Photography Cheat Sheet
Have you ever been trying to use your camera, or purchase a new one, or edit a photo, or do literally anything on the internet relating to photography — and have been SO CONFUSED by all the new words you see? Well, here, here are all the words and a simple interpretation of what they mean.
Image from Unsplash
Focus: When your subject is clear and crisp and you can see all the details, then the picture is in focus. If it looks like your smeared butter all over the lens, then the picture is probably not in focus.
Shutter: This one needs a visual explanation. Click here https://shotkit.com/camera-shutter/
Shutter speed: Shutter speed is a camera setting that controls the length of time the camera’s shutter remains open when taking a photograph. It is usually measured in fractions of a second, such as 1/1000, 1/250, 1/60, etc. The faster the shutter speed, the less time the shutter is open, which means less light enters the camera and the image is frozen. The slower the shutter speed, the more time the shutter is open, which means more light enters the camera and the image is blurred if there is any movement in the scene.
ISO/film speed: How sensitive the film is to light. When you increase the ISO setting on your camera or change to a type of film with a different ISO (known as “film speed”), you are increasing its sensitivity to light, which allows you to take pictures in low-light conditions without having to use a slow shutter speed or wide aperture. However, increasing the ISO can also introduce digital noise or graininess into the image, which can degrade the quality of the photo.
Aperture: Aperture, in photography, refers to the opening in the lens that controls the amount of light that enters the camera. It is measured in f-stops, which are usually represented as a series of numbers, such as f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, etc. The aperture controls the depth of field, or the range of sharp focus in a photograph. A larger aperture (represented by a smaller f-number) lets in more light and produces a shallow depth of field, which means that only a small portion of the image will be in focus while the rest of the image will be blurred. This is useful for creating a background blur that isolates the subject and makes it stand out. A smaller aperture (represented by a larger f-number) lets in less light and produces a greater depth of field, which means that more of the image will be in focus. This is useful for landscape photography, where you want everything from the foreground to the background to be in focus.
Focal length: Focal length is the distance between the lens and the camera’s image sensor when the lens is focused at infinity. It is usually measured in millimeters and determines the angle of view, or the amount of the scene that the lens can capture. A shorter focal length (such as 18mm or 24mm) captures a wider angle of view, allowing you to fit more of the scene into the frame. This is useful for landscape photography or any situation where you want to capture a wide field of view. A longer focal length (such as 50mm or 100mm) captures a narrower angle of view, which can make distant subjects appear closer and more magnified. This is useful for portrait photography or any situation where you want to isolate the subject from the background and create a shallow depth of field. Focal length is an important factor in lens selection, and different lenses have different focal lengths and are designed for different purposes. It is also an important consideration when composing a photograph, as the focal length affects the perspective and visual impact of the resulting image.
Full frame: Digital sensor’s equivalent of a 35mm film camera. A full frame digital camera is a type of digital camera that has a sensor size equivalent to a 35mm film frame. The sensor is larger than the sensors found in most consumer-level digital cameras, which results in several advantages for photographers. One of the main advantages of a full frame camera is its ability to capture more light, which results in better image quality, especially in low light conditions. The larger sensor size also means that the camera can produce images with a shallower depth of field, which can be useful for portraits or other types of photography where you want to isolate the subject from the background. Full frame cameras also typically have a wider field of view, which means that you can capture more of the scene in your photos. They also generally have higher resolution sensors, which means that they can produce images with more detail and clarity. However, full frame cameras can be more expensive and heavier than other types of digital cameras, and they may require specialized lenses to take advantage of the larger sensor size. They are often used by professional photographers and serious hobbyists who prioritize image quality and flexibility. Crop sensor: Digital sensor that is smaller than a classic 35mm film camera. Abut 26mm. A crop sensor camera is a type of digital camera that has a smaller sensor size than a full-frame camera. The sensor size is typically around 1.5x or 1.6x smaller than a full-frame sensor, which results in a narrower field of view and a smaller angle of view. Because the sensor is smaller, crop sensor cameras have a higher “crop factor,” which means that the effective focal length of a lens is multiplied when it is attached to the camera. For example, a 50mm lens on a crop sensor camera might have an effective focal length of 75mm or 80mm, depending on the specific crop factor of the camera. Crop sensor cameras are often less expensive than full-frame cameras and are popular with beginners and enthusiasts who want to get started with photography. They are also more compact and lightweight, which can be an advantage for travel or street photography. However, they may not perform as well in low light conditions and may have more limited options for achieving a shallow depth of field.
