Category Archives: Definition

Definition:  description, analogue, annotation, answer, characterization, clarification, clue, comment, commentary, cue, delimitation, delineation, demarcation, denotation, determination, elucidation, exemplification, explanation, explication, exposition, expounding, fixing, formalization, gloss, individuation, interpretation, key, outlining, rationale, rendering, rendition, representation, settling, signification, solution, statement of meaning, terminology, translation

Exposure metering and exposure compensation

Start to get control of your exposures

Many beginners do not realise that the photograph they take on auto-settings is an auto-programed response by the camera. The camera senses the light and makes a decision on the exposure. It takes into consideration the lens, the ambient light and if the flash is set to auto. Then it takes its exposure according to some pre-programed instructions in its on-board computer. As this requires no intervention by the user it looks like the exposure is fixed. However, nothing can be further from the truth.

The user has quite a lot of control over exposure. In fact there is no such thing as a perfect exposure. There is only the exposure you prefer. The camera manufacturers have done a pretty good job of creating a ‘typical’ exposure for the layman photographer. Set the camera on auto and away you go. You get credible shots, they look bright and lifelike. What more do you want? Well, the keen photographer soon realises that the programed exposure is a bit limited.

Book Suggestion…
If you want to improve your exposure get into manual control. This book gives you lots of interesting insights and great pictures. A clear narrative and a well organised book. The most important point? It encourages you to get away from auto and get control of your camera.
 
A great book – a recommendation from me!
Damon Guy – Photokonnexion Editor

 
What if you want to introduce a romantic tone into your shot. A little under-exposure does wonders for adding atmosphere. The brooding shadows of an underexposed shot brings out the mood. On the other hand, a high-key shot (very bright and very vibrant) often requires a little over-exposure. The programed response cannot do that. Alternatively, in very bright or very dark scenes you can also compensate, using exposure compensation, to help the camera out and brighten a dark scene or darken an over-bright scene.

In the two videos below you will learn about how to use your camera meter. Then, how to affect your exposure using exposure compensation. These two features of the DSLR provide you with the tools to start influencing your exposure. It is a great way to start learning about your camera light meter too. So follow these through and you will be on the way to gaining greater control of your camera.

Digital Photography 1 on 1: Metering Part 1…

Digital Photography 1 on 1: Metering Part 2: Exposure Compensation

By Damon Guy (author and Photokonnexion editor)

Damon Guy - Netkonnexion

Damon Guy (Netkonnexion)

Damon is a writer-photog and editor of this site. He has run some major websites, a computing department and a digital image library. He started out as a trained teacher and now runs training for digital photographers.
See also: Editors ‘Bio’.

Photographic Glossary Published

Looking through the lens is our way of seeing the world...

Looking through the lens is our way of seeing the world…

Exciting news!

After much hard work we have now put the new Photographic Glossary online. This is an important stage in the development of Photokonnexion. We think this will prove to be a great way for you to access the information you need. It will help you fit the pieces of your photographic knowledge together.

From now on you will be able to browse the Glossary looking for articles of interest. You will also be able to use it to access detailed information.

You can also help to write definitions in our glossary. We want contributions from readers. Check out how to send us an entry for the Photographic Glossary – here’s how.

We look forward to your comments and suggestions. Please contact us with your thoughts. Alternatively, please comment on the bottom of this page. Your suggestions help us provide a better website for you.

The Photographic Glossary can be found in the ‘Articles’ menu at the top of each page. Go there now.

By Damon Guy (author and Photokonnexion editor)

Damon Guy - Netkonnexion

Damon Guy (Netkonnexion)

Damon is a writer-photog and editor of this site. He has run some major websites, a computing department and a digital image library. He started out as a trained teacher and now runs training for digital photographers.
See also: Editors ‘Bio’.

Contribute A Definition?

Send us a definition of a photographic word or phrase...

Send us a definition for our list of photographic words and phrases. Simply write a clear definition and send it in. Include an original picture if you wish. Give us your name and a link to your website and we will credit your work.

Light – the essential component

There is one thing in photography that is more important than anything else – light. Funny thing that, many photographers don’t get it until quite late on. Maybe that sounds daft to you. Maybe it does not. If it does sound daft you need to look carefully at what it is you are photographing. Light is the defining factor of EVERY shot.

