Questions about specific terms used within photography
0
votes
3answers
3k views
What is the relationship of aperture, focal length, and ISO in a SLR?
I was using Nikon digital camera, and recently bought a Canon 550D. I am totally new to SLR.
I am not familiar with SLR terms: Aperture, focal length and ISO, and their relation to one another.
What ...
5
votes
1answer
248 views
How to figure out whether the colours in a photo are warm or cool, and how does that matter?
On 1x some people have said that this picture has warm colours.
I wish to understand what qualifies to be a warm colour, cool colour, and how does that matter?
Warm means bright? and Cool means ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
What is T-number / T-stop?
Usually, when discussing aperture of a lens, F-stop and F-number are used for quantifying. But some photographers, and especially videographers, also mention T-stop. The concept and numbering used ...
5
votes
2answers
283 views
How is the term Gaussian blur used?
Is the term Gaussian blur used strictly in post-production, or can it also be used as a term for an out-of-focus area in your image when you-re taking the picture? I'm pretty sure that bokeh is used ...
3
votes
3answers
542 views
What is the “visual center” of an image?
I've heard that one of the tricks designers use for a more effective result is placing an object in the visual center.
Where is the visual center in an image, why is it important, and how could it be ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
What do the AF-A, AF-C, and AF-S autofocus settings mean?
My camera has these settings for autofocus, and I don't know what they mean. I suspect "A" is "Auto", and "C" is "continuous", but I have no idea what "S" is.
3
votes
4answers
387 views
What is the technical name of the lens which has a fixed aperture but zooms?
What is the technical name for a lens which has the same maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range?
7
votes
3answers
5k views
What is the definition of portrait photography?
Can we talk about a portrait photograph if, let's say, a grandmother and her 3-year-old grandchild are in the picture? Or, must it be only one person in the photograph?
12
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3answers
377 views
What is Chromatic Aberration?
What is Chromatic Aberration? Is it a physical part of the lens, or just an optical illusion?
15
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7answers
2k views
How do you pronounce “bokeh”?
I've had a lot of trouble working out how to pronounce "bokeh".
Amusingly enough, I've thus far been unable to get any of the small handful of photographer friends I have to ever say it out loud, ...
0
votes
1answer
127 views
If shoot pictures in 10.0 mode or 12.0 what is quality?
If my camera is shooting in 10.0 or 12.0...what will my megapixels be? I am a beginner and I know I need them to be at least 1600x1200 for my purpose.
8
votes
1answer
777 views
What does “viewfinder magnification” mean?
Viewfinders (both optical and electronic) typically come with two stats: magnification and coverage. The latter measuring how much of the actual exposed area (film or sensor) one sees. But what is ...
82
votes
6answers
6k views
What is bokeh, exactly?
I understand that "bokeh" refers to out-of-focus areas of an image — but there is obviously more to it than that. What does the term mean exactly? How well is bokeh really understood? Is it purely ...
1
vote
3answers
307 views
Are these Nikon 16-85mm lenses actually the same?
I just ordered the D7000 with three lenses, one of them was the Nikon AF 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 DX G AF-S ED. Now I found that they sell a package "D7000 with 16-85mm, AFS G VR" for $100 less. I can undo ...
13
votes
2answers
1k views
24
votes
7answers
3k views
Does a photographer take pictures or make pictures?
Most people speak of the process of photography as taking pictures. However, many serious photographers instead refer to making pictures.
One might be inclined to dismiss this as jargon, but there's ...
4
votes
1answer
367 views
What is an auto-focus motor?
I recently bought a Canon 550D, and I read it has an auto-focus motor, which not all cameras possess. I'd like to know what it is, and what I can do to keep it running smoothly; AFAIK the manual ...
11
votes
6answers
1k views
What is white or black “clipping”, and how does one avoid it?
I have been told that this photograph has "white clippings"?
What are they, and which light sources should be placed in what way to avoid that?
2
votes
1answer
151 views
What does “Signing off attribution” mean?
I'm about to sell a range of images to a client and he asks me for a document to "sign off attribution". What does this mean and where can I find sample contracts?
6
votes
2answers
622 views
What is EV, when used as an absoute measurement?
I know there is already a question about EV, but it doens't quite answer my question. I understand EV as a relative measurement, 1 EV being one stop (doubling or halving the amount of light), but what ...
10
votes
4answers
889 views
How important is ISO speed?
My wifes Canon EOS 450D has various speed settings and an auto mode.
The quickest one is 1600.
She photographs mainly birds, both stationary and in flight and mainly still insects.
What are the ...
1
vote
4answers
107 views
Is it ever correct to describe a flash diffuser as opaque?
I've seen product listings online for flash diffusers where they are described as opaque. Is this an incorrect description? Should it be semi-opaque or is that assumed? How does opaque make sense in ...
2
votes
4answers
291 views
What do you call the symbols that you can see on the edges when you look into your camera viewer?
I'm talking about the tiny and sometimes quite useful symbols/indicators for this:
http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/PentaxK10D/Images/Features/viewfinderview.gif
is there a general name for the ...
9
votes
1answer
345 views
What does it mean to “mount” slide film for processing?
I just finished my first roll of a 35mm slide film and it is time to get it processed. I checked few places online and the options are to get them processed "mounted" or "unmounted".
So what do ...
3
votes
1answer
747 views
What is the EV scale?
