From A to Z: A Photography Terms Glossary for All You Need to Know in Photography. Over 250 Photography Words to Learn from
To fully immerse yourself in the exciting world of photography, “From A to Z: Photography Terms Glossary” is an essential resource. This glossary is designed for anyone who wishes to improve their understanding of photographic principles and techniques; it covers a wide range of jargon, from the most basic to the most advanced. From complete beginners interested in learning about aperture and ISO to seasoned pros looking to improve their skills in lighting and composition, this web page has something for all. From the basic principles of exposure and digital photography to the technical points of taking picture-perfect portraits and breathtaking landscapes, it covers it all. It is a wealth of knowledge that will help you develop as a photographer and inspire your imagination.
A to Z: Photography Terms Glossary
- Active Autofocus: An autofocus system where the camera emits a beam to determine the distance to the subject for focus adjustment.
- Adobe: A software company known for products like Photoshop, widely used by creatives.
- Adobe Camera Raw (ACR): A Photoshop plugin for processing and enhancing raw images.
- AE Lock: Autoexposure lock allows users to lock exposure settings.
- AF Lock: Autofocus lock lets a photographer fix the focus point.
- Ambient Light: Natural or existing light in a scene, not added by the photographer.
- Angle of View (AOV): The visible scene a lens can capture.
- Aperture: The lens diaphragm opening controlling light entry, part of the Exposure Triangle.
- Aperture Priority: A mode where the user sets the aperture and the camera selects the shutter speed.
- APEX: A system for exposure computation, using Av and Tv for aperture and shutter speed.
- APS-C: A digital sensor size, smaller than full-frame, common in many cameras.
- APS-H: A sensor size larger than APS-C but smaller than full-frame, less common.
- Archival: Pertains to the longevity of photo storage, whether digital or print.
- ASA: Now known as ISO, it’s a standard for film sensitivity.
- Aspect Ratio: The width-to-height ratio of an image.
- Aspherical Lens: A lens with a non-spherical surface to reduce aberrations.
- Astrophotography: Capturing images of celestial bodies and night skies.
- Autofocus: The camera system that automatically adjusts the lens to focus on a subject.
B
- Back Button Focus: A technique separating autofocus from the shutter release.
- Background: The area behind the main subject of a photograph.
- Backlight: Illumination from behind the subject.
- Barrel Distortion: A lens effect making straight lines appear curved outward.
- Blown-Out Highlights: Overexposed areas in an image where detail is lost.
- Blue Hour: The time before sunrise and after sunset with blue-toned light.
- Bokeh: The aesthetic quality of out-of-focus areas in a photo.
- Bracketing: Taking multiple shots of the same scene with different settings.
- Brenizer Method: Creating a panorama with a shallow depth of field by stitching zoomed-in photos.
- Buffer: Camera memory that temporarily stores images before saving to a card.
- Bulb Mode: A camera mode for long exposures controlled by the shutter button.
- Burst Mode: Taking multiple photos in rapid succession.
C
- Cable Release: A device to trigger the camera shutter remotely.
- Camera: A device for capturing images, consisting of a light-proof box and a sensor or film.
- Camera Body: The main part of a camera, excluding the lens.
- Camera Obscura: An early form of a camera without film or sensors.
- Camera Shake: Blur caused by camera movement during exposure.
- Candid Photograph: A photo taken without the subject’s awareness.
- Catchlight: A reflection of a light source in the subject’s eyes.
- CCD Sensor: A type of image sensor known for high quality and sensitivity.
- Chimping: Checking every photo on the camera display immediately after taking it.
- Chromatic Aberration: Color fringing around high-contrast edges in an image.
- Cinemagraph: A still photo with a minor, repeated movement.
- Circular Polarizer Filter: A filter reducing glare and reflections, enhancing colors.
- Clipping: Loss of detail in the brightest or darkest parts of an image.
- CMOS Sensor: The most common type of image sensor, known for low power consumption.
- Cold Shoe: A mount on a camera for accessories without electronic connections.
- Compact Camera: Also known as a point-and-shoot camera.
- Composite Photograph: An image made by combining several photos.
- Composition: The arrangement of elements within a photo.
- Computational Photography: Using algorithms to enhance or manipulate images.
- Continuous Shooting: Another term for burst mode.
- Contrast: The difference in luminance or color that makes an object distinguishable.
- Contrast Detection Autofocus: An autofocus method using contrast for focusing.
- Copyright: Legal ownership of a creative work.
- Copyright Infringement: Unauthorized use of copyrighted material.
- Cropping: Cutting out parts of an image to change its composition.
- Crop Factor: The ratio of a sensor’s size to a 35mm film frame, affecting field of view.
