Most essential photography terms – part 2

In the previous issue we did an article on most essential photography terms. Continuing the same, we have the Part 2 for our readers. Photography terminologies are many and may be quite challenging for beginner photographers to grasp. However, understanding the photography phrases used to explain crucial processes can allow you to appreciate photography much more. Some technical jargon is simply that: jargon. Listening to two photographers converse makes it appear as though they are speaking a foreign language. Outside of photography, all of the technical words have little or no relevance. You will struggle to master photography, much alone have an informed discourse about it, until you understand at least the most basic of these photographic words. The more you practise, the easier it becomes, just like anything else you learn. The more you utilise photographic words and jargon, the faster they will become second nature to you.

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Hard Light

Hard light creates shadows with a distinct edge. This light is produced by a light source that is tiny in comparison to the topic. Consider the sun on a clear day or a camera flash without a modifier and the varieties of shadows produced by these sources of light.

Hardware Calibration

In photography, hardware calibration refers to the use of an equipment to control and change a computer monitor so that the colours it shows seem the same on screen as they do when print.

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR pictures have a wide range of tones, from the lightest to the darkest. Typically, they are created by taking many bracketed exposures of the same scene. These exposures are then blended either in-camera or in post-production software. Except for capturing situations with strong contrast, the HDR technique of combining multiple exposures has become relatively obsolete as camera sensors have evolved.

Histogram

A histogram is a graphical depiction of a photograph’s tone values. The graph has dark tones on the left and bright tones on the right. The histogram is composed of 256 distinct values. The height of each section of the graph indicates how many pixels are exhibiting that value of light.

Hot Shoe

Part of the camera that can be used to mount a flash or other accessory. When a specialised flash or wireless transmitter is put on a camera’s hot shoe, the flash and camera communicate so that the right quantity of light is emitted from the flash when a photograph is taken.

Hyperfocal Distance (Hyperfocal focusing)