Photography Terminology You Should Know

Aspect Ratio, Dynamic Range, Focal Length! What does it all mean? As a beginner in photography, you will hear lots of Photography terminology that sounds like they’ve come straight from a sci-fi novel. Well, fear not my learner friends, here we bring you the A-Z of photography terminology.

Our free downloadable guide is here to help the beginner photographer learn easier by explaining all the photography terminology. From Aperture to Zoom Lens here you’ll get all the camera terms explained and what’s more, it’s totally free!

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A-Z of Photography Terminology Explained

Photography terminology starting with A

Aperture - Aperture is the opening through which light passes through the lens to enter the camera. Its size can be modified to control how much light reaches the sensor or negative film. The diameter of the aperture, also known as the F-stop, affects the exposure and depth of field.

Aspect ratio - Aspect ratio defines the relationship between an image’s lengths, represented as width: height. It is predetermined by the dimensions of the camera’s sensor but can be altered in post-processing. The most common aspect ratios are 3:2 (full-frame, mirrorless, 35mm film) and 4:3 (most DSLRs).

APS-C - The APS-C Sensor is smaller than a full-frame sensor but larger than what’s found in point-and-shoot cameras or smartphones. Typically, it’s around 22mm x 15mm in size. It’s often more affordable than cameras with full frame sensors but has a crop factor typically around 1.5x or 1.6x. If you want to know all about APS-c VS Full Frame cameras check out our blog.

Aperture priority mode (A/AV) - In this mode, the photographer sets the desired aperture value (f-stop), while the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed to achieve the proper exposure based on the chosen aperture setting and the camera's metering system.

Autofocus - Autofocus (AF) is a feature found in most modern cameras, both digital and film, that automatically adjusts the focus of the camera's lens to ensure sharp and clear images. Instead of manually turning the focus ring on the lens to achieve focus, autofocus systems use various techniques to detect and lock onto the subject, making photography more convenient and accessible to users.

Auto mode - In auto mode, the camera takes control of various exposure parameters such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, white balance, and sometimes even focus, to produce a properly exposed image.

Adjustment Layer - An adjustment layer is a non-destructive editing tool commonly used in image editing software like Adobe Photoshop. It allows you to apply various adjustments and effects to an image without directly modifying the original pixel data. Instead, the adjustments are applied as separate layers on top of the image layer, allowing for flexibility and control over the editing process.

Analogue - Analogue photography is another way to describe Film photography – non-digital photographic processes.

Angle of view - It represents the angular extent of the scene visible through the lens, from one side to the other, as perceived by the camera.

Analogue Colours - The analogue colours are Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (black). By combining different percentages of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black in printing, a wide range of colours can be reproduced. This CMYK colour mixing process is subtractive, meaning that the colours subtract light as they are mixed, unlike the additive colour model used in digital displays, where colours are combined by adding light (such as in RGB, which stands for Red, Green, Blue). CMYK is the standard colour model used in most colour printing processes, including offset printing, digital printing, and commercial printing.

Abstract Photography - Abstract generally is a style that doesn't attempt to represent an accurate depiction of visual reality. Instead, Abstract Photography uses shapes, forms, colours, and gestural marks to achieve its effect, often departing from recognizable imagery.

Ambient Light - Ambient light is the existing or available light in a scene that is not produced by any artificial light sources such as flashes or studio lights. It is also sometimes referred to as natural light, though it can include both natural outdoor light and indoor light from sources like windows, lamps, or overhead lighting.

Aerial Photography - Aerial photography is capturing photographs of the earth's surface from an elevated perspective, typically from an aircraft, drone, or satellite. This elevated vantage point allows photographers to capture sweeping vistas, landscapes, urban areas, and other subjects that are not easily accessible from the ground. Aerial photography is used for various purposes, including cartography, urban planning, environmental monitoring, archaeology, filmmaking, and artistic expression.

Artefacts - Artefacts are undesired or unintended visual anomalies or distortions that appear in an image due to various factors such as equipment limitations, technical errors, or image processing.

Album - An album is a way to present photography in a printed manner.

Architecture Photography - Architecture Photography is a specialized genre of photography focused on capturing images of buildings, structures, and architectural spaces. It aims to showcase architectural subjects' design, aesthetics, and spatial qualities while highlighting their form, function, and context.

Action Photography - Action photography is a genre of photography focused on capturing dynamic and fast-paced subjects or activities in motion. It involves freezing or capturing the movement of subjects such as athletes, wildlife, vehicles, dancers, or any other moving objects, often in challenging or unpredictable conditions.

Archiving - Archiving is organizing, storing, and preserving photographs and related materials for long-term access and preservation. Archiving ensures that photographs are properly managed, protected from damage or deterioration, and accessible for future generations to study, enjoy, and appreciate.

Auto White Balance - A feature found in digital cameras that automatically adjusts the colour balance of an image to represent white tones under different lighting conditions accurately. White balance is crucial in photography because different light sources, such as daylight, tungsten bulbs, fluorescent lights, or candlelight, have different colour temperatures, which can result in images with unnatural or off-colour casts if not properly adjusted.

Adapter - A device or accessory used to connect or attach camera equipment, accessories, or lenses that are not directly compatible with each other due to differences in mount types, thread sizes, or other specifications. Adapters enable photographers to expand the compatibility and versatility of their camera gear, allowing them to use lenses, filters, or accessories from different manufacturers or systems.

Albumen Print - An albumen print is a type of photographic print made using the albumen (egg white) of a chicken egg as the binding agent for light-sensitive photographic chemicals. Albumen prints were one of the most popular photographic processes in the 19th century, particularly during the mid-to-late 1800s, and were widely used for producing photographic prints from glass plate negatives.

Ambrotype - An ambrotype is a type of early photographic process popular in the mid-19th century, primarily during the 1850s and 1860s. It involves creating a positive photographic image on a glass plate coated with a light-sensitive emulsion. Ambrotypes were primarily used for producing one-of-a-kind portrait photographs, although they could also be used for other types of subjects.

Astrophotography - Astrophotography is a specialized genre of photography that focuses on capturing images of celestial objects and astronomical phenomena, including stars, planets, galaxies, nebulae, and other celestial bodies. Caught the bug for capturing the stars? Check out our Astrophotography Course with Ben Bush!

Photography terminology starting with B

Blue hour - Blue hour is the short period of time before sunrise or after sunset when the sun is just below the horizon. Indirect sunlight is evenly diffused and takes on a blue shade. The duration on the blue hour varies depending on the location, but generally lasts less than an hour.

Bokeh - Bokeh is an optical phenomenon that makes bright out-of-focus elements aesthetically pleasing. Using a fast lens at its wider aperture turns a busy background into a blurred, homogenic canvas where light appears as soft shapes. The form of these points of lights is determined by the number of blades in the diaphragm – the higher the number, the more circular these elements will appear. To learn about creating bokeh in your own photography, check out our tutorial!

Bracketing - Bracketing is the action of capturing the same shot using different exposure values to make sure the whole scene is exposed properly. Bracketing can be done manually or using the auto exposure bracketing (AEB) function. In most cameras, AEB allows photographers to select the exposure compensation for the additional shots, which are taken automatically as you press the shutter release. For most compositions, a 1/3 exposure compensation is the way to go.

Bulb - Bulb is a camera setting that holds the shutter open for as long as the shutter release button is pressed. In some cases, the shutter release needs to be pressed once to open the shutter and once to close it, rather than remaining pushed down. This mode allows photographers to capture longer exposures than the ones offered by the camera (usually up to 30”). Looking to finesse your Long Exposure photography? Check out our course!

Burst rate - Burst rate is the number of consecutive shots a camera can take in continuous shooting mode. When using this mode, images are stored in a high-speed buffer memory before being transferred to the memory card. Once the buffer is full, the camera will reduce the FPS to give it enough time to free space. Burst rate can be affected by image formats, as it depends on the file size, as well as by the speed of the memory card used.

Bridge Camera - A bridge camera is a type of digital camera that bridges the gap between point-and-shoot cameras and DSLRs. It typically features a fixed lens with a versatile zoom range, manual controls for exposure settings, and advanced features such as image stabilization and electronic viewfinders.

Buffer - A temporary storage area in a digital camera's memory where images are held before being written to the memory card. A larger buffer allows the camera to capture a series of images in rapid succession without waiting for the previous images to be fully processed and written to the memory card.

Bleach - In traditional film photography, bleach is a chemical solution used in the bleaching step of the colour development process. Bleach removes the metallic silver from the developed film or print, leaving behind a transparent image with only the dye colours remaining.

Burn - Burning is a darkroom technique used in film photography to selectively increase the exposure of specific areas of a print. By exposing certain areas of the print to additional light during printing, the photographer can darken or intensify those areas to adjust the overall contrast and tonal balance of the image.

Backlighting - Backlighting refers to the technique of positioning the main source of light behind the subject, illuminating the subject from the rear. Backlighting can create a dramatic silhouette effect, highlight the contours of the subject, or produce a halo-like glow around the edges.

Brightness - The perceived intensity of light in an image. In photography, brightness can be adjusted using exposure settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity, as well as post-processing techniques such as brightness/contrast adjustments.

Background - The area behind the main subject of the image. The background plays a crucial role in composition and can either complement or detract from the subject, depending on factors such as depth of field, lighting, and framing.

Balance - The distribution of visual elements within an image to create a sense of harmony and equilibrium. Balance can be achieved through careful composition, symmetry, and the arrangement of contrasting elements such as light and dark, colour, and texture.

Black and white - Black and white photography is a style of photography that captures images using only shades of grey, ranging from pure black to pure white, without colour. Black and white photography emphasizes form, texture, and contrast, and can evoke a timeless and nostalgic mood. Want to learn how to make great black-and-white photographs? Watch our tutorial!

Blur - An aesthetic effect of rendering parts of an image out of focus or softened. Blur can be intentional, such as creating a shallow depth of field to isolate the subject, or unintentional, resulting from camera shake, motion blur, or a slow shutter speed.

Bracketed Exposure - Bracketed exposure is a technique used to capture multiple exposures of the same scene at different exposure settings, typically varying the aperture, shutter speed, or ISO sensitivity. Bracketing ensures that at least one exposure captures the optimal exposure for the scene, especially in situations with challenging lighting conditions.

Battery Grip - An accessory that attaches to the bottom of a camera body, providing additional battery capacity and a vertical shutter release button for shooting in portrait orientation. Battery grips are commonly used in DSLR cameras to extend shooting time and improve handling.