- Crop Sensor: A digital sensor smaller than a full-frame, affecting the image’s field of view.
- Cross Processing: Developing film in the wrong type of chemicals for artistic effect.
- Crushed Shadows: Underexposed areas in an image where detail is lost.
D
- Daguerreotype: An early photographic process and the images it produces.
- Darkroom: A light-tight room for developing film and making prints.
- Depth of Field (DoF): The range in a photo that appears sharp; controlled by aperture.
- Diffused Light: Soft, even light with reduced shadows.
- Digital Asset Management (DAM): Software for storing, organizing, and sharing digital media.
- Digital Photography: Capturing images electronically, rather than on film.
- Digital Single-lens Reflex (DSLR) Camera: A camera combining SLR design with a digital sensor.
- Distortion: A deviation from straight lines in an image, often caused by lens characteristics.
- Dots Per Inch (DPI): A measure of printing resolution.
- Dust Spots: Unwanted spots in an image from dust on the sensor.
- Dynamic Range: The range of light intensities from the darkest to brightest in an image.
E
- Electronic Viewfinder (EVF): A digital display showing the lens’s view.
- Enlarger: A device for making larger photographic prints from negatives.
- ETTL: A flash metering mode for automatic flash exposure calculation.
- ETTR: A technique for maximizing dynamic range by slightly overexposing.
- EV: Exposure Value, representing a combination of aperture and shutter speed.
- Exhibition: A public display of photographs.
- EXIF: Metadata standard including camera settings and scene information.
- Exposure: The amount of light per unit area reaching the film or sensor.
- Exposure Bracketing: Taking multiple shots at different exposures.
- Exposure Compensation: Adjusting exposure beyond the camera’s metering.
- Exposure Triangle: The relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
- Extension Tube: A lens accessory for closer focusing and greater magnification.
F
- Field of View (FOV): The extent of the observable world seen at any moment.
- Fill Light: Secondary light source to lighten shadows.
- Film: A light-sensitive material used for capturing images in analog photography.
- Film Photography: Creating images on light-sensitive film.
- Fisheye Lens: A wide-angle lens with a field of view up to 180 degrees.
- Flag: A tool used in photography to block light.
- Flash: A device producing a brief burst of light for illumination.
- F-number: A number indicating the aperture size.
- Focal Length: The distance from the lens to the sensor when focused on a subject.
- Focus: Adjusting a lens to make the subject sharp.
- Focus Point: The specific point a camera’s autofocus system sharpens.
- Focal Plane Shutter: A type of shutter in front of the sensor.
- Focus Stacking: Combining photos at different focus distances for greater depth of field.
- Forced Perspective: A technique manipulating visual perception through scale and distance.
- Foreground: The part of a photo closest to the camera.
- Four Thirds: A digital camera sensor standard with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
- Frames Per Second (FPS): How many photos a camera can take per second.
- F-stop: A measure of aperture size.
G
- GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome): The desire to continually buy new camera equipment.
- Geotagging: Adding geographical location data to photos.
- GIF (Graphics Interchange Format): A bitmap image format.
- Gigapixel (GP): A photo or image resolution of one billion pixels.
- Glass: Slang for camera lenses.
- Gobo: An object placed between a light source and subject to alter the light.
H
- Hard Light: Direct light that causes sharp shadows.
- HDR (High Dynamic Range): A technique combining multiple exposures for more detail.
- Hyperfocal Distance: The closest distance at which a lens can be focused while keeping objects at infinity acceptably sharp.
- Hyperlapse: A moving timelapse video.
I
- IBIS (In-body Image Stabilization): Camera technology that stabilizes the sensor to counteract camera shake.
- Image Quality (IQ): The perceived visual attributes that determine the overall appeal of an image.
- Image Sensor: An electronic device that converts an optical image into electronic data.
- Image Stabilization (IS): Technology in cameras and lenses to reduce blur caused by camera shake.
- Intentional Camera Movement (ICM): A technique where the camera is deliberately moved during exposure for creative effect.
- Interchangeable Lens Camera (ILC): A camera that allows different lenses to be attached.
- Internal Focusing: Lens technology where the lens does not change in size during focusing.
- Intervalometer: A device for making timelapse videos, controlling the intervals between shots.
J
- JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): A popular image format with lossy compression.
- Juxtaposition: Placing two or more elements close together or side by side for comparison or contrast.
K
- Kelvin (K): A unit of measurement for the color temperature of light.
- Key Light: The main light source in a photographic lighting setup.
- Kicker Light: A light source used to accentuate a subject’s contours.
L
- Landscape Orientation: A horizontal orientation of a photo.
