Photography terms starting with C
ByParichay Chakrabarti
Posted on
Refers to the arrangement and placement of elements within a photograph. It involves factors like framing, balance, lines, and points of interest.
The difference in brightness, color, or tone between the light and dark areas of a photograph. High contrast creates a more dramatic effect, while low contrast results in a softer look.
A type of photography where the subjects are captured unaware or in spontaneous moments. Candid shots aim to capture genuine emotions and expressions.
Also known as color fringing, it’s an optical distortion that causes colors to appear along the edges of objects in a photograph. It occurs due to lens imperfections.
A photograph taken at a very short distance from the subject, capturing fine details. Close-up shots are often used to highlight small objects or specific features.
The reflection of light in a subject’s eyes, which adds a spark of life and enhances their appearance. Catchlights are often desirable in portrait photography.
A camera setting that allows you to take multiple photographs in rapid succession by holding down the shutter button. It’s useful for capturing action or fleeting moments.
An area of internal memory that temporarily holds reusable data to ensure a faster access time. Large programmes, such as PhotoShop, require quite a bit of cache, otherwise they get very slow.
An overall bias of the image towards one colour.
A common tripod feature that provides extra height without making the model much larger to carry. As this is a single column it can make the camera support unstable with increased vibration noticeable. Try to avoid using this where possible and always increase the leg length to gain height first before resorting to the center column. Centre columns that have a crank handle and a geared control or those with pneumatic dampening make it easier for you to accurately control the height adjustment.
A camera’s ability to track and maintain focus on a moving subject continuously. It is commonly used in sports, wildlife, and other fast-paced photography.
A measurement of the color appearance of light, expressed in Kelvin (K). It determines whether the light in a photograph appears warm (yellowish) or cool (bluish).
The process of removing unwanted parts of an image by trimming or resizing it. Cropping helps to improve composition or focus attention on specific subjects within a photograph.
A technique where photographic film is developed in chemicals intended for a different type of film. It results in unique color shifts, contrast, and tonal effects.
A post-processing technique where specific areas or elements of a photograph are duplicated or replicated to remove imperfections, distractions, or unwanted objects.
The reduction of file size in digital photography to optimize storage or transmission. Compression can be lossless (no quality loss) or lossy (some loss of image quality).
A metering mode in which the camera determines the exposure based on the light in the center of the frame, giving more priority to the subject at the center.
Lighting that remains constant throughout the photography process, such as studio lights or natural light sources. Continuous light is useful for subjects that require consistent illumination.
A professional-grade photo editing software developed by Phase One. It provides advanced image processing capabilities and is popular among commercial and studio photographers.
A type of camera filter that helps reduce reflections and glare, as well as enhance colors and contrast. It is often used in landscape photography to deepen the sky and improve overall image quality.
An alternative photographic printing process that produces blue-toned images. It involves treating paper or fabric with a mixture of iron compounds and exposing it to UV light.
A metering mode where the camera meters the exposure based on a small spot at the center of the frame. It allows for precise exposure control of a specific subject or area.
Also known as green screen or blue screen, it’s a technique used in photography and videography where a subject is filmed against a solid-colored background and replaced with a different image or video during post-processing.
Distortions or visual anomalies that occur in a compressed image, resulting in loss of image quality. Common compression artifacts include pixelate, blocking, and banding.
A feature available in some cameras that enables automatic focusing and shutter release when the subject comes into focus. It is commonly used in macro photography or when photographing fast-moving subjects.
A specific range of colors that can be represented or reproduced in an image. Common color spaces include sRGB, Adobe RGB, and Pro Photo RGB, each with different gamut and characteristics.
A camera setting that allows you to manually adjust the white balance to accurately represent the colors in a specific lighting condition. It ensures accurate color reproduction in challenging lighting situations.
Unintentional movement of the camera while taking a photo, resulting in blurry or distorted images. Camera shake can be minimized by using a tripod, image stabilization, or faster shutter speeds.
A lighting setup where the light source remains on during the entire duration of the photography session. It is commonly used in video production and certain genres of photography, such as product or food photography.
The minimum distance at which a lens can focus on a subject and still produce a sharp image. Lenses with a short minimum focus distance are suitable for close-up and macro photography.
A type of lighting that provides a constant and steady light source during a photography session. It is commonly used in studio settings or for video production.
The central autofocus point in a camera’s autofocus system. It is often the most accurate and sensitive point for achieving precise focus on the subject.
The degree of compression applied to a digital image file. It is usually represented as a ratio or percentage and determines the level of image quality and file size reduction.
A transparent material placed in front of a camera lens or light source to modify or adjust the colors in an image. Color filters can enhance or alter the color balance, create special effects, or correct color cast.
A specific range of colors that can be represented or displayed in a digital image. Common color spaces include sRGB, Adobe RGB, and Pro Photo RGB, each with different color gamut and characteristics.
The deliberate use of exposure settings to achieve artistic or creative effects in a photograph. It involves intentionally overexposing or underexposing an image to manipulate the overall mood, tone, or atmosphere.
