Introduction
Photography is an art. It requires a good eye and a bit of technical knowledge to be able to take great photographs. But once you've taken a photo, you have to be able to describe it in words. This is where photography terms come in. They are the words used to describe the different aspects of a photo. In this article, we'll look at some of the most common photography terms used to describe a photo.
Aperture
Aperture is the opening of the lens and determines the amount of light that reaches the sensor. Aperture is measured in f-stops, and is usually represented by a number such as f/2.8. The lower the f-stop, the more light that is allowed to enter the camera. Aperture also affects the depth of field, which is the area of the photo that is in focus. A lower f-stop will produce a shallow depth of field, which is great for creating dreamy and blurry backgrounds.
Exposure
Exposure is the amount of light that is allowed to enter the camera and is determined by the shutter speed and the aperture. A properly exposed photo will have the right amount of light and the highlights and shadows will be balanced. An underexposed photo will appear too dark and the details will be lost in the shadows. An overexposed photo will be too bright and the details will be lost in the highlights.
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is the amount of time the shutter is open and allows light to enter the camera. Shutter speed is usually measured in fractions of a second such as 1/200th or 1/1000th of a second. A slower shutter speed will allow more light to enter the camera and can be used to create motion blur. A faster shutter speed will allow less light to enter the camera and can be used to freeze motion.
ISO
ISO is the sensitivity of the sensor to light and is measured in numbers such as 100, 200, 400, and so on. A low ISO will require more light to properly expose a photo and can be used in bright light conditions. A higher ISO will require less light and can be used in low light conditions. However, a higher ISO will also produce more noise or grain in the photo.
Focal Length
Focal length is the distance between the lens and the sensor and is measured in millimeters. A wide angle lens has a short focal length, such as 10mm, and can be used to capture more of the scene. A telephoto lens has a longer focal length, such as 200mm, and can be used to zoom in on a subject.
Depth of Field
Depth of field is the area of the photo that is in focus and is determined by the aperture. A shallow depth of field will have a small area in focus and is great for isolating the subject. A large depth of field will have a large area in focus and is great for capturing the whole scene.
White Balance
White balance is the process of adjusting the color of the photo so that it appears neutral. Different light sources have different color temperatures, and white balance allows you to adjust the photo so that the colors appear true to life. White balance is usually measured in Kelvin and can be adjusted in the camera or in post-processing.
Composition
Composition is the arrangement of the elements in the frame and is one of the most important aspects of photography. Good composition will draw the viewer's attention to the subject and create a sense of harmony in the photo. Some of the most popular composition techniques include the rule of thirds, the golden ratio, and leading lines.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the most common photography terms used to describe a photo. Knowing and understanding these terms will help you to better communicate with other photographers and become a better photographer yourself. So take some time to learn these terms and get out there and start taking some amazing photos.