Macro
Macro photography refers to the practice of capturing extremely close-up images of small subjects, revealing intricate details that are often unseen by the naked eye.
Manual Mode
Manual mode allows photographers to have full control over their camera settings, including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, giving them the ability to fine-tune their exposure.
Metering
Metering is the process of measuring the light intensity in a scene to determine the correct exposure settings. Different metering modes, such as spot metering or evaluative metering, help photographers capture accurate exposures.
Monochrome
Monochrome photography involves capturing images using only shades of a single color, typically black and white or various tones of gray, resulting in a dramatic and timeless aesthetic.
Motion Blur
Motion blur occurs when there is a relative motion between the camera and the subject during a long exposure, resulting in a sense of movement and creating dynamic and artistic effects.
Multiple Exposure
Multiple exposure refers to the technique of combining two or more exposures in a single frame, creating unique and often surreal images that blend different elements together.
Mirrorless
Mirrorless cameras are a type of digital camera that lacks a mirror and optical viewfinder system found in traditional DSLRs. They offer a more compact design and provide instant feedback through an electronic viewfinder.
Megapixel
A megapixel (MP) equals one million pixels, acting as the unit of measurement for digital camera sensor resolution and image detail. Higher megapixel counts allow for larger, clearer, and more detailed prints or tighter cropping. It refers to the resolution of a digital image sensor or the total number of pixels that make up an image. Higher megapixel counts generally result in larger and more detailed images. For example: 1 megapixel = 1,000,000 pixels. A 12MP camera captures roughly 12 million dots of color.
Matte
Matte refers to a non-reflective finish that reduces glare and creates a smooth, diffuse surface. It can be used to describe the appearance of prints or the texture of photo papers.
Muted Colors
Muted colors are desaturated or less vibrant colors that lack strong saturation. They often create a subdued or vintage look, adding a sense of nostalgia or softness to an image.
Medium Format
Medium format refers to a larger image sensor size than the standard 35mm format, typically found in professional cameras. It offers higher resolution, greater dynamic range, and superior image quality.
Metadata
Metadata is the additional information embedded within a digital photograph, such as the camera settings, date, time, location, and other technical details. It is useful for organizing, sorting, and categorizing images.
Manual Focus
Manual focus allows photographers to manually adjust the focus distance on their lenses, giving them full control over the sharpness and depth of field in their images.
Moiré
Moiré is an unwanted interference pattern that can appear in images when photographing fine repeating patterns, such as fabric or architectural structures, causing distortion and artifacts.
Master File
A master file refers to the high-quality, unprocessed, and uncompressed original image file captured by the camera. It serves as the base for creating different versions or formats of the image.
Matte Box
A matte box is an accessory attached to the front of a camera lens to control and reduce unwanted light reflections and lens flares, improving the overall image quality.
Metadata Editor
A metadata editor is a software tool that allows photographers to modify or add metadata to their images, such as captions, keywords, and copyright information, making it easier to manage and organize their photo library.
Motion Sensing
Motion sensing is a feature found in some advanced cameras that detects movement in the frame and automatically adjusts the focus or exposure to ensure sharp images of moving subjects.
Multi-Coated
Multi-coated refers to a lens or filter that has multiple layers of anti-reflective coatings applied to its surfaces, reducing flare, ghosting, and improving overall image contrast and quality.
Memory Card
A memory card is a portable storage device used to save digital image files captured by cameras. Common types include SD, CF, and XQD cards, offering different storage capacities and transfer speeds.
Metering Mode
Metering mode determines how a camera measures the light in a scene to calculate the exposure. Common metering modes include spot, center-weighted, and evaluative, each providing different ways of analyzing the light.
Manual White Balance
Manual white balance allows photographers to set the color temperature of an image manually, compensating for different lighting conditions to ensure accurate and natural color reproduction.
Manual Exposure
Manual exposure refers to the shooting mode in which photographers manually set the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to achieve the desired exposure, offering full creative control over the image.
Multiple Flash
Multiple flash refers to the technique of using multiple flashes or strobes to provide additional lighting for a scene. It helps to balance exposure, reduce harsh shadows, and create desired lighting effects.
Mobile Photography
Mobile photography refers to capturing images using smartphones or mobile devices. With advancements in technology, mobile photography has become a popular and accessible way to take photos.
Miniature Effect
Miniature effect, also known as tilt-shift effect, is a technique where selective blurring is applied to a scene, giving it a toy-like or miniature appearance, simulating a shallow depth of field.
Multiple Aspect Ratios
Multiple aspect ratios refer to the ability to capture images in various proportions, such as 3:2, 4:3, or 16:9, allowing photographers to choose the best framing and composition for their subjects.
Motor drive
Motor drive is a feature found in some cameras that enables rapid and continuous shooting by automatically advancing the film or capturing multiple frames per second, useful for action or sports photography.
Matrix Metering
Matrix metering, also known as evaluative metering, is a metering mode that analyzes the light in multiple areas of the frame and calculates the exposure based on an internal database, ensuring accurate exposures in various conditions.
