Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

What does higher bit depth in imaging allow for?

1. Lower image quality

2. Greater color representation

3. Reduced file size

4. Faster processing

The correct answer is: Greater color representation

Higher bit depth in imaging allows for greater color representation. This is because bit depth defines the number of bits used to represent the color of each pixel in an image. A higher bit depth signifies more bits per pixel, which directly translates to a larger range of color values that can be displayed. For example, an image with 8-bit color depth can represent 256 different colors for each channel (red, green, and blue), whereas a 16-bit depth can represent 65,536 colors per channel. This increased range enables smoother gradients, improved detail in highlights and shadows, and an overall more vibrant image. Thus, photographers and digital artists favor higher bit depths for their ability to produce richer and more accurate color representations in their work.