Bit-mapped

Bit-mapped refers to the way in which images are reproduced in a grid of dots, known as pixels. Each pixel within a bit-mapped image is a distinctive shade of black, white or grey. Consequently, when all of the pixels are lined up, they can reproduce the image on a macro scale. Each pixel is assigned one, three or four numbers that range from 0 to 255.

Bit-mapped images (also be known as pixel-oriented images, paint images or raster images) become more refined the higher the resolution of film used. This means that with higher resolution film the individual pixels of a bit-mapped image become less and less noticeable.

Modern technology has allowed photographers and graphic designers to use computer software to manipulate the pixels of a bit-mapped image which alters the resulting photograph or image.

Photographs taken with a digital camera, comprised of bit-mapped images, can be scanned or burned onto CDs. Moreover, bit-mapped images are also used in computerized graphic media to add dimension to pages by using various pixel sizes.