Photographers’ gobbledygook can be confusing! This photography dictionary will help you find the real significance behind that jargon.
Aberration
The inability of a lens to produce a perfect, sharp image, especially at the edge of the photo.
(see Barrel distortion & Pincushion effect )
Accessory shoe
Metal fitting on the top of a camera which supports the flash gun, also various other accessories such as a viewfinder or rangefinder.
(see Hot Shoe, Finder & Rangefinder)
Achromatic
A term which describes a lens system which is corrected for chromatic aberration.
(see Chromatic Aberration)
Agitation
Keeping a chemical moving: Agitation helps to speed-up and achieve an even development while processing film or paper. It also prevents spotting or staining by keeping the developer, stop bath, or fixer in motion.
Ambient Light
The available light. Already existing in an indoor or outdoor setting which is not caused by any illumination created by the photographer.
(see Existing Light )
Analyzer
Instrument used in photo printing to determine correct colour filtration (colour balance) when making colour prints.
(see Colour Balance)
Angle of coverage
Concerning Large Format lenses: The maximum image area of usable quality which a certain lens can produce (the image circle). Known as the angle of coverage.
Angle of view
Angle of view is determined by the focal length of the lens. A wide-angle lens includes more of the scene than a normal (standard lens) or telephoto lens.
(see Standard lens,Tele & Wide )
Aperture
The opening in a lens through which light passes to expose the film. Aperture size is usually calibrated in f-numbers, the larger the number, the smaller the lens opening, therefore the slower the shutter must be!
(see f-stop)
Apochromatic (APO lens)
Lens corrected for chromatic aberrations in all three primary colours. Many manufactures use different names (i.e. NIKON use ED)
APS
Introduced in 1996 the Advanced Photo System (APS) was devised by a group of five manufactures: Canon, Fuji, Kodak, Minolta and Nikon as a 'breakthrough in camera and film technology' and created a new generation of 'point-and-shoot' cameras. Now, with hindsight, just an interim consumer product which just filled a gap until the more innovative compact digital cameras became affordable. The film size is smaller than 35mm.
(see 35mm)
Artifact
Unwanted digital image degradation (file compression) caused by errors or limitations during capture or created while processing, storage or transport.
(see JPEG & Lossy)
Artificial light
Light not originating from a natural source. The commonest artificial light sources in photography are flash, and tungsten bulbs.
(see Tungsten light)
ASA (American Standards Association)
An old film speed rating system. Now superseded by ISO.
(see ISO)
Aspect Ratio
The ratio of width to height in an image. Wide-screen TV 16x9 and traditional TV 4x3. Still photography offers many aspect ratios, from square format (such as 6x6 cm) to various panoramic formats.
(see Format)
Available light
All natural lighting from moonlight to sunshine; and for photographic purposes, the light that is already on the scene. Therefore it takes in: room lamps, fluorescent lamps, neon signs, candles, daylight through windows, and artificially illuminated night scenes.
Glossary provided by www.peterashbyhayter.co.uk, and edited from many varied sources.
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