- Landscape Photography: Capturing images of nature and the outdoors.
- Large Format: Photography using a film or sensor larger than medium format, typically 4×5 inches or larger.
- LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): A screen technology used in cameras and other devices.
- LED (Light Emitting Diode): A technology used for lighting and displays in photography.
- Lens: An optical device used by a camera to focus light and create an image.
- Lens Flare: A photographic artifact caused by light scattering in the lens optics.
- Lens Hood: A device attached to the front of a lens to block unwanted light.
- Lens Mount: The interface between a camera body and a lens.
- Light Meter: A device used to measure the intensity of light.
- Light Painting: A technique of moving a light source during long exposure to create an image.
- Lighting Ratio: The ratio of light intensity between the key light and fill light.
- Long Exposure: Using a slow shutter speed to capture motion or shoot in low light.
- Loop Lighting: A lighting pattern where the light creates a small shadow of the nose on the cheek.
M
- Macro Lens: A lens designed for taking close-up photos.
- Macro Photography: Close-up photography of small subjects.
- Magic Hour: Another term for golden hour.
- Manual Focus (MF): Adjusting the focus of a lens manually, rather than automatically.
- Manual Mode: A camera setting that allows the photographer to control all exposure settings.
- Medium Format (MF): A camera sensor or film size larger than 35mm but smaller than large format.
- Megapixel (MP): A unit of resolution equal to one million pixels.
- Memory Card: A removable storage device used in cameras.
- Memory Card Reader: A device that reads data from a memory card.
- Metadata: Information that describes other data, such as the details of a photograph.
- Metering: The process of measuring light in a scene to determine the correct exposure.
- Metering Mode: The way a camera measures light to calculate exposure.
- Micro Four Thirds (MFT or M4/3): A standard for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras.
- Midtones: The middle range of tones in an image, neither dark shadows nor bright highlights.
- Minimum Focus Distance: The closest distance at which a lens can focus.
- Mirror Lockup: A feature that lifts the mirror out of the way before taking a photo to reduce vibration.
- Mirrorless Camera: A camera that does not have a reflex mirror, allowing for a smaller body.
- Mode Dial: A dial on a camera that allows the user to select different shooting modes.
- Moiré: A pattern that occurs when a scene contains repetitive details that exceed the sensor resolution.
- Monopod: A single-legged camera support.
- MTF (Modulation Transfer Function): A measurement of a lens’s optical performance.
- Multiple Exposure: Combining two or more exposures into a single image.
N
- Natural Light: Light from the sun or other natural sources.
- Nature Photography: Photography of the natural world.
- Negative: An image where the colors and brightness values are inverted.
- Negative Space: The area around the main subject of an image.
- Neutral Density Filter (ND): A filter that reduces the intensity of all wavelengths of light equally.
- Nifty Fifty: Slang for a 50mm prime lens.
- Noise: Unwanted random variations of brightness or color in images.
- Noise Reduction: Processing to reduce noise in an image.
- Normal Lens: A lens with a focal length roughly equal to the diagonal of the film or sensor size.
O
- Optical Viewfinder (OVF): A viewfinder that allows the photographer to compose a shot through the lens.
- Overexposure: A condition where too much light is recorded, resulting in a too-bright image.
P
- Panning: Moving the camera along with a moving subject during exposure to create a sharp subject against a blurred background.
- Panorama: A wide-angle view of a scene, often created by stitching multiple images together.
- Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF): An autofocus system that quickly measures the convergence of two light beams.
- Photo Walk: An activity where photographers walk and take photos together.
- Photogram: An image made by placing objects directly on light-sensitive material.
- Photograph: An image created by capturing light on a photosensitive surface.
- Photographer: Someone who takes photographs.
- Photography: The art or practice of creating images by recording light.
- Pinhole Camera: A simple camera with no lens, just a small aperture.
- Pixel: The smallest unit of a digital image, representing a single point of color.
- Pixel Peeping: Examining images at high magnification to evaluate quality.
- Point-and-Shoot Camera: A small, easy-to-use camera with automatic systems for setting exposure.
- Polarizing Filter: A filter that reduces reflections and enhances colors by polarizing light.
- Portfolio: A collection of a photographer’s work, often used to showcase their skills.
- Portrait: A photograph of a person or animal, focusing on the face.
- Portrait Mode: A camera mode designed to optimize settings for portrait photography.
- Portrait Orientation: The vertical orientation of a camera or image.
- Post-Processing: Editing and enhancing photos after they are taken.
- PPI (Pixels Per Inch): A measurement of image resolution on digital displays.
- Prime Lens: A fixed focal length lens known for high quality and fast apertures.
