Photography Terms for Beginners

Learning photography terminology is very important, especially for those new to the industry. Understanding the definitions and terminology of photography and understanding the camera is the first step to help you control and use it proficiently. Below are some common photography terms you need to master:

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 1. Aperture

Aperture is a small hole in the camera lens that controls the amount of light that hits the sensor. It is measured in f-stops (e.g. f/2.8, f/5.6, f/11). Aperture also affects depth of field – a wide aperture (f/2.8) creates a blurred background (bokeh) while a small aperture (f/11) makes the entire photo sharp.

2. Shutter Speed

The length of time the camera's shutter is open to let light hit the sensor. Shutter speeds are measured in seconds or milliseconds (e.g. 1/1000, 1/500, 1/30). Fast speeds freeze motion, while slow speeds create motion blur.

3. ISO

ISO is the sensitivity of the camera sensor to light. Low ISO (e.g. 100 or 200) is suitable for bright environments, while high ISO (e.g. 1600 or 3200) helps in low light conditions. However, high ISO can add noise to the photo.

4. Depth of Field

Depth of field is the part of the photo where objects will be sharp. Wide apertures (f/2.8) typically produce shallow depth of field, while small apertures (f/11) produce deep depth of field.

5. White Balance

White balance is the process of adjusting the colors of a photo so that white tones look natural under different light sources (daylight, incandescent, fluorescent, etc.). Incorrect white balance can cause a color cast (yellow, blue, etc.) in the photo.

6. Exposure

Exposure is the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor during a photo shoot. Exposure is controlled by aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. The right balance of these three factors results in a bright photo that is neither too bright (overexposure) nor too dark (underexposure).

7. Bokeh

Bokeh is the blurred background or subject effect in a photo, created by a wide aperture. This effect helps to highlight the subject and creates a smooth, artistic feel.

8. Focal Length

Focal length is the distance between the lens and the sensor when the lens is set to infinity (when there is no object in the image). Focal length affects the angle of view and magnification of the image. Long focal lengths (e.g. 200mm) are good for shooting distant objects, while short focal lengths (e.g. 24mm) are good for shooting wide landscapes.

9. RAW and JPEG

RAW is the original, unprocessed image format from the camera sensor, retaining all the color and detail data, allowing for more powerful editing. JPEG is a compressed format, with a smaller file size but reduced data and editing capabilities.

10. Histogram

Histogram is a graph that shows the distribution of light values ​​in an image, from dark (left) to light (right). Histogram helps photographers check the exposure of a photo and make adjustments as needed.

11. Composition

Composition is the arrangement of elements in a photograph, such as subjects, lines, shapes, and colors, to create an appealing composition. Common composition principles include the Rule of Thirds, Diagonals, and Leading Lines.

12. Exposure Triangle

The exposure triangle is the relationship between three factors: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Adjusting one of these three factors will affect the other two and change the brightness of the photo.

13. ND Filter (Neutral Filter)

ND filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens, allowing you to shoot with slower shutter speeds in bright conditions, or when you want to create a smooth motion effect (for example, shooting waterfalls or the ocean).

14. Lens Distortion

Lens distortion is a distortion of images due to lens design, especially with wide-angle lenses. Common types of distortion include barrel distortion and pincushion distortion.

15. Zoom vs. Prime Lens

Zoom lens allows you to change focal length and zoom in/out of a subject without moving the camera.

Prime lenses have a fixed focal length, but typically provide better image quality and larger apertures, making them ideal for portrait photography and in low light conditions.

16. Autofocus

Autofocus is a system that helps the camera automatically focus on a subject without user intervention. Common autofocus modes include single AF (AF-S), continuous AF (AF-C), and auto AF (AF-A).

Conclusion
The above photography terms are basic concepts that most beginners need to learn. Applying them flexibly will help you improve your photography skills and create the most beautiful and impressive pictures. You can learn more at Sadeisgn!