Digital Photography - Final Exam Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards based on the Digital Photography final exam study guide.

Shutter Button

Captures the image when pressed.

Mode Dial

Selects shooting modes like Manual (M), Aperture Priority (Av), Shutter Priority (Tv), and Program (P).

Viewfinder/LCD screen

Used to compose and preview images before capturing.

Fixed (prime) lenses

Lenses with a single focal length (no zoom). Example: 50mm.

Zoom lenses

Lenses with variable focal lengths. Example: 18–55mm or 70–200mm.

Sensor

Captures light and turns it into a digital image.

Aperture

The adjustable opening in a lens that controls the amount of light entering the camera.

F-stop

Term used to describe aperture values (e.g., f/1.8, f/4, f/16).

Maximum Aperture

The widest aperture a lens can open to, important for low light and shallow depth of field.

Shutter Speed

The length of time the camera’s shutter stays open to let in light.

Camera Shake

Unintentional blur due to hand movement at slow shutter speeds.

Bulb Mode

A mode where the shutter stays open as long as you hold the button.

ISO

Your camera sensor’s sensitivity to light.

Digital Noise

Grainy or speckled texture in images caused by high ISO.

Exposure Triangle

The balance of Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO to get correct exposure.

Perspective

The angle or position from which you take a photo.

Composition

The arrangement of elements in your photo.

Rule of Thirds

Dividing the frame into a 3x3 grid and placing subjects along lines or intersections.

Framing

Using elements like doorways or windows to 'frame' your subject within the photo.

Negative Space

The empty or open space around your subject that draws attention to it.

Import

The term used to bring photos into Lightroom.

Export

The term for saving finished edits in Lightroom.

Preset

Saved settings that can be applied to future photos with one click in Lightroom.

Synchronize (Sync)

Applying one photo’s edits to a group of photos in Lightroom.

HDR

High Dynamic Range — combining several exposures to capture detail in shadows and highlights.

Opacity

How transparent a layer is (0% = invisible, 100% = fully visible).

Blend Modes

Options that affect how layers interact with each other visually.

Contact Sheets

A collection of image thumbnails for reviewing all your photos.

Layer Mask

Tool used to reveal or hide parts of a layer.

Primary Colors (digital)

Red, Green, Blue

Secondary Colors (digital)

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow

Tertiary Colors

A mix of one primary and one secondary color (e.g., red-orange, blue-green)

Analogous Colors

Colors next to each other on the color wheel — often harmonious.

Complementary Colors

Colors opposite each other on the wheel (e.g., blue-orange, red-green).

Reflection

When light hits a surface and bounces off.

Diffuse Reflection

Scattered light (rough surface).

Specular Reflection

Sharp light reflection (smooth surface).

Absorption

When light enters and is trapped by a surface.

Transmission

When light passes through a material.

Refraction

Bending of light as it moves through materials like water or glass.

Leading Lines

Lines that guide the viewer’s eyes to the subject.