The knowledge that light is so important makes it almost essential that any equipment photographers use either controls the light or captures it. Try these for size…

Diffusers:
Anything that causes light to be diffused has to be an important aspect of photography. Flash, bright lights and direct strong lights as well as hard light needs to be diffused. Hard light is very unflattering, particularly in portraits. So think of ways to diffuse and soften the light. Here is a detailed entry in the Photographic Glossary, published today, looking at diffusers…
Definition: Diffuser; Diffusion; Diffusion Filter

Photographic Umbrella:
One of the great pieces of equipment that any photographer can have is an umbrella. It is used with a flash to diffuse the light in one of main ways. Here is a new article about the umbrella in the Photographic Glossary…
Definition: Photographic Umbrella


 
 
Ring flash:
If it is not about light modifiers like the diffusers and the umbrella, then it is about light sources. Off-camera flash is the most flexible type of flash for working from the camera direct. However, flash is often a harsh and very hard light. A ring flash is also a hard light but can be used close to the subject. It gives off a ring of light. Here is more detail about the Ring Flash in a new article today…
Definition: Ring Flash
 
Open faced light:
The harshest light is a hard light. An open faced light tends to be the harshest artificial source of light since the face of the light is exposed directly to the subject with no diffusion screen in the way. There may even be a focusing lens to make it even more concentrated. Here is a definition for this light…
Definition: Open Face Light; Undiffused Light; Open Light
 
 

Contribute A Definition?

Send us a definition of a photographic word or phrase...

Send us a definition for our list of photographic words and phrases. Simply write a clear definition and send it in. Include an original picture if you wish. Give us your name and a link to your website and we will credit your work.

By Damon Guy (author and Photokonnexion editor)

Damon Guy - Netkonnexion

Damon Guy (Netkonnexion)

Damon is a writer-photog and editor of this site. He has run some major websites, a computing department and a digital image library. He started out as a trained teacher and now runs training for digital photographers.
See also: Editors ‘Bio’.

Measure Up For Focus – New Definition

If you don't know what this funny mark is on the side of a DSLR then read on...

If you don’t know what this funny mark is on the side of a DSLR then read on…

Definition: Focal Plane Mark

That funny symbol on the side of most DSLR cameras is called a Focal Plane Mark. We have put two new definitions into the Photography Glossary today which explain this mark and how to use it.

Definition: Focal Plane Mark

Definition: Plane of focus; Focal Plane; Film Plane; Image Plane;
 

By Damon Guy (author and Photokonnexion editor)

Damon Guy - Netkonnexion

Damon Guy (Netkonnexion)

Damon is a writer-photog and editor of this site. He has run some major websites, a computing department and a digital image library. He started out as a trained teacher and now runs training for digital photographers.
See also: Editors ‘Bio’.

Contribute A Definition?

Send us a definition of a photographic word or phrase...

Send us a definition for our list of photographic words and phrases. Simply write a clear definition and send it in. Include an original picture if you wish. Give us your name and a link to your website and we will credit your work.

More on EXIF Data

Data in your photograph tells you about your shots

EXIF data helps you analyse your shots and improve your photography

EXIF data helps you analyse your shots and improve your photography.


Information in your image files is a great way to improve your shot. You can look up the EXIF data and find ways to improve your photography. A previous posting on this subject provided ways to investigate your EXIF files… EXIF Data – Understanding Your Shots. Today we have published more definitions in the Photographic Glossary providing more on EXIF data.

Three more articles are available here…

EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format)
Photo Metadata External link - opens new tab/page
Definition: Metadata

By Damon Guy (author and Photokonnexion editor)

Damon Guy - Netkonnexion

Damon Guy (Netkonnexion)

Damon is a writer-photog and editor of this site. He has run some major websites, a computing department and a digital image library. He started out as a trained teacher and now runs training for digital photographers.
See also: Editors ‘Bio’.

Catchlights… Bring your portraits alive

Catchlights bring a portrait alive... look out for ways to bring the eyes to life

Catchlights bring a portrait alive... look out for ways to bring the eyes to life

Portraiture demands that your subject looks alive

If the eyes of your subject look dead you stand no chance of drawing your viewer into the picture. When doing portraits you must bring a light into the eyes. A few days ago I looked at ways to enhance the eyes. The use of catchlights is one of the more important of these techniques. Within moments of death the spark of life seems to leave the eyes. This is because the reflections that we call ‘catchlights’ disappear in dry eyes. So, it is important we capture the eyes looking moist and reflective. It is this moisture that brings life, a three dimensional look and a dynamic feel to the picture.

Here is an article about catchlights in more detail…
Definition: Catchlights; Catch Lights; Catch-lights;

The Iris Diaphragm – Controlling Incoming Light

The variable aperture - the iris.

The variable aperture - the iris. A new definition for 'Diaphragm Iris' is in the photography glossary.
Click to visit the definition.

The light coming into your camera is controlled by the iris

The aperture size regulates the amount of light that you allow into your camera while taking a picture. However, it is the ‘Iris Diaphragm’ mechanism that controls the aperture size. It is a sophisticated mechanism in today’s cameras. In former times the diaphragm was a component of the lens in its own right. Today the iris and the diaphragm are one mechanism which together control aperture size .

The new entry in the Photographic Glossary: Diaphragm; Iris Diaphragm; Iris

By Damon Guy (author and Photokonnexion editor)

Damon Guy - Netkonnexion

Damon Guy (Netkonnexion)

Damon is a writer-photog and editor of this site. He has run some major websites, a computing department and a digital image library. He started out as a trained teacher and now runs training for digital photographers.
See also: Editors ‘Bio’.