ND filter (Neutral Density filter)
A filter that reduces the amount of light entering the camera without affecting color balance. It is used to achieve longer exposures, control depth of field, or balance exposure in bright lighting conditions.
Negative
A photographic film or paper that contains the inverted tones and colors of the original scene. It is typically used in traditional film photography for making prints.
Natural light
The available or ambient light in a scene, such as sunlight or moonlight, without the use of artificial lighting sources.
Negative space
The empty or unoccupied areas surrounding the main subject in an image. It can enhance composition, draw attention to the subject, or create a sense of balance.
Noise
Unwanted visual artifacts that appear as random pixel variations, often resembling grain or speckles, in digital images. It is caused by factors such as high ISO settings or low light conditions.
Nikon
A well-known camera brand that produces a wide range of digital cameras and lenses for both professionals and enthusiasts.
Nodal point
The point within a camera lens where light rays converge and intersect. It is important to know the nodal point when shooting panoramic images or using specialized equipment like nodal slides.
Normal lens
A lens with a focal length that closely matches the human eye’s field of view, typically around 50mm for full-frame cameras. It provides a natural perspective and is often used for general photography.
Night photography
The practice of capturing images in low light or nighttime conditions. It often involves long exposures, light painting, or photographing subjects such as cityscapes, stars, or the moon.
Naturalistic photography
A style of photography that aims to capture subjects or scenes in a realistic and authentic manner, without significant alteration or manipulation.
Neutral tone
A color tone or palette that appears neither warm nor cool. It is often used to create a balanced and natural-looking image.
Nifty fifty (50mm lens)
A nickname is used to refer a 50mm lens, which is highly regarded for its versatility, affordability, and ability to produce sharp images with a natural perspective.
Noise reduction
The process of reducing or minimizing the presence of noise in digital images, either through in-camera settings or post-processing techniques.
Nikkor lens
A brand of lenses manufactured by Nikon. Nikkor lenses are known for their optical quality and compatibility with Nikon cameras.
Near focus limit
The closest distance at which a lens can focus and still produce a sharp image. It is an important consideration for macro or close-up photography.
Nodal slide
A specialized device used in panoramic photography to position the camera at the nodal point of rotation, reducing parallax errors and facilitating seamless image stitching.
Nondestructive Editing
A method of editing digital images that preserves the original file integrity by using adjustment layers, masks, or virtual copies. It allows for reversible modifications without permanently altering the original image data.
Non-reflective surface
A surface that minimizes or eliminates reflections, making it ideal for product photography, portrait photography, or any situation where unwanted reflections can affect image quality.
Neon lights
Bright, colorful electric lights containing gases that emit a distinctive glow when electrified. They are often used in urban photography, nightscapes, or for creating vibrant and eye-catching compositions.
Normal perspective
The visual representation of a scene that closely resembles how the human eye perceives it. Objects at a distance appear smaller, and parallel lines seem to converge toward a vanishing point.
Nude photography
A genre of photography that depicts the human body, typically in a tasteful and artistic manner, while emphasizing beauty, form, and expression.
Nature photography
The genre of photography that focuses on capturing the natural world, including landscapes, wildlife, plants, and natural phenomena, often with an emphasis on conservation and environmental awareness.
Nostalgic filter
A post-processing effect or preset that imparts a vintage or retro look to images, often mimicking the aesthetics of old film cameras, with faded colors, increased grain, or vignetting.
Normal zoom lens
A zoom lens with a focal length range that covers a normal field of view, typically around 24-70mm for full-frame cameras. It offers versatility for various photographic situations.
Non-camera light source
A light source used in photography that is not part of the camera itself. This can include natural light, artificial lighting, or off-camera flash units.
Negative film
Photographic film that, when exposed and developed, produces a negative image. It is traditionally used in film photography and serves as a starting point for producing prints or positive images.
Non-linear editing
A method of editing digital images or videos where the order of editing operations can be rearranged or modified without affecting the original source files. Non-linear editing allows for greater flexibility and creative control.
Normal field of view
The extent of the scene captured by a lens that provides a natural perspective, similar to what the human eye sees without significant distortion or magnification.
Noise reduction algorithm
A mathematical process or set of rules used to analyze and reduce noise in digital images. Different algorithms employ various techniques to distinguish between noise and image details.
National Geographic
A renowned magazine and media organization known for its exceptional photography, focusing on exploration, science, nature, and cultural documentation from around the world.
Narrative photography
A genre of photography that tells a story or conveys a specific message through images. It often involves capturing a sequence of photographs that collectively create a visual narrative.
Narrow aperture
A small lens opening, represented by a higher f-number (e.g., f/16 or f/22), which restricts the amount of light entering the camera. Narrow apertures increase depth of field and can be used to capture sharpness throughout the image.
