Introduction to Digital Photography Study Guide for Midterm Exam

A collection of important vocabulary terms and definitions related to digital photography, covering concepts like resolution, file types, camera modes, exposure, and composition.

Resolution

Describes both pixel count and pixel density; measured in Megapixels for cameras, PPI for screens, and DPI for printers.

JPEG

A convenient file type for usage that allows more images on cards due to compression but should be saved with highest quality for image making.

TIFF

A lossless file format that uses a large amount of memory and is excellent for storing or archiving images.

RAW

Not a file format, larger than JPEG but smaller than TIFF, providing great flexibility during conversion.

White Balance

The ability of a digital camera to record an image with accurate color balance.

Manual Mode

The camera user manually sets both the aperture and shutter speed.

AV (Aperture Priority) Mode

The camera user manually sets the aperture while the camera sets the appropriate shutter speed.

TV (Shutter Priority) Mode

The camera user manually sets the shutter speed while the camera sets the appropriate aperture.

Program Mode

The camera selects an appropriate aperture and shutter speed, which the user can modify.

Auto Mode

The camera selects the aperture and shutter speed automatically, firing the flash when needed.

Exposure

The moment when light strikes the film or sensor, recording the image.

ISO

Determines a digital camera's sensitivity to light; lower numbers for bright situations, higher for low light.

Shutter Speed

The length of time that the sensor is exposed to light.

Aperture

The amount of light that strikes the CCD or CMOS sensor, measured in f-stops.

Bracketing

A method used to ensure at least one properly-exposed image by taking multiple shots with different exposures.

Focal Length

The distance between the lens and the image sensor, determining image magnification and angle of view.

Depth of Field

The front to back zone within which objects appear sharp in an image.

Composition

The thoughtful arrangement of visual elements within a work.

Warm Colors

Colors like yellow, pink, red, orange, and brown, associated with blood, sun, and fire.

Cool Colors

Colors like blue and gray, associated with snow and ice.

Rules for Composition

Guidelines such as filling the frame, using the rule of thirds, and balancing elements.

Outdoor Lighting

Natural light from the sun, which can include frontlighting, sidelighting, and backlighting.