JARGON BUSTER OF PHOTOGRAPHY

A = Aperture

Aperture is just like the naked human eye (the pupil), the aperture is a small hole opening inside the lens to control the amount of available light.

B = Burst Mode 

A mode that can be used for shooting a series of images in rapid succession.

C = Contrast

The difference between the lightest and darkest areas in the image. The greater the difference the higher the contrast.

D = Depth of Field

The distance between what is in focus from the foreground and background that appears sharp to the naked eye.

E = Exposure

The amount of light that hits the sensor can be controlled by the aperture, shutter speed and ISO giving you the correct exposure.

F= Focal Length

The magnifying power of the lens. The longer the length the greater the magnification.

H = Histogram 

This is a chart showing how much of the image is midtones, shadows and highlights.


I = ISO

Many digital cameras have an ISO setting. This setting can be changed. Changing the settings alters the sensitivity of the cameras sensor to light.

J = JPG

Small manageable files which are produced from digital images.

L = Layers

A feature in Photoshop that can be created each time the original image is modified or enhanced without actually effecting or changing the original image.

M = Macro mode 

This is shown on the control dial with a flower icon. This mode allows one to shoot detailed close up images.

N = Noise 

Noise is the digital equivalent to grain and can be seen in the images as distortion or random speckles' of colour. This is more noticeable when the image is shot at a high ISO setting.


P = Pixel  

When an image is enlarged you will notice lots of tiny squares these are pixels that form the image. A mega pixel equals one million pixels.

R = Red Eye

Red eye occurs when the flash light reflects off the blood vessels in the retina. Many digital cameras have an option to remove the red eye through the menu system and most basic editing software will allow to get rid of it.

S = Shutter Speed 

The length of time the shutter stays open as the image is shot.

T = Tripod Mount  

Found underneath some cameras, a screw hole that allows you to attach your camera to a tripod. 

W = White Balance  

This function can be altered to change the colour balance to compensate for different colours emitted from different light sources.