Vocab

Question 1

ISO

Answer 1

International Standards Organization. Designation of different film speeds. For example, 400 ISO is for indoor or outdoor picture taking and 100 ISO is for outdoor picture taking only. The higher the ISO number, the fewer silver crystals per inch/ fewer pixels per inch. In other words, there will be more space between crystals/pixels and the image will appear more grainy. The lower the ISO, the sharper the final photo will be. The concept of ISO is similar between film and digital although not exactly the same.

Question 2

Emulsion

Answer 2

A gelatin coating on both film and paper that holds the light sensitive silver crystals on the plastic or paper backing.

Question 3

Shutter

Answer 3

The part in the camera that opens and shuts for a specific amount time, letting light onto the film. Similar to a window shade or the eyelid of your eye.

Question 4

Shutter Speed

Answer 4

The time the shutter is open letting light onto the film. 1/60 of a second is where motion is usually stopped. All of the numbers on the shutter speed dial are fractions of 1 second.

B 1 2 4 8 15 30 60 125 250 500 1000

Question 5

Aperture

Answer 5

Also referred to as f-stop, a ring of metal “leaves” that opens to let in a specific amount of light. Aperture also controls the depth of field, or the distance the camera can see in focus. This opening is similar to the pupil of the eye and is the physical opening inside the lens.

Question 6

F-stop

Answer 6

The degree to which the leaves are open letting light onto the film. The f-stops are the numbers on the ring around the lens, closest to the body of the camera. The larger the opening, the more light is let in but the less the camera sees in focus. The smaller the opening, the less light is let in but the more the camera can see in focus (like squinting with your eyes).

Question 7

Depth of Field

Answer 7

The distance from the nearest to the farthest object that the camera sees in focus.

The larger the aperture/smaller f-stop number = the smaller the depth of field
The smaller the aperture/larger f-stop number = the greater the depth of field

Question 8

Macro Lens

Answer 8

placed over a regular lens, loses some sharpness because
of the double lenses. This lens allows you to see more than you can see with the naked eye. It is for getting very close-up from close.

Question 9

Zoom Lens

Answer 9

variable focal length, is possible to vary image size while keeping the subject in focus, no need to change lenses, much more flexible. You can recognize a zoom lens because the lens is labeled with 2 numbers (Ex. 70mm-150mm) - where the lens starts and stops.

Question 10

Telephoto Lens

Answer 10

long focal length, larger image, tends to exaggerate apparent distances. Any lens with a measurement higher than 50mm (Ex. 90mm, 200mm, 350mm).

Question 11

Wide Angle Lens

Answer 11

objects in front of focal point as well as things in the distance are both in relatively good focus. This lens allows you to get closer to the subject while retaining more information side to side (think: peripheral vision). Very wide angle lenses can often have some distortion around the edges. Any lens with a measurement lower than 50mm (Ex. 18mm, 24mm).

Question 12

Standard Lens

Answer 12

50 mm lens is what usually comes with an SLR body. Designed to take in a field of view roughly equal to the eye or 54 degrees.

Question 13

Camera Obscura

Answer 13

just a large box with a pinhole that projects an image (upside down) to aid in drawing or just to view.

Question 14

Box Camera

Answer 14

fixed lens, just a box with a simple shutter. Only works well in ideal conditions (sunny and clear).

Question 15

Twin Lens Reflex

Answer 15

the lower lens is the taking lens and the top lens is the viewing lens. Often problems with framing due to different views.

Question 16

Single Lens Reflex

Answer 16

SLR, viewer sees object directly through the picture-taking lens. These are the most commonly used cameras.

Question 17

View Camera

Answer 17

for professionals when correct perspective, fine detail and large-sized negatives are needed. Architectural and landscape photographers needing a large depth of field or commercial photographers who need to work with extremely fine-grained film.

Question 18

Contact Sheet

Answer 18

a (positive) record of all of the negatives on a roll of film, used for reference. Also called a proof sheet.

Question 19

Burning

Answer 19

used when a portion of the print is too light. Most of the photo is masked but the area of the photo that is too light is allowed to receive additional light after the initial exposure is made.

Question 20

Dodging

Answer 20

used when a portion of the print is too dark. Most of the photo is fine except for a small area that will be masked to keep from being overexposed.

Question 21

Test Strip

Answer 21

a strip of photo paper used to determine correct exposure for a final picture. Not unusual to make several test strips before attempting a final print. This is the best way to conserve your paper!

Question 22

Filters

Answer 22

frames holding sheets of plastic in either pink or yellow tones. Pink filters (3½, 4, 4½, 5) are for increasing contrast or eliminating greys. Yellow filters (2½, 2, 1½, 1, ½, 0) are for decreasing contrast or adding greys.

Question 23

Rule of Thirds

Answer 23

the optimum placement of subjects in the frame is on or near the four circles. While shooting, divide the frame into three parts vertically and horizontally. Avoid putting a majority of the subject in the center square.

Question 24

Focal Length

Answer 24

the distance from the diaphragm (aperture) or the center of the lens to the film plane within the camera.

Question 25

Developer

Answer 25

D-76 – Kodak film developer. Starts the chemical reaction that causes the silver crystals (which had been exposed to light) to change to blacks and greys.
Dektol – Kodak paper developer. Starts the chemical reaction that causes the silver crystals (which had been exposed to light) to change to blacks and greys.

Question 26

Stop

Answer 26

chemical used for both film and paper to halt the action of the developer. Stop the chemical reaction started by the developer and keeps the film or paper from getting too dark.

Question 27

FIxer

Answer 27

chemical used for both film and paper to render them no longer light sensitive. With film (and a few special papers) the fixer is used to clear the film, making it transparent. This is done by washing away the unused silver crystals, leaving only the black silver negative (film) or positive (paper) image.

Question 28

Hypo Clear

Answer 28

breaks up and removes all residual undeveloped silver crystals as well as removing any left over fixer chemistry. Decreases washing time and makes the film archivally safe. This chemical is not strictly necessary although it is a smart idea in the long run.

Question 29

Photo-flo

Answer 29

a wetting agent that coats the film, allowing it to dry without spots or streaks. A soap that has the same effect as “Jet Dry” in your dishwasher – dries without spots. Used only in film development.

Question 30

Daguerreotype

Answer 30

one of the earliest type of photograph, developed by Louis Daguerre in 1839. The image is directly exposed onto a highly polished piece of silver, which has been coated with silver halide crystals. The exposure times were relatively long compared to today’s standards but much faster then that of earlier processes. In this process, there is no need for a “negative” since the image created is a “positive” already. Often they were kept in a small, hinged frame with velvet opposite the image to keep the plate safe from scratches.

Question 31

Tintype

Answer 31

a cheaper version of Daguerreotypes that was more affordable for the middle classes. Instead of the image projected onto silver, these images were projected onto base metals.

Question 32

Carte de visite

Answer 32

as photography grew in popularity and became more accessible to the masses, these calling cards became all the rage beginning in Europe and spreading to the United States by the early 1870’s. Usually they were printed 2.1x3.5 inches mounted on a 2.5x4 inch card and were commonly traded among friends and relatives as well as being displayed in Victorian parlors. Carte de visite is French for visiting card, the predecessor to the calling card which had your name and contact information and then became the business card we know today. Think of the original format as an early version of Facebook.