Photography Terminology

noun The opening in a camera lens through which light passes to enter the camera

• The camera's aperture controls the amount of light that enters the lens.
• Make sure to adjust the aperture on your camera for a better picture.
• I totally forgot to change the aperture settings on my camera.
• Opening up your mind is like adjusting the aperture of a camera, allowing more light and new perspectives to come in.

noun a setting or situation against which something is viewed or displayed

• The historical backdrop of the city provided a rich context for the novel.
• The backdrop for the party was a beautiful sunset over the ocean.
• The concert backdrop was lit, man!
• His troubled childhood was the backdrop for his struggles later in life.

noun a shape or image that cannot be seen clearly

verb to make or become unclear or less distinct

• The artist intentionally used a soft brush to create a blur effect in the background of the painting.
• I took a photo while running, but it turned out blurry because of the motion.
• I tried to take a selfie, but it came out all blur because my hand was shaking.
• As he reminisced about his childhood, the memories started to blur together in his mind.

noun a trite and unoriginal idea or remark, typically intended to soothe or placate

• The chemist added a bromide to the solution to prevent unwanted reactions.
• I heard that bromide is used in photography to make prints.
• Bro, did you know bromide is also a slang term for a boring person?
• The politician's speech was full of bromides and lacked any real substance.

noun a device used for taking photographs or making videos

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• The camera captured clear images of the crime scene.
• I love taking pictures with my camera.
• Let's snap some pics with the cam.
• Her eyes were like a camera, capturing every detail of the room.

noun a person who is honest and truthful

adjective frank, outspoken, open and sincere

• The candidate gave a candid response during the interview.
• I appreciate your candid feedback on my presentation.
• She's always so candid, it's refreshing to hear her thoughts.
• His candid emotions were written all over his face.

noun a strong, durable fabric used for making sails, tents, or artist's materials

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• The artist carefully stretched the canvas before starting to paint.
• I bought a new canvas to try my hand at painting.
• I spilled paint all over my canvas and now it's a hot mess.
• The blank canvas of a new year stretched out before them, full of possibilities.

noun a photograph or movie shot taken at very close range

verb to shut something or become shut

adjective at a very short distance

adverb in a position so as to be very near to someone or something

• The photographer took a close up shot of the flower to capture its intricate details.
• I love taking close up photos of my dog's face, he always looks so cute!
• Let's get close up to the stage so we can see the band better.
• When you examine the situation close up, you'll see all the nuances and complexities involved.

verb Cropped is the past tense of the verb crop, which means to cut or trim something, especially plants or images.

• The photograph was carefully cropped to remove any unnecessary background.
• I cropped the photo so it would fit better on Instagram.
• I totally cropped her out of the picture because she looked terrible.
• His speech was heavily cropped to avoid offending anyone.

verb to make visible or reveal something that was hidden or secret

• The experiment exposed the flaws in the current system.
• I accidentally exposed my embarrassing childhood photo on social media.
• She got exposed for cheating on the test.
• The scandal exposed the dark side of the industry.

noun the condition of being exposed to something, such as a harmful substance or a difficult situation

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• The study aimed to measure the level of exposure to air pollution in urban areas.
• She has had a lot of exposure to different cultures through her travels.
• I need to get some exposure for my new business on social media.
• His sudden exposure to fame was overwhelming for him.

noun a substance used to preserve or stabilize something, especially a solution applied to a specimen for microscopy

• The artist sprayed a fixative over the charcoal drawing to prevent smudging.
• Make sure you use a fixative on your sketch so it doesn't get ruined.
• I always spray some fixative on my artwork to keep it looking fresh.
• She used his words as a fixative to hold onto her fading memories.

noun a brief moment of something happening quickly or abruptly

verb to happen quickly or abruptly

adjective relating to something that happens quickly or abruptly

adverb in a sudden or abrupt manner

• The photographer captured the perfect shot with a quick flash of light.
• I saw a flash of lightning in the sky during the storm.
• She's always flashing her designer handbag around like it's no big deal.
• The idea came to her in a sudden flash of inspiration.

noun a brief flash of light

verb to shine unsteadily; flutter

adjective relating to or situated at the center or most important part of something

• The focal point of the presentation was the new marketing strategy.
• She's always the focal point of attention at parties.
• That movie was so focal, I couldn't stop watching it.
• His passion for music is the focal point of his life.

