photo jargon glossary

F

f - Stop
A number that indicates the size of the lens opening . The common f-numbers on 35mm cameras are f1.4, f2, f2.8, f4, f5.6, f8, f11, f16, and f22. The larger the f-number, the smaller the lens opening, f22 is the smallest in this series. Also called the aperture, they work in conjunction with shutter speeds to indicate exposure settings. The number sequence is printed on the lens barrel, each higher f number halves the exposure of the preceding one.
The f-number itself is effectively the number of times the aperture diameter will divide into the lens focal length. For example, f4 aperture diameter is one quarter the focal length (i.e. 25mm aperture diameter in a 100mm focal length lens).
(see: Aperture)

Fast film
Film with an emulsion that is very sensitive to light. Such films have high ISO ratings (i.e.: ISO1600). They are all, however, more grainy than there slower counterparts.
(see Grain & ISO)

Fast lens
A lens with a wide maximum aperture (f2.8 is a fast lens in a 35mm telephoto design). Often used in low light situations or when a fast shutter speeds are always required.
(see Aperture, Shutter speed & Tele)

Fibre (FB)
Fibre based photo printing paper of a traditional type (no plastic). High quality if printed & processed well but takes a long time to wash and dry.
(see Bromide paper, Multigrade & RC paper)

Field camera
Type of folding Large format Camera usually made of wood, therefore lighter than a metal camera of the same type. Used in the "Field" for landscapes but can be used in the Studio as a alternative for a Monorail but with less "movements".
(see Baseboard, Monorail, Movements & Technical)

File Format
The form or type of file used in Digital photography and to store images and other information on computers. Some popular examples of file formats are TIFF, JPEG, psd and dng.
(see JPEG, TIFF and RAW)

File size
The size of an image in digital photography, measured in kilobytes (K), megabytes (MB), or gigabytes (GB). File size is proportional to its pixel dimensions; images with more pixels may produce more detail at a given printed size, but they require more disk space to store and are slower to edit, print and e-mail as an attachment.
(see Pixel & Image resolution)

Fill-in
Light from an additional lamp, flash, or reflector; used to soften or 'fill in' the shadows caused by the brighter main light, often the Sun. Called fill-in flash when flash is used.
(see Reflector)

Film back
Separate part of a Roll film Medium Format camera that holds the film. It aids speedy film change; especially with many preloaded backs or an assistant loading during a long session.
(see Medium format)

Film Speed
The sensitivity of a film to light, indicated by a number such as ISO 100. The higher the number, the more sensitive or faster the film. (ISO stands for International Standards Organization.)
(see Fast film, Slow film & ISO)

Filters
A piece of glass or other transparent material used over the lens which alters the nature, colour or quality of the light passing through it.
(see CC filters)

Finder
Also known as a viewfinder. A viewing aid in a camera, used for composing, and usually focusing the subject. It would normally also display exposure information in smaller formats.
(see Exposure & Focusing screen )

Fine Art
Description of photography that is intended for private or gallery display rather than reproduction. Created more for aesthetic appreciation than for commercial use.

back to the top

Fish fryer
Type of lighting attachment (a large overhead light).

Fisheye
Extreme wide-angle lens with an angle of view exceeding 100 degrees and sometimes in excess of 180 degrees Depth of field is practically infinite. It produces highly distorted images.(Note: lines are not drawn square!)
(see Angle of view, Depth of field & Distortion)

Fix
Chemical process which converts unused light-sensitive silver-halide crystals to a soluble silver complex in both negatives and prints, making the image stable and unalterable in white light. Also referred to as hypo.
(see Hypo)

Flare
Non-image-forming light scattered by reflections within a lens or enlarger/camera interior which reduces image contrast and detail.
Flare can affect film by causing a lowering of image contrast.
(see Contrast, Distortion, Multicoating & Hood)

Flash range
The distance over which a flash unit can give adequate illumination.

Flash sync.(synchronization)
Method of making a flash light fire at the correct moment, exactly when the shutter is fully open. Normally a camera's flash sync. speed is quoted as the highest speed that a given camera can synchronize with a flash unit (e.g.:1/125th. sec.).
(see Shutter speed)

Flat
Too low in contrast. The range in density in a negative or print is too small.
(see Contrast & Neg.)

Flat Lighting
Soft lighting that produces very little contrast on the subject plus a minimum of shadows.
(see Contrast & Soft Lighting)

Floodlight
General term for an artificial light source which provides a constant and continuous light. Usually a tungsten-filament lamp mounted in a reflector.
(see Blonde & Redhead)

Focal length
The distance between the film plane and the focal point (optical centre of the lens) when the lens is focused at infinity. The focal length of the lens is marked in millimetres on the lens mount. The principal focal point is the position of best focus for infinity. There are two principal focal points, if a lens is turned around a second focus is obtained. 'Reversed' lenses are often used in close-up Macrophotography because using a lens reversed allows a closer focusing distance.
(see Macro Lens & Macrophotography)

Focal plane
Plane on which a given subject is brought to a sharp focus, where the film is positioned.

Focal plane shutter
One of the two main types of shutter and used universally in 35mm SLR cameras, positioned behind the lens and in fact slightly in front of the focal plane; the shutter consists of either cloth or metal blades. When the camera is fired a slit travels across the image either vertically or horizontally. The width and speed of the slit determines the duration of the exposure.
(see Between-the-lens shutter & 35mm)

Focusing screen
Glass or plastic screen set at the camera's image-forming plane, where the image can be viewed and focused.
(see Finder)

Focusing Spot
A type of mains light that works like a High Powered slide projector. It can focus the flash or continuous light into a sharp beam of light, or project an image of 'light & shadow' onto the subject with special metal light pattern "slides" or "Gobos".
(see Gobos)

Focusing cloth
(see Darkcloth)

Fogging
Density produced on a negative, print or trannie by chemical processing or accidental exposure to light, caused by
1. exposure to non image-forming light (possibly: opening the camera back in daylight),
2. too much handling in air during the development process,
3. over-developed,
4. outdated film or paper, or
5. storage of film or paper in a hot, humid place.
(see Outdated & Over printed)

Format
The size of the negative, paper or camera taking area.
(see Large format, Medium format & 35mm)

Four Thirds system
A digital standard created by Olympus and Kodak. First introduced to the world in November 2003 with the Olympus E-1 camera. 4/3" or 4/3 describes the type of sensor and not the size of the light sensitive area. Olympus say the format name references the outer diameter of early vacuum image-sensing video camera tubes. 'Four Thirds' is the aspect ratio of the sensor 4:3 and its size is 17.3 x 13 mm.
(see Format & Micro Four Thirds system)

Front focusing
The tendency of a lens or sometimes the camera body to focus slightly in front of the subject. This may be eliminated by a camera menu adjustment, some DSLRs offer the ability to fine-tune the camera’s autofocus point for each lens used.
Cameras are designed and manufactured within certain tolerances. These variables include: reflex mirror alignment and the distances between the AF sensor to the focal plane, the secondary AF mirror assembly to the focus sensor, and the mounting flange to the film plane. Although it has always existed and effects both AF and manual focus cameras, it appears to be more of an issue today because the digital photographer can instantly enlarge the photo to 100%.
(see: Back focusing)

FX
The name given by Nikon to its range of full frame format SLRs, the image sensor is virtually the same size as a 35mm film format. If a DX lens is mounted on a FX format digital SLR, the camera's 'DX-Crop Mode' automatically alters the image capture area accordingly.
(see DX)

back to the top