Photography Vocabulary Flashcards
Angle of view
The area of the scene that a lens covers or sees.
Ambient light
The available light completely surrounding the subject
Aperture
The opening in a camera lens through which light passes to expose film. Usually calibrated in f-numbers (bigger number = smaller lens opening”
Aperture Priority
An exposure mode on an automatic camera that lets you set the aperture while the camera sets the shutter speed for proper exposure
Background
The part of the scene that appears behind the principal subject of the picture
Backlighting
Light coming from behind the subject, toward the camera lens, so that the subject stands out vividly against the background.
Balance
Placement of colors, light and dark masses, or large and small objects in a picture to create harmony
Camera angles
Various positions of the camera (high, medium or low; and left, right, or straight on) with respect to the subject, each giving a different viewpoint or effect
Candid Pictures
Unposed pictures of people,
Close-up
A picture taken with the subject close to the camera, usually no more than three feet away but can also be a few inches away
Composition
The pleasing arrangement of the elements within a scene (the main subject, the foreground and background, and supporting objects)
Contrast
The brightness range of of a subject or the scene lighting
Depth of field
The amount of distance between the nearest and farthest objects that appear in sharp focus
Existing light
Available light
Exposure
The quantity of light allowed to act on a photographic material