Unit 57: Photography and Photographic Practice Terminology (P1, P2, M1, M2)
Term             Explanation of term e.g. what it           Examples
                 is used for / the effect it has on
                 your images
Shutter Speed    In still cameras, the term shutter speed
                 represents the time that the shutter
                 remains open when taking a
                 photograph.




ISO              The letters ISO on your digital SLR
                 camera settings refer to the film
                 speed.
Aperture & Depth of   Depth of field refers to the range of
field (F stop)        distance that appears acceptably
                      sharp. It varies depending on camera
                      type, aperture and focusing distance,
                      although print size and viewing
                      distance can also influence our
                      perception of depth of field.


Automatic Exposure    An option on automated cameras in
                      which a computer system inside the
                      camera controls the selection of a
                      correct exposure. At its simplest,
                      automatic exposure is of one basic
                      type - program AE, in which both
                      shutter speed and aperture are
                      determined by the camera. More
                      advanced cameras also support
                      aperture priority and shutter speed
                      priority modes which let the
                      photographer specify the desired
                      aperture and shutter speed,
                      respectively
Manual Exposure   In "Full Manual" mode, you can set
                  both the aperture and the shutter
                  speed. This gives you ultimate control
                  over the exposure. This can be useful
                  to ensure that the same exposure is
                  used for a sequence of shots or when
                  shooting in special circumstances.




Colour Balance    Also known as white balance, this is a
                  camera setting that allows you to
                  compensate for the colour of the light
                  that is illuminating your scene.




Composition       Composition is the visual process of
                  organizing and individual details of a
                  scene into a balanced and pleasing
                  arrangement.
Rule of thirds   Imaginary lines are drawn dividing the
                 image into thirds both horizontally and
                 vertically. You place important
                 elements of your composition where
                 these lines intersect.




Complementary    We look at a colour wheel to
Colours          understand the relationships between
                 colours. Analogous colours are
                 positioned in such a way as to mimic
                 the process that occurs when
                 blending hues.
Analogous colours   Analogous colours are any three
                    colours which are side by side on a 12
                    part colour wheel, such as yellow-
                    green, yellow, and yellow-orange.
                    Usually one of the three colours
                    predominates.




Macro               Macro photography is the art of
                    taking close-up pictures that reveal
                    details which can’t be seen with the
                    naked eye.




                                                                       Macro photography of a
                                                             flower.

Unit57terminology james picken

  • 1.
    Unit 57: Photographyand Photographic Practice Terminology (P1, P2, M1, M2) Term Explanation of term e.g. what it Examples is used for / the effect it has on your images Shutter Speed In still cameras, the term shutter speed represents the time that the shutter remains open when taking a photograph. ISO The letters ISO on your digital SLR camera settings refer to the film speed.
  • 2.
    Aperture & Depthof Depth of field refers to the range of field (F stop) distance that appears acceptably sharp. It varies depending on camera type, aperture and focusing distance, although print size and viewing distance can also influence our perception of depth of field. Automatic Exposure An option on automated cameras in which a computer system inside the camera controls the selection of a correct exposure. At its simplest, automatic exposure is of one basic type - program AE, in which both shutter speed and aperture are determined by the camera. More advanced cameras also support aperture priority and shutter speed priority modes which let the photographer specify the desired aperture and shutter speed, respectively
  • 3.
    Manual Exposure In "Full Manual" mode, you can set both the aperture and the shutter speed. This gives you ultimate control over the exposure. This can be useful to ensure that the same exposure is used for a sequence of shots or when shooting in special circumstances. Colour Balance Also known as white balance, this is a camera setting that allows you to compensate for the colour of the light that is illuminating your scene. Composition Composition is the visual process of organizing and individual details of a scene into a balanced and pleasing arrangement.
  • 4.
    Rule of thirds Imaginary lines are drawn dividing the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. You place important elements of your composition where these lines intersect. Complementary We look at a colour wheel to Colours understand the relationships between colours. Analogous colours are positioned in such a way as to mimic the process that occurs when blending hues.
  • 5.
    Analogous colours Analogous colours are any three colours which are side by side on a 12 part colour wheel, such as yellow- green, yellow, and yellow-orange. Usually one of the three colours predominates. Macro Macro photography is the art of taking close-up pictures that reveal details which can’t be seen with the naked eye. Macro photography of a flower.