Negative scanner
A device used to digitize or convert analog film negatives into digital files. It typically involves scanning the negative and converting it into a positive digital image.
Natural pose
A relaxed and unforced pose adopted by a subject in front of the camera. Natural posing aims to capture genuine expressions, emotions, and body language.
Neutral density gradient filter
A filter that has a graduated density across its surface, allowing photographers to balance exposure when shooting scenes with a significant difference in brightness between the foreground and the sky.
Negative space composition
The intentional placement and utilization of negative space within a composition to create a visual balance, emphasize the main subject, or evoke a sense of simplicity or minimalism.
Negative carrier
A device or frame used in film photography to hold the negative securely and in the correct position during the printing or scanning process.
Nighttime long exposure
A photographic technique that involves using long exposure times during nighttime conditions to capture motion blur, light trails, or smooth water surfaces.
Nature reserve
A protected area designated to preserve and conserve natural habitats, species, or ecosystems. Nature reserves often offer unique opportunities for nature photographers to capture biodiversity and pristine landscapes.
Nautical photography
The practice of photographing maritime subjects, including boats, ships, seascapes, coastal environments, and activities related to the sea or water bodies.
Nodal ninja
A brand of specialized equipment used for panoramic photography, including panoramic tripod heads and accessories designed to accurately position the camera at the nodal point.
Neutral density gel
A transparent gel or sheet material used to modify the intensity of light in specific areas. Neutral density gels can be applied to light sources to reduce their brightness and create more balanced lighting conditions.
Negative sleeve
A protective sleeve or enclosure used to store and organize film negatives, providing a safe and dust-free environment to prevent damage or deterioration.
Noise reduction filter
A digital filter or tool used to reduce noise in digital images during post-processing, often utilizing algorithms to analyze and suppress unwanted noise while preserving image details.
Natural light portrait
A portrait photograph captured using only natural light sources, such as sunlight or window light, without the use of artificial lighting equipment.
Normal lens distortion
The minimal distortion or optical aberrations typically associated with a normal lens, resulting in a more accurate representation of straight lines and shapes in an image.
National Park photography
The practice of capturing the natural beauty, landscapes, wildlife, and unique features of national parks, often promoting environmental awareness and conservation.
Naturalistic color grading
The post-processing technique of adjusting and enhancing the colors of an image to achieve a natural and lifelike appearance, while maintaining the overall mood and atmosphere of the scene.
Non-reflective backdrop
A background material or surface that minimizes or eliminates reflections, ensuring a clean and distraction-free background for subjects in a photograph.
Natural texture
The inherent surface characteristics and tactile qualities found in natural objects, such as tree bark, rocks, or fabrics. Capturing and emphasizing natural textures can add depth and visual interest to an image.
Neutral gray card
A reference card with a precisely calibrated neutral gray surface, often used in photography to establish accurate exposure and white balance settings by providing a known reference point for color and tonal values.
Noiseless ISO
The ISO setting on a camera that produces minimal noise or digital artifacts in the resulting image, typically achieved by using lower ISO values or employing noise reduction techniques.
Nature macro photography
The close-up photography of small subjects found in the natural world, such as insects, flowers, or textures, revealing intricate details that are often unseen by the naked eye.
Naturalistic framing
The deliberate use of elements within the scene, such as branches, foliage, or architectural features, to frame the main subject, adding depth, context, and visual interest to the composition.
Normal focal length
The focal length of a lens that closely matches the angle of view of the human eye, providing a natural and unexaggerated perspective when capturing a scene.
Neon light trail
The streaks or trails of light created by moving neon lights or signs when captured using long exposures, resulting in vibrant, abstract, and dynamic visual effects.
Nikon Z-series
A line of mirrorless cameras produced by Nikon, characterized by their compact size, electronic viewfinders, and compatibility with the Nikon Z lens mount system.
Naturalistic shadow
A shadow cast by a subject or object that appears in a realistic and unexaggerated manner, faithfully representing the interplay of light and form in a scene.
Nonlinear storytelling
A narrative approach in photography where images are arranged or presented in a non-sequential or unconventional manner, challenging traditional linear storytelling structures and inviting multiple interpretations.
Naturalistic bokeh
The aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image, achieved by using wide apertures, resulting in smooth, creamy, and pleasing background blur that complements the main subject.
Naturalistic motion blur
The intentional capture of motion or movement in a photograph, resulting in the blurring of objects or elements in the frame, conveying a sense of dynamism, speed, or energy.
Nighttime astrophotography
The specialized field of photography that focuses on capturing celestial objects, including stars, planets, galaxies, or astronomical phenomena, often requiring long exposures and specialized equipment.
Negative space dominance
A compositional technique where the negative space within an image takes precedence over the main subject, creating a visually striking and minimalist composition that emphasizes the surroundings rather than the subject itself.