I have seen an "EV" (exposure value) scale that's sometimes used to express a camera's exposure settings, or scene brightness. How exactly does this scale work?
2
votes
1answer
207 views
What is the “Dust-Off Reference Photo” on a Nikon DSLR?
I have seen this in my D700 menu and just saw it again on Nikon's tech sheet for the new D4. Is this the same tech that Minolta is using to clean their sensor of dust or is it something else? How does ...
12
votes
4answers
1k views
What is a normal lens?
I've heard people call 50mm lenses "normal lenses".
For a lens to be considered normal, does it have to be exactly 50mm or is there some leeway? Does the normal focal length depend on crop factor of ...
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2answers
213 views
8
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1answer
265 views
6
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1answer
249 views
What does “distortion <XX%” mean in lens specs?
I'm going to buy a lens and I would like to understand what "distortion <XX%" means.
It's a vari-focal 10-60mm lens, and mentions distortion <12-1%. According to my understanding, at 10mm focal ...
2
votes
2answers
238 views
How is this lighting and colouring effect achieved?
A few days ago, I saw this picture linked here on 500px and was wondering how the coloring technique is called.
On a first glance, it looks like a high key shot, but it is unusual as it has no light ...
3
votes
3answers
451 views
Do Professional and Semi professional cameras have “steadyshot” technology?
Do professional and semi professional cameras have good optical image stabilization, sometimes called steady shot?
0
votes
1answer
409 views
What does “pop & drag” mean in low light photography?
I came cross this term "Pop & Drag" being used in low light setting. What does that mean?
Is it the same as term as "dragging the shutter"?
Can anyone please show some examples of "Pop & ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the meaning of single focal length?
The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G is described as a single focal length lens: http://www.nikon.co.in/products.php?categoryid=1014.
What does that mean?
What are its disadvantages as compared to ...
0
votes
2answers
8k views
What is the difference between DX format and FX format lenses, and which to choose for what purpose?
http://www.nikon.co.in/products.php?categoryid=1011
What is the difference between DX format and FX format lenses, and which to choose for what purpose?
What are the pros and cons of both?
11
votes
5answers
1k views
What is a portrait lens?
I hear this term used pretty often. Does it refer to a specific focal length? Or very low F-number? What does a lens need to have in order to be considered "portrait lens"?
29
votes
7answers
7k views
What is aperture, and how does it affect my photographs?
How does aperture affect my photographs?
Why should I care about the aperture with which a photo was taken?
12
votes
1answer
951 views
What is color temperature and how does it affect my photography?
I have seen color temperature mentioned with regard to white balance, mixing different sources of light, etc., but I haven't come across a clear explanation of what it means to talk about the ...
11
votes
4answers
2k views
What is a “fast” lens?
I've been reading lots of camera reviews lately and have ran across several references to "fast" lenses.
What exactly is a fast lens and what are its advantages compared to other lenses?
9
votes
2answers
2k views
What is “pixel density”?
Apparently megapixels aren't a good way to measure the camera quality, so some people are referring to a relative measuring system called "pixel density".
What specifically is this? What information ...
9
votes
1answer
340 views
Is there a name for the type of portrait composition where the subject is looking out of the frame?
I'm wondering if there's a specific term to describe a portrait where the main subject is looking at something outside the frame that we (the viewer) can't see. I like it as a composition technique: I ...
5
votes
2answers
5k views
What is USM, and what are its pros and cons?
My Canon lenses have the designation USM on them, which I assume is for the same reason that they say "Ultrasonic". What does this mean, and why or why do I not want it?
4
votes
1answer
357 views
Does the liquid effect in these photographs have a specific name?
I aspire to become a fashion and wildlife photographer, and I am starting out in that mission today. Lucky me, and the first photographer whose works I came across is Jaroslav Wieczorkiewicz.
His ...
1
vote
1answer
149 views
What is the technical term for the time taken to see the final image on an IP security camera's screen? [closed]
What is the technical term for the time taken to see the final image on an IP camera's screen?
Is it dependent on some parameter which I can look for?
Actually this website has listed various ...
24
votes
2answers
2k views
What is a pancake lens?
I've read about a "pancake lens" but don't really understand what that means.
What the pros and cons of having a pancake vs. another type of lens?
I'm thinking of getting a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 ...
15
votes
6answers
2k views
What is one “stop”?
I always hear this term, e.g.,
I had to go down one stop
Increasing X by Y raises Z by one stop
I turned down the flash/the light two stops
This lens/sensor/strobe/Photoshop tweak raises X by ...
5
votes
2answers
227 views
What is an independent flash called?
By "independent flash" I mean a flash which is not attached with the camera by default.
What is the technical name for it?
10
votes
2answers
190 views
What is “photometric exposure”?
What is "photometric exposure," and how is it related to what is commonly called "exposure" and "exposure values"?
I have also seen the term "radiometric exposure" used to describe a similar ...
22
votes
3answers
6k views
What is a macro lens?
I've read a few threads on here that mention some elementary descriptions of macro lenses and found some marketing fluff in the box for my Canon about them as well, but being a complete novice I was ...
13
votes
2answers
872 views
What does the acronym SLD stand for?
In this answer a reference was made to SLD cameras, also "called Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras". I realise that this is a synonym for "EVIL" cameras such as the micro-Four-Thirds cameras and ...
