Terms B C

Back Lighting

This means light that is illuminating an object from behind the object.

Bellows

This is a folding accordion type device that fits between a camera and the lens. It enables extended separation of the lens and the film plane. These devices are often used in close-up photography. They work like extension tubes, except tubes are fixed and bellows can be adjusted.

Bounce Flash or Bounce Lighting

This means to illuminate an object by bouncing the flash off of a surface instead of illuminating the object directly with the flash.

Bracket or Bracketing

This means taking a series of at least three photo pictures of the same object, but with different exposures. You take a shot at what is thought to be the correct exposure and one that is an over exposed and one that is an under exposed. People often use this method to make sure that at least one of the three photos will be taken with the correct exposure.

C-41

C-41 refers to Kodak's photochemical developing process which is standard for developing color negative films.

Camera Angle, Shooting Angle or Viewpoint

This is the position of the camera in relation to the position of the photographed subject.

Catchlight

This is the reflection of light in the model's eyes in a portrait photograph.

CCD

This stands for charge coupled device. A CCD is a chip which holds small, light-sensitive cells or photodiodes. Each photodiode produces an electrical signal in proportion to the intensity of the light source hitting it. A CCD is used instead of camera pickup tubes. The image-sensing elements inside the devices change an optical image into a video signal.

CMYK

These letters stand for the colors Cyan (process blue), Magenta (process red), Yellow and Black. These colors are used in four-color process printing, whereas the primary colors of light are red, green and blue (RGB).

Color Temperature

The light spectrum is actually scientifically described in terms of color temperature. It is measured in units of degrees called Kelvin (° K). In photography, three standard light color temperatures are used. One is daylight, which refers to natural outdoor light. The other two are incandescent artificial lights. The color temperature standards are listed as: 5500° K for daylight; 3200° K for tungsten studio lamps and 3400° K for photo lamps or flood lamps.

Terms D E