Aperture:
When a picture is being taken the camera has a certain lens size. The size of the lens is the aperture. You can keep the aperture on automatic or change it manually. Changing the diaphragm size on the photographic lens changes the aperture. When changing the size of the lens, the amount it is opened changes the amount of light that goes through the lens. Aperture is very important in photography as it impacts the depth of field. The bigger the number of the aperture results in a smaller depth of field. Likewise, a larger aperture number will result in a greater depth of field. By changing the aperture you can adjust the focus of a photograph. This allows you to blur the background of the image or have everything in focus.
Aspect Ratio:
Is the term to describe the width to height of an image. Digital images that appear on any type of screen have an aspect ratio. The specified aspect ratio for a television will be different than that of a digital camera, computer screen or movie screen. The difference of aspect ratio is noticeable when black boxes or “pillar-boxed” images appear on a picture. Changing the aspect ratio can distort the image when being resized. Different cameras come with different aspect ratio settings and can usually be adjusted. Aspect ratio can cause difficulties when trying to print photos a certain size, but can usually be adjusted with editing in post-production.
Commercial Photography
Commercial photography involves the use of photography for commercials, advertisements, brochures, and product placement as well as other propaganda. Many companies use commercial photography for traditional and alternative marketing. The fashion industry is a good example of implementing commercial photography. Menus and portraits are also examples. Commercial photography is mostly used for promotions. The whole photo-shoot is designed around the product and to sell it. A lot of post-production editing is done on these types of photos in order to make them more attractive and eye-catching. Compared to other types of photography, commercial photography is known to be one of the higher paying photography jobs in the industry.
Depth of Field
Also known as DOF is the distance between objects in the picture that are in focus. That is, the space between and beyond images in the photograph that can be seen in good focus. For instance, the closer you place the camera to the subject in the image, the shallower the depth of focus will be. Depth of field increases with smaller apertures and improves the sharpness of an image, to a certain degree. Depth of focus is influenced by a number of things, including the cameras aperture, focus and lens. Larger depths of field images are usually photos of landscapes and buildings, and put everything in focus. Closer items will usually have a shallower depth of field and be focused on fewer or more specific subjects in the image.
Exposer
Change depending on the amount of light that a photo has. When a picture has too much light in it, becomes overexposed. Similarly, if a photo does not have enough light or is not exposed long enough, then it will produce a dark underexposed image. Digital cameras have a sensor that recognizes the amount of light or exposer the image gets. Exposure is influenced by a cameras aperture and shutter speed. All three control the amount of light a photo receives. Most cameras have an automatic setting for exposer, but it is important to know how to change the light meter and control the exposer to prevent too much post editing.
Golden Ratio
Photographers use golden rules, the most notable being the golden ratio. It is often referred to as the golden mean or divine proportion and is similar to the rule of thirds. When looking at an image, divide the subject into thirds. The upper right-hand area of the photo should be appealing to the eye. This creates a composition that is known as the golden ratio or variety of the rule of thirds. Another way to look at it is as a golden rectangle, that way the object can be offset in different areas of the screen, but still balanced in the golden ratio. The golden ratio has been known to be commonly found throughout nature and artwork. When images are not exactly centered, they look more appealing in a photography.
Lens
A camera lens is where light enters the camera. Cameras have a wide range of lenses, with different types and varieties depending on what type of camera it is. A single camera does not have just one lens, but multiple lenses. The camera lenses work together to bend the light and transfer the image inside of the camera. Special lens are available to change the image look, for example, a fish eye lens or a tinted lens, and such lens can change either the proportion or color of a photograph. The zoom of a lens will determine how far a lens can magnify an image.
Photojournalism
Is the combination of photos and writing to tell a story. By using photos and writing together to tell a better story, photojournalists can get their ideas and experiences communicated to readers in a clearer way. An example of photojournalism is news and sports photographs that are taken by the writer of the story as well. This allows for the reader to see and be told what the photojournalist experienced. This art of photojournalism is for those who like to inform people without using just words, but do so with photography. For this type of art, photos are usually used more t predominantly than words to communicate the story.
Post-Production
Is a term used in photography and film. Post production is the last stage in getting the photographs finalized. This is where all the editing takes place. After a photo-shoot, the photographer must go through all the images they have taken and decide which ones to keep and what to do with them. Through editing techniques and different software programs, photos can be manipulated. Post production allows for photos that may appear to be under or overexposed to be changed to the right settings. The temperature of the photo can be changed as well. Any text or resizing of an image that is done is also a part of post-production.
Shutter Speed
Is the length of time that the camera sees the image you are taking a picture of. How long you have the shutter open will determine how high or low the shutter speed is. An example of using a slower and longer shutter speed is when showing motion. When you see a picture of a car and can tell that it is moving fast due to the motion in the picture around it, that would mean the camera was set to a slow shutter speed. When setting a longer shutter speed it is important to use a stability device such as a tripod. When using normal or faster shutter speeds, handheld is usually acceptable.
White Balance
Is used to the balance color of an image. Depending on the type of lighting in the environment, the color of the photograph can be distorted. For example, if you are taking pictures inside then go outside the lighting will be different. White balance is used to offset any differences and bring the color back into balance. This will allow colors to look as they should and not warmer, or yellowish or darker with a blue hue. Digital cameras often have a presetting for white balance that allows you to change between settings, if you are at the beach, nighttime or under fluorescent lighting. While white balance is used often for video cameras, it is important for photographers to remember this setting as well.