Visual content	Issues for visual content	Image production	Image acquisition	Image manipulation	Image creation

Flatbed scanners

• A flatbed scanner copies images to your computer.
• It can also copy documents and large format transparencies (with an adapter).
• Software is required to provide an interface with the scanner (TWAIN driver), to manipulate scanned images (image editing software) and to convert scanned documents to text (OCR software).
• Scanner settings allow you to set image mode and image size, and to crop and make tonal adjustments. Scan images larger and higher quality than you need.

Film scanners

• A film scanner will produce a far superior scan from 35mm film than a flatbed scanner.
• Film scanners may have some special functions such as: batch scanning and specialised filters.
• Film scanners are expensive, so consider other options before purchasing.

Digital cameras

• Advantages of using a digital camera include: convenience, auto colour balance, shadow/highlight detail, useful for image databases.
• Disadvantages include: low image quality (resolution, compression and optical), less control than with an SLR, slow operation and short battery life.
• Professional models have better quality and functionality than 'domestic' models.
• The images, which are usually saved to a memory card or disk, can be downloaded directly to your computer.

Copyright

• Copyright material includes any work created by another person (published or not).
• 'Fair dealing' allows the copying of a work for the purposes of review, criticism, research or personal study. Sufficient acknowledgement of the work is required. Creating multiple copies or publishing to the web for distribution to students is not covered by this provision.
• 'Educational license' may be acquired by your institution to allow copying for students, or publishing to a restricted website. You will need to keep a record of what you copy, and submit it for audit.
• Any other use of copyright material must be cleared with the owner of the copyright, who may be the author, employer, publisher etc. A fee may be payable.