Back Button Focus - Back button focus is a focusing technique that separates the autofocus function from the shutter release button on a camera. By assigning autofocus to a dedicated button on the back of the camera, photographers can control focus independently of shutter release, allowing for greater control over focus tracking and composition.

Bounce Flash - Where the flash unit is aimed at a reflective surface, such as a ceiling or wall, rather than directly at the subject. Bounce flash produces softer, more diffused lighting and reduces harsh shadows and reflections on the subject.

Beauty Dish - A type of lighting modifier used to create soft, flattering light for portrait photography. It typically consists of a shallow dish-shaped reflector with a central light source, designed to produce even, diffused light with a subtle wrapping effect on the subject's face.

Barn Doors - A type of adjustable light modifier used to control the direction and spread of light from a studio strobe or continuous light source. Barn doors consist of adjustable flaps or panels attached to the front of the light source, allowing photographers to shape and direct the light as desired.

Photography terminology starting with C

Candid – a shot taken of someone who wasn’t expecting it or who wasn’t posing. Common in street or documentary photography.

Chromatic Aberration – the effect caused by the refraction of different wavelengths of light. Seen in an image via coloured lines (usually green or purple) on edges of objects such as rocks or buildings.

Composite - A composite is a picture created by combining multiple images into a single one. The most common uses of this practice include removing unwanted elements, creating surreal images, and generating time-lapse style compositions. To create a composite photo, photographers usually layer the images one on top of the another and mask out the undesirable parts

Composition – the word composition means combining or 'putting together’ parts to form a whole. In photography, composition is how you arrange the elements of your scene within your frame. You have rules of composition such as the rule of thirds. Click here to see a video on how to use composition to improve portraiture.

Contrast – the difference between the dark and light areas of an image. Higher contrast images have darker shadows and brighter highlights whereas low contrast images will have less definition between the lights and darks.

Crop factor – this is the size of a camera sensor proportionate to a 35mm sensor, sometimes called a full-frame sensor. The 35mm full frame sensor is based on the old 35mm film size. Crop sensors are a cropped version of this. Common crop sensors are APS-C and micro 4/3. The crop factor of your sensor is to do with the effect of the focal length equivalent on a full frame camera. E.g. an APS-C sensor has a crop factor of x1.6. This means if you multiply the focal length on a APS-C camera by 1.6 you will get the equivalent focal length on a full frame camera. For a more info on this click here for our ‘Sensor Sizes Explained’ video.

Compact camera - Also known as a point-and-shoot camera, is a small and lightweight digital camera designed for easy and convenient use. Compact cameras typically feature automatic exposure modes, built-in lenses, and simplified controls, making them suitable for casual photography and everyday use.

Crop - Cropping refers to the process of removing unwanted parts of an image by selecting and trimming a portion of the frame. Cropping can be used to improve composition, eliminate distractions, or change the aspect ratio of an image. Digital image editing software allows photographers to crop images non-destructively, preserving the original file while applying the desired crop.

Close-up - Close-up photography involves capturing images of subjects at close range, emphasizing fine details, textures, and patterns. Close-up photography is often used to photograph small objects, macro subjects, or intimate portraits, allowing viewers to see details that may not be visible to the naked eye.

Continuous Shooting – Also known as burst mode, is a feature found in digital cameras that allows photographers to capture a rapid sequence of images in quick succession by holding down the shutter button. Continuous shooting is useful for capturing fast-moving subjects, action shots, or moments that require precise timing.

Cyan - Cyan is one of the primary colours in the subtractive colour model, along with magenta and yellow. In photography, cyan is commonly used in colour printing and reproduction processes to create a range of blue-green hues in images. Cyan is also one of the colour channels in digital image editing, representing the blue-green colour range.

Clarity - In digital image editing, the clarity adjustment enhances mid-tone contrast and edge definition, resulting in a crisper and more defined appearance. Increasing clarity can help bring out texture and detail in images, while reducing clarity can create a softer and more diffused effect.

Curves - Curves is a tool found in digital image editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, that allows photographers to adjust the tonal range and contrast of an image by manipulating the brightness and contrast curve. By adjusting the curve, photographers can fine-tune the highlights, shadows, and mid-tones to achieve the desired tonal balance and contrast in the image. Become a curves MASTER with our free photoshop tutorial!

Capture One - Capture One is a professional-grade photo editing and raw conversion software developed by Phase One. It is widely used by professional photographers and studios for tethered shooting, raw processing, colour grading, and image editing. Capture One offers advanced features for precise control over colour, exposure, and detail, making it a popular choice for commercial and studio photography.

Contrast Ratio - Contrast ratio is a measure of the difference in brightness between the darkest and lightest parts of an image. In photography, contrast ratio is an important consideration for achieving optimal exposure and dynamic range. High-contrast images have a greater difference between highlights and shadows, while low-contrast images have a more subdued tonal range.

Colour Space - A colour space, also known as a colour model or colour gamut, is a mathematical model that defines a range of colours that can be represented in an image. Common colour spaces in photography include sRGB, Adobe RGB, and ProPhoto RGB, each with different gamut’s and capabilities for representing colours. Choosing the appropriate colour space is important for ensuring accurate colour reproduction and compatibility across different devices and platforms.

Centre Weighted Metering - Centre-weighted metering gives priority to the exposure value of the central portion of the frame, making it suitable for subjects located in the centre of the composition.

Calibration - Calibration refers to the process of adjusting and aligning the settings or parameters of a camera, monitor, printer, or other imaging device to ensure accurate and consistent colour reproduction and performance. Calibration is essential for maintaining colour accuracy and consistency across different devices and workflows, particularly in professional photography and printing environments.

Chroma Key - Chroma key, also known as green screen or blue screen, is a technique used in photography and video production to composite or replace the background of an image or video with a different scene or visual element. By filming the subject against a solid-coloured background (usually green or blue), filmmakers and photographers can easily remove the background and replace it with a digitally generated or prerecorded background during post-production. To find out more about shooting on a green screen, check out our full tutorial here.

Card Reader - A card reader is a device used to transfer digital files, such as photographs or videos, from a memory card to a computer or other storage device. Card readers typically have slots or ports that support various types of memory cards, such as SD cards, CF cards, or microSD cards, allowing for fast and efficient file transfer without the need for connecting the camera directly to the computer.

Contact Sheet - A contact sheet is a photographic print or digital image that displays thumbnail-sized previews of multiple images on a single sheet or screen. Contact sheets are commonly used by photographers to review and select images from a photo shoot, providing a quick overview of the entire set of images for evaluation and organization.

Contact Print - A photographic print made by placing a negative directly in contact with photosensitive paper and exposing it to light. Contact prints produce positive images that are the same size as the original negative, providing an accurate representation of the captured image with minimal enlargement or distortion.

C41- C41 is a colour-negative film-developing process used in traditional film photography. The C41 process involves developing colour negative films in a series of chemical baths to produce a set of colour negatives that can be printed or scanned to create colour prints or digital images. C41 is widely used for processing colour-negative films in commercial labs and photo printing services.

Cyanotype - A photographic printing process that produces cyan-blue images on a white or light-coloured background. Cyanotype prints are created by coating paper or other surfaces with a light-sensitive solution containing ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide, then exposing the treated surface to UV light to create a chemical reaction that forms a cyan-blue image.

Curate - The process of selecting, organizing, and presenting images for exhibition, publication, or portfolio purposes. Curating involves evaluating and editing a collection of images to create a cohesive and compelling narrative or visual story, considering factors such as composition, theme, style, and context.

Clipping - The loss of detail or information in the highlights or shadows of an image due to overexposure or underexposure. Highlight clipping occurs when bright areas of the image are so overexposed that they become pure white and lose texture and detail. Shadow clipping occurs when dark areas of the image are so underexposed that they become pure black and lose detail and definition.

Clipping Mask - An editing technique used to apply a layer mask to an image or adjustment layer, restricting the visibility of the layer to the shape of another layer or object. Clipping masks are commonly used to apply adjustments, effects, or textures to specific areas of an image without affecting the entire image.

Catchlight - The reflection of light sources, such as natural or artificial light, in a subject's eyes. Catchlights add depth, sparkle, and dimension to the eyes, making them appear more alive and engaging in portraits and close-up photography. Photographers often use catchlights strategically to enhance the attractiveness and expressiveness of their subjects.

Photography terminology starting with D

Depth of Field – the distance around your focus point (in front and behind) that is sharp. A long DOF will show everything sharp from the foreground to the background. A shallow DOF will show only a small part of the picture sharp with the foreground and background being blurry.

Diaphragm - Diaphragm is the mechanical device inside a camera lens that controls the aperture. Modern DSLR cameras use what is known as an “iris diaphragm,” which is made of overlapping blades that can be modified to increase or decrease the size of the aperture.

Drive Mode - Also known as shooting mode, refers to the setting on a camera that determines how multiple shots are taken in succession when the shutter button is pressed. Common drive modes include single-shot mode (capturing one image per shutter press), continuous shooting mode (capturing a rapid sequence of images), self-timer mode (delaying the shutter release for a specified time), and interval timer mode (capturing images at set intervals).

DSLR – Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera. Popular camera type for learners of photography and professionals. Lenses can be changed and the manual settings can easily be adjusted. Find out about the best beginner DSLRs here.

Dynamic Range – range of luminosity and colour depth in an image, between the highest and lowest intensities. An image with a higher dynamic range will have more detail in the lights, darks and colours.

DNG - stands for ‘Digital Negative’. This is a standard format for a Raw file and will work on all image manipulation programs that process Raw files. Click here to find out the what, why and should you convert to DNG.

Developer - Developer is a chemical solution used in traditional film photography to convert the latent image on exposed film or photographic paper into a visible image. The developer solution reacts with light-sensitive silver halide crystals to reduce them to metallic silver, forming the final image.

Darkroom - A darkroom is a controlled environment used in traditional film photography for processing, developing, and printing photographic images. Darkrooms are typically light-tight rooms or enclosures equipped with photographic enlargers, trays, and other equipment for handling and processing light-sensitive materials.

Digital - The process of capturing, storing, and processing images using digital technology, such as digital cameras, memory cards, and computers. Unlike traditional film photography, which relies on chemical processes to capture and develop images, digital photography uses electronic sensors to record and digitize light information, allowing for instant image preview, storage, and manipulation.

Diffuser - A diffuser is a translucent material or accessory used to soften and diffuse harsh light sources in photography. Diffusers scatter and spread light rays, reducing contrast and eliminating harsh shadows to create a softer and more flattering lighting effect for portraits, close-up photography, and other applications.

