This document provides definitions and explanations of key photography terminology: - Shutter speed determines how long the camera's shutter is open to allow light to hit the sensor or film. Faster shutter speeds freeze motion while slower shutter speeds blur motion. - ISO refers to the camera's light sensitivity setting, with higher ISO numbers allowing faster shutter speeds in low light. - Aperture refers to the size of the opening in the lens through which light passes. A wider aperture admits more light while a narrower aperture reduces the amount of light. - Depth of field refers to the distance in front of and behind the point of focus that appears acceptably sharp. A narrow depth of field blurs the background and foreground while a

1. Unit 57: Photography and Photographic Practice Terminology
P1, P2, M1, M2
Joshua Whipday

2.  In  This would be an
photography, shutter example of a slow
speed determines shutter speed.
how the camera
allows light to come
into contact with the
film or sensor.

3. FAST SHUTTER SPEED SLOW SHUTTER SPEED

4.  ISO stands for International Organization for
Standardization. ISO sets standards in many businesses and
technologies. ISO is not an abbreviation but instead derives
from the Greek word isos. The meaning of isos is to be equal.

5. LOW ISO HIGH ISO

6. If the aperture on a camera is raised this allows Depth of field is the range of
more light to reach the film. So aperture is how distance that is sharp enough to be
we adjust the light the film receives. a good quality picture. The further
away the more the picture blurs.
APERTURE DEPTH OF
FIELD

7. NARROW DEPTH OF
FIELD WIDE DEPTH OF FIELD

8.  Exposure is the amount of light that is allowed to
reach each area unit of photographic medium when
taking a photograph weather the medium being a film
or image sensor. Manual exposure allows us to have
full control over the exposure of our photos by
turning the wheel on the lens of the camera. Manual
exposure unlike automatic exposure allows us to take
shots that we might not want to be fully focus to
achieve a blurred look to a photograph.

9.  Automatic exposure is a setting on most modern
cameras that allows the user to completely focus
on what they are taking a picture of and the
camera will put the shot you choose to take in
focus before you take it. The advantage of using
automatic exposure is that you as a photographer
can concentrate on taking extra care to keep the
camera still if shooting free hand, it also allows
you to get the best framed shot you can without
having to worry about focus and exposure.

10.  Colour balance is the
global adjustment of
the intensities of the
colours (typically
red, green, and blue
the reason being these
are the primary
colours. The left half shows the photo as it
came from the digital camera.
The right half shows the photo
adjusted to make a grey surface
neutral in the same light.

11.  White balance is
adjusted in
photography to
ensure the colours in
the photographs we
take is as accurate as
possible.

12.  Composition in
photography is the
positioning of the visual
elements in the
photograph being
taken. It is used to take
a balanced photograph
and to also keeps all key
aspects of the
photograph being taken
inside the frame.

13.  The Rule of thirds is
used to evenly frame
a shot. Imagining the
viewfinder on your
camera being
separated into 9
squares, 3 squares
across 3 squares up.

15.  Analogous colours have
what is referred to as a
‘Analogous colour
harmony’, an example of
some colours that have a
Analogous colour harmony
would be orange and
yellow. These colours can
easily be revised as good
photographers do to ensure
that the photographs they
take flow, also by knowing
these colours you can easily
distinguish an easy to
understand colour theme.

16.  Using Complementary
colours in a photograph
creates contrast and really
eye catching photos. These
colours are the opposites
of each other on the colour
wheel therefore they are
easily executed in
photography to good
effect. Often using
complimentary colours in
your photography will
create a dramatic image
since each colour makes
the other colour appear
more active.

17.  Macro photography is
extreme close up shots.
These shots are of small
objects most of the time.
By some definitions, a
macro photograph is
one in which the size of Photomacrograph of a
the subject on the common yellow dung fly
negative or image (Scathophaga stercoraria)
sensor is life size or made using a lens at its
greater. However in maximum 1:1
other uses it refers to a reproduction ratio, and a
finished photograph of 18×24mm image
a subject at greater than sensor, the on-screen
life size. display of the photograph
results in a greater than
life-size image.