Glossary

EXIF (Exchangeable Image File)
EXIF is a file format published by JEIDA (Japan Electronic Industry Development Association)
Most of the digital cameras store image information in JPG files using Exif specifications. The Exif stores metadata (extended camera information) in the JPG file.
The digital cameras record information such the time and date the shot was taken, the maker and model of the camera, Shutter Speed during exposition, ISO, aperture and few other informations.
DCE uses these information to adjust the processing, that means each image will be processed differently according to the metadata parameters.

Shutter Speed
The shutter speed is the time the shutter covering the CCD exposes it to light. The normal shutter speeds are fractions of a second, for example 1/250. Such number is often shown on cameras either as 1/250 or simple as 250. A slow shutter speed can be from 1 sec. to 30 sec. or even more. It is usually marked as 1", 2" etc.

F-number
F-Number indicate the relative size of the lens aperture opening. The larger the F-number the smaller the aperture (opening), and thus the less light it allows in. Each number is multiplied by a factor of 1.4. The standard numbers are 1.0,1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32, etc., and each step results in a half of the amount of light exposed on the CCD. Each lens can have different maximum aperture. Such number is indicated on the lens in form f/2.8 Lenses with a larger maximum aperture would be called in a photographic jargon "fast".

ISO Speed
The international standard for representing a film sensitivity. The higher the number, the greater the sensitivity, and vice versa. ISO 200 is twice as sensitive as ISO 100, and half that of ISO 400.
In digital cameras the ISO number is calibrated as a CCD sensitivity and it is a changeable parameter. The higher ISO sensitivity of CCD the better will camera operate in dark but the more noisy will be the image.