Dodge - Dodging is a darkroom technique used in traditional film photography to selectively lighten or reduce the exposure of specific areas of a photographic print during the printing process. By shielding parts of the print from light during exposure, photographers can lighten shadows, reduce contrast, and emphasize highlights to adjust the overall tonal balance of the image.

Diptych - A photographic composition consisting of two images displayed side by side or hinged together as a pair. Diptychs are often used to create visual narratives, comparisons, or juxtapositions between two related or contrasting subjects, themes, or moments.

Digital Asset Management - Digital Asset Management (DAM) refers to the organization, storage, and retrieval of digital files, including photographs, videos, and other media assets. DAM systems and software help photographers and organizations manage and catalogue their digital assets, including metadata, keywords, and file formats, for efficient search, retrieval, and distribution.

Documentary Photography - Documentary photography is a genre of photography that focuses on capturing real-life events, people, and social issues in a candid and unobtrusive manner. Documentary photographers aim to tell stories, raise awareness, and document historical or cultural events through visual storytelling and journalistic principles.

Drone Photography - Drone photography, also known as aerial photography, is the practice of capturing images from unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) equipped with cameras. Drone photography offers unique perspectives and aerial views of landscapes, cityscapes, and events, allowing photographers to capture stunning aerial images and videos from above.

Direct light - Direct light refers to light that travels directly from the light source to the subject without being diffused or scattered by intervening objects or materials. Direct light produces harsh shadows, strong contrasts, and well-defined highlights, making it suitable for creating dramatic lighting effects in photography.

Digital Zoom - Digital zoom is a feature found in digital cameras and smartphones that magnifies the central portion of an image electronically, simulating the effect of zooming in without changing the focal length of the lens. Unlike optical zoom, which magnifies the image optically by adjusting the lens position, digital zoom enlarges the image digitally, resulting in reduced image quality and resolution.

Direct Positive -Also known as positive-to-positive or reversal process, is a photographic printing method that produces positive images directly from a positive or transparency film. Unlike traditional negative-to-positive printing, which involves creating a negative image first, direct positive printing eliminates the need for an intermediate negative, resulting in positive images with rich, vibrant colours and high contrast.

Daguerreotype - Daguerreotype is an early photographic process invented by Louis Daguerre in the 1830s, which produced one-of-a-kind images on polished silver-plated copper plates. Daguerreotypes are characterized by their sharp detail, mirror-like surface, and unique aesthetic qualities, making them highly valued as historical artefacts and collectables.

Denoise - A digital image processing technique used to reduce or remove noise, artefacts, and unwanted graininess from digital photographs. Denoising algorithms analyse the image data and selectively smooth out noise patterns while preserving fine details and image quality, resulting in cleaner, more visually pleasing images.

Dynamic range - Dynamic range is the range of luminance of an image between its highest and lowest light intensities, usually pure white and pure black. The dynamic range of a digital sensor is slightly narrower than that of film photography, and both are significantly limited in comparison to what the human eye can perceive. Scenes with a wider dynamic range than that of the camera sensor will result in images that are either overexposed or underexposed.

Photography terminology starting with E

Exposure – amount of light you expose your sensor or film to. Determined by the aperture and shutter speed.

Exposure Compensation – feature on most cameras that allows you to increase or decrease the exposure in manual modes.

Electronic Viewfinder - A digital display used in some digital cameras to provide a real-time preview of the scene being photographed. Unlike optical viewfinders found in DSLR cameras, EVFs use electronic sensors and displays to simulate the view through the camera lens, allowing photographers to preview exposure, focus, and composition adjustments before capturing an image.

Equivalent focal length - A term used to describe the effective focal length of a lens when used on a camera with a sensor size different from its native format. Equivalent focal length considers the crop factor or sensor size difference between cameras to provide a comparison of the angle of view produced by the lens on different camera systems.

Enlarger - An enlarger is a photographic device used in traditional darkroom printing to project and magnify the image from a negative onto light-sensitive photographic paper. Enlargers consist of a light source, a negative carrier, a lens, and adjustable focus and height controls, allowing photographers to control the size, sharpness, and exposure of the final print.

Exhibition - A public display or presentation of photographs, either in physical or digital format, for viewing by an audience. Photography exhibitions can take various forms, including gallery shows, museum exhibitions, online portfolios, or multimedia presentations, and may feature individual photographers, group exhibitions, or thematic collections.

Exposure value (EV) - Exposure value is a numerical scale used to represent the combination of aperture and shutter speed settings that determine the overall exposure of an image. Each increment of exposure value represents a doubling or halving of the amount of light reaching the camera sensor, allowing photographers to adjust exposure settings while maintaining a consistent exposure value.

Editing - Selecting, adjusting, and enhancing images to improve their visual appeal, composition, and storytelling. Editing may involve cropping, colour correction, exposure adjustments, retouching, and creative effects applied using digital image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom.

External Flash - A portable flash unit that can be mounted on a camera's hot shoe or used off-camera for additional lighting in photography. External flashes provide more power, flexibility, and control over lighting compared to built-in camera flashes, allowing photographers to achieve creative lighting effects, reduce harsh shadows, and improve overall exposure in low-light situations.

Extension Tube - A hollow, cylindrical attachment used in macro photography to increase the distance between the camera lens and the camera sensor, allowing for closer focusing and greater magnification of small subjects. Extension tubes do not contain optical elements but simply extend the lens-to-sensor distance, enabling macro photographers to achieve higher magnification ratios without the need for specialized macro lenses.

Edge Sharpness -The clarity and definition of fine details and lines near the edges of objects in an image. High-edge sharpness indicates well-defined and crisp edges, while low-edge sharpness may result in soft or blurry edges, reducing the overall sharpness and clarity of the image.

Emulsion - In traditional film photography, emulsion refers to the light-sensitive coating applied to photographic film or paper. The emulsion consists of light-sensitive silver halide crystals suspended in a gelatin or collodion base, which react chemically to light exposure during the photographic process, forming latent or visible images that can be developed and fixed to create photographic prints.

Photography terminology starting with F

Flash – a burst of light. This can come from a pop-up flash built-in to the camera, a flash gun, or flash lights in a studio. Check out our 5 Pro Portrait Lighting Setups tutorial here.

Flash Sync speeds – the shutter speed at which the camera must be set whilst using flash lighting. Not using this will cause banding in an image.

Focal length – distance in millimetres where light rays converge in your lens to form a sharp image, and the camera sensor. In short, it controls your field of view. A low number will give you a wide field of view and a high number will give you a narrow field of view. Focal length determines whether a lens is categorised as being wide-angle, standard, or telephoto.

Focusing – the action where you focus your lens to get an area of your frame sharp.

Flat Lay - Flat Lay Photography is a photograph taken from directly above looking down on usually products or food. Click here for our flat-lay photography tutorial.

Fashion Photography - Fashion photography is a genre of photography that focuses on capturing clothing, accessories, and fashion trends in a visually appealing and artistic manner. Fashion photographers work closely with models, stylists, makeup artists, and designers to create images for editorial spreads, advertising campaigns, and fashion publications.

F-Stop/F-Number - The F-stop, also known as the F-number or aperture value, is a numerical scale used to indicate the size of the aperture opening in a camera lens. Each F-stop represents a specific ratio of the lens's focal length to the diameter of the aperture opening, controlling the amount of light entering the camera and the depth of field in the resulting image. Need an F-Stop bootcamp? Check out our beginners course!

FPS - FPS stands for frames per second and determines the speed at which a camera can take photos. It is especially important for sport and wildlife photographers, who need to be able to shoot rapidly to make sure they capture perfectly timed images.

Full Frame - Full frame refers to a digital camera sensor size that is equivalent in dimensions to a traditional 35mm film frame. Full-frame sensors offer larger surface areas and higher resolutions compared to smaller sensor formats, resulting in superior image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance in digital photography.

Flags - Opaque or translucent panels or accessories used to block, shape, or control the direction of light in a scene. Flags are commonly used in studio photography and lighting setups to prevent unwanted light spills, create shadows, or shape the quality and direction of light sources.

Fisheye Lens - An ultra-wide-angle lens that produces extreme distortion and a hemispherical perspective, creating a characteristic "fisheye" effect in images. Fisheye lenses have a very short focal length and a wide field of view, capturing a vast expanse of the scene with exaggerated curvature and distortion around the edges.

Fixed-lens camera - Also known as a compact camera or point-and-shoot camera, is a digital camera with a built-in, non-interchangeable lens. Fixed-lens cameras are compact, lightweight, and easy to use, making them ideal for casual photography, travel, and everyday use.

Focus - Focus refers to the sharpness and clarity of the subject in an image. Achieving proper focus involves adjusting the camera lens to ensure that the subject appears sharp and well-defined in the final image.

Filter - A transparent or translucent accessory that attaches to the front of a camera lens to modify or enhance the appearance of the image. Filters can be used to control exposure, adjust colour balance, reduce glare, enhance contrast, or create special effects such as softening or blurring.

Film - The light-sensitive material used in traditional film photography to capture and record images. The photographic film consists of a flexible base coated with a layer of light-sensitive emulsion containing silver halide crystals, which react chemically to light exposure to form a latent or visible image that can be developed and fixed to create photographic prints.

Fine Art Photography - Fine art photography is a genre of photography that emphasizes aesthetic expression, creativity, and personal vision, rather than commercial or documentary purposes. Fine art photographers often create images with artistic intent, exploring themes, concepts, and emotions through visual storytelling and creative interpretation.

Fast Lens - A fast lens is a camera lens with a large maximum aperture, allowing for faster shutter speeds and greater control over depth of field. Fast lenses are ideal for low-light photography, portrait photography, and capturing fast-moving subjects, providing enhanced light-gathering capabilities and creative flexibility in challenging shooting conditions.

Field of View - Field of view (FOV) refers to the extent of the scene or subject visible through a camera lens at a given focal length. A wider field of view captures more of the scene in the frame, while a narrower field of view focuses on a smaller area with greater magnification and detail.

Fill Flash - Fill flash is a lighting technique used to supplement or fill in shadows and reduce contrast in a scene by adding additional light to the subject. Fill flash is typically used in outdoor or backlit situations where the primary light source creates harsh shadows or underexposure on the subject.

Flash Sync -Also known as flash synchronization, refers to the coordination of the camera's shutter release with the firing of an external flash unit. Flash sync ensures that the flash fires at the precise moment when the camera's shutter is fully open, synchronizing the exposure and preventing the flash from being cut off or partially obscured by the closing shutter.