The quality or attribute of color that represents its purity, independent of its brightness. Chromaticity describes the specific hue and saturation of a color.
A photography technique that involves capturing subjects or objects at a relatively close distance, emphasizing their details or textures. Close range photography is often used for macro, still life, or product photography.
The difference in brightness or tonal range between the lightest and darkest areas of an image. A high contrast ratio indicates a significant difference, while a low contrast ratio results in a more subtle distinction.
The number of distinct colors or shades that can be represented in an image. It is usually measured in bits per pixel (bpp) and determines the level of color accuracy and detail in a photograph.
The process of adjusting and fine-tuning a camera or monitor to ensure accurate color reproduction. Calibration helps maintain consistency and accuracy in color management across different devices.
Guidelines or principles that help photographers create visually appealing and well-balanced images. Some common composition rules include the rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry, and golden ratio.
A camera mode where the exposure settings, such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, are continuously adjusted by the camera to maintain proper exposure as lighting conditions change.
A portable and flexible device with a reflective surface used to redirect and manipulate light in photography. Collapsible reflectors are commonly used to fill in shadows, enhance lighting, or create specific lighting effects.
A print or digital arrangement of thumbnail-sized images from a roll of film or a series of digital photographs. Contact sheets are often used for reviewing and selecting images for further processing or printing.
A color filter used in black and white photography to lighten blue tones and darken red and orange tones. It can enhance contrast and tonal separation in black and white images.
The skill of capturing and utilizing natural or available light effectively in photography. It involves understanding the quality, direction, and intensity of light to create desired effects and enhance the visual impact of the image.
An artistic technique that emphasizes the contrast between light and dark areas in an image. Chiaroscuro is often used to create dramatic and three-dimensional effects, particularly in black and white photography.
An autofocus point in a camera’s autofocus system that is sensitive to both vertical and horizontal details. Cross-type autofocus points provide more accurate and reliable focusing, especially in challenging or low-light conditions.
A customizable setting on a camera that allows photographers to personalize various functions and parameters according to their shooting preferences. Custom functions provide flexibility and customization options for specific shooting scenarios.
The process of adjusting and enhancing the colors in a photograph or video during post-processing. Color grading is often used to establish a specific mood, tone, or visual style.
Short for Color Look-Up Table, a color LUT is a mathematical formula used to transform the colors in an image or video. LUTs are often used in color grading to achieve specific color effects or styles.
A supplementary lens that attaches to the front of a camera lens to enable closer focusing capabilities. Close-up lenses, also known as macro filters, allow for detailed close-up photography without the need for dedicated macro lenses.
In photography, clipping refers to the loss of detail or information in the highlights or shadows of an image. Highlight clipping occurs when bright areas are completely white, while shadow clipping happens when dark areas become solid black.
A type of photographic filter that darkens or adds a special effect to the outer edges of an image while keeping the central portion unaffected. Center spot filters draw attention to the subject in the center of the frame.
Camera Raw refers to the unprocessed and uncompressed image data captured by a digital camera’s image sensor. It allows for greater flexibility and control over image editing and adjustments during post-processing.
A color tint or bias that affects an entire image due to the lighting conditions or improper white balance. Color cast can be warm (yellowish), cool (bluish), or any other color that dominates the image.
A standardized set of specifications that define how colors are represented and displayed in digital images. Color profiles ensure consistent and accurate color reproduction across different devices and platforms.
A feature or technique used to minimize the effects of camera shake and reduce blur in images. It can be achieved through image stabilization systems, tripod usage, or post-processing techniques.
A handheld device or cable that allows photographers to remotely trigger the shutter of a camera without physically touching it. Cable releases help prevent camera shake when using long exposure or macro photography techniques.
Capturing spontaneous and unposed moments of subjects, often without their knowledge. Candid photography aims to capture natural expressions and emotions.
A feature in photo editing software that allows users to duplicate or replicate pixels from one part of an image to another. It is commonly used to remove blemishes, objects, or distractions from a photograph.
Capturing subjects from a short distance, emphasizing their details and textures. Close range photography is often used in macro photography and product photography.
Random variations of color in an image, often caused by high ISO settings or low-light conditions. Chromatic noise appears as colored specks or pixels, usually in areas of low detail.
The pleasing arrangement and combination of colors within a photograph. Color harmony involves selecting and coordinating colors that work well together to create a visually balanced and harmonious image.
A camera’s autofocus mode that tracks and adjusts focus continuously as the subject or the camera moves. It is commonly used in situations where the subject is in motion, such as sports or wildlife photography.
A portrait photograph that focuses on capturing the subject’s face in great detail, often revealing fine textures, expressions, and features.
A deliberate adjustment or modification of the color temperature of an image during post-processing. Color temperature shifts can be used creatively to alter the overall mood or atmosphere of a photograph.
In-camera or post-processing filters that apply various effects and alterations to images. Creative filters can simulate different film types, add vignettes, apply artistic effects, or create unique looks.
