Descriptionary

blowback the reenlargement to the original size of a reduced photo.

blowup an enlargement of a photo.

bounce light a flash pointed at the ceiling or wall to reflect light onto the subject.

bugeye see fisheye.

burn to expose a negative to light to retouch an area or to remove areas.

card in a digital camera, an electronic memory chip for storing images.

CCD charged-coupled device. A light-sensitive device that converts light images into electronic sig­nals to form digital pictures, used in cameras, scan­ners, copiers, and camcorders.

changing bag a black bag in which 35 mm film magazines can be loaded or unloaded in daylight; used when a camera jams.

close down to reduce the opening of the camera lens by increasing the depth of field.

color transparencies another name for color slides.

computer enhancement the use of a computer to bring out fine or hazy details in a photograph.

contre jour to take photos with a light source directly facing the camera.

courtesy line the name of the photographer or other source that appears under a photo published in a newspaper, magazine, or book.

crop to trim a portion of a photo.

depth of field the in-focus portion of an image from the closest object to the furthest; the range of sharp focus through a camera lens.

double exposure a dual-image photo of two subjects.

duotone a photo printed in two colors.

84 Charlie military slang for a combat photographer.

enlarger an apparatus that projects an enlarged image of a negative on light-sensitive paper to pro­duce a larger photo.

enlarging paper paper used for printing enlarged images.

expose to admit light.

f short for focal length. See f-stop.

fast of a film, more sensitive to light than other (slow) film. Also, of a lens, allowing more light to enter the camera than others.

film speed film sensitivity to light. Fast film is more sensitive to light and is used in low-light situations; slow film is less sensitive to light and is used in bright, clear weather.

filter one of a variety of special lenses placed over the main lens to produce a number of color, light, or special effects.

fisheye a wide-angle (providing 180-degree view) lens, noted for the distorted circular image it pro­duces. Also known as a bugeye.

fixer the chemical solution used to complete the development of a photo.

flat a photo having dull contrast.

focal length the distance between a point in the lens and the film when the lens is focused at infinity.

focal plane at the back of the camera, the area where the image is focused on the film.

fog filter a special-effects filter used to produce a foggy or hazy effect in a photograph.

f-stop a lens aperture setting; the higher the f-stop number the more the aperture is reduced.

glossy a photo having a glossy or smooth finish.

halftone a photo having varying tones of gray.

high hat a short tripod used for making low-angle shots.

hot shoe the receptacle or holder for a camera flash unit.

infinity through a camera lens, any distance at which the subject is a few hundred feet away or more.

iris diaphragm the opening and closing device that regulates the amount of light entering the lens aper­ture.

light meter a device that measures light to deter­mine proper camera settings. Also known as an expo­sure meter.

macro lens a lens used to photograph very small objects closeup.

magic hour the hour at dawn and again at dusk, when the sun produces the most flattering light.

mask a cardboard cutout placed over a lens to create a variety of effects, such as making a pic­ture appear as if it was taken through binoculars or through a keyhole.

mat a decorative cardboard border around a photo. Also spelled matte.

monochrome a photo in several shades of one color.

paparazzi freelance photographers who follow celebrities around and take their photographs for sale to publications. The singular form is paparazzo.

photoflood a studio light of 275 to 1,000 watts.

photogenic photographically attractive.

photomacography photography of small objects.

photometer a light-exposure meter.

photomicrography photography through a micro­scope.

pixel an individual electronic image point.

red eye in a photograph, the reddish glint that some­times appears in the eye of a subject when a flashbulb has been used.

reflector a studio light reflector used to bounce light in the desired direction.

retouch to touch up or alter a photograph, as with an airbrush.

scrim a mesh fabric used to produce diffuse lighting.

shutter speed the speed at which the camera shutter opens and closes. A fast speed is needed to capture moving objects without blur.