Aperture |
The opening in a camera lens that determines the amount of light that enters the camera. It is measured in f-stops. Example: A small aperture, such as f/16, creates a large depth of field, while a large aperture, such as f/1.8, creates a shallow depth of field. |
Shutter speed |
The length of time that a camera's shutter is open. It is measured in fractions of a second. Example: A fast shutter speed of 1/1000s is good for capturing quick movements, while a slow shutter speed of 1/15s can create a motion blur effect. |
ISO |
The sensitivity of a camera's image sensor to light. It is measured in numbers, such as 100 or 800. Example: A low ISO, such as 100, is good for capturing photos in bright light, while a high ISO, such as 3200, is good for capturing photos in low light, but may result in more image noise. |
Exposure |
The combination of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO that determines the brightness and detail of a photo. Example: A correct exposure produces an image that is not too bright or too dark, and is properly balanced between the shadows and highlights. |
Focus |
The clarity and sharpness of a photo. Example: A photo that is in focus has a clear subject that is sharp and detailed, while a photo that is out of focus appears soft and blurry. |
Composition |
The placement and arrangement of visual elements in a photo. Example: A well-composed photo has a balanced and visually appealing arrangement of subjects, lines, shapes, colors, and textures. |
Depth of field |
The amount of distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a photo that appear in sharp focus. Example: A shallow depth of field blurs the background and keeps the subject in focus, while a large depth of field keeps everything in the photo in focus. |
Bokeh |
The aesthetic quality of the blurred background in a photo. Example: A photo with a pleasing bokeh has a soft, creamy, and visually appealing blur. |
Exposure compensation |
The ability to adjust the brightness of a photo by increasing or decreasing the exposure value (EV). It is measured in steps, such as +1 or -2. Example: A +1 exposure compensation increases the brightness of a photo by doubling the amount of light, while a -2 exposure compensation darkens the photo by reducing the amount of light by four times. |
White balance |
The adjustment of colors in a photo to compensate for different types of lighting, such as sunlight, fluorescent light, or incandescent light. Example: A correct white balance produces a photo that looks natural and accurate, while an incorrect white balance can create a color cast that is too warm, cool, green, or magenta. |
Histogram |
A graph that shows the distribution of tones in a photo, from shadows to highlights. Example: A histogram that is well-distributed across the entire range of tones indicates a well-exposed photo, while a histogram that is biased towards the left or right indicates an underexposed or overexposed photo, respectively. |
RAW |
A file format that captures all the data and details of a photo and allows for more flexibility in processing and editing. Example: A RAW file can be adjusted for exposure, white balance, noise reduction, sharpening, and other settings without losing image quality, while a JPEG file is already compressed and lossy. |
Post-processing |
The editing of a photo after it has been captured to enhance its quality or creative effect. Example: Post-processing can involve adjusting exposure, contrast, color, sharpness, saturation, noise reduction, and other settings using software such as Lightroom or Photoshop. |
Rule of thirds |
A compositional guideline that suggests dividing an image into thirds horizontally and vertically, and placing the subject or point of interest at the intersections of the lines. Example: The rule of thirds can create a more balanced and visually interesting image than placing the subject in the center. |
Leading lines |
Lines or shapes in a photo that guide the viewer's eye towards the subject or point of interest. Example: A photo of a road or a river can use the leading lines to draw the viewer in and create a sense of depth and perspective. |
Depth |
The three-dimensional quality of a photo that creates a sense of space, distance, and volume. Example: A photo with depth can make the viewer feel as if they are part of the scene, rather than just looking at a flat, two-dimensional image. |
Exposure triangle |
The relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO that determines the exposure of a photo. Adjusting one setting affects the others. Example: The exposure triangle helps photographers understand how to balance the trade-offs between depth of field, motion blur, and image noise in different lighting conditions. |
Zoom |
The ability of a camera lens to change the focal length and magnification of a subject without moving closer or further away. Example: A zoom lens can capture close-ups of distant objects or compress the perspective of nearby objects for a different view. |
Framing |
The use of objects, lines, or shapes in a photo to create a frame around the subject or point of interest. Example: A photo of a person standing behind a window or a doorway can create a natural frame around the person's face or body, and draw the viewer's attention to the person. |
Panorama |
A wide-angle photo that captures a panoramic view of a landscape, cityscape, or interior. Example: A panorama can be created by stitching together multiple photos into a single image, or by using a panoramic camera or mode on a smartphone. |