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An image element, also known as a pixel, is the smallest component of an image and is used to describe the quality of graphic works, computer monitors, and televisions. The number of elements present is important for producing a smoother, higher quality image. DPI is used to measure the number of elements and is given in terms of the number of pixels available in each direction of the screen.
An image element is the smallest possible quantitative part of an image, whether printed or digitally displayed on a monitor or television screen. The term is generally used in reference to graphic works printed commercially or used in graphic design. It is also commonly used in reference to computer monitors and displays or televisions. The number of picture elements present in such a monitor is typically used to describe the quality of the monitor. An image element is rarely considered in traditional art forms, such as drawing or painting, although it can be important for certain techniques.
Also called a pixel, an image element does not have a set size for a given medium, but is instead a term referring to the smallest component of an image. One of the easiest ways to understand an element of a picture is to look at old newspaper images. These images were made up of tiny dots of ink that could easily be seen by looking closely or through a magnifying glass, similar to images created in artwork using pointillism or punctuation. Each tiny dot is an element of the picture and was the smallest ink dot that could be made conveniently at the time; pixels are smaller now as printing technology has improved.
While the number of image elements on a printed page has increased, as each ink dot has become smaller, it is still an important consideration. Many printers, both traditional and commercial, will advertise the dots per inch (DPI) the printer can produce, with higher numbers representing more image elements and better quality. This is because more dots in a small space are more difficult to distinguish visually and produce a smoother, higher quality image.
DPI can also be used to refer to video monitors and similar display devices. An image element on a monitor is a tiny aspect of the larger image. This can be seen most easily on older television screens; such screens, when viewed up close, can be seen as consisting of a number of small individual bright dots that make up the larger image.
Modern displays and monitors work in much the same way, although these small dots are usually a little harder to see. The resolution of a computer monitor is usually given in terms of the number of image elements available in each direction of the screen, 1024×768 being a monitor that is 1,024 pixels wide and 768 pixels tall. Similarly, high-definition televisions (HDTVs) will typically indicate the number of pixels found across the width of the screen, with higher numbers indicating higher picture quality.
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