Photography Terms and Definitions
Make it stand out
If you have ever taken a photography class with me then you received this list as a handout. But since I know that papers get lost (and I have already had people ask me for duplicate copies) I thought I would post it here as a resource for those who want to reference it again in the future.
Exposure: The amount of light hitting your camera sensor
Under-Exposed: An image that is too dark
Over-Exposed: An image that is too light
Light Meter: Measures the intensity of light and indicates the correct exposure
Exposure Compensation: How you adjust your exposure to make your image lighter/darker
Dynamic Range: The difference between the lightest and darkest tones that the camera can properly expose within the same image
Shutter Speed: The length of time the camera shutter remains open letting light into the camera sensor
Long-Exposure: When the shutter remains open for an extended period of time
Aperture: The opening in the camera lens that allows light to reach the sensor
F-Stop: Size of the aperture opening (ratio of the focal length of the lens divided by the aperture diameter) ex. F/8. F/11
Depth of Field: The area (front to back) of your image that is in focus. The distance between the closest and farthest objects in your image frame that are in focus.
Shallow Depth of Field: When the depth of field is narrow enough to render the background behind the subject out of focus (The blurry background effect)
ISO: The light sensitivity of a camera’s sensor
Elements of Design and Composition
Form: Implied 3-dimensionality in a 2-dimensional image
Contrast: Creating interest by using dissimilar elements within an image (most commonly: color, shape, size, tone)
Texture: Visual quality of the surface of your subject (look for side lighting)
Leading Lines: Lines that lead a viewers eye through a photo (look for roads, paths, logs, etc.)
Horizontal Lines: Calm, stable
Curved Lines: natural, softer movement
Vertical Lines: Active
Diagonal Lines: Dynamic, implied tension
Balance: How we arrange the subject and other elements within a frame to even out the visual weight (and control the viewers eye)
Asymmetrical Balance: The subject is placed off center, and balanced out by the arrangement of smaller elements or negative (empty) space
Symmetrical Balance: Elements are placed centrally or arranged to create an evenly balanced composition
(Other Elements of Balance Include: Color, Tone, Concept)
Rule of Thirds: Arranging your subject in one of the outer thirds of a frame, rather than the central portion of the frame as a means of creating asymmetrical balance within your image
