Shutter speed
The length of time the camera’s shutter remains open, determining the amount of light that reaches the image sensor.
Shutter release
The button or mechanism used to activate the camera’s shutter and capture an image.
Single-lens reflex (SLR)
A camera that uses a mirror and prism system to provide a through-the-lens optical viewfinder.
Spot metering
A metering mode where the camera measures the exposure based on a small area of the frame, typically the center, to determine the correct exposure for that specific spot.
Studio lighting
Artificial lighting equipment and setups used in a controlled indoor environment, such as a photography studio, to illuminate subjects with precision.
Softbox
A light modifier that softens and diffuses the light emitted by a studio strobe or flash, creating a gentle, even illumination.
Strobe
A high-powered artificial light source that produces a brief burst of light, often used in studio photography to freeze motion or create dramatic effects.
Self-portrait
A photograph in which the photographer themselves is the subject, capturing their own image.
Superzoom lens
A versatile telephoto zoom lens with an extensive focal length range, providing significant magnification and flexibility for capturing distant subjects.
SD card
A Secure Digital memory card commonly used in digital cameras to store and transfer image files.
Street photography
A genre of photography focused on capturing candid and unposed moments of everyday life in public spaces, often reflecting the essence of a city or community.
Shallow depth of field
An effect achieved by using a wide aperture, resulting in a small area of the image being sharply focused while the foreground and background appear blurred.
Saturation
The intensity or richness of colors in an image, ranging from muted or desaturated to vivid and highly saturated.
Solarization
An artistic effect where an image’s tonal range is partially or completely reversed, creating a surreal appearance with a mix of positive and negative values.
Split toning
A post-processing technique where different tonal ranges in an image are assigned separate colors, allowing for creative color manipulation and mood enhancement.
Silver gelatin print
A black and white photographic print made using traditional darkroom techniques, involving the use of light-sensitive silver salts on gelatin-coated paper.
Solar filter
A specialized filter used for safe observation or photography of the sun, protecting the camera and the photographer’s eyes from excessive brightness.
Spirit level
A tool or built-in feature in some cameras used to ensure the camera is level and straight when capturing images, avoiding tilted or skewed compositions.
Shutter lag
The delay between pressing the shutter release button and the camera actually capturing the image, which can vary among different camera models.
Sensor size
The physical dimensions of the image sensor in a camera, impacting image quality, low-light performance, and depth of field control.
Selective focus
A technique where the photographer deliberately chooses a specific area of the image to be in sharp focus, while the rest of the scene appears blurred.
Starburst effect
A visual phenomenon that occurs when a bright light source, such as the sun or streetlights, appears to have rays radiating from it, often achieved by using a narrow aperture.
Silhouette
A photographic composition where the subject appears as a dark shape or outline against a brighter background, typically capturing the subject’s form or contour.
Slideshow
A presentation format where a sequence of images is displayed in a continuous loop, often accompanied by music or commentary.
Snapshot
A casual or spontaneous photograph taken without much planning or consideration for composition or technical aspects.
Stereoscopic photography
A technique that involves capturing or viewing images in such a way that they create a sense of depth and three-dimensionality, often using special stereoscopic viewers or glasses.
Still life
A genre of photography that focuses on capturing inanimate objects, such as fruits, flowers, or everyday items, arranged in an aesthetically pleasing composition.
Stacking
A technique in which multiple images of the same subject are taken and combined in post-processing to enhance details, increase depth of field, or reduce noise.
Synchro-sunlight
A lighting condition where the intensity of artificial lights used in a scene matches the brightness of sunlight, resulting in a balanced and natural-looking exposure.
Soft focus
A deliberate optical effect used to create a dreamy or romantic look by intentionally reducing the sharpness and clarity of the image.
Sepia
A reddish-brown tone often applied to images to give them a vintage or nostalgic appearance, reminiscent of old photographs.
Scrim
A translucent material, such as fabric or mesh, placed between a subject and a light source to diffuse and soften the light.
Swivel head
A feature found on some external flash units that allows the flash head to be rotated or tilted, providing flexibility in directing the light.
