Photography Terms

A distortion of image quality or color rendition in a photographic image caused by optical limitations of the lens used for image […]

A term applied to a lens that has been corrected for chromatic aberration so that it brings light rays of two colours […]

ADCADC Analogue-Digital Converter. Hardware that converts analogueOpposite of digital. Analogue data merges continuously into each other without clearly defined steps. (E.g. the colours of a rainbow are not obviously separable from one another.) More information into digital data. More Analogue-Digital Converter. Hardware that converts analogueOpposite of digital. AnalogueOpposite of digital. Analogue data merges continuously into each other without clearly defined steps. (E.g. the colours of a rainbow are not obviously separable from one another.) More data […]

Describes a colour system that is based upon the addition of the three additive primary colours (red, green and blue). For example, colour televisions and computer monitor displays use the principle of additive colour mixing.

A widely accepted color space that encompasses a wider range of color than the more commonly used sRGBThe standard colour gamut for […]

Spot or area in the frame marking the position where the autofocusAutofocus (AF) is an optical system that uses a sensor, a […]

Opposite of digital. AnalogueOpposite of digital. AnalogueOpposite of digital. Analogue data merges continuously into each other without clearly defined steps. (E.g. the colours of a rainbow are not obviously separable from one another.) More data merges continuously into each other without clearly defined steps. (E.g. the colours of a rainbow are […]

An anastigmatAn anastigmatAn anastigmat lens is one in which all optical defects, including astigmatism, have been corrected in the design. The first of this kind, the Protar lens, designed by Paul Rudolph, was introduced by Zeiss in 1889. All modern lenses are anastigmats, so the definition for modern cameras and lenses has become redundant. More lens is one in which all optical defects, including astigmatism, have been corrected in the design. The first of […]

The aperture is basically a hole in the camera’s lens that lets light pass through it to the shutterEither mechanical and/or electronic shutters are possible. Mechanical systems can use a leaf (or iris) shutter or curtain shutterEither mechanical and/or electronic shutters are possible. Mechanical systems can use a leaf (or iris) shutter or curtain shutter. In digital cameras a third alternative is also possible: the electronic shutter. This works by activating and then deactivating the CCD so that no further light can be recorded, regardless of whether light is hitting the CCD. The shutter controls the exposure time, which can range from thousandths of a second to several minutes or more. Fast shutter speeds freeze action, slow speeds are more suited to stationary subjects. A tripod is recommended for slow exposure shots to avoid camera shake, or IBIS. More. In digital cameras a third alternative is also possible: the electronic shutterEither mechanical and/or electronic shutters are possible. Mechanical systems can use a leaf (or iris) shutter or curtain shutter. In digital cameras a third alternative is also possible: the electronic shutter. This works by activating and then deactivating the CCD so that no further light can be recorded, regardless of whether light is hitting the CCD. The shutter controls the exposure time, which can range from thousandths of a second to several minutes or more. Fast shutter speeds freeze action, slow speeds are more suited to stationary subjects. A tripod is recommended for slow exposure shots to avoid camera shake, or IBIS. More. This works by activating and then deactivating the CCD so that no further light can be […]

In this mode, the user can adjust the aperture and the camera automatically selects the best shutter speed to match it. In most cameras, the Aperture Priority mode is usually denoted by the letter ‘A’. Most film SLRsA single-lens reflex camera (SLRA single-lens reflex camera (SLR) is a camera that typically uses a mirror and prism system (hence "reflex" from the mirror's reflection) that permits the photographer to view through the lens and see exactly what will be captured. With twin lens reflex and rangefinder cameras, the viewed image could be significantly different from the final image. When the shutter button is pressed on most SLRs, the mirror flips out of the light path, allowing light to pass through to the film. Other camera typoes include DSLR, Rangefinder and Compact. More) is a camera that typically uses a mirror and prism […]

Advanced Photo System film is a discontinued film format first made in 1996. KodakKodak or its full name  – The Eastman Kodak Company is an American imaging company that began in the 19th century as an innovator of photography. Incorporated in New Jersey, the corporation was founded in 1888 by George Eastman in Rochester, New York, where its headquarters are still located today. More sold APSAdvanced Photo System film is a discontinued film format first made in 1996. Kodak sold APS film under the brand name Advantix, FujiFilm under the name Nexia, Agfa under the name Futura and by Konica as Centuria. More film under the brand name Advantix, […]

The aspect ratioThe aspect ratioThe aspect ratio is the relationship between an image's height and width. Aspect ratios are more often written with the width first, followed by the height. The aspect ratio you use depends on the type of project you're shooting. It is usually recommend to use 4:3 for photos and 16:9 for videos. A 3:2 aspect ratio is used by 35mm crop-sensor and full-frame DSLRs, some Leica medium format cameras, most mirrorless cameras, high-end compact cameras, and most 35mm film cameras. The 4:3 aspect ratio is used by Micro Four Thirds cameras, many compact cameras, some medium format digital cameras, as well as medium format film cameras using the 6 cm x 4.5 cm format. More is the relationship between an image’s height and width. Aspect ratios are more often written with the […]

AutofocusAutofocus (AF) is an optical system that uses a sensor, a control system and a motor to focus on an automatically or […]

Back button focusBack button focus is a technique used in photography that separates the focusing and shutterEither mechanical and/or electronic shutters are possible. Mechanical systems can use a leaf (or iris) shutter or curtain shutter. In digital cameras a third alternative is also possible: the electronic shutter. This works by activating and then deactivating the CCD so that no further light can be recorded, regardless of whether light is hitting the CCD. The shutter controls the exposure time, which can range from thousandths of a second to several minutes or more. Fast shutter speeds freeze action, slow speeds are more suited to stationary subjects. A tripod is recommended for slow exposure shots to avoid camera shake, or IBIS. More release functions on a digital […]

A bloomed lens is one that has had one or more of its air/glass surfaces coated with a thin film of metallic […]

An English transliteration of a Japanese word that means “haze” or “blur.” Pronounced boh-keh, it refers to the out-of-focus areas in a photograph with […]

The bridge camera is a form factor that is between a point-and-shoot and a DSLRA digital single-lens reflex camera (digital SLRA single-lens reflex camera (SLR) is a camera that typically uses a mirror and prism system (hence "reflex" from the mirror's reflection) that permits the photographer to view through the lens and see exactly what will be captured. With twin lens reflex and rangefinder cameras, the viewed image could be significantly different from the final image. When the shutter button is pressed on most SLRs, the mirror flips out of the light path, allowing light to pass through to the film. Other camera typoes include DSLR, Rangefinder and Compact. More or […]

Bulb mode/setting (B) is a shutter speedThe time a camera sensor or film is exposed to light when taking a photo. More […]

A CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) is an integrated circuit containing an array of linked or coupled capacitors and it is one of two […]

The term ‘Clean, Lubricate, Adjust’ (CLA’d) is used mostly for cameras but also for lenses. It is often abbreviated to CLAThe term […]