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Dec 6, 2023 · 1. Bird’s-Eye View. The Bird’s-Eye View is one of the unique types of camera angle that offers an overhead vantage point. As the name suggests, this angle mimics the perspective one would have if looking down from a high altitude. It is also called the overhead shot.
- Basic Photography Terms – The Fundamentals of Photography Terminology
- Common Camera Related Photography Terms
- Photography Terms About Lenses
- Photography Terms About Taking Pictures
- Common Photography Terms For Problems
- Common Lighting Photography Terms
- Conclusion
Photography
Photography is the art or practice that involves taking photographs, either digitally or using film. The word in Greek means “drawing with light,” where photos means light and graphe means drawing. Many important photography terms you’ll see defined here have to do with light!
Aperture
Aperture is one of the first photography terms that come to mind when talking about photography terminology. Aperture refers to the opening at the back of a camera lens. It also refers to the size of that opening. The size is expressed numerically and represented as f2.8 or f/2.8. They control how much more or less light enters the camera as well as depth of field in a picture. Aperture is one of the three elements of the exposure triangle.
Circle of Confusion
The circle of confusion describes the largest blurry part of one single image, which is almost similar to the focus. The greater the distance of unfocused areas from the focused element in a picture, the broader the blur in your blurry image.
360-degree camera
This is also called an omnidirectional camera. Its field of view is equal to 360 degrees. Most of these bodies actually capture two 180 degree images and then stitch them together, digitally, to create a seamless photo.
Aperture Priority
Aperture priority, similar to shutter priority, is a camera mode where the photographer chooses the size of the lens aperture and the device sets SS and ISO.
APS-C
The Advanced Photo System type C is an image sensor format roughly the same size with classic negatives of 25.1 x 16.7 mm. This is the usual crop factorof entry-level and mid-range cameras. Other cameras like Nikon “DX” cameras have a 1.5x crop factor.
Distortion
Lens distortion refers to an image quality issue that distorts the elements in a photo. It creates curved lines where straight lines should be, for example. Barrel distortion appears as straight lines bending outward from the center. Pincushion distortion has straight lines bending inward. Most distortion can be corrected in post-processing.
Fast
A “fast” lens is one with a relatively large maximum aperture, usually f4, f2.8, or wider than f/2.8.
Fish-eye Lens
A fisheye lenshas an ultra-wide field of view, like 12mm. Its construction gives a really unique visual distortion, said to replicate how a fish would see a scene from underwater. The photography angle of view is usually 100-180 degrees.
Aspect Ratio
Aspect ratio refers to the ratio of the width to the height of both your camera sensor or film and eventually, the aspect ratio of the photograph and print. Aspect ratio is usually written as two numbers with a colon between them, such as an aspect ratio of 3:2 or an aspect ratio of 5:4. For example, the most used type of aspect ratio for photography are 3:2, 4:3 ratio, and 16:9 ratio.
Back Button Focus
Often written as BBF, the back button focus enables you to define a different button for focusing and a different one for shutter release. The photographer has changed the settings so a button is pressed at the back of the body to acquire and lock focus instead of the trigger on the top of her camera. Click here to learn more about BBF!
Bracketing
Bracketing is the process of shooting multiple pictures in a row using different exposure settings. This is perfect for landscape photography to take three or more shots. For example, shoot underexposed, properly exposed to light, and overexposed pictures that you can merge to achieve an evenly exposed image. Exposure bracketing is the most common type of bracketing, where you can use different levels of shutter speed with multiple brightness levels. Some Nikon, Canon, and cameras from other...
Camera Shake
Camera shake is a term used to describe what happens when your camera or movement accidentally shakes the device when shooting. Camera shake when you’re holding the camera often causes blur in your images.
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration is common image quality and color issue. It refers to small amounts of discoloration at the edges of parts of your image. Chromatic aberration is also called colored fringing.
Fringing
Fringing is a type of chromatic aberration where a violet ghost-like element appears on an image. It usually occurs when the lens cannot bring all wavelengths of color to the same focal plane, resulting in digital noise in dark portions of the image.
Ambient
The existing light in your scene.
Hard Light and Soft Light
Specular light that produces very distinct shadows. The transition between shadows and the bright portions of your digital photo is very harsh. Hard light creates lots of contrast. Soft light, on the other hand, has a large transition area between light and dark. Soft light is very diffused and has less light contrast.
High Key or Low Key
Hey key are bright images with bright tones with few to no shadows. Low key are images with darker tones, more shadows, and deep blacks. These photographs have very minimal amounts of mid-tones or whites.
Photography terminology is a language unto its own. Understanding these photography terms like depth of field, exposure compensation, aspect ratios, flash sync, and camera shake helps you master the skill and improve your body of work! Happy clicking!
People also ask
What is a view point in photography?
What is a camera angle in photography?
What are the different viewpoints in a photograph?
What is a shoulder-level camera shot angle?
- Bird’s Eye View Photography. The ‘bird’s-eye’ view is what we see when we look down on a subject from above. When you shoot with a very high viewpoint, the perspective of the image changes and objects appear smaller and squashed up together, relative to how they would normally look in real life.
- High Viewpoint Photography. The ‘High Point of View’ is looking down on your subject from a distance away (rather than directly over it). The High Point of View is slightly different to the Bird’s Eye View, but still involves looking down at your subject.
- Becoming the Subject Photography. The ‘Becoming The Subject’ viewpoint is about getting into the thick of the action with your subjects, at the same level that they are at, making the viewer feel like they are part of the scene.
- Eye Level Photography. The ‘Eye Level’ is also known as the ‘Horizon View’. When using this viewpoint in photography you aim to get your camera positioned at roughly human eye level (meaning your camera will get shots that are easy for people to relate to).
Mar 21, 2024 · What is a viewpoint in photography? What different points of view can you take when you are taking pictures? How does this affect what you see? Read the info.
4. Fill the frame. You can have the perfect location, a great viewpoint, and a unique angle, but if the subject is too far away the image can look a little average, so get in closer. Fill the frame with more of your subject. Always ask the question whether the composition is tight enough.
3. Focus Points aid in capturing photographs in challenging lighting conditions. Understanding focus points in photography is key to capturing great images, even in challenging lighting conditions. To make use of focus points in challenging light conditions: Pay attention to light contrasts: Frame your subject in areas with significant light ...
Jul 17, 2021 · Camera shake is a term used to describe the involuntary blurring of a picture that occurs when the camera is moving at the time of exposure. It’s relatively easy to identify, as nothing in the picture will be fully sharp – all the defined edges in the frame will be streaking or indistinct.