Focus Stacking -A technique used to increase the depth of field in a photograph by combining multiple images taken at different focus distances. Focus stacking aligns and merges the images, selectively blending sharp areas from each image to create a final composite image with extended depth of field and sharpness.

Film Speed- Film speed, also known as ISO sensitivity, refers to the sensitivity of photographic film to light. A higher film speed indicates greater sensitivity to light, allowing for faster shutter speeds and improved performance in low-light conditions. Film speed is expressed using standardized ISO (International Organization for Standardization) ratings, such as ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, and so on.

Flare - Flare is a photographic phenomenon characterized by unwanted light reflections or artefacts caused by internal lens reflections, stray light sources, or bright light sources entering the camera lens at oblique angles. Flare can manifest as streaks, spots, or veiling glare in images, reducing contrast, saturation, and overall image quality.

Fix - Fix, also known as fixing or hypo, is a chemical solution used in traditional film photography to stabilize and permanently preserve developed photographic prints or negatives. Fixer removes unexposed and undeveloped silver halide crystals from the emulsion, preventing further light sensitivity and ensuring the longevity of the final image.

Film Leader Retriever - A tool used in traditional film photography to extract the leader or end of a roll of film from a film canister or cartridge.

Feathering - Feathering softens the edges of a selection or adjustment, gradually blending it into the surrounding pixels to create a seamless and natural-looking transition without harsh or visible boundaries.

Focal length - Focal length is the distance in millimetres between the centre of a lens and the camera sensor. It determines the angle of view as well as the magnification of the subject. Focal length is the measure used to categorize the different types of lenses: wide angle (<35mm), standard (35mm – 70mm), medium telephoto (70mm – 135mm) and telephoto (>135mm).

Four-Thirds - Four-Thirds is a digital camera system and lens mount standard developed by Olympus and Kodak for digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) and mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. Four-Thirds cameras feature a sensor size with a 4:3 aspect ratio and a lens mount optimized for compact size and compatibility with a wide range of interchangeable lenses.

Photography terminology starting with G

Generative AI - Generative AI can be used to generate realistic images, enhance photos, or create visual effects through techniques such as image synthesis, style transfer, and content generation. You can experiment with this in editing software such as Photoshop to enrich your photo editing.

Gamut - Gamut refers to the complete range of colours that can be represented or reproduced by a specific device, such as a camera, display, or printer.

Grain - Grain, also known as film grain or noise, refers to the visible texture or pattern of granular particles in a photographic image, particularly in film photography or high-ISO digital photography. Grain is caused by the random distribution of silver halide crystals in photographic emulsion or electronic noise in digital sensors, resulting in a characteristic grainy or gritty appearance in images.

Graduated Filter - A filter with a gradient of density or colour that is used to selectively adjust exposure or colour balance in a scene. Graduated filters are often used in landscape photography to darken bright skies, reduce contrast, or enhance colours by selectively blocking or attenuating light in specific areas of the image.

Guide Number - Guide number is a numerical rating that indicates the power or intensity of a flash unit's output, typically measured in meters or feet at ISO 100. The guide number is used to calculate the appropriate aperture setting for proper flash exposure based on the distance between the flash and the subject, considering the flash's power output and the sensitivity of the camera sensor.

Gradient - A gradient, also known as a colour gradient or gradient fill, is a gradual transition of colour, brightness, or transparency between two or more colours or tones in an image. Gradients can be applied to backgrounds, overlays, or adjustment layers in digital image editing to create smooth and seamless transitions between colours or tones.

Giclée - Giclée (pronounced zhee-klay) is a high-quality digital printing method used to produce fine art prints and reproductions of artwork using inkjet printers and archival pigment inks. Giclée prints are known for their exceptional colour accuracy, detail, and longevity, making them popular among artists, photographers, and collectors for creating museum-quality prints.

Gravure - Gravure, also known as rotogravure or photogravure, is a traditional printing process used to reproduce photographic images in newspapers, magazines, and art prints. Gravure printing involves etching photographic images onto metal plates, which are then inked and pressed onto paper to transfer the image, resulting in high-quality reproductions with rich tonal gradations and fine detail.

Gear – A common term used to describe a photographer’s equipment.

Grey Card - A grey card, also known as a white balance card or neutral reference card, is a photographic tool used to establish accurate colour balance and exposure settings in a scene. Grey cards have a neutral grey surface with a known reflectance value, which serves as a reference point for setting custom white balance or exposure compensation in-camera or during post-processing.

Ghosting - Caused by reflections, flares, or internal lens elements that appear as semi-transparent or double images in a photograph. Ghosting artifacts can occur when light is scattered or refracted within the camera lens, resulting in unwanted reflections or secondary images superimposed on the primary subject.

Grid - A visual guide displayed in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen of a camera to assist with composition and framing. Grids are typically divided into a series of horizontal and vertical lines that help photographers align and balance elements within the frame, such as horizons, leading lines, and points of interest.

Gel - A gel, also known as a colour gel or lighting gel, is a translucent coloured filter or sheet used in photography and lighting design to modify the colour temperature, hue, or intensity of light sources. Gels are placed over light fixtures or flashes to create coloured lighting effects, correct colour casts, or match the colour temperature of different light sources. Learn all about shooting in a studio in our Studio Lighting course!

Geotagging - Geotagging allows photographers to record and track the precise location where an image was captured, enabling geospatial analysis, mapping, and organization of photos based on location metadata.

Global adjustment - A global adjustment, also known as a global edit or overall adjustment, refers to an image editing technique that applies changes uniformly to the entire image. Global adjustments can include changes to exposure, contrast, colour balance, sharpness, and other image parameters that affect the overall appearance of the photograph.

GND Filter (Graduated neutral density filter) - A filter with a gradient of neutral density that is used to balance exposure in a scene with high contrast, such as landscapes with bright skies and dark foregrounds. GND filters gradually transition from clear to dark across the filter surface, allowing photographers to darken bright areas of the scene without affecting darker areas.

Gigapixel - An image resolution containing one billion pixels, typically achieved through high-resolution digital imaging or image stitching techniques.

Gyroscopic Stabilisation - Gyroscopic stabilization, also known as optical stabilization or image stabilization, is a camera technology that reduces unwanted camera shake and blur caused by hand movement during handheld shooting. Gyroscopic stabilization systems use gyroscopes or accelerometers to detect motion and compensate for camera shake by moving lens elements or sensor assemblies to maintain a stable image.

Gaussian Blur - Gaussian blur is a digital image processing technique used to create a soft, smooth, and out-of-focus appearance in a photograph. Gaussian blur applies a mathematical algorithm known as a Gaussian function to blur or soften pixels within a selected area of the image, simulating the natural blurring effect of optical defocus or depth of field.

Glare - Glare is a photographic phenomenon characterized by excessive brightness or reflection of light that obscures details, reduces contrast, and creates unwanted visual discomfort in an image. Glare can occur when light sources, such as the sun or artificial lights, are directly or indirectly reflected off shiny surfaces, glass, or water, resulting in distracting highlights or flare artefacts in photographs.

Golden Hour – The short period (usually an hour) before sunset or after sunrise. It’s where the sun is low in the sky and the light produced is a deep orange/red.

Photography terminology starting with H

HDR (High Dynamic Range) – a technique using exposure bracketing and post-processing to create an image with a higher dynamic range. An image with a higher dynamic range will have more detail in the lights, darks and colours. Learn about HDR in Lightroom.

Histogram – visual representation of the colour and luminance of an image. The left side of a histogram represents the darks, the middle the mid-tones and the right side the highlights. Higher peaks represent more information in that part of the exposure. E.g. a tall right side of a histogram would indicate a lot of highlights in an image.

Hyperfocal – Hyperfocal is the distance at which the focus point provides a deeper depth of field. It is often used by landscape photographers to ensure their scenes are as sharp as possible.

Headshot - A headshot is a portrait photograph that focuses primarily on a person's face, head, and shoulders, typically used for professional purposes such as resumes, business profiles, or actor/model portfolios. Headshots are often taken in a studio or controlled environment with careful attention to lighting, composition, and expression to capture the subject's personality and professionalism. Want to take great headshots? Check out our Headshot Course with Mark Mcgee!

Holga - The Holga is a low-fidelity plastic camera known for its simple design, toy-like appearance, and distinctive image quality characterized by vignetting, light leaks, and soft focus. The Holga gained popularity among photographers for its unpredictable and creative results, often associated with artistic experimentation and alternative photography techniques.

Highlights - Highlights are the brightest areas in an image, where light is reflected or emitted at its highest intensity. In digital photography, highlights often represent the brightest portions of the scene captured by the camera sensor.

Hot Shoe - A hot shoe is a mounting point on top of a camera where accessories such as external flashes, flash triggers, or other compatible devices can be attached and synchronized with the camera's shutter.

Hue - Hue refers to the attribute of colour that distinguishes one colour from another on the colour wheel. It represents the dominant wavelength of light that defines the perceived colour of an object, ranging from red, orange, and yellow to green, blue, and violet.

Hard Light - Hard light is a type of illumination characterized by strong, direct light that produces sharp, well-defined shadows and high contrast between light and shadow areas. Hard light sources create distinct, clearly defined edges and textures in a scene.

High-Key - High-key lighting is a photographic lighting technique characterized by bright, even illumination that minimizes shadows and creates a light, airy atmosphere. High-key photographs typically feature predominantly light tones and minimal contrast between light and shadow areas.

Haze - Haze is an atmospheric phenomenon caused by the scattering of light particles or moisture in the air, resulting in reduced visibility and a soft, diffused appearance in distant objects. In photography, haze can affect image clarity and contrast, particularly in landscape or aerial photography.

High-speed sync - High-speed sync (HSS) is a flash synchronization technique that allows photographers to use electronic flash units at shutter speeds faster than the camera's maximum sync speed. HSS enables photographers to freeze motion and achieve proper exposure in bright ambient light conditions by synchronizing the flash with high-speed shutter movements.

Hybrid viewfinder - A hybrid viewfinder is a type of electronic viewfinder (EVF) found in some digital cameras that combines optical and electronic components to provide both optical and digital viewing options. Hybrid viewfinders offer the advantages of traditional optical viewfinders with the additional information and features of electronic displays.

High pass filter - A high pass filter is an image processing technique used to enhance image sharpness by accentuating high-frequency details and edges while suppressing low-frequency noise and unwanted image elements. High-pass filtering is commonly used in digital image editing to sharpen images and improve overall clarity.

Histogram Stretching - Histogram stretching, also known as histogram equalization or contrast stretching, is an image enhancement technique used to adjust the tonal range and distribution of pixel values in an image histogram. Histogram stretching expands the dynamic range of an image by redistributing pixel values across the entire tonal range, enhancing contrast and improving overall image quality.

