Photography
Photography is the art, science, and practice of creating images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation.
Perspective
The point of view from which a photograph is taken, determining the spatial relationships and depth perception within the image.
Portraiture
The art of capturing the likeness and personality of a person or group of people through photography.
Polarizing Filter
A filter used to reduce glare and unwanted reflections, enhance color saturation, and improve contrast in outdoor photography.
Prime Lens
A lens with a fixed focal length, offering a single magnification level, typically known for their sharpness and wide aperture capabilities.
Photogrammetry
The process of creating precise measurements and 3D models of objects or landscapes using a series of overlapping photographs.
Panorama
A wide-angle photograph that captures a wide view or a series of images stitched together to create a seamless, extended view.
Post-Processing
The editing and enhancement of digital photographs using software to adjust colors, contrast, sharpness, and other elements.
Panning
A technique where the camera follows a moving subject, capturing it sharply while creating a blurred background to convey a sense of speed or motion.
Prosumer Camera
A camera designed for intermediate-level photographers, offering advanced features and controls between those of consumer and professional-grade cameras.
Parallax
The apparent shift in position of an object when viewed from different angles, often important to consider when composing photographs.
Photobombing
When an unexpected or unwanted person or object appears in a photograph, often by accident or intentionally for humorous effect.
Photojournalism
The practice of capturing and documenting news events, portraying real-life situations and people in a journalistic and unbiased manner.
Photographic Composition
The arrangement and organization of elements within a photograph to create a visually pleasing and balanced image.
Program Mode
A semi-automatic shooting mode on a camera that allows the photographer to adjust certain settings while the camera handles others automatically.
Photo Documentary:
A genre of photography that aims to document and tell a story through a series of photographs.
Pinhole Camera
A simple camera without a lens, using a tiny aperture to create images by allowing light to pass through a small hole onto a light-sensitive medium.
Print Size
The physical dimensions of a printed photograph, often measured in inches or centimeters.
Point of view
The specific position or angle from which a photograph is taken, influencing the perspective and narrative conveyed by the image.
Photographic Lighting
The use and control of light sources to illuminate a subject or scene in photography, creating desired moods, highlights, and shadows.
Perspective Distortion
The alteration of the size and shape of objects within a photograph due to the angle at which the photograph was taken.
Photographic Equipment
The tools and gear used in photography, including cameras, lenses, tripods, filters, and lighting equipment.
Photographic Technique
The specific methods and approaches used by photographers to capture and create images, including exposure control, focusing, and composition.
Photoshop
A popular software application used for editing and manipulating digital photographs, allowing for adjustments, retouching, and creative enhancements.
Photographic print
A physical reproduction of a photograph, typically on paper or other materials, made using printing techniques or services.
Photographic Paper
The specialized paper used for printing photographs, available in various finishes and qualities to achieve desired effects and longevity.
Photographic Filter
An optical accessory placed in front of a camera lens to modify or control the light entering the camera, affecting color, contrast, or other aspects of the image.
Photographic Studio
A controlled environment dedicated to photography, often equipped with professional lighting, backdrops, and props for various types of shoots.
Photographic Subject
The main focus or primary element within a photograph, which may be a person, object, landscape, or abstract concept.
Photographic Workshop
A structured learning environment where photographers gather to exchange knowledge, learn new techniques, and improve their skills.
Photographic Exhibition
A curated display of photographs, often organized in galleries or museums to showcase the work of individual photographers or themed collections.
Photographic Contest
A competition where photographers submit their work to be judged based on various criteria, such as creativity, technical proficiency, and storytelling.
Photographic Portfolio
A carefully selected collection of a photographer’s best work, showcasing their range, skills, and personal style to potential clients, galleries, or employers.
Photographic Art:
The creation of visually compelling and expressive images through photography, often with an emphasis on creativity, aesthetics, and personal vision.
Photographic Project
A focused and purposeful endeavor undertaken by a photographer, often centered around a specific theme, concept, or narrative.
Photographic Style
The distinctive visual characteristics and approach to photography that define a particular photographer’s body of work.
Photographic Storytelling
The use of photographs to convey a narrative, evoke emotions, or document a series of events, often capturing moments that collectively tell a larger story.
