Contributing Editors
Arthur Bleich, Andrew Boag, Dave Farey, Allan Haley, John H. Lienhard, Linotype GmbH, Pentagram
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Aperture Priority
A mode in which a desired lens opening (f-stop) is manually selected and locked in; the camera then chooses an appropriate shutter speed for proper exposure. Used primarily to control depth of field (the range of sharpness) in front of or behind a subject or object.
Artifacts
Unwanted aberrations in the image such as blotches (from over-compression), Christmas tree lights (multi-colored speckles from bright highlights), noise (granularity from under exposure) and other unwanted effects that sometimes afflict digicam images.
Autofocus
The camera automatically focuses on a subject or object at which it is pointed which then becomes the sharpest part of the image.
CCD
Charge-coupled device. The sensor array that makes up the imaging surface of the digicam. The more sensors a CCD has, the higher the image resolution will be.
Compact Flash:
A matchbook-sized memory card used in many digital cameras today and presently capable of storing up to 64MB of digital image information.
Compression
Reducing digicam picture file sizes in the camera after they´re shot, usually according to Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) specifications so more images can be stored on the memory card. The degree of compression can be user-specified on many models depending on the ultimate quality needed.
Digital Zoom
An electronic enlargement of part of the image making it appear to be closer and bigger, simulating an optical zoom lens at a telephoto setting. The image is actually being cropped resulting in loss of surrounding pixels and, thus, resolution.
External Flash Synch
Allows connection to other flash units instead of ÿor in addition toÿ the digicam´s built-in flash. Very useful for experimenting with off-camera lighting effects and for use with studio strobes.
Fixed Focus
The camera´s focus is pre-set to a distance at which most subjects or objects will be in focus from near to far. Not as precise as autofocus.
Flashpath
A proprietary method of slipping a SmartMedia memory card into a HD-disk-sized shell to transfer images directly to the computer through its floppy drive. Despite its convenience, it requires batteries and is slower than a PC (memory) card reader.
Focal Length Equivalency
Since most users are familiar with 35mm camera lenses, digicam lens specs are frequently stated in those terms. For example, a digicam lens that zooms from 9.2mm to 28mm would be described as 36mm to 110mm (equiv).
ISO Equivalency
A measure of the digicam´s sensitivity to light using conventional film speeds as a yardstick. Most digicams have fixed ISO (International Standards Organization) equivalents but others can be set to sensitivities ranging from ISO 100-400 to achieve better exposure under different lighting conditions.
LCD Monitor
The color viewing screen on most digicams, usually 1.8 to 2.5 inches measured diagonally and used to check images after they are shot. The LCD monitor can also be used to frame pictures before they are taken and is usually more accurate than the optical viewfinder, though not as convenient to use.
Macro
The ability of a lens to focus just inches away from an object or subject so as to produce big close-ups, sometimes even larger-than-life size.
Manual Focus
The digicam´s focus can be set by the user at any point from near to far or in steps such as 3 feet, 15 feet, Infinity. A useful override feature on autofocus cameras which sometimes refuse to fire when they cannot focus accurately in very low light or on fast-moving subjects or objects.
Optical Viewfinder
An optical glass device on the digicam which, when looked through, shows the intended image to be photographed. The best digicams have optical viewfinders and LCD monitors because the LCD can “wash out” in bright sunlight, making it virtually impossible to see the image.
Optical Zoom
A zoom lens which uses movement of lens elements to achieve various fields of view. Regardless of whether the zoom is set for wide-angle or telephoto viewing, the resolution of the image remains the same.
PC Card Reader
With an appropriate adapter, allows rapid transfer of images recorded on either Compact Flash or SmartMedia memory cards. The memory card – containing a folder of images – shows up as an external drive on the computer´s desktop and the entire folder can be copied over to the hard drive in seconds. Card readers dedicated to specific types of memory cards are also available. (Note: “PC” refers to a standard, not a computer type.)
Pre-Flash
Some digicams fire two flashes, the first adjusts the white balance (see below) and the second exposes the picture. This is different from a red-eye reduction mode in which multiple weak flashes are fired to close down the subject´s iris prior to the actual exposure.
Reflex Viewing
The intended image is viewed directly by your eye through the taking lens giving you as close to WYSIWYG as you´re apt to find. Also called TTL (through the lens) and SLR (single lens reflex) viewing.
Shutter Priority
A mode in which a desired shutter speed is manually selected and locked in; the camera then chooses an appropriate lens opening (f-stop) for proper exposure. Used primarily to prevent motion-blur in fast-moving subjects or objects.
SmartMedia
A postage stamp-sized memory card used by some digicam manufacturers as an alternative to Compact Flash cards and presently capable of storing up to 32MB of digital image information.
White Balance
In which the color temperature of the scene is measured prior to exposure and electronically adjusted so that white objects will not take on excessive color casts of red, blue or, if shot under fluorescent lighting, green.
BIOGRAPHY
Arthur H. Bleich is Contributing Editor of Digital Camera Magazine and is a photographer, writer, and educator. He invites you to click in to his web site, the Digital PhotoCorner www.dpcorner.com which is filled with fascinating information about digital photogaphy.
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