AE: When the camera measures light and makes the adjustments and necessary to create proper image density om sentitized media


AF: When the camera automatically adjusts the lens elements to sharply render the subject


APERTURE: The opening in the lens that allows light to enter the camera. Aperture is usually described as an f/number. The higher the f/number , the smaller the aperture; and the lower the f/number the larger the aperture.


ARTIFICIAL LIGHT: Usually refers to any light source that doesn't exist in nature, such as incandescent, flourescent, and other manufacted lighting.

AMBIENT LIGHT: The amount of illumination at a given location that applies to natural and artificial light sources but not those supplied specifically for photgraphy. It is also called existing light or ambient light.

BACK LIGHT: Light that projects toward the camera from behind the subject.

BULB: A camera setting that allows the shutter top stay open as long as the shutter release is depressed.

COLOR BALANCE: The average overall color in a reproduced image. How a digital camera interprets the color of light in a scene so that white or neutral gray appear neutral.

CONTRAST: The difference between two or more tones in terms of luminance, density, or darkness.

CROPPING: The process of extracting a portion of the image area. If this portion of the image is enlarged, the resolution is subsequently lowered.