Photographic Genre
The categorization of photographs based on subject matter or style, such as landscape photography, street photography, portrait photography, etc.
Photographic Archive
A collection of photographs preserved for historical, cultural, or research purposes, often representing a specific period, location, or theme.
Photographic Preservation
The processes and techniques used to ensure the long-term storage, conservation, and protection of photographic prints, negatives, and digital files.
Photographic Critique
The analysis and evaluation of photographs, providing feedback on their technical aspects, composition, and artistic merits to aid in learning and improvement.
Photographic Society
An organization or community of photographers that promotes knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration among its members.
Photographic Essay
A series of photographs that collectively convey a story, depict a particular theme, or explore a concept, often accompanied by captions or textual narratives.
Photographic History
The study and documentation of the evolution of photography as an art form, technological advancements, influential photographers, and significant moments in the medium’s development.
Photographic Resolution
The level of detail and clarity captured in a photograph, often measured in pixels or dots per inch (DPI), determining the image’s sharpness and ability to be printed at larger sizes.
Photographic Manipulation
The alteration or modification of a photograph using digital or analog techniques to create artistic, conceptual, or surreal effects.
Photographic Retouching
The process of adjusting and enhancing photographs to remove imperfections, improve skin tones, or make other aesthetic refinements.
Photographic Depth of Field
The range of distance within a photograph that appears sharp and in focus, controlled by the camera’s aperture and focusing techniques.
Photographic Noise
Unwanted variations or distortions in a photograph caused by high ISO settings, low light conditions, or limitations of the camera sensor.
Parallax
Shift in subject position when camera angle changes.
Pixel
A pixel (short for picture element) is the smallest dot/unit that makes up a digital photo. A digital image is basically a grid of tiny squares (pixels). Each pixel contains color information. So when you zoom into a photo a lot, you’ll start seeing tiny blocks — those are pixels. Example: If an image is 4000 × 3000 pixels, it means:
- 4000 pixels wide
- 3000 pixels tall
Total pixels = 4000 × 3000 = 12,000,000 pixels
That equals 12 megapixels (12MP).
Each pixel stores: a) Brightness b) Color value c) Tone information. Example: a pixel can be red, green, blue, dark, bright, etc.
Pixelation
Image looks blocky due to low resolution.
Photomontage
Combining multiple photos into one.
Point-and-Shoot
Simple compact camera with automatic settings.
Photogram
Image made without a camera (objects on light-sensitive paper).
How a Photogram Works (Simple Explanation)
- You take photographic paper (darkroom paper).
- Place objects on it (leaves, keys, coins, hands, lace, etc.).
- Shine light for a few seconds.
- Develop the paper in chemicals.
Result:
- The area covered by the object stays white/light
- The exposed area becomes dark
- Transparent objects create grey shades
So you get a beautiful silhouette-style image.
Famous Photogram Artists
Man Ray
He called his photograms “Rayographs”.
László Moholy-Nagy
A major artist who popularized photograms in modern art.
Picture Style
Preset color/contrast settings in camera.
Proximity
How close the subject is to the camera.
Peak Highlights
Brightest areas of an image.
Punchy Colors
Strong, vivid colors in a photo.
ProRAW
Apple iPhone format combining RAW + smart processing for better editing flexibility.
Pixel Binning
Smartphone technique where multiple pixels combine into one to improve low-light photos.
Product Photography
Highly trending niche for ecommerce, Amazon sellers, Instagram brands.
POV Photography
“Point of View” style photography (very popular on Instagram & YouTube Shorts).
Photo Dump
A modern Instagram trend where people post random aesthetic photos in one post.
Pop of Color
Editing style where one color is highlighted while others are muted.
Pastel Tone
Soft low-contrast colors, trending in wedding and lifestyle photography.
Polaroid Effect
Vintage instant-photo look added using filters and frames.
Polaroid Camera
A Polaroid camera is an instant camera that uses special film which develops automatically in a few seconds/minutes.
Famous models:
- Polaroid Now
- Polaroid OneStep
- Fujifilm Instax (similar style)
Today, “Polaroid” is also a popular editing style where people add:
- white photo frame
- warm tones
- grain
- faded shadows
- light leaks
Used a lot on:
- Instagram posts
- travel photography
- wedding albums
- aesthetic photo dumps