Halation - Halation is a photographic artefact characterized by a diffuse, glowing effect around bright highlights or light sources in an image. Halation occurs when light reflects or refracts within the layers of a photographic emulsion or lens elements, causing light to spread beyond its intended boundaries and create a halo or aura effect.

Highlight recovery - Highlight recovery is an image editing technique used to recover detail and reduce overexposure in the brightest areas of an image, such as blown-out highlights. Highlight recovery software analyses image data and selectively adjusts exposure, tone, and contrast to restore detail and texture in highlight areas without affecting other parts of the image.

Photography terminology starting with I

Image stabilisation – Technology held in a camera lens or body that reduces camera shake caused by hand-holding the camera.

Image Quality – Setting on most cameras that changes the amount of pixels you capture and whether the camera shoots in Jpeg or RAW.

Infinity (focusing) – The furthest point away that your lens can focus on.

ISO – The sensitivity your light sensor is to light. Displayed as ‘ISO 100’ or’ ISO 400’ etc. The lower the number (ISO 100) the less sensitive to light and the less noise the image will have. The higher the number (ISO 1600) the more noise the image will have but you can take pictures in much less light. ISO stands for - ‘International Organisation for Standardisation’.

Incandescent Light - Incandescent light is a type of artificial lighting produced by heating a tungsten filament to high temperatures until it emits visible light. Incandescent bulbs produce warm, yellowish light with a continuous spectrum similar to natural sunlight, making them commonly used in indoor lighting fixtures and photographic lighting setups.

Instant Photography - Instant photography, also known as Polaroid photography, is a photographic technique that produces instant prints or "instant photos" shortly after exposure, without the need for traditional film development or processing. Instant cameras use self-developing film packs containing chemicals that react to light exposure, producing a finished print within minutes.

Infinity Curve - An infinity curve, also known as an infinity background or cyclorama, is a seamless, curved background surface used in photography studios to create the illusion of an endless backdrop without visible corners or edges. Infinity curves are often used in product photography, portraits, and commercial shoots to achieve clean, minimalist backgrounds.

Intervalometer - An intervalometer is a camera accessory or built-in feature that allows photographers to automate the process of capturing images at set intervals over a specified time. Intervalometers are commonly used for time-lapse photography, astrophotography, and long-exposure sequences, providing precise control over exposure timing and image capture frequency.

In-camera processing - In-camera processing refers to the image processing capabilities and features built into digital cameras to adjust and enhance images directly within the camera itself. In-camera processing includes functions such as white balance adjustment, colour correction, noise reduction, and creative filters applied to images before they are saved to memory.

Photography terminology starting with J

Jpeg – The standard format for images. It’s a compressed, or flattened, image that can be viewed by most devices and printed. Because they are compressed, they contain less information and are smaller. Jpeg stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group.

Photography terminology starting with K

Kelvin – is a colour temperature measurement informing the colour of light. E.g. Daylight is 5500OK (Kelvins) and this gives a pure white light whereas a sunset will be around 3200K which will give a warmer, orange light. Used mainly in the white balance settings of your camera.

Key Light - The key light is the primary light source in a photographic or cinematic lighting setup, positioned to illuminate the subject and provide the main source of illumination. The key light establishes the direction, intensity, and quality of light falling on the subject, shaping the overall look and mood of the image.

Kit Lens - A kit lens refers to the standard zoom lens typically sold as part of a camera kit package with entry-level or consumer-grade digital cameras. Kit lenses are versatile, general-purpose lenses designed to cover a range of focal lengths, from wide-angle to moderate telephoto, and are commonly used for everyday photography applications.

Kodak - Kodak, short for Eastman Kodak Company, is a historic American photography and imaging company founded by George Eastman in 1888. Kodak was a pioneer in the development of photographic film, cameras, and related products, and became synonymous with popularizing photography as a mainstream hobby and industry.

Kodachrome - Kodachrome is a colour reversal film introduced by Kodak in 1935, known for its vibrant colours, sharpness, and archival stability. Kodachrome was widely used for professional and amateur photography until its discontinuation in 2009, due to the complex and environmentally hazardous processing required. Kodachrome remains iconic for its distinctive colour reproduction and nostalgic appeal.

Kallitype - Kallitype is an alternative photographic printing process that produces rich, brown-toned prints using iron salts and silver nitrate. Kallitype prints are created by coating paper with a light-sensitive emulsion containing a solution of ferric oxalate and silver nitrate, exposing the coated paper to ultraviolet light through a negative, and processing the print in a series of chemical baths to develop and fix the image.

Photography terminology starting with L

Leading Lines – composition technique using lines to guide the viewer’s eye into a part of the scene. Learn how to use leading lines here.

Lightroom – image management and editing software by Adobe. Allows you to organise your photography into folders, make global edits, and perform batch actions. Check out our course on Lightroom.

Light drawing / Light painting – long exposure technique that causes light to trail into lines.

Light Leak - A light leak is a photographic artefact caused by unintentional exposure to light leaks or stray light entering the camera body or film cassette, resulting in streaks, flares, or fogging effects on the final image. Light leaks can occur due to worn seals, loose parts, or accidental opening of camera backs during film loading or processing.

Light meter - A light meter is a device that measures the scene’s luminosity to determine the best exposure value. Most cameras have a built-in light meter that relies on reflective readings through the lens.

Live View - Live view is a feature found in many digital cameras that allows photographers to preview and compose their shots using the camera's LCD screen in real-time, rather than through the optical viewfinder. When the live view is activated, the camera's image sensor continuously feeds a live video feed to the LCD screen, showing exactly what the sensor sees.

Light meter – The device that measures the light in a scene to give the optimum exposure value. Cameras have in-built light meters, but in a studio, you use a hand-held light meter to gauge the exposure needed for a lighting set-up.

Long Exposure – A technique using a long shutter speed allowing light to enter the camera over a longer period of time. This will cause any moving objects to blur whilst keeping still objects still. Generally achieved whilst using a tripod. Click here to learn more about long exposures.

Lens - A lens is a transparent optical element used in cameras and other optical devices to focus light onto a photosensitive surface, such as a camera sensor or photographic film. Camera lenses consist of multiple glass or plastic elements arranged in specific configurations to control the direction, angle, and magnification of light rays, resulting in sharp, clear images.

Landscape Photography - Landscape photography is a genre of photography that focuses on capturing scenic views, natural landscapes, and outdoor environments. Want to capture landscapes like a pro? Check out our full course here.

Lens Hood - A lens hood is a cylindrical or petal-shaped accessory attached to the front of a camera lens to reduce unwanted light and glare, improve contrast, and protect the lens from damage. Lens hoods help prevent lens flare, ghosting, and veiling glare caused by stray light entering the lens from off-axis angles, ensuring optimal image quality and clarity.

Luminosity - Luminosity refers to the brightness or intensity of light emitted or reflected by a subject, surface, or light source. In photography, luminosity affects exposure settings and image appearance, influencing factors such as contrast, shadow detail, and overall tonal range. Luminosity can be measured and adjusted using light meters, exposure controls, and image editing software.

Lens Flare - Lens flare is an optical phenomenon characterized by unwanted artifacts or patterns of scattered light and reflections that appear in photographs, typically caused by direct sunlight or bright light sources entering the camera lens at oblique angles. Lens flare can manifest as coloured streaks, circles, or haze in images, reducing contrast and image quality.

Light Painting - Light painting is a photographic technique that involves using handheld light sources, such as flashlights, LED lights, or sparklers, to create deliberate patterns, shapes, and designs in a long exposure photograph. Light painters "paint" with light in a dark environment, moving the light source across the scene to capture streaks, trails, and illuminated subjects in the final image.

Low-Key - Low-key photography is a lighting technique that uses dark tones, shadows, and mood lighting, with minimal bright highlights or mid-tones. Low-key images often evoke a sense of mystery, drama, or suspense, using contrast and selective lighting to emphasize shape, texture, and form in the subject.

Lens Compression - Lens compression refers to the optical effect produced by telephoto lenses that visually compress the apparent distance between objects in a scene, making distant subjects appear closer together and enhancing the perception of depth and scale. Lens compression is commonly used in landscape, wildlife, and portrait photography to emphasize perspective and create impactful compositions.

Lens Distortion - Lens distortion is an optical aberration that occurs when camera lenses bend light rays unevenly, resulting in geometric distortion, perspective distortion, or chromatic aberration in images. Common types of lens distortion include barrel distortion (bulging or curving of straight lines), pincushion distortion (converging or bowing of straight lines), and chromatic aberration (colour fringing or colour distortion).

Lensbaby - Lensbaby is a brand of speciality camera lenses known for their unique optical effects and creative photography capabilities. Lensbaby lenses feature selective focus optics, flexible lenses, and tilt-shift mechanisms that allow photographers to achieve artistic blur, bokeh, and distortion effects, creating dreamy, ethereal images with a distinctive look and feel.

Lens Correction - Lens correction is a digital image processing technique used to correct optical distortions and imperfections caused by camera lenses, such as distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberration, and perspective distortion. Lens correction software analyses image metadata and applies corrective adjustments to compensate for lens characteristics and improve overall image quality.

Large Format - Large format photography refers to the use of photographic equipment that captures images on large-format film or digital sensors, typically larger than 4x5 inches (or 102x127 mm) in size. Large format cameras offer superior image quality, resolution, and detail compared to smaller formats, making them popular for architectural photography, landscape photography, and fine art prints.

LCD Screen - An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen is a type of flat-panel display used in digital cameras and electronic devices to preview images, display menus, and provide visual feedback. LCD screens use liquid crystal cells illuminated by a backlight to produce images and graphics, offering high-resolution displays with vibrant colours and sharp detail.

Lens Mount - A lens mount is a mechanical interface or attachment mechanism used to connect interchangeable lenses to camera bodies securely. Lens mounts vary between camera manufacturers and models, with different designs, dimensions, and electrical contacts to ensure compatibility between lenses and camera bodies.

Layer Mask - A layer mask is a non-destructive editing tool used in digital image editing software to selectively control the visibility and transparency of specific areas within a layer. Layer masks allow photographers to apply adjustments, filters, and effects to targeted areas of an image without permanently altering the original pixels, enabling precise and flexible image editing workflows.

Photography terminology starting with M

Macro – extreme close-up photography, used to capture very small subjects or detail. Click here for some Macro photography ideas.

M or Manual Mode – mode that most DSLR and Mirrorless cameras have which allow for full control over all of the camera’s settings. Learn how to master your camera’s settings in our Beginner’s Course.

