Photo Glossary
Safelight
An enclosed darkroom lamp fitted with a filter to screen out light rays to which photographic materials are sensitive.
Saturation
A measure of the richness of colors in a color photograph.
Scale
To enlarge or reduce an image by increasing or decreasing the number of scanned pixels.
Scanner
An electronic device that turns prints, artwork or film into digital files.
Scanning electron microscope
Mechanism used in photomicrography.
SCSI
Small Computer System Interface. A computer interface used for digital imaging as it is both high speed and standard.
Selective focus
A method of focusing using a wide aperture to ensure shallow depth of field. Main subject is isolated from its surroundings as they will not be in focus.
Selenium cell
A light sensitive electronic device used in many types of exposure meters. It generates electricity in proportion to the amount of light falling on it.
Self-timer
A mechanical or electronic feature that delays the camera shutter from firing so the user can step into the picture.
Sensitivity
Degree of response of a photographic emulsion to exposure to light.
Separations
Monochrome negatives that separate the continuous colors of an image into two to four colors for offset printing.
Sepia
A brownish colored image often created as a special effect either within a digital camera or in an image editing software.
Shadow detail
These are subtle features in the darker part of an image.
Shadows
Darkest areas in a photographic print.
Sharpen
A computer graphics process that enhances the contrast on the edges of light and dark shapes to make images appear more in focus.
Sharpness
The amount of detail that can be perceived in an image.
Shutter
Mechanical device in a camera that opens and closes at specified intervals in order to allow light to pass through the lens.
Shutter priority mode
An exposure mode on an automatic camera that allows the photographer to choose a shutter speed while an electronic processor in the camera sets a corresponding aperture for best exposure.
Shutter release
The mechanism that releases the shutter in a camera, causing film or digital imaging elements to be exposed to the incoming light.
Shutter speed
Action of the shutter that controls the duration of an exposure.
Silhouette
Photographic image in which the subject is seen as a solid black shape against a light background.
Silver halide
The light sensitive ingredient in treated photosensitive surfaces.
Silver nitrate
Chemical found in photo developers and used in photographic film and papers.
Single lens reflex (SLR) camera
A camera that uses a mirror and prism to allow the photographer to see through its single lens.
Slave unit
A mechanism used to synch strobes and flashes without an electronic synch cord.
Slide
A photographic transparency mounted for projection.
Slow film
Film having an emulsion with low sensitivity to light.
Slow Sync
Setting allowing for slower shutter speeds while using flash. Used for more illuminated backgrounds.
Smoothing
This is the electronic process of eliminating or reducing jaggies in an image.
Snapshot
A quick casual image.
Soft focus
It is a diffused image. Produced by use of a special lens or filters that creates soft outlines.
Soft lighting
Low contrast illumination, such as on an overcast day.
Softbox
A box with a diffuser panel that attaches to the front of a flash to give soft even light.
Spectrum
The visible separation of light into colored bands as white light passes through a prism.
Speed
The light sensitivity of a photosensitive material.
Spherical aberration
Lens fault which causes loss of image definition at the image plane.
Spot meter
A meter that takes measurements from a one degree angle. Some advanced SLR cameras have an integral spot meter with the measuring pattern marked on the viewing screen.
Spotting
A technique using a fine sable brush loaded with watercolor or dye to retouch small dust marks or hairs on prints.
Stand camera
Large format camera.
Standard lens
Lens with a focal length approximately equal to the diagonal of the film format with which it is used.
Stereoscopy
Photography that uses two images taken from slightly different angles to produce the illusion of three dimensions when seen through a special viewing device.
Still life
A method of studio or outdoor photography where inanimate subject are pre-arranged to be photographed.
Stop bath
An acidic bath that is used after the developer to stop development and reduce fixer contamination.
Stopping down
In photography, this is the process used to decrease the size of aperture in a lens.
Strobe
An extremely fast recycling lamp or flash used for scientific and creative photography.
Strobe light
Low power electronic flash that can fire repeatedly at regular, controlled intervals.
Subtractive primaries colors
Yellow, magenta and cyan colors.
Swing
A view camera movement used to control depth-of-field and perspective.
Synchronized flash
Method of synchronizing flash light duration with the maximum shutter opening.
System palette
A color palette chosen by a computer system and applied to all digital images.
