E to H Glossary of Photography

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E

Eclipse: A photographic technique or effect where a bright subject (like the sun) is partially obscured by a dark object in the foreground.
Edge Detection: A method used in image processing to identify boundaries within an image by detecting sharp changes in contrast.
Edge Lighting: Lighting that comes from the sides to highlight the edges of a subject.
Editing: Post-processing of images to adjust exposure, contrast, color, etc.
Ektachrome: A brand of color reversal film produced by Kodak, known for its fine grain and vibrant colors.
Electronic Viewfinder (EVF): A digital display that shows the scene the camera is pointing at, often used in mirrorless cameras.
Elements: Individual pieces of glass inside a lens that help form the image.
Enlarger: A device used in traditional film photography to project a negative onto photographic paper for printing.
E-TTL (Evaluative Through-The-Lens): A flash metering system used in modern cameras to calculate the correct flash output.
EV (Exposure Value): A scale used to describe the combination of aperture and shutter speed that determines exposure.
EVF (Electronic Viewfinder): A small display that shows a digital preview of the scene instead of using a mirror or optical viewfinder.
EXIF Data: Metadata stored in a photo that contains information about the camera settings used when the image was captured.
Exposure: The amount of light that hits the camera sensor or film.
Exposure Bracketing: Taking several photos of the same scene at different exposure levels to ensure proper exposure.
Exposure Compensation: A setting used to adjust the camera’s exposure to make images lighter or darker.
EXR Sensor: A sensor developed by Fujifilm that adjusts its behavior to different lighting conditions, improving dynamic range.
Eyedropper Tool: A tool in photo-editing software used to select and sample a color from an image.
Eye-level Viewfinder: A viewfinder located at the eye level of the photographer.
Eyeline: The direction in which a subject’s eyes are looking within a photograph.

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F

Fast Lens: A lens with a wide maximum aperture (such as f/1.4), allowing for more light and faster shutter speeds.
Field of View (FOV): The area visible through the lens at a given moment.
Fill Flash: A technique using a flash to brighten shadows without overpowering the existing light.
Fill Light: A light used to reduce shadows and balance the lighting on a subject.
Film Grain: The granular appearance of film, often replicated in digital images for a vintage look.
Film Speed: A measure of a film’s sensitivity to light, often represented by ISO values.
Fisheye Lens: An ultra-wide-angle lens that creates a circular, distorted image.
Fish-Eye Lens: An ultra-wide-angle lens that produces strong visual distortion to create a wide panoramic or hemispherical image.
Flash Diffuser: An attachment placed over a flash unit to soften and spread the light, reducing harsh shadows.
Flash Sync: The coordination of a camera’s flash with the opening of the shutter.
Flash Sync Speed: The fastest shutter speed at which a camera can synchronize with an external flash.
Flicker: A rapid fluctuation in light levels, often seen when photographing under artificial light sources.
Focal Length: The distance between the lens and the image sensor, which determines the magnification of a subject.
Focus Lock: A technique where the focus is locked on a subject, allowing re-composition without refocusing.
Focus Peaking: A feature in some cameras that highlights the areas in focus by outlining them in bright colors.
Focus Stacking: A technique of combining multiple images taken at different focus distances to achieve a sharp overall image.
Foreground: The area in a photo closest to the camera, often containing the subject.
Foreground Blur: A technique where objects in the foreground are intentionally blurred to emphasize the subject in focus.
Frame Rate: The number of frames captured per second in video recording.
F-stop: A number that represents the size of the aperture opening.
Fujifilm: A Japanese company historically known for its film products, Fujifilm is known for its range of digital cameras, and continues to produce photographic film for enthusiasts and professionals who prefer analog photography.

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G

Gamma: A setting that adjusts the midtones of an image, controlling the overall brightness and contrast.
Gamut: The range of colors that can be displayed or printed by a device.
Gel Filter: A colored filter placed over a light source to change the color of the light.
Ghosting: A lens flare effect where duplicate images appear due to reflections within the lens.
Giclee Print: A high-quality inkjet print used for reproducing fine art or photography.
Glass Plate Negative: A type of photographic negative produced on a glass plate, commonly used in early photography.
Gobo: A light-blocking device used to shape or control light, often used in studio photography.
Golden Hour: The period shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the light is soft and warm.
Golden Ratio: A compositional rule that places key elements along the lines and intersections of a 1 to 1.618 ratio grid.
GoPro: An American technology company that primarily focuses on producing action cameras and related accessories. Their products are designed to capture high-quality, immersive video and photos in a variety of extreme and outdoor environments.
Graduated Filter: A filter with a gradient that transitions from dark to light, used to balance exposures between sky and ground.
Graduated Neutral Density Filter: A filter that transitions from dark to clear, balancing exposure between bright and dark areas.
Grain: Visible texture or noise in an image, often more pronounced in higher ISO settings.
Graininess: The appearance of tiny dots or texture in a photo, often due to high ISO or film grain.
Gray Card: A neutral gray card used to help set the correct exposure and white balance.
Grid: A tool used in composition to help align elements of an image, based on the rule of thirds or other composition rules.
Group Shot: A photograph with multiple people, typically used in family or corporate photography.
Guide Number: A number used to determine the power of a flash and how far it will reach.
Guide Number (GN): A number used to determine the power and range of a flash unit.

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H

Halation: The spreading of light around bright areas in a photograph, common in traditional film photography.
Halftone: A reproduction of an image using dots of varying sizes to create the illusion of continuous tone.
Handheld Shooting: Taking photos without using a tripod or other support, relying on the photographer’s hands for stability.
Hasselblad: A Swedish company renowned for manufacturing high-end, medium-format cameras and photographic equipment. Their cameras are known for exceptional image quality, precision, and durability, making them popular among professional photographers, especially in fashion, portraiture, landscape, and commercial photography.
Haze: An atmospheric condition that reduces clarity and contrast in an image, often caused by light scattering.
HDR (High Dynamic Range): A technique that combines multiple exposures to create an image with a greater range of brightness.
High-Key: A style of photography where the majority of tones in the image are light or white.
High-Key Photography: A style of photography characterized by bright lighting and minimal contrast.
Highlight: The brightest part of an image.
Highlight Recovery: A post-processing technique used to recover detail in overexposed areas of an image.
High-Resolution: An image that contains a large number of pixels, resulting in fine detail.
Histogram: A graph representing the distribution of brightness levels in an image, showing the balance between shadows, midtones, and highlights.
Histogram Clipping: When portions of the histogram are “clipped” at the edges, indicating loss of detail in shadows or highlights.
Hot Pixel: A single pixel that appears brighter than the surrounding pixels, typically caused by a sensor defect or long exposure.
Hot Shoe: A mounting point on the top of a camera for attaching external devices like flashes or microphones.
Hue: A color attribute that describes the basic color, such as red, blue, or green.
Hybrid Camera: A camera that combines features of both DSLR and mirrorless systems.
Hyperfocal Distance: The closest distance at which a lens can be focused while keeping objects at infinity acceptably sharp.

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