Megapixel – 1 million pixels

Metering Modes – modes in your camera which control how the light meter measures light.

Metadata – specific details of a picture hidden within the file. Details could including camera used, lens used, camera settings, copyright information etc. To get the metadata information of an image, right click on the file and select ‘Properties’ on a PC or ‘Get Info’ on a Mac. Learn how to add your copyright details to your metadata in our Lightroom course.

Manual Focus - This is when you manually adjusts the lens focus ring to achieve sharpness and clarity in the desired area of the image. Unlike autofocus, which relies on the camera's autofocus system to automatically focus on the subject, manual focus gives you full control over the focusing process, allowing for precise adjustments and creative control.

Micro Four Thirds (MFT) - Micro Four Thirds (MFT) is a digital camera system and lens mount standard developed jointly by Olympus and Panasonic, characterized by a smaller sensor size and lens mount compared to traditional DSLR systems. MFT cameras feature a sensor size of approximately 17.3 × 13 mm and a lens mount with a flange focal distance of 19.25 mm, allowing for compact, lightweight camera bodies and a wide selection of interchangeable lenses optimized for the smaller sensor format. MFT cameras are known for their portability, versatility, and advanced features, making them popular among photographers and videographers for a wide range of applications.

Mirrorless Camera - A mirrorless camera, also known as a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC), is a type of digital camera that uses an electronic viewfinder (EVF) or the camera's LCD screen to preview and compose images, rather than an optical viewfinder and reflex mirror system found in traditional DSLR cameras. We’ve done a whole video about Canon’s mirrorless range; you can check that out here!

Metering - Metering in photography refers to the process of measuring the intensity of light in a scene to determine the optimal exposure settings for capturing a well-exposed image.

Medium Format - A film or digital camera format that uses larger-than-standard film or sensor sizes, typically larger than 35mm (full frame) but smaller than large format. Medium format cameras produce high-resolution images with superior detail, dynamic range, and image quality compared to smaller formats, making them popular for professional photography applications such as studio portraiture, fashion photography, and landscape photography.

Megapixel - One megapixel is equivalent to one million pixels, representing the total number of individual picture elements (pixels) that make up the image. Higher megapixel counts generally result in higher-resolution images with greater detail and clarity when viewed or printed at larger sizes.

Monopod - A monopod is a single-legged camera support device used by photographers to stabilize and steady their cameras while shooting handheld. Monopods are lightweight, portable, and easy to set up, providing additional support and reducing camera shake during long exposures, telephoto shooting, or situations where tripods are impractical or prohibited.

Multiple Exposure - Multiple exposure is a photographic technique that involves exposing the same frame of film or image sensor to multiple successive exposures, resulting in a single composite image that combines elements from each exposure. Multiple exposures can be created in-camera using multiple exposures mode or by manually overlaying and blending multiple images during post-processing to create artistic and surreal effects.

Motion Blur - Motion blur is a photographic effect caused by the relative motion between the camera, subject, and/or background during a long exposure or panning movement. Motion blur appears as streaks or smudges in the image, conveying a sense of movement, speed, or dynamic action. Motion blur can be intentional or unintentional, depending on the desired creative effect and shooting conditions.

Monochrome - Monochrome, also known as black and white or grayscale, refers to images composed of varying shades of a single colour, typically black, white, and shades of grey. Monochrome photography eliminates colour information from the image, emphasizing form, texture, contrast, and composition, and evoking a timeless, classic aesthetic with a focus on tonal values and luminance.

Moon Rise - Moonrise is the event where the moon becomes visible above the horizon as it ascends into the night sky. Moonrise presents unique photographic opportunities, allowing photographers to capture the moon against various natural or urban landscapes, silhouetted against colourful sunsets or twilight skies, or framed by architectural elements or scenic landmarks.

Metadata - Metadata, also known as EXIF, is the essential information about the image. This includes dimensions, resolution, keywords, camera settings, focal length, copyright owner, etc. Most of this information is automatically added to the photos, but some fields can be added or modified in post-processing.

Photography terminology starting with N

Noise - Noise is a visual distortion that looks like tiny, coloured specs on a photo. It is especially visible in images shot at high ISO or very slow shutter speeds. Noise is the digital photography version of film grain.

Neutral Density Filter - A neutral density (ND) filter is a photographic filter that reduces the intensity of light entering the camera lens without affecting its colour or hue. ND filters are commonly used in bright lighting conditions to achieve longer exposure times or wider apertures, allowing photographers to control shutter speed and aperture settings for creative effects such as motion blur, shallow depth of field, or balanced exposures in high-contrast scenes.

Night Photography - Night photography is a genre of photography that focuses on capturing images in low-light or nighttime conditions, typically after sunset or before sunrise. Night photography presents unique challenges and creative opportunities, requiring long exposures, tripod stabilization, and specialized techniques to capture the subtle nuances of light, colour, and mood in nocturnal landscapes, cityscapes, astrophotography, or urban environments.

Negative - The developed film or digital image file containing inverted colour and tonal information of the original scene captured by the camera. Negatives serve as the source material for producing photographic prints or digital images, with light and dark areas reversed in tonality compared to the final print or image. Negatives are typically scanned or printed onto photographic paper to create positive prints or digital reproductions.

Noise reduction - Noise reduction is a digital image processing technique used to reduce or suppress unwanted artifacts, distortions, or graininess in digital photographs caused by image sensor noise, low-light conditions, or high ISO sensitivity settings. Noise reduction algorithms analyse image data to identify and remove random or repetitive patterns of noise, preserving image detail and improving overall image quality.

Negative Space - Negative space, also known as white space or empty space, refers to the empty or unoccupied areas surrounding the main subject or focal point in a photograph. Negative space plays a crucial role in composition, balance, and visual storytelling, providing contrast, context, and breathing room to highlight the subject and draw the viewer's attention.

Natural Light - Natural light refers to the ambient illumination provided by sunlight, moonlight, or other natural sources of light in a scene, without the use of artificial lighting equipment. Natural light photography harnesses the qualities of daylight, such as intensity, direction, colour temperature, and softness, to illuminate subjects and create visually compelling images with a natural, organic look and feel.

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Photography terminology starting with O

Overexposed – When the picture is too bright. Too much light has entered the camera.

Optical Viewfinder - An optical viewfinder is a viewing system found in cameras that allows photographers to compose and frame their shots by looking through a physical eyepiece, which provides a direct optical view of the scene through the camera's lens. Optical viewfinders use mirrors, prisms, or pentaprisms to redirect light from the lens to the eyepiece, enabling photographers to see the subject in real-time and make precise framing and focusing adjustments.

Optical Zoom - Optical zoom is a zoom mechanism in cameras that adjusts the focal length of the camera lens to magnify or reduce the apparent size of the subject without sacrificing image quality. Optical zoom works by physically adjusting the lens elements to change the focal length and magnification, allowing photographers to zoom in on distant subjects or zoom out for wider views while maintaining sharpness and detail in the image.

Off-camera Flash - Off-camera flash refers to a portable or external flash unit that is detached or remotely positioned away from the camera's hot shoe or built-in flash, allowing photographers to create directional, studio-quality lighting effects and avoid harsh, on-camera flash shadows. Off-camera flash units are triggered wirelessly or connected via cables to the camera, providing greater flexibility and control over lighting angles and intensity.

Overcast - Overcast skies provide soft, even illumination with reduced contrast, making them ideal for portrait photography, outdoor scenes, and macro photography, as the diffused light minimizes glare, highlights, and harsh shadows, resulting in balanced, flattering lighting conditions.

Opacity - Opacity is a visual property in digital image editing that determines the degree of transparency or visibility of an image layer, object, or graphic element.

On-camera flash - On-camera flash refers to a built-in or attached flash unit located on the camera body's hot shoe, used to provide additional illumination for capturing images in low-light conditions or to fill in shadows.

Octabox - A type of light modifier used in studio photography to soften and diffuse artificial light sources, such as studio strobes or flashes, creating soft, flattering lighting with smooth transitions between light and shadow. Octaboxes feature a large octagonal shape with internal reflective surfaces and a diffusion panel, providing even, wraparound light with natural-looking catchlights in the subject's eyes.

Photography terminology starting with P

P - P is a semi-automatic camera mode. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t stand for “professional,” but for “programmed automatic”. This mode allows photographers to control a few settings such as the use of flash, ISO, EV, and WB. The rest of the settings are automatically selected by the camera.

Pixel - Pixel is the smallest unit of programmable colour represented on a digital display. Despite common photography myths, the number of pixels is not the determining factor on how good a camera is.

Portfolio - A portfolio is, basically, a collection of work. Over the last years, online portfolios have become an absolute must and have grown to become full professional photographer websites. In addition to showcasing their work, photographers can now communicate with clients, constantly update their projects, and even book their services, all from a single platform.

Prime Lens - Prime lenses are those with a fixed focal length. These lenses are usually smaller and faster, as they have a smaller number of moving parts and a less complicated lens formula. Their maximum apertures are usually lower than f2.8.

Photoshop - Photo editing Software. Photoshop offers a comprehensive suite of tools and features for retouching, colour correction, layer-based editing, masking, and special effects, allowing users to create and enhance digital images with precision and creativity.

Portrait Photography - A genre of photography focused on capturing the likeness, personality, and expressions of individuals or groups through carefully composed and posed images. Portrait photographers use various techniques, lighting setups, and compositions to create flattering and engaging portraits that highlight the subject's features, character, and emotions.

Perspective - The spatial relationship between objects in a scene and their representation in a photograph, influenced by the photographer's viewpoint, focal length, and composition. Perspective affects the perceived depth, scale, and three-dimensional quality of images, creating a sense of space, distance, and proportion that can be manipulated for creative or documentary purposes.

Parallax Error - Parallax error is a visual distortion or misalignment that occurs when the viewfinder or framing system of a camera does not accurately represent the perspective or framing of the final image captured by the camera lens. Parallax error is most pronounced in cameras with separate viewfinders or electronic viewfinders, where the viewing angle and framing may differ from the actual lens perspective, particularly in close-up or macro photography.

Pixel Peeping - Pixel peeping is a colloquial term used to describe the practice of closely examining digital photographs at high magnification or 100% zoom level to scrutinize individual pixels for sharpness, detail, noise, or other image quality attributes.

Panorama - A panorama is a wide-angle or panoramic photograph that captures a broad field of view, typically spanning horizontally or vertically across a scene, landscape, or cityscape. Panoramas are created by stitching together multiple overlapping images using specialized software or panoramic techniques, resulting in a seamless, high-resolution composite image with expansive views.