Medium format: A medium format camera is a type of camera that uses a larger film or digital sensor than most other cameras. The film or sensor size is typically larger than a full-frame camera, and can range from around 60mm x 45mm to 70mm x 56mm or larger. Medium format cameras are often used in commercial and fine art photography, where high resolution and image quality are important. The larger sensor size allows for greater detail and dynamic range, as well as a shallower depth of field. Medium format cameras are also known for their large and bright viewfinders, which make it easier to compose images and focus manually. They often have interchangeable lenses, and can be used with a range of different lenses to suit different shooting situations. However, medium format cameras can be more expensive and less portable than other types of cameras, and may require a tripod or other support to achieve sharp images. They are also typically slower and less responsive than smaller cameras, which may make them less suitable for fast-moving subjects. Overall, medium format cameras are a specialized tool that offer unparalleled image quality and detail, and are often used by professional photographers who demand the highest standards of excellence in their work.
Crop factor: Crop factor is a term used in photography to describe how a camera’s sensor size affects the effective focal length of a lens. It is the ratio of the diagonal length of a camera’s sensor to the diagonal length of a full-frame sensor. For example, if a camera has a crop factor of 1.5x, a 50mm lens on that camera will have an effective focal length of 75mm (50mm x 1.5). This is because the smaller sensor “crops” the image, effectively magnifying the central portion of the image that the lens captures. Crop factor is important to consider when choosing lenses for a camera, as the effective focal length of a lens will be different depending on the camera’s sensor size. It is also important to consider when comparing cameras with different sensor sizes, as the same lens will have a different field of view on cameras with different crop factors. Crop factor is most commonly discussed in relation to cameras with APS-C or crop sensors, which are smaller than full-frame sensors. However, it can also apply to other sensor sizes, such as Micro Four Thirds and medium format sensors.
Exposure: Exposure refers to the amount of light that reaches the camera’s sensor when a photo is taken. It is determined by three key factors: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.
Dynamic range: Dynamic range refers to the range of tones between the brightest and darkest parts of an image. It is the difference between the lightest highlight and the darkest shadow that can be captured by a camera or displayed on a screen or print.
Macro: Macro photography is a type of photography that involves capturing extreme close-up images of small subjects, such as insects, flowers, and other small objects. The goal of macro photography is to capture fine details that are not visible to the naked eye. To achieve macro photography, photographers typically use specialized lenses that allow them to focus on subjects at close distances. These lenses may have a high magnification ratio, allowing the subject to appear much larger than it is in real life.
Long exposure: Long exposure is a photography technique that involves using a slow shutter speed to capture an image over an extended period of time. This technique is often used to create dramatic and artistic effects, such as blurring moving subjects, creating light trails, or capturing the movement of water or clouds. Depth of field: Noise: How grainy the picture is. Noise refers to the visual distortion or grain that can appear in an image, particularly in areas of shadow or low light. This distortion is caused by the camera’s sensor amplifying the signal from the light that hits it, which can also amplify any electrical noise that the sensor produces. Noise can be more noticeable in images taken at higher ISO settings, which amplify the camera’s sensor sensitivity to light. Noise can also be more noticeable in images taken with smaller sensors, such as those found in smartphones or point-and-shoot cameras. While noise can be unwanted in some types of photography, such as landscape or portrait photography, it can also be used creatively in other types of photography, such as street or documentary photography, to add a sense of grittiness or moodiness to the image.
f/stop: f-stop (also known as aperture) is the setting that controls the size of the opening in the lens through which light passes. It is expressed as a number, such as f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, etc. The lower the number, the larger the opening and the more light that is allowed in. The higher the number, the smaller the opening and the less light that is allowed in. The f-stop setting also affects the depth of field, which is the range of distance in the image that appears to be in sharp focus. A wider aperture (lower f-stop number) will result in a shallower depth of field, meaning that only a small portion of the image will be in focus, while the rest will be blurred. A narrower aperture (higher f-stop number) will result in a deeper depth of field, meaning that more of the image will be in focus.