noun the structure of a sentence or argument

verb to provide a structure or support for something

• The artist carefully selected a gold frame for her masterpiece.
• I'm thinking of getting a new frame for that photo of us.
• Check out this sick frame I found at the thrift store.
• She tried to frame him for the crime, but he had an alibi.

noun a colorless, flavorless substance derived from collagen, used in cooking as a gelling agent

adjective gelatinous

• Gelatin is commonly used in the food industry as a gelling agent.
• I love making homemade gummy candies with gelatin.
• I can't believe how bouncy these Jello shots are, must be all that gelatin!
• The team's defense was like gelatin, easily broken through by the opposing players.

noun a representation of the external form of a person or thing in art

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• The high-resolution image captured by the satellite provided valuable data for the research project.
• I love how that image turned out, it's so clear and crisp.
• Check out this sick image I took on my phone, it's fire!
• Her words painted an image of a peaceful paradise in my mind.

adjective a term used to describe something that is designed to prevent light from passing through

• The lightproof container was designed to protect the sensitive materials from exposure to light.
• Make sure you store the film in a lightproof bag to prevent it from getting ruined.
• I always keep my weed in a lightproof jar to keep it fresh.
• His heart was like a lightproof vault, guarding his deepest emotions from the outside world.

noun a dull finish or texture, as on metal or paint

adjective having a dull finish or texture

• The artist chose a matte finish for her painting to reduce glare.
• I prefer the matte look for my phone screen, it's easier on the eyes.
• I love how matte lipstick looks on me, it's so trendy right now.
• His expression was as matte as the grey sky, showing no emotion.

adjective lasting for a very short time; brief

• The momentary lapse in concentration cost him the game.
• I had a momentary panic when I thought I lost my phone.
• I had a momentary brain fart and forgot what I was doing.
• His momentary burst of anger was quickly replaced by regret.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• The photographer realized that the image was out of focus and needed to be retaken.
• I tried to take a picture of the sunset, but it came out all out of focus.
• The selfie I took is totally out of focus, I need to work on my photography skills.
• His priorities were so out of focus that he couldn't see what really mattered in life.

noun a picture or photograph containing a wide view

• The panoramic view from the top of the mountain was breathtaking.
• The panorama from up there was amazing!
• Dude, the panorama from the peak was lit!
• His mind was a panorama of thoughts and ideas.

noun a wide view or picture that covers a large area

adjective describing a view or picture that covers a wide area

• The hotel room had a panoramic view of the city skyline.
• We hiked to the top of the mountain for a panoramic photo.
• Let's drive up to the lookout point for a sick panoramic shot.
• The speaker provided a panoramic overview of the company's financial status.

noun a thin skin or film on the surface of certain plant tissues

• The pellicle formed on the surface of the liquid as it cooled.
• I noticed a weird pellicle on top of the soup.
• Ew, there's a gross pellicle floating in my drink.
• The pellicle of lies that covered his true intentions was finally revealed.

noun a photograph or picture taken with a camera

adjective relating to or produced by photography

• The photographic evidence presented in court proved the defendant's innocence.
• I love taking photographic memories of all our family gatherings.
• Check out this sick photographic shot I got of the concert last night!
• Her words painted a photographic image of the bustling city in my mind.

noun a small hole made by or as if by a pin

adjective describing something related to or resembling a pinhole

• The photographer used a pinhole camera to capture the image.
• I made a pinhole projector out of a shoebox to watch the solar eclipse.
• I tried to take a pinhole selfie but it didn't turn out so great.
• The pinhole of light in the tunnel gave us hope that we were nearing the end.

verb to assume a particular attitude or position, typically for a photograph or painting

• The artist spent hours meticulously posing the model for the portrait.
• She loves posing for selfies whenever she goes out with her friends.
• Check out that guy posing in front of the mirror like he's a model or something.
• The politician was accused of posing as a champion for the people while secretly working for his own interests.

noun the quality of being sharp or having a sharp edge

adjective having a thin edge or point that can cut or pierce easily

• The sharpness of the knife made it easy to slice through the tough meat.
• Be careful with that knife, it has a lot of sharpness to it.
• Dang, that blade's got some serious sharpness!
• His wit and sharpness of mind always kept the conversation lively.

noun a shiny greyish-white metal that is a valuable material used in making jewelry, coins, and other decorative items

verb to cover or coat with silver

adjective having the color or appearance of silver

• The silver cutlery set was passed down through generations in the family.
• I love wearing silver jewelry, it goes with everything.
• That car is so silver, it's like a mirror on wheels.
• Her words were like silver, smooth and pleasing to the ears.

