TOP 10 ESSENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY TERMS EVERY PHOTOGRAPHER SHOULD KNOW
Photographers! Today, I’m sharing ten essential photography terms with their definitions and a few sample images to illustrate each concept!
Additionally, I share a printable PDF of terms for easy reference!
Exposure: This refers to how much light reaches your camera’s sensor, influenced by aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Getting the right exposure makes your photo neither too dark nor too bright.
White Balance: Adjusts the colors in your photo so they look natural. It corrects color shifts based on different light sources, making sure whites appear white!
INCANDESCENT WHITE BALANCE WITH DAYLIGHT LIGHTING
1/80 sec f/8 ISO 400
DAYLIGHT WHITE BALANCE WITH DAYLIGHT LIGHTING
1/80 sec f/8 ISO 400
Depth of Field (DOF): This describes the area of your photo that appears sharp. A larger F-Stop value results in more of the image being in focus, while a smaller F-Stop value focuses on a specific part and blurs the rest.
DEEP DEPTH OF FIELD
1/50 sec f/9 ISO 400
SHALLOW DEPTH OF FIELD
1/800 sec f/2 ISO 400
ISO: This indicates how sensitive the camera’s sensor is to light. Higher ISO values can brighten your photos in low light but may make them grainy.
Shutter Speed: This is how long the camera’s shutter is open to let light hit the sensor. It is measured in seconds or fractions of a second and influences whether moving objects appear sharp or blurred.
SLOW SHUTTER SPEED HIGHLIGHTING SUBJECT MOTION
1/8 sec f/5 ISO 400
Rule of Thirds: A composition technique where the image is divided into nine parts with two vertical and two horizontal lines. Placing important elements along these lines or at their intersections can make the photo more engaging.
- You can find additional photography composition tips here!
1/100 sec f/8 ISO 400
Focal Length: The distance between the lens and the sensor when your subject is in focus, typically measured in millimeters. It affects how zoomed in your subject appears.
RAW: A file format that captures all data from the camera sensor without processing it, giving more flexibility in editing the photo later.
Histogram: A chart showing the brightness levels of your photo from dark to light, helping you to adjust the exposure effectively.
Histogram sample
The above definitions cover the basics of photography, aiding new photographers in understanding and using their equipment for improved results!
As always, best of luck!
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