- Print: A physical copy of a photograph.
- Product Photography: Taking pictures of products to highlight their features for commercial use.
- Program (P) Mode: A semi-automatic shooting mode where the camera selects exposure settings.
Q
R
- RAW: A file format that captures all image data recorded by the camera’s sensor.
- Rear-Curtain Sync: A flash technique where the flash fires just before the shutter closes.
- Red Eye: An effect where eyes appear red in photos, caused by flash reflection.
- Reflector: A device that reflects light to illuminate a subject.
- Rembrandt Lighting: A lighting technique that creates a triangle of light on the cheek.
- Resolution: The amount of detail an image holds.
- RGB (Red, Green, Blue): A color model used for digital imaging.
- Rim Light: Lighting that outlines a subject.
- Rule of Thirds: A composition principle that divides an image into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, for more dynamic compositions.
S
- Saturation: The intensity of colors in an image.
- Scene Modes: Preset camera settings for specific shooting conditions.
- Scrim: A device that diffuses light for softer illumination.
- SD (Secure Digital): A popular format for digital storage in cameras.
- Secret Photography: Taking photos without the subject’s knowledge.
- Selfie: A self-portrait photo typically taken with a smartphone.
- Self Portrait: A photo taken by the photographer, of themselves.
- Shadows: Dark areas in an image, opposite of highlights.
- Sharpness: The clarity of detail in a photo.
- Shutter Lag: The delay between pressing the shutter button and when the photo is actually taken.
- Shutter Priority: A mode where the photographer selects the shutter speed, and the camera chooses the aperture.
- Shutter-Release Button: The button pressed to take a photo.
- Shutter Speed: The duration of the shutter’s opening to expose the sensor or film to light.
- Single-Lens Reflex (SLR): A camera with a mirror that reflects the lens’s view to the viewfinder.
- Softbox: A light modifier that diffuses light for softer shadows.
- Soft Light: Light that produces soft shadows and gentle transitions between light and dark.
- Spot Metering: Metering light from a small, specific area of the scene.
- Spray and Pray: Taking many shots hoping one will be successful.
- SOOC (Straight Out of Camera): Images as they are captured, without post-processing.
- Stop: A measure of exposure change, doubling or halving the amount of light.
- Stop Up/Down: Adjusting the aperture to change the amount of light exposure.
- Straight Photography: Photography that attempts to depict a scene as realistically and naturally as possible.
- Street Photography: Capturing candid moments and everyday life in public spaces.
- Strobe: A powerful flash used in photography.
- Sunny 16 Rule: A guideline for manual exposure settings under bright sunlight.
- Super-Telephoto Lens: A lens with a very long focal length, ideal for distant subjects.
- Symmetry: Balance and harmony of elements within the photo.
T
- Teleconverter: An accessory that increases the effective focal length of a lens.
- Telephoto Lens: A lens designed to magnify distant subjects.
- Tethered Shooting: Connecting a camera to a computer for immediate image review.
- TIFF (Tagged Image File Format): A high-quality graphic format used for storing images.
- Tilt-Shift Lens: A lens that can tilt and shift to control perspective and depth of field.
- Timelapse: A video created from a series of photos taken at regular intervals.
- Tonal Range: The range of tones from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights in an image.
- Tripod: A three-legged stand to stabilize a camera.
- TTL (Through The Lens): A method for measuring flash exposure through the lens.
- Twin-Lens Reflex (TLR): A camera with two identical lenses, one for viewing and one for taking the picture.
U
- Umbrella: A tool used in photography to diffuse light.
V
- V-flat: A foldable large panel used to reflect or block light.
- Vibrance: Adjusting the intensity of less saturated colors more than the already vibrant colors.
- Viewfinder: The part of the camera through which the photographer views the scene.
- Vignetting: Darkening of the corners of an image, often used for artistic effect.
W
- Watermark: An identifying mark added to an image to protect copyright.
- Wedding Photography: Capturing images related to weddings and ceremonies.
- White Balance (WB): Adjusting colors so that they appear as they do in real life under different lighting.
- Wide-Angle Lens: A lens with a short focal length and wide field of view.
- Wide Open: Using the largest possible aperture of a lens.
- Wildlife Photography: Capturing images of animals in their natural habitats.
X
Y
Z
- Zebra Pattern: A camera feature displaying striped patterns to indicate overexposed areas.
- Zone System: A photographic technique for optimizing exposure developed by Ansel Adams.
0-9
- 35mm: A film format and the basis for the full-frame digital sensor size.
- 35mm Equivalent: Comparing lens focal lengths across different sensor sizes.
- 500 Rule: A guideline for avoiding star trails in night sky photography by sett