Slave flash
A flash unit that is triggered wirelessly by another flash or a master unit, synchronizing its output with the primary flash.
Steadicam
A camera stabilization system that uses a mechanical arm and a harness worn by the operator to achieve smooth and steady shots, reducing camera shake.
Strap lug
Metal attachments on a camera body where a camera strap or shoulder strap can be securely attached for carrying or holding the camera.
Subtractive color
The color model used in traditional photographic prints, where colors are created by subtracting specific wavelengths of light from white light.
Superimposition
The process of combining multiple images or layers in post-processing to create a single composite image.
Stopping down
Reducing the aperture size (increasing the f-number) to decrease the amount of light entering the camera and increase the depth of field.
Shooting mode
A camera setting that determines how the camera operates when capturing images, such as manual mode, aperture priority, shutter priority, or automatic mode.
Speedlight
A compact, portable flash unit, often used on-camera or off-camera, to provide additional light in low-light situations or for creative lighting effects.
Sunny aperture
The recommended aperture setting for proper exposure in bright sunlight when using the Sunny 16 rule (f/16)
Subject
The main focus or primary element of interest in a photograph, often the primary reason for capturing the image.
Self-timer
A camera feature that delays the shutter release after the button is pressed, allowing the photographer to include themselves in the photo or avoid camera shake.
Spectral sensitivity
The range of wavelengths of light that a camera sensor or film is sensitive to, affecting how colors are rendered in the final image.
Shooting angle
The perspective from which a photograph is taken, determined by the camera’s position relative to the subject, which can significantly impact the composition and storytelling of the image.
Stitching
The process of digitally combining multiple images, often overlapping or captured from different perspectives, to create a single, wider-angle or panoramic image.
Split focus
A technique where two or more subjects or elements within an image are intentionally placed at different distances from the camera, creating visual interest and depth.
Single shot
A shooting mode where the camera captures a single image with each press of the shutter release button.
Sequence shot
A series of images captured in rapid succession to document or portray a specific action or event, often used in sports or wildlife photography.
Selfie stick
A telescoping pole or monopod with a camera mount at the end, allowing the photographer to extend their camera’s reach for self-portraits or group shots.
Second curtain sync
A flash mode where the flash fires at the end of the exposure, creating a trailing light effect behind moving subjects.
Super macro
A photography technique or lens that allows for extreme close-up images, capturing small subjects or details with high magnification.
Shutter priority
A shooting mode where the photographer sets the desired shutter speed, and the camera automatically adjusts the aperture to achieve proper exposure.
Straight photography
A style of photography that emphasizes capturing subjects in a straightforward and unaltered manner, without significant manipulation or post-processing.
Snapseed
A popular mobile photo editing application that offers a wide range of editing tools and filters for enhancing and modifying images.
Stereoscope
A viewing device or apparatus that allows pairs of two-dimensional images, typically photographs, to be viewed as a single three-dimensional image.
Sprocket hole
The perforations along the edges of a film negative or positive, used to advance and position the film correctly in a camera or projector.
Star trails
The streaks of light created when stars are photographed over a long exposure, resulting from the Earth’s rotation during the capture.
Soft proofing
The process of simulating on a computer screen or printer how an image will look when printed, considering color accuracy and other output-specific factors.
Solarization
An effect in which a photographic image appears partially or completely reversed in tonal values, resulting in a unique and often surreal appearance.
Spot healing brush
A tool in photo editing software used to remove small imperfections or blemishes in an image by sampling and blending surrounding pixels.
Soft light
A diffused and gentle lighting quality that produces soft shadows and smooth transitions between highlights and shadows.
Stabilization
Techniques or equipment used to reduce camera shake and maintain a steady image, such as optical stabilization, tripod use, or image stabilization software.
Selective color
A post-processing technique where an image is converted to black and white while preserving the color of specific objects or areas for emphasis.
Secondary color
A color created by mixing two primary colors, such as orange (red + yellow), green (yellow + blue), or purple (red + blue).
Slide film
A type of film designed for transparency or slide projection, producing positive images that can be viewed directly without the need for printing.