verb the action of making a sharp, cracking sound or movement

adjective describing something that is done quickly or abruptly

• The snapping of twigs underfoot alerted the hikers to the presence of wildlife nearby.
• I heard the snapping of fingers as the audience clapped along to the music.
• She was so angry, I could practically hear her snapping at everyone around her.
• The tension in the room was palpable, like a rubber band on the verge of snapping.

noun a photograph taken quickly and informally, typically with a small hand-held camera

• The photographer captured a beautiful snapshot of the city skyline at sunset.
• I took a quick snapshot of my lunch before digging in.
• Let's snap a quick snapshot of us making funny faces!
• The report provides a snapshot of the company's financial health at a specific point in time.

noun a type of camera lens that has a long focal length, typically used for taking photographs of distant objects

adjective relating to or using a telephoto lens

• The photographer used a telephoto lens to capture detailed shots of the wildlife from a distance.
• I borrowed my friend's telephoto lens to get better pictures at the concert.
• I need to upgrade my gear with a sick telephoto lens for those faraway shots.
• Her telephoto vision allowed her to see the bigger picture in every situation.

noun a petty quarrel or argument

verb to have a petty quarrel or argument

• The two business partners had a tiff over the terms of the contract.
• My sister and I got into a little tiff over who gets to use the car first.
• I heard there was a tiff between those two girls at the party last night.
• The storm clouds gathered, creating a tiff in the sky before the rain began to fall.

adjective describing a state of not having been revealed or made known

• The unexposed side of the film was still untouched by light.
• I found an unexposed roll of film in the drawer.
• She keeps all her unexposed secrets hidden away.
• His unexposed talents came to light during the performance.

noun a sight or prospect, especially of a landscape

verb to consider or think about in a specified way

• The hotel room offers a stunning view of the city skyline.
• Check out the amazing view from the top of the hill!
• Dude, the view from this spot is lit!
• From a historical view, this event will be remembered as a turning point.

noun a sudden, sharp cracking sound or movement

verb to make a sudden, sharp cracking sound or movement

• The photographer took quick snaps of the model during the photoshoot.
• Let's take some snaps before we leave the party.
• She snaps at anyone who disagrees with her.
• The tension in the room was so thick, it felt like it could snap at any moment.

noun the visual quality of the out-of-focus areas of a photographic image, especially as rendered by a particular lens

• The photographer achieved a beautiful bokeh effect in the background of the portrait.
• I love how the bokeh makes the photo look so dreamy and romantic.
• Check out the bokeh in this pic, it's so lit!
• Her mind was filled with a bokeh of thoughts, each one blending into the next in a hazy blur.

noun a particularly bad or unpleasant part or feature of something

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• The lowlight of the presentation was when the speaker's microphone stopped working.
• The lowlight of the party was when the cake fell on the floor.
• The lowlight of the movie was the terrible acting from the lead actor.
• The lowlight of her day was when she received bad news from her boss.

verb to bring into focus or make clear and distinct

adjective having a focal point or central position

• It is important to focalize your efforts on the main objectives of the project.
• Make sure to focalize on what really matters in this task.
• Dude, just focalize on getting the job done.
• She tried to focalize her thoughts amidst the chaos of the situation.

noun a person who takes photographs with a smartphone

• The phoneographer captured stunning images with just a smartphone.
• My friend is a talented phoneographer who takes amazing pictures.
• I never knew I could be such a great phoneographer until I started using filters.
• As a phoneographer, she has a unique perspective on the world through her lens.

adjective relating to or characteristic of a style of photography that emphasizes casual, snapshot images with over-saturated colors, off-kilter framing, and other imperfections

• The photographer used a lomographic camera to capture the vibrant colors of the city.
• I love the lomographic effect on these photos, it gives them a cool vintage vibe.
• Dude, check out these lomographic shots, they look so rad!
• His mind worked in a lomographic way, capturing fleeting moments and emotions in vivid detail.

noun A person who practices lomography, a type of photography that emphasizes spontaneous and unconventional images.

