The Photography Terms Glossary by Apkze90
For anyone starting out in photography, the number of terms and jargon can be overwhelming. To help simplify things, Apkze90 has created a comprehensive glossary of essential photography terms. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to refresh your knowledge, this guide will give you the definitions you need.
How to Use This Glossary
The glossary is organized alphabetically for easy navigation. Simply click on the index below to jump to a specific letter. Some terms are linked to more in-depth guides where you can dive deeper into the subject matter.
Index:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0-9
Photography Terms Starting with “A”
Active Autofocus
This autofocus system works by emitting a red beam that bounces off the subject, measures the distance, and adjusts the lens focus accordingly.
Adobe
An American software company that develops a wide range of tools for creatives, including Adobe Photoshop—the industry standard for image editing.
Adobe Camera Raw (ACR)
A plug-in for Adobe Photoshop that allows photographers to process and enhance raw photos before importing them into the software, offering an alternative to Adobe Lightroom.
AE Lock (Auto Exposure Lock)
A camera feature that locks the current exposure settings, allowing photographers to shoot without the camera recalculating exposure for each frame.
AF Lock (Auto Focus Lock)
This function freezes the autofocus on a particular point, allowing photographers to shoot without worrying about the camera re-adjusting focus.
Ambient Light
Light that exists in a scene naturally, either from the sun or pre-existing artificial lighting, as opposed to light intentionally added by the photographer.
Angle of View (AOV)
Also called “field of view,” this refers to the extent of a scene captured by the camera lens, typically influenced by the lens’s focal length.
Aperture
The opening within a camera lens that allows light to pass through to the sensor. Aperture is one of the three components of the Exposure Triangle, controlling both exposure and depth of field.
Aperture Priority
A shooting mode where the photographer selects the aperture setting, and the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed for proper exposure.
Photography Terms Starting with “B”
Back Button Focus
A technique in which the autofocus is moved from the shutter button to a button on the back of the camera. This allows for more control, especially in fast-moving scenarios.
Background
The area of a scene that lies behind the main subject. Backgrounds can be blurred with a shallow depth of field to emphasize the subject, particularly in portrait photography.
Backlight
Occurs when the light source is positioned behind the subject, often creating dramatic effects such as silhouettes or glowing edges around the subject.
Barrel Distortion
A type of distortion where straight lines in the image curve outward, making the image look as though it’s viewed through the outside of a barrel. This is often seen in wide-angle photography.
Blown-Out Highlights
This term describes areas in an image that are overexposed, resulting in lost details and pure white pixels. This is also known as “clipping.”
Blue Hour
The period of twilight just before sunrise or after sunset when the sky takes on a blue hue. It provides soft, diffuse lighting that is highly regarded by photographers for its aesthetic qualities.
Bokeh
The aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in a photograph, typically created by a shallow depth of field. Good bokeh is often sought after in portraiture to isolate the subject and create a pleasing background blur.
Photography Terms Starting with “C” (and Beyond)
The glossary continues with more technical terms and photography jargon that are essential for mastering the craft. Stay tuned for terms related to lenses, lighting, composition, and more.
Dive Deeper with Our Detailed Guides
While the glossary provides simple definitions, many terms are linked to in-depth guides on Apkze90 that offer greater insight. These articles will help you understand the practical applications of each term, from aperture settings to astrophotography.
Conclusion
Whether you’re just beginning or refining your skills, knowing the language of photography is a key part of your growth as a photographer. We hope Apkze90’s comprehensive glossary helps you navigate the technical side of photography with ease.