Photography Vocabulary
1) Composition- Photographic composition can be defined as the
arrangement of elements of design (line, shape, value, color, texture,
and space) to create an image that is interesting to look at and clearly
express an idea.
2) Aesthetics- The personal or emotional reaction to works of art.
3) Aperture- The opening that lets light into the camera. The larger the
aperture selected the more light there will be to expose the film at
any given amount time. A series of f/numbers is used to denote
aperture size, and these are marked on a ring on the lens. These
settings called f-stops, run in a series from largest to smallest: f/1.4,
f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, and f/22 are the most common.
4) Balance- Balance can be symmetrical, with both halves of the
photograph having equal visual elements; or asymmetrical, with
more visual weight on one side than the other.
5) Camera angle- Position of the camera can affect the subject. A low
camera angle will make the subject look larger; a high camera angle
will make the subject look smaller. A close-up camera angle will fill
the frame and include many details.
6) Center of interest- The main subject of the photograph.
7) Contrast- The difference between blacks and whites in a
photograph. High contrast means there are mostly black and white
areas with little gray. Low contrast means the photograph is mostly
gray and flat, with few bright-white or deep-black areas.
8) Film speed- An ISO (International Standards Organization) number
denotes the film’s speed, or its sensitivity to light. The higher the
