Ever feel intimidated by all the jargon in tutorials?
Confused by camera settings when taking photos?
Don't worry! This article is made just for you—skip the complex theories and learn the most common photography terms in simple language. Take photos with ease and confidence.
I. Basic Settings
1. Aperture (f-stop)
Explanation: The size of the lens opening, like the pupil of your eye.
f/1.8 → Wide aperture (more light, blurred background)
f/16 → Narrow aperture (less light, sharp image)
Mnemonic: Smaller number → Wider aperture → Stronger blur.
2. Shutter Speed
Explanation: The duration the shutter remains open, determining whether motion is “frozen.”
1/1000 sec → Very fast, freezes motion
1 sec → Very slow, prone to blur
Mnemonic: Faster speeds yield sharper images; slower speeds create a sense of motion.
3. ISO (Sensitivity)
Explanation: The camera's “sensitivity” to light.
ISO 100 → Best image quality, but dim
ISO 3200 → Brighter, but more noise
Mnemonic: Higher ISO is brighter but prone to “graininess”; keep it low when possible.
4. Exposure
Explanation: The overall brightness of the image.
Underexposed → Too dark
Overexposed → Too bright
Determined by three factors: Aperture + Shutter Speed + IS
II. Focusing and Imaging
5. Focus
Explanation: Where the camera decides to render sharp vs blurry.
Autofocus (AF) vs Manual Focus (MF)
Tip: Focus on eyes for portraits, focus on distance for landscapes.
6. Depth of Field
Explanation: The “thickness” of the sharp area.
Shallow depth of field → Only the subject is sharp (background blurred)
Deep depth of field → Entire image is sharp
Determining factors: Aperture size + Shooting distance + Focal length
7. White Balance
Explanation: Controls the warm/cool tones in photos, ensuring whites appear truly white.
Daylight (warmer)
Cloudy (cooler)
Tungsten (warmer)
Tip: “Auto White Balance” is usually sufficient.
III. Composition & Style
8. Composition
Explanation: How elements are “arranged” within the photo.
Common Composition Techniques:
Rule of Thirds → Divide frame into 9 sections; place subject at intersections
Center Composition → Symmetry, stability
Leading Lines → Guide the eye with roads/railing
9. Bokeh
Explanation: Blurred background effect that highlights the subject.
Methods:
Use a large aperture (f/1.8, f/2.8)
Move closer to the subject
Position the background farther from the subject
10. Long Exposure
Explanation: A long shutter speed captures the “flow of time.”
Common Effects:
Night light trails
Silky water flow
Star trails
Note: A tripod is essential to prevent camera shake.
IV. Equipment-Related Concepts
11. Focal Length
Explanation: The “viewing range” of a lens, measured in mm.
16–35mm → Wide-angle, ideal for landscapes
50mm → Approaches human eye perspective, ideal for portraits
70–200mm → Telephoto, brings distant subjects closer
12. RAW Format
Explanation: An “unprocessed” photo format that preserves more detail and information.
Advantages: Offers greater editing flexibility, reduces risk of “ruined shots”
Disadvantages: Large file sizes, requires post-processing
Recommendation: Use RAW when time allows for editing; JPG is fine for everyday shooting.
Summary: Essential Mnemonics for Beginners
Aperture controls background blur, shutter speed controls motion, ISO controls brightness
Composition tells a story, focus must be precise
Don't blindly chase gear—master fundamentals first
Closing Thoughts
Photography terminology isn't mysterious—it's just a different language. Once you understand these “codes,” photography ceases to be a barrier and becomes the gateway to joy.
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