Photography is a beautiful art form, capturing moments and emotions that live on forever. However, when you’re discussing your photo session, you may come across certain photography terms and phrases that can seem overwhelming if you’re unfamiliar with them. No worries! We’ve broken down some common photography jargon to help you feel more confident and comfortable when planning your next shoot.
1. Aperture (f-stop)
What It Is: Aperture refers to the opening in a camera lens that controls the amount of light that enters. It’s measured in f-stops (e.g., f/1.8, f/5.6, f/16).
Why It Matters: Aperture affects how much of the image is in focus. A smaller f-stop (like f/1.8) creates a blurry background (shallow depth of field) and is great for portraits. Higher f-stops (like f/16) bring more of the scene into focus, which is ideal for landscapes.
2. Shutter Speed
What It Is: Shutter speed refers to how long the camera’s shutter remains open to let in light. It’s measured in fractions of a second (e.g., 1/2000, 1/60).
Why It Matters: A fast shutter speed freezes motion, perfect for action shots. A slower shutter speed can create motion blur, used creatively for effects like light trails.
3. ISO
What It Is: ISO measures the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor to light. Low numbers (e.g., ISO 100) are less sensitive, while high numbers (e.g., ISO 3200) are more sensitive.
Why It Matters: Low ISO gives you sharper, cleaner images in bright light. Higher ISO can help capture images in low light but may introduce “noise” or graininess.
4. Bokeh
What It Is: Bokeh refers to the aesthetically pleasing blur or out-of-focus areas in a photo, typically in the background.
Why It Matters: Many clients love the “dreamy” look of bokeh in portraits, which helps emphasize the subject by creating separation from the background.
5. Composition
What It Is: Composition is how the elements in a photo are arranged. It includes principles like the Rule of Thirds, leading lines, and framing.
Why It Matters: Composition guides where your eyes go in a photo, making it more engaging and telling a stronger story.
6. RAW vs. JPEG
What It Is: These terms refer to file formats for your photos. RAW files contain all the image data captured by the camera sensor, while JPEGs are compressed versions.
Why It Matters: RAW files offer more flexibility for editing and adjusting details like brightness and color but need more post-processing. JPEGs are ready to share but offer less editing flexibility.
7. White Balance
What It Is: White balance controls the color temperature in photos, making whites appear neutral rather than tinted by light sources.
Why It Matters: Accurate white balance prevents unnatural color casts. For example, it ensures skin tones look natural and colors are true to life.
8. Exposure
What It Is: Exposure is the amount of light reaching the camera sensor, determining how light or dark an image appears.
Why It Matters: Proper exposure is key to a great photo. It balances brightness, shadows, and highlights to create a well-lit image.
9. Depth of Field (DoF)
What It Is: Depth of field refers to the range of distance that appears acceptably sharp in a photo.
Why It Matters: It controls what parts of the photo are in focus. A shallow depth of field isolates the subject, while a deep depth of field captures everything in focus.
10. Aspect Ratio
What It Is: Aspect ratio is the shape of the image, defined by its width and height (e.g., 3:2, 16:9).
Why It Matters: Aspect ratio influences the look of your images and is especially important for prints, social media, or framing.
Putting It All Together
Understanding these basic terms makes communicating with your photographer more productive and enjoyable. It helps ensure your vision comes to life exactly as you imagine and gives you insight into the creative process. At Springer Company Photo, we believe an informed client is an empowered client. Whether you want stunning portraits, memorable family shots, or creative artistic expressions, we’re here to guide you every step of the way!
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