• The lomographer captured the essence of the city through their unique photography style.
• I met a lomographer at the art exhibit who takes really cool pictures.
• That lomographer's shots are straight fire!
• As a lomographer of emotions, she captured the raw feelings of the moment in her photos.

noun a type of photography that emphasizes spontaneous and unconventional images taken with toy cameras

adjective relating to or characteristic of lomography

• Lomography is a style of photography that emphasizes spontaneity and authenticity.
• I love experimenting with lomography cameras to capture unique and unexpected shots.
• Have you tried lomography? It's so cool and gives a vintage vibe to your photos.
• Using lomography is like painting with light, creating dreamy and ethereal images.

noun High Definition Resolution

• High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology enhances the contrast and colors in images.
• I love taking photos with HDR turned on, it makes everything look so vibrant.
• The HDR feature on my phone camera is lit, it makes my pictures pop.
• Using HDR in storytelling can bring out the depth and richness of the characters.

noun a type of photography that involves capturing close-up images of small subjects to show details that may not be visible to the naked eye

• Macro photography involves capturing small subjects at a very close range to achieve high levels of detail.
• I love taking close-up shots of tiny things with my macro photography lens.
• Macro photography is all about getting up close and personal with your subjects.
• In the world of photography, macro photography is like zooming in on the little details that often go unnoticed.

noun a session of photographing a model or product to showcase accessories

• The photographer arranged an accessory shoot to showcase the new line of handbags.
• We're doing an accessory shoot for the fashion blog later today.
• Let's get some sick shots at the accessory shoot this weekend!
• The accessory shoot was like adding the finishing touches to a masterpiece.

noun a salt or ester of acetic acid, containing the monovalent CH3COO− group or ion.

• Acetate is commonly used in the production of textiles and packaging materials.
• I heard acetate is a key ingredient in making certain types of plastic.
• I need to grab some acetate for my DIY project.
• His words were like acetate, transparent and easily understood.

noun a photograph taken using actinautography

adjective describing a method of photography using radiation

• The actinautographic process involves using light-sensitive materials to create images.
• I heard that actinautographic photography is making a comeback in the art world.
• Have you tried messing around with actinautographic techniques? It's pretty cool.
• The artist's actinautographic style captures the essence of movement in a unique way.

adjective relating to or exhibiting chemical activity

• The actinic rays of the sun can cause damage to the skin.
• Be careful of the actinic light when you're out in the sun.
• I got a bad sunburn from that actinic sun yesterday.
• His actinic personality always brightens up the room.

noun a point of convergence or concentration of actinic (relating to the chemical effects of light) energy

• The actinic focus of the research study was on the effects of UV radiation on marine organisms.
• The scientists were really into studying the actinic focus of the project.
• The team was all about diving deep into the actinic focus of their investigation.
• Her passion for marine biology was like an actinic focus, shining brightly in her research.

noun a technical term used in photography to describe the clarity or sharpness of an image

• The acutance of the image was enhanced through post-processing techniques.
• The sharpness of the photo was improved using acutance adjustments.
• I used some acutance magic to make the picture look clearer.
• The acutance of her words cut through the silence in the room.

noun a musical instrument consisting of a series of glass bowls or goblets graduated in size, played by rubbing the rims with the fingertips

• The aeolodion is a musical instrument that produces sound by the vibration of reeds.
• I found an old aeolodion in my grandfather's attic.
• I love jamming out on my aeolodion with friends.
• Her voice was as melodious as an aeolodion.

noun a type of photography that involves capturing images from a high vantage point, typically using aircraft or drones

• Aerial photography is commonly used in cartography to create detailed maps.
• I love looking at aerial photography shots of cities from above.
• Aerial photography is like taking pictures from the sky, it's so cool!
• Aerial photography gives us a unique perspective on the world around us.

noun A type of photography that involves capturing images from the air.

• The aerophoto survey provided detailed images of the landscape from above.
• I love looking at aerophotos of different cities to see how they're laid out.
• Check out this cool aerophoto I took with my drone!
• Her mind was like an aerophoto, capturing every detail and never forgetting.

noun the art or technique of taking photographs from the air, typically using drones or aircraft

• Aerophotography involves capturing images from an elevated position using aircraft or drones.
• I'm thinking of trying out aerophotography with my new drone.
• Aerophotography is like taking cool pics from the sky, man.
• Aerophotography allows us to see the world from a different perspective.

noun a type of finish or coating applied to a surface after it has been chromed

• The afterchrome coating on the metal surface provides excellent corrosion resistance.
• I love how shiny and smooth the afterchrome finish looks on my car.
• Check out the afterchrome on that bike, it's so bling!
• The afterchrome of success was finally within his reach after years of hard work.