Polarizer - A photographic filter that selectively blocks or reduces polarized light reflections, glare, and atmospheric haze from non-metallic surfaces such as water, glass, or foliage. Polarizers enhance colour saturation, contrast, and clarity in outdoor photography, particularly landscapes and architectural scenes, by eliminating unwanted reflections and enhancing blue skies and natural textures.

Post-processing - Also known as image editing or digital editing, refers to the manipulation and enhancement of digital photographs using software tools and techniques to improve image quality, correct imperfections, and achieve desired artistic effects.

Polaroid - Polaroid refers to instant film photography and instant print technology developed by the Polaroid Corporation, allowing photographers to capture and develop prints within minutes of exposure. Polaroid cameras use self-contained film cartridges containing light-sensitive chemicals that are automatically processed and developed by the camera, producing unique, tangible prints with distinctive colour and texture characteristics.

Photojournalism - Photojournalism is a form of journalism that uses photography as a primary means of storytelling, documenting news events, social issues, and human-interest stories through visual imagery. Photojournalists capture candid, unscripted moments with journalistic integrity and ethical standards, conveying information, emotion, and social commentary through powerful, evocative photographs published in newspapers, magazines, and online media.

Pinhole Camera – A pinhole camera is a simple, lensless camera device that uses a small aperture or pinhole to project an inverted image of the scene onto a light-sensitive film or image sensor. Pinhole cameras produce soft-focus, ethereal images with infinite depth of field and long exposure times, relying on the principles of light diffraction and the camera obscura phenomenon to create unique, artistic photographs.

Print - In photography, a print refers to a physical copy or reproduction of a photographic image produced on paper, canvas, or other print media using traditional or digital printing methods.

Parabolic Reflector - A parabolic reflector is a specialized lighting accessory used in photography and studio lighting setups to focus and direct light from a light source, such as a studio strobe or flash, into a concentrated beam with controlled intensity and directionality. Parabolic reflectors feature a curved, parabolic shape that efficiently reflects and concentrates light rays, producing strong, directional illumination with minimal spill and soft, natural falloff.

Push/Pull Processing - Push/pull processing is a film-developing technique used in analogue photography to adjust the effective sensitivity or ISO rating of photographic film by varying the developing time or chemical concentrations during processing. Push processing increases film speed and contrast, allowing photographers to compensate for underexposure or achieve higher sensitivity in low-light conditions, while pull processing decreases film speed and contrast for finer grain and increased shadow detail.

Preset - A preset is a pre-defined set of editing adjustments or image processing settings saved within digital image editing software, such as Lightroom, to apply consistent, stylized effects or corrections to photographs with a single click. Presets can include adjustments to exposure, colour balance, contrast, saturation, and other parameters, allowing photographers to streamline their editing workflow and achieve desired looks or styles efficiently. Check out our free presets here.

Photography terminology starting with Q

Quality - Quality is one of the most widely used and yet more vague photography terms. One way to consider the quality of an image is by looking for aberrations or information loss. Another, more subjective, one is to evaluate its composition, sharpness, exposure, etc.

Quick-release plate - A quick-release plate is a mounting accessory used in tripod systems and camera support equipment to attach and detach a camera or other photographic device from a tripod head or mounting platform quickly and securely.

Quick focus - Quick focus refers to a feature or function in camera autofocus systems that enables rapid and responsive focusing on the subject, allowing photographers to achieve sharp, accurate focus quickly and reliably.

Quick view - Quick view is a feature found in digital cameras that allows photographers to preview captured images or review playback of photos and videos on the camera's LCD screen immediately after capture, without the need to switch to a separate playback mode or menu.

Quartz flash - Quartz flash, also known as electronic flash or strobe, is a type of artificial lighting device used in photography to illuminate subjects with brief, intense bursts of light for capturing well-exposed images in low-light conditions or freezing motion.

Quarter frame camera - A quarter frame camera is a type of film camera that exposes smaller-than-standard frames of film on 35mm film stock, resulting in more exposures per roll of film compared to traditional full-frame cameras.

Photography terminology starting with R

RAW file – a RAW file preserves most of the information from the camera, it doesn’t process it or compress it. You can’t see or print a RAW file until you process it through a computer programme. Raw files are approximately 3-5 times the size of a Jpeg file.

Resolution – is the total amount of pixels the image has. The higher the resolution the more pixels the image has. This comes into effect mainly when printing images. To get good quality big images you will need a high-resolution image. Higher resolution images will also have given bigger file sizes.

Rule of thirds - The rule of thirds is a compositional guideline used in photography and visual arts to create balanced and visually appealing compositions. According to this rule, an image is divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines, resulting in a grid of intersecting points. Placing key elements or points of interest along these gridlines or their intersections helps create a sense of balance, harmony, and visual interest in the composition.

Reflection - Reflections can add depth, symmetry, and visual interest to images, creating dynamic compositions with mirrored or doubled elements and enhancing the overall storytelling and mood of the photograph.

Remote Shutter Release - A remote shutter release is a device used to remotely trigger the camera's shutter without physically pressing the shutter button on the camera body.

Retouching - Retouching is the process of digitally enhancing or altering photographic images using image editing software to correct imperfections, improve appearance, or achieve desired artistic effects. Check out our full portrait retouching course here!

Red-eye Reduction - Red-eye reduction is a feature found in cameras and flash units designed to minimize the occurrence of red-eye, a common photographic artefact caused by the reflection of light from the retina of the eye back into the camera lens during flash photography.

Reflector - A reflector is a photographic lighting accessory used to manipulate and control light by reflecting and redirecting ambient or artificial light onto the subject to fill in shadows, soften harsh lighting, or enhance illumination. Reflectors come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, such as silver, gold, white, or translucent fabrics, providing different qualities of light reflection and diffusion for creative lighting effects in portrait, studio, and outdoor photography.

Reportage - Reportage, also known as documentary photography or photojournalism, is a genre of photography that focuses on capturing candid, unposed moments and documenting real-life events, social issues, and human experiences in a journalistic or storytelling manner.

RGB - RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue, the primary colours of light used in digital imaging and colour reproduction systems.

Rear curtain sync - Rear-curtain sync, also known as second curtain sync, is a flash synchronization mode used in cameras to control the timing of the flash burst relative to the closing of the camera's shutter curtain during long-exposure photography. In rear curtain sync mode, the flash fires just before the shutter curtain closes at the end of the exposure, resulting in a trailing flash effect that follows the motion of moving subjects, creating dynamic and natural-looking motion blur effects in photographs.

Remote trigger - A remote trigger is a device or accessory used to remotely activate the camera's shutter from a distance, allowing photographers to capture images without physically touching the camera.

Redscale - Redscale is a photographic technique or film effect achieved by loading photographic film into the camera backwards, exposing the film's emulsion layer to light through the film base rather than the usual emulsion side.

Range Finder - A rangefinder is a focusing aid or optical device used in cameras to measure the distance between the camera and the subject accurately, typically using a coincident image rangefinder or an electronic rangefinder system. Rangefinders assist photographers in achieving precise focus and depth of field control, especially in manual focus or low-light situations, by providing distance feedback and focusing assistance through visual or electronic indicators.

Photography terminology starting with S

Saturation - Saturation refers to the colour intensity of an image. As their saturation increases, colours appear more vivid and are considered purer. Decreasing saturation results in muted colours, with full desaturation giving a monochromatic version of the image.

Scene modes - Scene modes are automatic camera modes with pre-set exposure values based on different types of situations and subjects. These modes are aimed to help amateur photographers achieve the optimum exposure and DOF without having to control any of the settings.

Scrims - Scrims are translucent fabric panels or screens used in photography and cinematography to diffuse and soften harsh light sources, such as sunlight or studio lights, for producing flattering, evenly illuminated portraits, still lifes, and scenes. Scrims reduce contrast, diffuse shadows, and eliminate specular highlights by scattering and diffusing light rays, creating soft, diffused illumination with smooth transitions between light and shadow areas.

Shutter speed - Shutter speed is the length of time a camera sensor is exposed to light when taking a photo. Slow shutter speeds capture the blur of subjects in motion, making it highly valuable for night and landscape photographers. On the other hand, high speeds allow photographers to freeze a single millisecond in time, which is usually an absolute must in fields such as sports and pet photography.

Stops - A stop is a unit of measurement used to quantify changes in exposure settings, including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity. Each stop represents a doubling or halving of the amount of light reaching the camera sensor, resulting in a corresponding change in exposure.

Stop bath - Stop bath is a chemical solution used in film and print development processes to halt the development reaction and stabilize the image after the film or paper has been exposed to the developer solution.

Shutter - The shutter is a mechanical or electronic device in cameras that controls the duration of exposure by regulating the amount of time the camera's image sensor or film is exposed to light.

Softbox - A softbox is a lighting accessory used in studio photography to diffuse and soften artificial light sources, such as studio strobes or continuous lights, for creating flattering, evenly illuminated portraits, still lifes, and product shots.

Strip Box - A strip box, also known as a narrow softbox or a strip softbox, is a specialized lighting modifier used in studio photography to produce controlled, directional light with a narrow, elongated beam spread for accentuating and highlighting specific areas or subjects in the scene.

Spot Metering - Spot metering is a camera metering mode that measures the brightness of a small, specific area or spot within the frame to determine the optimal exposure settings for capturing a well-exposed image.

Street Photography - Street photography is a genre of photography that focuses on capturing candid, unposed moments and scenes of everyday life in public spaces, streets, urban environments, and cultural events. Want to avoid the most common mistakes in Street Photography – read our full blog here.

Strobe - A strobe, also known as a studio strobe or flash unit, is a powerful artificial lighting device used in photography to produce intense bursts of light for illuminating subjects, freezing motion, and creating dramatic lighting effects.

Stacking - Stacking is a digital image processing technique used in photography to combine multiple exposures or images of the same scene to improve image quality, increase detail, and reduce noise or artefacts.

Sharpness - Sharpness in photography refers to the clarity, detail, and definition of edges and fine textures within an image, indicating the degree of focus and resolution captured by the camera lens and sensor.

Sensor - The electronic component within a digital camera that captures and converts light into electrical signals, forming digital image files.

Sports Photography - Sports photography is a genre of photography focused on capturing action-packed moments, sporting events, and athletic performances, showcasing the intensity, athleticism, and emotion of sports and outdoor activities.

Still Life Photography - Still life photography is a genre of photography that focuses on capturing inanimate objects, arrangements, and compositions arranged in a controlled setting, such as a studio or tabletop setup.

