Can Non-Live Images Be Captured on a Screen?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of capturing images on a screen, specifically distinguishing between live and non-live images, and exploring the definitions of real and virtual images in optics. Participants are examining the terminology and implications of these concepts in both practical and theoretical contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion regarding the phrase 'images can be caught or cannot be caught on a screen', questioning whether only non-live images can be captured.
  • One participant suggests that real images can be projected onto a screen, while virtual images cannot be directly projected, indicating a distinction based on optical definitions.
  • Another participant argues that virtual images, as perceived on a computer screen, can indeed be projected onto a larger screen, challenging the traditional optical definition of virtual images.
  • A participant clarifies that light from a screen represents an "object" rather than an image in optical terms, and discusses the nature of images formed by mirrors and telescopes.
  • There is a sentiment that the term "virtual" has been appropriated in various fields, leading to confusion about its meaning in the context of optics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the definitions and implications of real and virtual images, with multiple competing views and ongoing confusion regarding terminology.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions about the definitions of 'virtual' and 'screen', as well as the implications of these definitions in different contexts, such as optics versus digital displays.

Amrutha Purna
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I don't understand what's meant by 'images can be caught or cannot be caught on a screen?'. Can we catch the pictures which are not live only?
 
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Can you show a source for where your quote comes from? I'm not aware of it and don't quite understand it.

I also don't understand your question. We can only record what the camera can see, in that respect, if it is in front of the camera and within its spectrum we can record it.
 
Amrutha Purna said:
I don't understand what's meant by 'images can be caught or cannot be caught on a screen?'. Can we catch the pictures which are not live only?

I guess you are talking about real and virtual images.
Real images can be taken on a screen but virtual images cannot (directly).
 
Virtual images cannot be 'projected' onto a screen. If you can see an image, though, it can be photographed.
I think this is just a matter of terminology and "caught" is not the best word to get the idea across..
 
So what is a virtual image then?

To me, a virtual image is everything on my computer screen now (and it certainly can be projected onto a screen - as it is doing now, and as it would do if hooked up to a projector).

Or are there some special definitions of 'virtual' and 'screen' at play here?

EDIT: I read the wiki.

So a virtual image isn't what I'm thinking of as 'virtual'. It is referring specifically to optics, which I feel is a detail that should be in the OP.
 
Light is actually coming from your screen - and it is actually an "object" rather than an image in optical terms.
The image projected onto a film screen is real. The image you see in a mirror is only there 'in your brain' because your brain makes the best sense of the light entering your eyes and tells you that there is a person standing somewhere buried in the wall of your bathroom. That's virtual.
Also, the image that is formed half way through a Newtonian or reflecting telescope (or a microscope) is real because light actually passes through a real point in space; you could put a small screen there and there would be something to see.

These computer types have hijacked the word "virtual'. You can't trust anyone.
 
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sophiecentaur said:
These computer types have hijacked the word "virtual'. You can't trust anyone.

Along with electronics, philosophy, mathematics, medicine, entertainment, education and business (according to wiki).

So I'd say my confusion is justified.
 
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