Video Artifacts

Video Artifacts

See where an image goes wrong—then follow the same phenomenon from physical mechanism to mathematics, shader code, and a live experiment.

Written, illustrated, and programmed byGeorge Ostrobrod.

System Map Browse

From light to light

Image lifecycleOne lifecycle, three technological paths
InputScene light

Light reflected or emitted by the scene enters the image system.

Capture · material

Film camera

Optics expose a photosensitive layer.
RepresentationLatent imagePhotochemical state
CarrierPhotochemical filmStrip · reel · print
ReproductionFilm projectorLamp · gate · lens
Capture · scanned charge

Analog electronic camera

A tube reads the image continuously.
RepresentationAnalog video signalContinuously varying voltage
Carrier / transportTape or radioStored or transmitted waveform
ReproductionCRT / projectorScan becomes visible light
Capture · sampled charge

Digital camera

A sensor samples the optical image.
RepresentationDigital framesSamples · pixels · code values
Carrier / transportMemory, file, streamEncoded numerical data
ReproductionDigital displayPanel or projector
OutputReproduced light

The represented image becomes light for an observer again.

Open the detailed system map

New in the handbook

01

System map

One lifecycle, three camera families

The atlas now follows film, analog electronic, and digital paths from scene light to reproduced light.Open section 02

Component

Inside the lens system

A new objective-level overview connects lens groups, aperture, focus mechanics, and their artifact families.Open section 03

Complete effect

Radial distortion, from optics to GLSL

The first finished article combines physical explanation, mathematics, documented shader code, and a live playground.Open section

Enter where the question begins