Snoot - A snoot is a lighting modifier used in photography to control and direct artificial light into a narrow, focused beam with minimal spill and soft edges, typically for highlighting or accentuating specific subjects or areas within the frame.

Star Trails - Star trails are long-exposure photographs that capture the apparent movement of stars across the night sky due to the Earth's rotation, resulting in streaks or trails of light formed by the cumulative effect of multiple exposures over time. Interested in capturing the stars? Check out our Astrophotography course!

Photography terminology starting with T

Tonal range - Tonal range is the total number of tones in an image, from its darkest to its brightest area. A wider tonal range allows for a higher variety of shades, which translates into more detail. In black-and-white photography, this translated into shades of grey. In digital photography, the tonal range is directly affected by dynamic range.

Tripod - A tripod is a three-legged camera support device used in photography to stabilize and support cameras, lenses, and other photographic equipment, allowing photographers to achieve sharp, steady images with reduced camera shake and blur, especially in low-light conditions or long-exposure photography.

TIFF - TIFF, short for Tagged Image File Format, is a widely used file format for storing high-quality digital images with lossless compression and support for multiple layers, channels, and colour spaces.

Telephoto Lens - A telephoto lens is a type of camera lens with a longer focal length than a standard or normal lens, providing magnified, narrow-angle views of distant subjects and compressing perspective for capturing distant scenes with enhanced detail and clarity.

Tungsten - Tungsten, also known as incandescent light or warm light, is a type of artificial lighting commonly used in photography and cinematography, characterized by its warm colour temperature and continuous spectrum similar to natural sunlight.

Texture - Texture in photography refers to the tactile quality, surface characteristics, and visual patterns of objects or subjects captured in a photograph, conveying a sense of depth, dimension, and tactile sensation.

Tone - Tone refers to the relative brightness or darkness of areas within an image, representing the tonal range from pure black to pure white.

Tilt-shift Lens - A tilt-shift lens is a specialized camera lens with adjustable tilt and shift mechanisms that allow photographers to control perspective distortion, depth of field, and the plane of focus for creative and technical purposes.

Teleconverter - A teleconverter, also known as an extender or telephoto converter, is a camera accessory used to increase the effective focal length and magnification of a lens by multiplying the focal length of the lens it’s attached to.

Tracking - Tracking is a photographic technique used to capture sharp images of moving subjects by continuously adjusting the camera's position or movement to match the subject's motion, keeping it in focus and centred within the frame throughout the exposure.

Timed Exposure - A timed exposure, also known as a long exposure or bulb exposure, is a photographic technique that involves using a slow shutter speed to prolong the duration of exposure, allowing more light to reach the camera sensor and create visually striking effects such as motion blur, light trails, or smooth water effects.

Tone Mapping - Tone mapping is a digital image processing technique used in high dynamic range (HDR) photography to adjust and compress the wide range of tonal values captured in multiple exposures into a single, visually balanced image with optimal contrast and detail.

Texture Overlay - Texture overlay is a digital image editing technique used to apply textured layers or patterns onto photographic images to add depth, visual interest, and artistic effects. Get 50 FREE light leak overlays here!

Tintype - A tintype, also known as a ferrotype or melainotype, is a photographic process popular in the 19th century for producing direct positive images on thin metal plates coated with a collodion emulsion. Tintypes are characterized by their metallic sheen, distinctive contrast, and unique aesthetic qualities, resulting in durable, one-of-a-kind images with rich tonal range and tactile texture, often used for portraiture and documentary photography during the Civil War era.

Test Strip - A test strip is a small section of photosensitive material, such as film or photographic paper, exposed to incremental amounts of light for a specified duration during the printing or enlarging process to determine the optimal exposure time and contrast settings for producing a well-exposed and balanced final print.

Photography terminology starting with U

Underexposure – when the picture is too dark. Not enough light has entered the camera.

Ultra-wide Angle Lens - A type of camera lens with an exceptionally short focal length and a wide field of view, allowing photographers to capture expansive scenes and dramatic perspectives with exaggerated depth and spatial distortion.

UV Filter - Also known as an ultraviolet filter or skylight filter, is a transparent optical filter used in photography to absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sunlight and reduce the bluish cast and atmospheric haze often present in outdoor images.

Unsharp Mask - A digital image processing technique used to enhance image sharpness and perceived detail by selectively increasing edge contrast and accentuating fine textures within a photograph.

Uncompressed - A file format or data storage method in digital photography that retains the original, raw sensor data without applying any compression algorithms or lossy data reduction techniques.

Underwater Photography - Underwater photography is a specialized genre of photography that involves capturing images and videos beneath the surface of the water, showcasing marine life, underwater landscapes, and aquatic environments with unique lighting, colours, and textures. Underwater photographers use waterproof cameras, underwater housings, and specialized lighting equipment to overcome challenges such as water pressure, buoyancy, and light attenuation, creating stunning visual narratives of the underwater world.

Uniform Lighting - The even distribution of light intensity and colour temperature across the entire scene or subject, resulting in consistent illumination without noticeable variations or hotspots.

UV Haze Filter - Also known as a UV-blocking filter or haze-cut filter, is a type of optical filter used in photography to reduce atmospheric haze, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and blue light pollution from entering the camera lens and affecting image quality.

Uplighting - A lighting technique used in photography and cinematography to illuminate subjects from below, directing light upwards towards the subject to create dramatic shadows, sculpted contours, and a sense of depth and dimension. Uplighting enhances the visual impact of portraits, sculptures, and architectural elements by emphasizing texture, form, and contrast, while also adding a sense of mystery and intrigue through the play of light and shadow.

Umbrella - A versatile lighting modifier used in photography to diffuse, soften, and shape artificial light sources, such as studio strobes or speedlights, for creating flattering, evenly illuminated portraits, group shots, and product images.

Urban Landscape Photography – Urban landscape photography is the practice of photographing man-altered landscapes in cities, towns and the like, usually to show the impact of humans on the planet. Want to know more? Check out our full blog post on Urban Landscape Photography!

Photography terminology starting with V

Vibrance – post-processing setting that allows you to target and adapt the dull, muted colours of an image. Click here for our video on the difference between Saturation and Vibrance.

Vignetting – where the corners of an image are made darker or lighter. Used to draw the viewers eye into the scene. Can be reduced or increased using post-processing software.

Viewfinder - An optical or electronic component on a camera that allows photographers to compose, frame, and focus images by providing a direct view of the scene through the camera's lens or imaging system.

Vanishing Point - The vanishing point is a visual concept in perspective drawing and photography where parallel lines appear to converge and meet at a single point on the horizon or at an infinite distance, creating the illusion of depth, distance, and spatial recession in two-dimensional images. Vanishing points are commonly used in architectural photography, landscape photography, and street photography to guide composition, lead the viewer's eye, and create a sense of perspective and scale.

Photography terminology starting with W

Watermark – text or image added to a photo to identify the ownership of the picture. Learn how to turn your own signature into a watermark here.

White balance – An adjustment that compensates for the colour temperature of the scene. Cameras have certain white balance modes such as daylight, tungsten and flash.

Wide-Angle Lens - A type of camera lens with a shorter focal length and a wider field of view than a standard or normal lens, allowing photographers to capture expansive scenes, architectural interiors, and immersive landscapes with greater perspective and spatial context. Wide-angle lenses typically have focal lengths shorter than 35mm (in full-frame equivalent).

Workflow - The systematic process or series of steps involved in capturing, editing, organizing, and managing digital images from initial capture to final output in photography and digital imaging workflows.

Wildlife Photography - Wildlife photography is a specialized genre of photography focused on capturing images of animals, birds, and wildlife in their natural habitats, showcasing their behaviour, interactions, and environmental relationships. Wildlife photographers use long telephoto lenses, camouflage techniques, and patient observation to capture intimate portraits, action shots, and storytelling images of wildlife species in their native ecosystems, promoting conservation awareness and appreciation of biodiversity. Want to learn all about wildlife photography? Check out the full course with Andy Rouse here!

Wet Plate Collodion - Wet plate collodion is a historic photographic process invented in the mid-19th century for producing direct positive images on glass or metal plates coated with a light-sensitive collodion emulsion. Wet plate collodion photography involves preparing, sensitizing, exposing, and developing the plates using wet chemistry techniques, resulting in unique, one-of-a-kind images with distinctive aesthetic qualities, tonal range, and tactile texture prized by contemporary fine art photographers and historic process enthusiasts.

Warp tool - The warp tool is a digital image editing tool found in software programs such as Adobe Photoshop that allows photographers and digital artists to distort, manipulate, and transform selected areas or objects within an image by bending, stretching, or warping pixels using customizable control points and handles.

White Point - White point refers to the colour temperature or chromaticity of pure white light displayed or captured in a photograph, representing the reference point for neutral colour balance and accurate colour reproduction within an image.

Wrist Strap - A camera accessory used to secure and carry a camera securely around the wrist of the photographer, providing added stability, security, and convenience while shooting on the go.

Photography terminology starting with X

X-Sync – The fastest flash sync speed of your camera. It’s the faster shutter speed at which the whole image sensor is exposed to allow in a burst of flash.

X-Ray Photography - Also known as radiography or medical imaging, is a specialized imaging technique that uses X-rays to capture detailed, non-invasive images of the internal structures, organs, and tissues of living organisms, including humans, animals, and plants.

Xerography - Xerography is a photocopying and printing technology used in office copiers and laser printers to produce high-quality, electrostatic images by using a photoconductive drum, toner particles, and heat to transfer and fuse powdered toner onto paper or other media.

Photography terminology starting with Y

Yellow filter – one of the most popular types of colour filters on black and white photos. Can now be added to black and white images in post-processing.

Yashika - A Japanese camera brand known for producing a wide range of 35mm film cameras, medium format cameras, and digital cameras from the mid-20th century to the present day.

Yoke - In photography and lighting equipment, a yoke refers to a mechanical support structure or bracket that attaches to the base of a lighting fixture, such as a studio strobe or stage spotlight, allowing for versatile positioning, angling, and mounting options.

Photography terminology starting with Z

Zoom lens – lens with a changeable focal length. E.g. you can zoom in and out with a zoom lens.

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Hi, I’m Marc Newton and I’m a photographer, educational speaker, author, teacher of photography and the founder of The School of Photography. Follow my personal work on Facebook, Instagram.

Photography, For SchoolsThe School of Photography10 May 2024Photography Jargon Explained, A-Z of Photography termsComment

Photography Terminology You Should Know

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A-Z of Photography Terminology Explained

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Photography terminology starting with Z

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