Photography Glossary

Optical distortion in a lens causing blurred or color-fringed images.

The sharpness of an edge or boundary between tones in an image.

Existing natural or artificial light in a scene, not added by the photographer.

Photography using film and chemical processes rather than digital sensors.

Materials or processes designed to resist deterioration over time.

American Standards Association film speed rating, predecessor to ISO.

Camera setting that automatically adjusts color temperature.

Light source positioned behind the subject, facing the camera.

Lens distortion where straight lines bow outward.

The aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in a photograph.

Technique of directing flash at a surface to create softer, diffused light.

Taking multiple shots at different exposures to ensure a correct result.

Shutter setting that keeps the shutter open as long as the button is held.

Ancient optical device projecting an image onto a surface; precursor to photography.

Color photographic print made using dye-coupled chemistry.

Loss of detail in highlights or shadows when values exceed sensor range.

Unwanted tint of color across an image, usually from mixed light sources.

Creative adjustment of color tones in post-processing for mood or style.

Measurement of light color in Kelvin (K); warm vs. cool light.

The arrangement of visual elements within a frame.

The difference between the lightest and darkest areas of an image.

Multiplier applied to lens focal length based on sensor size vs full frame.

A blue-green color used in subtractive color processes (CMY).

The first publicly available photographic process, introduced in 1839.

Light-controlled room used for developing and printing film photographs.

The range of distance in a scene that appears acceptably sharp.

Material used to soften and spread light, reducing harsh shadows.

Adobe's open raw image format for archival and editing.

Resolution measurement for printed images.

Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera; uses a mirror and optical viewfinder.

The range of light intensities a sensor or film can capture.

Light-sensitive coating on film or photographic paper.

Adjustment made to override the camera's metered exposure.

Unit expressing the aperture size of a lens (f/1.4, f/2.8, f/8, etc.).

A lens with a wide maximum aperture (f/1.4–f/2.8) allowing more light.

Secondary light used to reduce shadows created by the main light.

Sensitivity of film to light, expressed as ASA or ISO.

Glass or optical resin placed in front of a lens to modify light or color.

A lens with a single focal length (also called a prime lens).

Distance from the optical center of a lens to the sensor, in millimeters.

Combining multiple images at different focus points for maximum sharpness.

The size of the film or sensor (35mm, medium format, large format).

Number of frames captured per second in video (fps).

The most common black-and-white photographic print process.

The period shortly after sunrise or before sunset with warm, soft light.

Visible texture in film images caused by silver halide crystals.

18% reflectance reference card used to set accurate exposure and white balance.

Technique combining multiple exposures to capture full tonal range.

The brightest areas of an image.

Graphical representation of tonal distribution in an image.

The closest focus distance at which objects at infinity are acceptably sharp.

Optical or sensor-based system to reduce camera shake.

Light falling on a subject, measured with an incident light meter.

Compressed image file format; universal but lossy.

Unit of measurement for color temperature of light.

The primary or dominant light source in a lighting setup.

The exposure range a film or sensor can capture before losing detail.

Light scattering inside a lens, creating artifacts or glows.

Device measuring light intensity to determine correct exposure.

Technique using a slow shutter speed to capture motion or low light.

A color grading preset applied to video or photo files.

The brightness or luminance value of a pixel or area.

Extreme close-up photography, often at 1:1 magnification.

One million pixels; used to describe sensor resolution.

The camera's system for measuring light to determine exposure.

Digital camera without a reflex mirror; uses electronic viewfinder.

Lighting accessory (softbox, umbrella, grid) that shapes or diffuses light.

Blur caused by subject or camera movement during exposure.

Film image where tones are reversed; base for printing positives.

Filter that reduces light without affecting color.

Random variation in brightness/color in digital images, especially at high ISO.

Too much light reaching the sensor; image appears too bright or blown out.

Camera technique of following a moving subject to create motion blur in background.

Professional medium format camera system; Robert Morrissey is a Phase One Featured Photographer.

The smallest unit of a digital image.

Filter reducing reflections and increasing color saturation.

Editing of images after capture using software.

A fixed focal length lens.

Physical output of a photographic image.

Uncompressed, unprocessed image file containing full sensor data.

The relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in exposure.

Surface used to redirect light onto a subject.

The amount of detail an image holds, measured in pixels or DPI.

Post-processing technique to correct or enhance specific areas of an image.

The digital component that captures light and converts it to an image.

The darkest areas of an image.

A dark shape against a bright background.

A light modifier producing soft, even, directional light.

A unit of exposure measurement; doubling or halving the amount of light.

A long focal length lens that magnifies distant subjects.

Uncompressed image file format; high quality, large file size.

Adding color to a black-and-white print (sepia, selenium, etc.).

Three-legged support device for stabilizing a camera.

Too little light reaching the sensor; image appears too dark.

Ultraviolet filter used to reduce haze and protect the lens.

Darkening of the edges or corners of an image.

The sense that certain elements in a composition draw more attention.

A short focal length lens capturing a broader field of view.

Ansel Adams' system for precisely controlling exposure and development (listed here for context).

Ansel Adams' system dividing tonal range into 11 zones (0–X) for precise exposure control.

A lens with variable focal length.