The process of aligning the optical elements within a camera or lens to ensure accurate focusing and sharp image quality. Collimation is important for maintaining optimal performance and resolving power.
The intensity or purity of colors in an image. Increased color saturation makes colors more vibrant and bold, while decreased saturation results in muted or desaturated colors.
The specific shooting mode or setting on a camera that determines how images are captured. Common capture modes include single-shot mode, continuous mode, and self-timer mode.
The adjustment of colors in an image to achieve accurate and natural-looking tones. Color balance involves controlling the relative amounts of red, green, and blue channels to eliminate color casts.
The use of unconventional or innovative lighting techniques to create unique and visually striking images. Creative lighting often involves the use of off-camera flashes, reflectors, or other lighting modifiers.
A metering mode where the camera measures the light in the entire frame but gives more emphasis to the center area. Center-weighted average metering is often used for balanced exposure in portrait photography.
The specific algorithm or method used to compress and store image data in a digital file format. Common compression formats include JPEG, PNG, and TIFF, each with different levels of compression and quality.
Smooth transitions of color from one shade or tone to another. Color gradients are often used in backgrounds, digital art, and graphic design to create depth and visual interest.
A specialized wide-angle lens that captures an extremely wide, distorted, and circular image. Circular fisheye lenses are known for their unique and exaggerated perspective.
A technique used in post-processing to remove or replace a specific color in an image or video. Color keying is commonly used in green screen or blue screen effects where a subject is separated from the background.
The adjustment of the tonal range and differentiation between light and dark areas in an image. Contrast control helps enhance details, improve visual impact, and create a sense of depth.
A camera’s mode or feature that allows for a rapid succession of photographs to be taken while the shutter button is held down. It is useful for capturing fast-moving subjects or sequences of action.
The process of ensuring consistent and accurate color reproduction across various devices, such as cameras, monitors, and printers. Color management involves calibrating and profiling devices to maintain color consistency throughout the workflow.
The main focal point or subject that draws the viewer’s attention in a photograph. The center of interest is often strategically placed using composition techniques to create a visually compelling image.
Latin for “dark room,” camera obscura refers to a darkened space or box with a small hole or lens that projects an inverted image of the outside scene onto a surface. It is an early precursor to modern cameras.
The distribution of visual elements within a photograph to create a sense of equilibrium and harmony. Composition balance can be achieved through the placement of subjects, shapes, colors, and negative space.
A selection or range of colors used in a photograph or artwork. A color palette can be based on a specific theme, mood, or desired visual effect and is often used to establish a cohesive and harmonious color scheme.
An accessory or attachment used to modify and control the quality and direction of continuous light sources. Examples of continuous light modifiers include soft boxes, umbrellas, and diffusers.
The number of bits used to represent the color information of each pixel in an image. Higher color depth allows for more accurate and detailed color reproduction.
A guideline or principle that helps photographers create visually appealing and well-balanced compositions. Composition rules, such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing, assist in organizing elements within the frame for maximum impact.
The unintentional movement of the camera during the exposure, resulting in blurred images. Camera shake can be minimized by using a tripod, image stabilization, or faster shutter speeds.
Also known as the focal length multiplier, crop factor is a value that indicates how much smaller the camera’s sensor is compared to a full-frame sensor. It affects the effective focal length of a lens when used on a cropped sensor camera.
The complete range of colors that can be represented or reproduced in a specific device or medium. Different devices and color spaces have different color gamut, with larger gamut capable of displaying a wider range of colors.
Imaginary lines used to guide the placement of elements within a photograph. Examples include horizontal lines for horizons, diagonal lines for dynamic compositions, and leading lines that draw the viewer’s eye through the frame.
The intentional rotation of the camera along the vertical axis, resulting in a slanted or tilted perspective. Camera tilts can be used creatively to convey a sense of movement, dynamism, or distortion in an image.
A measurement of the color of light, typically expressed in Kelvin (K). Different light sources emit light with varying color temperatures, ranging from warm (e.g., candlelight) to cool (e.g., daylight).
The difference in brightness and tonal values between the lightest and darkest areas of an image. Higher contrast produces more pronounced differences, while lower contrast results in a more subdued or flattened appearance.
A feature in image editing software that visually indicates areas of an image where detail has been lost due to overexposure (highlight clipping) or underexposure (shadow clipping). These warnings help adjust the exposure for better tonal balance.
A camera’s autofocus mode that continuously adjusts focus as long as the shutter button is partially depressed or a subject is in motion. CAF is useful for tracking moving subjects while maintaining sharp focus.
The study and understanding of how colors interact, complement, and contrast with each other. Color theory helps photographers make informed decisions about color selection, combinations, and the emotional impact of different color choices.
A charge-coupled device or image sensor. It consists of an integrated circuit with an array of linked (“coupled”) capacitors which are sensitive to light. In digital photography, the CCD is used to capture images, which in analogue photography would be captured on film. CCD technology is not only used in digital photography, but also in astronomy and other branches of science.