A. Resize
Change the physical size of an image

B. Text wrap
Change the properties of an image to force text to flow around, over or behind it.

C. Cropping
Remove part of an image by cutting one or more edges from it to create an image with
a different size.

D. Rotation
Turn an image (usually either clockwise or anticlockwise (counterclockwise) through a
specified number of degrees).

E. Reflection
Flip an image (usually either horizontally or vertically).

F. Colour depth
The number of bits used to represent each colour within a single pixel.

G. Aspect ratio
The ratio of the width to the height of an image.

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Editing an image
Images can be edited in many ways; they often have to be edited to fit into a pre-
defined space or placeholder. How they are edited depends upon the task, but it is
usual to make sure that the proportions of the image are not changed. Take care when
considering the use of the image and its audience, for example, if an image is to be
included on a web page, then a low-resolution image may be required. However, if an
image is to be included in an enlarged publication, then a high-resolution image would
be better to help reduce pixilation.

Resizing an image with aspect ratio maintained

Although resizing appears the easiest image editing skill, we often use the drag
handles of an image without considering the loss of the aspect ratio of the image.
It is better to use the ‘Properties' window for the image and set the size there. This
can help make sure that the aspect ratio is maintained (some software requires you to
tick the 'Constrain proportions' check box).

If an image size is specified on the question paper, resizing in this way makes sure that
the image is exactly the right size, whereas using the drag handles is not always as
accurate.

Wrapping text around an image

We can surround (wrap) an image with text.
There are a number of different types of text wrapping, which are detailed as follows:

• In line with text - Image becomes an in-line graphic and is treated as a text
character within the line of text. It will move if new text is inserted or deleted.

• Square - Text flows around a rectangular placeholder.

• Top and bottom- Text flows above and below the image but not alongside it.

• Tight - Text flows all around the image, but not inside if it contains white space.

• Through - Text flows all around and inside the image if it contains white space.

• Behind - Image is placed behind the text, which is ideal for watermarks in
documents.

• In front - Image is placed in front of the text.

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Placing an image
Where possible use the Position...' tab to align an image to the margins. Place it precisely so
that the edges of the image match one or more margin/s. Dragging images to place them is
less accurate.

Adding borders to an image

Image border can sometimes be added to show the examiner that you have placed an image
precisely, especially when the image has white space around the edges.

Cropping, rotating, and reflecting an image

When you crop an image, you remove part of an image by cutting one or more edges from it
to create an image with a different size. Rotating an image means to turn the image clockwise
or counterclockwise. Reflecting an image means to create a mirror image of it.

Adjust the colour depth of an image

The colour depth is the number of bits used to store the colour code for each pixel. There are
three components (called channels) to each pixel. These are red, green and blue. The colour
depth is the number of bits per channel x3. The higher the colour depth the more colours can
be displayed in the image.

Adjust the resolution of an image

The image resolution is the number of pixels per inch (or for printed documents the number
of dots per inch). These are set within your graphics package. If images are low resolution
(have a small number of pixels per inch) they have a smaller file size and, therefore, transfer
faster than a high-resolution image which has a larger file size.

Brightness and contrast of an image

The relative brightness of an image, as well as its contrast (that is, the difference between an
image's darkest and lightest areas) can both be adjusted.

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