Photography Dictionary

Kirlian photography: Kirlian photography refers to the type of photography in which an image is reproduced on a photographic plate through the use of an electric field or high voltage. Images in Kirlian-esque photos appear to be surrounded by a halo or lit aura, creating a ghostly, ethereal quality.

landscape: A popular field in photography that involves outdoor scenes of all types.

large format camera: Generally recognized as the choice of many professionals, these produce images that can easily be scaled up as in the case of portraits.

layout: The arrangement of a scene or the artistic compilation of a page.

LCD: LCD (liquid crystal display), is the flat screen on most digital cameras on which a photographer can immediately view the shot he has just snapped. LCD images are rendered through a number of pixels made up of liquid crystal molecules.

light meter: A light meter measures the amount of light in a given scene to help the photographer determine the film speed and shutter speed so the resulting photo is properly exposured.

lithograph: A process that produces original prints from metal plates that are typically signed and numbered by the artist.

macro photography: Macro photography is the area of photography dedicated to taking close-up shots in which the subject is represented in the photo to be at least as large as it exists in reality.

manifesto: Attributed to the rise of Modernism, these declarations were usually strong in their appeal, regardless of subject.

megapixel: Megapixel, which literally translates to one million pixels, refers to the number of dots that it takes a digital cameras and other digital displays to represent a given image. Basically, a megapixel relates how well a digital representation can detail an image. The higher the number, the more detailed the resulting representation.

microphotography: A system of attaching a camera to a microscope to capture detailed images up close.

model release: A model release is a legal contract in which a subject or model consents to allowing the photographer to use certain pictures, digitally manipulate them and use them (or not use them) in certain contexts.

modernist: An individual who followed the Modernist movement in seeking out progressive approaches and new ideas for all aspects of living.

monochrome: A single-colored image, typically in grayscale but can be other solitary shades.

monograph: A complete work of photography in one volume that is sometimes professionally bound and sold. It may span several years or tell a visual story of a single subject.

MPEG: MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) is the official organization in charge of setting the standards of video and audio development, including setting the file formats for different types of media ranging from MP3 players to HDTV.

multiple exposure: Also called montage. Capturing a subject in more than one way on a single frame without advancing the film on a traditional camera or by software manipulation.

multiple printing: Producing numerous photographs from one image.

negative: Negative is a small, translucent image in which the colors and subjects' positions are reversed from how they appeared in reality. Negatives allow anyone to recreate a photography an unlimited number of times.

New Objectivity movement: Originating in Germany in the 1920s, this art movement focused on producing photographic images that would appear to be out of context with their environment.

night photography: Night photography is the area photographer dedicated to taking pictures outdoors at dusk or during the night. Because there is relatively little light in which to take these pictures, night photography generally requires that a photographer use artificial lighting or longer exposure times.

nude photography: The style of capturing nudes with attention to curvature and the beauty of human lines as opposed to those of an erotic nature.