This type of light source, which is also known as a stroboscopic lamp, generates flashes of light (the duration of which is typically somewhere about 200 microseconds) at regular intervals. It has been put to use in the field of photography to create high-speed photographs of moving subjects that are impossible for the human eye to follow, such as a bullet flying through the air. Additionally, strobe lights have been utilized to capture many shots of a moving subject within a single frame. For instance, Gjon Mili's photographs of dancers make use of this technique (1904-1984).

Reduce the aperture setting on the camera. "Open up" is the antonym of "close down.".

A measure of the degree to which someone is exposed. The amount of light that reaches the image sensor can be doubled or cut in half simply by adjusting the exposure by one stop. A full stop is the amount of separation that exists between each of the normal aperture settings (f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/16, etc.). Digital single-lens reflex cameras typically come with a selection of half-stop or third-stop intermediate settings.

Photographs made in public settings that document human activity or interaction in such a way as to provide a commentary on society or life in general. Photographers that work on the street have the goal of capturing life as it is happening and typically snap their images when no one is looking. Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004), Garry Winogrand (born 1924) and Robert Frank (born 1924) are some of the photographers who have contributed to this expansive genre (1928-1884).

Still-life photography concentrates its attention on a single object or a limited number of related subjects, much like the still-life painting style that dates back centuries. They are typically meticulously organized by the photographer, and they can be photographed either indoors or outdoors, with natural light or with artificial light.

Exposure metering technology that obtains a reading from the meter by focusing on a very small area that is located in the middle of the frame.

Hazy and lacking in distinct definition throughout the entire image. Images can be "soft" either because of a fault in the lens or because the photographer chose to make them that way in order to give the image a more romantic "glow." It is possible to accomplish this effect within the camera by either shooting through a piece of translucent material or by putting a soft-focus or diffuser filter to the lens (for example, a section cut out from a pair of tights). Utilizing post-capture software on a computer makes the addition of it a breeze as well.

A container that surrounds a flash or a continuous light source. The interiors are covered with a reflecting substance, and the square or round front screen is constructed of a white opaque material that softens and diffuses the light. As an alternative to umbrellas, softboxes are frequently utilized for the purpose of dispersing intense flash light. The front of a softbox can range in size from forty centimeters to two meters.

A sub-genre of photography that focuses on documenting the ordinary lives of people from a variety of various countries, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Social documentary projects typically have a particular goal in mind, such as Lewis Hine's (1874-1940) photographs that brought attention to child labor in the early part of the 20th century, or Sebastiao Salgado's (1993) project that examined the working conditions that workers in various countries around the world were forced to endure.

A tube-like attachment that can be either shaped like a cone or cylinder and is designed to fit on the front of a flash unit or studio light. A snoot gives the photographer the ability to alter the direction and width of the light, allowing them to zero in on a particular subject and concentrate or isolate it.

A subgenre of fine art photography that emphasizes ordinary life as its subject matter and employs an appearance that is between between staged and candid snapshots. William Eggleston (born in 1939), Nan Goldin (born in 1953), and Wolfgang Tillmans are all examples of photographers who have used this technique (born 1968). In the 1990s, fashion photography was one of the most common uses for it.

A device that will automatically activate another flash unit whenever another flash unit is fired. The slave is equipped with a light-sensitive photoelectric cell, which reduces the quantity of cables that are required in a recording studio.

A type of camera that displays the same image that is being seen through the lens by employing a pentaprism and a mirror. When the shutter button is pressed, the mirror will automatically flip up, allowing the picture to be captured by either the sensor or the film.

The light-sensitive chemical component that, when coated on photographic film or paper, makes it possible for images to be captured on said film or paper.

This involves employing either natural or artificial light to illuminate a subject from one side across the camera axis, while leaving the opposite side in shadow. In order to give a subject more texture and depth, it is frequently utilized in portraiture. It is possible to achieve a dramatic look, particularly when contrasted against a dark background. A reflector can be utilized to bring more light into shadowy places if that is something that is wanted.

This is the length of time that the shutter of the camera is open for in order to expose the image sensor or film to the light that is coming in via the lens. Exposure time is another name for this.

A semi-automatic mode of exposure in which the photographer is responsible for setting the shutter speed. After that, the camera takes readings from its light meter and adjusts the aperture such that it corresponds to those readings.

The amount of time that passes between when the photographer presses the shutter button and when the image is captured by the camera.

A mechanism that allows light to flow through the lens of a camera and onto the digital sensor or film behind the lens, often for a predetermined amount of time. In addition, have a look at the leaf shutter and the focal plane shutter.

A lens that can be swapped out for use with some digital single-lens reflex cameras and medium-format cameras. When photographing tall subjects, such as skyscrapers, the lens allows for a restricted range of camera motions, including a feature that allows the lens to be raised upwards to avoid converging verticals. This is extremely helpful. Alternately referred to as a PC lens.