Definition of Terms – Photography
This page provides easy-to-understand definitions for common photography terms, from aperture and ISO to framing and post‑processing. Whether you’re just starting out with your first camera or looking to refine your technique, our glossary will demystify the terminology so you can focus on capturing the perfect shot.
Table of Contents
ISO
A measure of a camera sensor’s sensitivity to light. Lower ISO values (e.g. ISO 100) yield cleaner images with minimal noise; higher values (e.g. ISO 3200) allow shooting in low light at the expense of increased grain.
Shutter Speed
The duration the camera’s shutter remains open to expose the sensor. Faster speeds (e.g. 1/1000 s) freeze motion; slower speeds (e.g. 1/30 s) allow more light but can introduce motion blur or camera shake.
Aperture
The size of the lens opening, expressed as an f‑number (e.g. f/1.8, f/16). A wider aperture (smaller f‑number) admits more light and creates a shallower depth of field; a narrower aperture increases depth of field.
Focal Length
The distance (in millimeters) between the lens’s optical center and the sensor when focused at infinity. Determines field of view and magnification: wide‑angle (< 35 mm), standard (~ 50 mm), telephoto (> 85 mm).
Flash
A burst of artificial light used to illuminate a scene. Can be built‑in, on‑camera or off‑camera; power and duration are adjustable. TTL (Through‑The‑Lens) metering allows automatic flash exposure.
Camera Make & Model
The manufacturer (e.g. Canon, Nikon, Sony) and specific model (e.g. EOS R5, Z 7 II, α7 IV), each offering different sensor sizes, resolutions, autofocus systems and feature sets.
White Balance
A camera setting that adjusts color rendering to match the light source’s color temperature (e.g. daylight, tungsten), ensuring neutral whites and accurate color reproduction.
Sensor Size
The physical dimensions of the camera’s image sensor (e.g. Full Frame 36 × 24 mm, APS‑C, Micro Four Thirds). Larger sensors generally yield better low‑light performance and more control over depth of field.
Exposure Compensation
A setting that lets the photographer offset the camera’s automatic metered exposure—brightening or darkening the image—by a specified amount (e.g. ±1 EV).
Depth of Field
The zone of acceptable sharpness in front of and behind the focus point. Controlled by aperture, sensor size and focal length; wider apertures and longer focal lengths yield shallower depth of field.