Photography terms starting with S
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.
Sunny 16 rule: A basic guideline in photography that suggests using a specific aperture and shutter speed combination (f/16 and the reciprocal of the ISO setting) in bright sunlight to achieve proper exposure.
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.
Sensor size: The physical dimensions of the image sensor in a camera, impacting factors such as image quality, low-light performance, and depth of field control.
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 in 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.