Metering: Choosing the area of the scene that you want the camera to expose for. Metering in photography refers to the process by which the camera measures the amount of light in a scene to determine the appropriate exposure settings. The camera’s metering system analyzes the brightness and contrast of the scene and calculates the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings needed to achieve a properly exposed image. Metering is an important aspect of photography as it ensures that the image is properly exposed and helps the photographer achieve the desired creative look.
Matrix or evaluative metering: This mode evaluates the light across the entire scene and calculates the exposure based on the camera’s programmed algorithm.
Center-weighted metering: This mode meters the light in the center of the frame and places more emphasis on the subject in the center of the frame.
Spot metering: This mode meters the light in a very small area of the frame, usually the center, and is used to measure the exposure of a specific area of the subject.
Histogram: A histogram is a graphical representation of the tonal values in an image. It displays the distribution of brightness levels in the image, ranging from the darkest shadows on the left side of the graph to the brightest highlights on the right side of the graph. A histogram can be viewed on the camera’s LCD screen or in post-processing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. Photographers can use the histogram to analyze the exposure of an image and make adjustments to the exposure settings to achieve the desired exposure. For example, if the histogram is skewed to the left, indicating that the image is underexposed, the photographer may need to increase the exposure or brightness settings to correct it.
Manual mode: Manual mode is a setting that allows you to have complete control over the camera’s exposure settings, including shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. In manual mode, you set the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO values independently, rather than relying on the camera’s automatic settings to determine the exposure.
Aperture priority mode: Aperture priority mode is a shooting mode on a camera that allows the photographer to set the aperture while the camera automatically selects the appropriate shutter speed to achieve the proper exposure. In aperture priority mode, the photographer selects the desired aperture value, which controls the depth of field in the image. The camera then calculates the appropriate shutter speed based on the selected aperture and the available light in the scene. If the scene is too bright or too dark for the selected aperture, the camera may adjust the ISO sensitivity to compensate.
Shutter speed priority mode: In shutter priority mode, you select the desired shutter speed, which controls the amount of time that the camera’s sensor is exposed to light. The camera then calculates the appropriate aperture based on the selected shutter speed and the available light in the scene. If the scene is too bright or too dark for the selected shutter speed, the camera may adjust the ISO sensitivity to compensate.
White balance: White balance is a camera setting that adjusts the color balance in an image to ensure that white objects appear white, regardless of the lighting conditions in the scene. Different light sources, such as natural sunlight, indoor lighting, or fluorescent bulbs, produce light with different color temperatures, which can result in a color cast in the image. White balance compensates for these color temperature differences by adjusting the balance of colors in the image, so that whites appear neutral and colors are rendered accurately.
Jpeg: JPEG, short for Joint Photographic Experts Group, is a commonly used image file format. JPEG files use a lossy compression algorithm that reduces the file size by discarding some of the image data. This compression can result in a smaller file size, but also a loss of image quality compared to the original, uncompressed image. JPEG files are widely supported by image editing software and web browsers, and can be easily shared and displayed on the internet. They are commonly used for photographs and other complex images, where the loss of some image detail is acceptable.
Raw: A raw file is a type of digital image file that contains unprocessed image data straight from the camera’s image sensor, with no in-camera processing or compression. Raw files capture all the information and detail from the camera’s sensor, allowing for greater flexibility and control during post-processing. Unlike JPEG files, which are compressed and processed in-camera, raw files can be thought of as a digital negative, providing a more accurate and flexible representation of the original image. Raw files are typically saved in a proprietary format specific to the camera manufacturer, such as CR2 for Canon or NEF for Nikon, but can also be saved in more universal formats such as Adobe’s DNG (Digital Negative) format. Raw files contain more data and detail than JPEG files, allowing for more extensive adjustments to be made during post-processing, such as adjusting exposure, white balance, and color temperature. However, raw files also require more post-processing work and file storage space, as they are typically larger than JPEG files. Shooting in raw format is recommended for professional photographers and advanced enthusiasts who require the utmost control over their images and are willing to invest more time in post-processing.
I wish I would have had something like this when I first started photography. Thanks for reading, I hope it helps! Feel free to save and refer back to it whenever you need.
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A portion of these descriptions were written with the help of ChatGPT. The robots can explain things better than me sometimes.
