Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Talk Like a True Shutterbug With These Common Photography Terms

Joining a group of photographers can easily make a newbie feel out of place. Aside from getting used to operating the camera, understanding the jargon can be a bit overwhelming. That said, newbies should keep on learning the tricks and the terms related to the art. Here are some common photography terms worth knowing:

Depth of field (DOF)

This refers to the distance in front and behind the subject in focus. On the one hand, when shooting landscapes, a larger DOF can bring the little details of a scenery in perspective. On the other hand, most choose a shallow DOF when it comes to shooting portraits so that the background won’t affect the subject. Setting the aperture is key to getting the right level.

Image source: Widewalls.ch
Exposure

Photographers throw this word around casually, but they could be referring to different things. Basically, exposure pertains to the amount of light involved in processing the image. However, it could also mean aperture, ISO, and even shutter speed—the so-called “exposure triangle.”

Noise

What does it mean when a photo is “noisy”? It means that the picture quality is a bit grainy or with unnecessary contrast. This could also cause little flecks in the image. While this could go unnoticed, photographers will easily spot this. Noise usually happens with images that are taken with high ISO.

Image source: Indosurflife.com
When an unfamiliar term is being thrown around in photography circles, beginners should not hesitate to ask. It’s always good to ask for help and even for a tutorial. Skilled photographers are generous with their techniques, and it would be a privilege to learn from these talented people.

Vijaya Prakash Boggala works as a medical abstractor. He spends his free time expressing himself through art and photography. For more art-related updates, follow this Twitter page.