Manual Flash
Manual flash mode allows photographers to manually control the power output of their external flash units, giving them precise control over the lighting and intensity for creative lighting effects.
Microcontrast
Microcontrast refers to the level of contrast and detail in small-scale areas of an image. Higher microcontrast enhances the sharpness and definition of fine textures and details.
Mirror Lock-Up
Mirror lock-up is a feature found in some cameras that lifts the camera’s mirror in advance of the exposure to minimize vibrations caused by the mirror movement, resulting in sharper images, especially in long-exposure shots.
Multiple Focus Points
Multiple focus points are selectable focus areas within the camera’s frame, allowing photographers to choose where the camera should focus, giving them more control over the composition and depth of field.
Macro Ring Light
A macro ring light is a circular light source that attaches to the front of a macro lens, providing even and shadow-free illumination for close-up photography, particularly useful in illuminating small subjects.
Motion Freeze
Motion freeze is a technique used to capture fast-moving subjects with a fast shutter speed, resulting in sharp and detailed images that freeze the action and eliminate motion blur.
Macro Adapter
A macro adapter, also known as an extension tube, is an accessory placed between the camera body and the lens to increase the distance between the lens and the image sensor, allowing for closer focusing and higher magnification in macro photography.
Memory Buffer
A memory buffer is a temporary storage area within a camera that holds recently captured images before they are written to the memory card. A larger buffer allows for faster continuous shooting and reduces the risk of buffer overflow.
Multiple Card Slots
Multiple card slots are available in some cameras, allowing photographers to use more than one memory card simultaneously. It provides additional storage capacity, backup options, or the ability to separate image types or formats.
Macro Stand
A macro stand is a specialized support or tripod designed to hold the camera steady when shooting close-up or macro images, ensuring stability and minimizing camera shake for sharper results.
Manual HDR Blending
Manual HDR blending is a post-processing technique where multiple exposures of an image are manually blended together to create a high dynamic range (HDR) photograph. This method provides full control over the blending process for more natural and realistic results.
Mobile Photo Printing
Mobile photo printing is the process of printing images directly from a mobile device, typically through wireless connections or specialized mobile printing apps, allowing photographers to produce physical prints on the go.
Monopod
A monopod is a single-legged support device used to stabilize the camera during photography. It offers portability and quick setup, providing additional stability and reducing camera shake in situations where tripods may be cumbersome.
Manual Strobe
A manual strobe is an external flash unit that allows photographers to manually control the power output and duration of the flash. It provides creative control over the lighting and allows for precise adjustments for different shooting conditions.
Micro Four Thirds
Micro Four Thirds (MFT) is a standard for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, characterized by a smaller sensor size and a specific lens mount. MFT systems offer compactness, portability, and a wide range of lenses for various shooting needs.
Monitor Calibration
Monitor calibration is the process of adjusting the settings of a computer monitor to ensure accurate color representation and consistent display of images. It involves using calibration devices or software to achieve proper brightness, contrast, and color accuracy.
Manual Perspective Correction
Manual perspective correction is a post-processing technique used to correct perspective distortion in images. It involves manually adjusting the image’s perspective using specialized software to straighten lines and correct converging verticals or horizontals.
Megapixel War
The megapixel war refers to the competition among camera manufacturers to offer higher and higher megapixel counts in their cameras. It has led to significant advancements in image resolution and detail, allowing for larger prints and more cropping flexibility.
Muted Tones
Muted tones are colors with reduced saturation and vibrancy, resulting in a more subdued or desaturated look. They are often used to create a calm or vintage aesthetic in photographs, evoking a sense of nostalgia or tranquility.
Macro Water Photography
Macro water photography involves capturing close-up images of subjects underwater, such as marine life, corals, or water droplets. It requires specialized underwater camera housings, lighting, and techniques to overcome the challenges of shooting in water.
Mirrorless Autofocus
Mirrorless autofocus refers to the autofocus system used in mirrorless cameras. It relies on contrast detection, phase detection, or hybrid autofocus methods to quickly and accurately focus on the subject, offering improved speed and precision.
Motion Sensing Trigger
A motion sensing trigger is a device or accessory used to remotely trigger a camera’s shutter based on detecting motion. It is commonly used in wildlife photography or capturing fast-moving subjects where manual triggering may be impractical or difficult.
Mood Lighting
Lighting used to create a specific emotional feel in a photograph, such as dramatic or soft lighting.
Model Release
A legal permission form signed by a person allowing their photo to be used commercially.
Magnification Ratio
Shows how large a subject appears on the camera sensor, important in macro photography.
Master Shot
A wide shot that captures the full scene, often used in filmmaking and storytelling photography.
Mood Board
A collection of sample photos or ideas used for planning a photography shoot style.
Masking
An editing technique where only a selected part of the image is adjusted (like changing sky brightness).
Midtones
The middle brightness range in a photo, between highlights and shadows.
