BLOOMING

Definition: Each pixel (photosite) on a digital camera sensor (CCD/CMOS) has a limit as to how much charge it can store. Blooming (or Streaking) is the name given to an overflow of charge from an over saturated pixel (photosite) to the next on the sensor. This problem is addressed with the addition of "anti-blooming gates" which can be thought of as vertical drain ditches running beside each row of pixels, these gates allow the overflowing charge to run away without affecting surrounding pixels. Anti-blooming gates, while mostly successful (and certainly for more modern sensors) blooming can still be a problem in very extreme exposures (very bright edge against a virtually black edge) and is typically visible as either a vertical streak or white halo extending for several pixels. The effects of blooming often amplify the visibility of chromatic aberrations. Blooming is really good at destroying the detail of leaves shot against a bright sky.