Digital photography can be broken down into three main areas. Firstly, the input stage requires capturing a digital image through either a digital camera or other device such as a film or flatbed scanner. The next stage is the edit stage in which the digital images from the input devices are transferred to a computer for image manipulation or adjustments such as correcting red eye or color casts. The final stage involves outputting the image on a printer of which there are three main types: inkjet, laser and dye sublimation.

Another aspect to consider with regards to digital photography is storage. Memory cards have increased in capacity & have fallen in price in recent years but file sizes have also increased with 12 megapixel cameras becoming widely available.