Soft proofing
A digital process that allows photographers to preview how an image will look when printed, taking into account color profiles, calibration, and specific printer characteristics.
Swirly bokeh
A bokeh effect characterized by circular or oval-shaped out-of-focus highlights in the background that have a distinctive swirling or spinning pattern.
Subject distance
The physical distance between the camera and the subject being photographed, influencing perspective, depth of field, and the composition of the image.
Skyline
The outline or silhouette of a city or landscape against the sky, often capturing iconic buildings, landmarks, or natural features.
Spot meter
A built-in or handheld metering device that measures the exposure of a specific spot or area in the scene, allowing precise control over exposure settings.
Scenic photography
The genre of photography that focuses on capturing beautiful landscapes, seascapes, or natural scenery, often emphasizing the aesthetic appeal of the environment.
Sensor cleaning
The process of removing dust, dirt, or other contaminants from the camera’s image sensor to maintain image quality and prevent unwanted artifacts.
Stacking focus
A technique used in macro photography or close-up shots where multiple images are taken at different focal distances and then combined in post-processing to achieve a greater depth of field.
Spirit level
A bubble level built into the camera or a separate device used to ensure the camera is level and avoid tilted or skewed compositions.
Split toning
A post-processing technique where different colors are applied to the highlights and shadows of an image, creating a distinctive and artistic tonal effect.
Subject tracking
A camera feature or autofocus mode that allows the camera to continuously track and maintain focus on a moving subject as it changes position within the frame.
Shutter count
The total number of times a camera’s shutter has been actuated, indicating its usage and potential lifespan.
Spectacular
A term used to describe visually impressive or stunning scenes, compositions, or photographs that evoke awe or admiration.
Sensor resolution
The number of pixels on an image sensor, typically measured in megapixels, determining the level of detail and sharpness a camera can capture.
Softbox diffuser
A fabric-covered box-like device that attaches to a light source, diffusing and softening the light emitted for more even and flattering illumination.
Saturated colors
Colors that appear vibrant, intense, or vivid due to a high level of color pigmentation or saturation, often associated with heightened visual impact.
Sensor crop factor
The ratio of the image sensor size relative to a standard full-frame sensor, affecting the field of view and effective focal length of lenses used with the camera.
Smartphone photography
The practice of capturing photos using a smartphone, leveraging the built-in camera capabilities, apps, and editing tools available on mobile devices.
Split focus screen
A specialized focusing aid on some cameras that divides the viewfinder into multiple sections, allowing the photographer to accurately focus on different areas of the frame.
Sports photography
A genre of photography focused on capturing action-packed moments in sports events, showcasing the athleticism, intensity, and key moments of the game.
Single autofocus (AF-S)
A camera focusing mode where the focus is locked when the shutter button is pressed halfway, maintaining the focus until the image is captured.
Strobe sync speed
The maximum shutter speed that can be used with a flash or strobe to ensure that the entire image is evenly exposed when using flash lighting.
Superimpose
The process of overlaying one image or element onto another, often used to combine multiple exposures or create composite images.
Specular highlight
A bright, reflective spot or area in an image caused by direct light hitting a shiny or reflective surface, often appearing as small, intense highlights.
Star filter
A filter that attaches to the camera lens and creates a starburst effect around bright light sources, adding a sense of sparkle and drama to the image.
Sensor-based image stabilization
A technology incorporated into some cameras where the image sensor itself moves to compensate for camera shake, reducing blur in handheld shots.
Solar eclipse
An astronomical event where the moon passes between the sun and Earth, partially or completely blocking the sun’s light, creating a unique and dramatic visual phenomenon.
Split toning
A technique used in post-processing to apply different colors or tones to the highlights and shadows of an image, adding depth and enhancing mood.
Spectral highlights
Areas in an image where light sources or bright objects have reached their maximum brightness or saturation, often resulting in blown out or clipped details.
Specular reflection
The reflection of light from a smooth or glossy surface, creating mirror-like highlights and reflections.
Sunstar
A starburst effect created when the sun or another bright light source is partially obscured by an object, causing rays of light to radiate outward.
