P
Pack Photography
Usually called "Pack Shot". A simple studio set-up
to photograph numerous boxes and other 'packaged' goods in quick
succession for either an advert, brochure or catalogue.
Panchromatic
Term used to describe 'Black & White' emulsions that are
sensitive to all visible colours. Most modern films are panchromatic.
(see Orthochromatic)
Panning
Technique for photographing a moving subject. While the shutter
is open, the camera is swung following the moving subject. This
creates a blurred background, but a sharp subject. The technique
works best with slower shutter speeds.
(see Shutter speed)
Panoramic camera
Camera with a special type of scanning lens which rotates. Or
a static lens camera with a wide format e.g. 6cm x 17cm.
Paper grade
Numerical and terminological description of paper contrast:
numbers 0 -1 soft; number 2 normal; number 3 hard; numbers 4
very hard.
(see Contrast grade
paper & Multigrade)
Parallax error
The difference between the image seen by the viewing system and
that recorded on the film. Problems occur as the subject moves
closer to the taking lens when using TLR cameras. Only through-the-lens
viewing systems can avoid parallax error.
(see TLR)
Pentaprism
Optical device, found on SLR cameras, which corrects the image
(reversed by the lens), allowing eye-level viewing and focusing
via the viewfinder.
(see Finder, Focusing screen, & SLR )
Perspective control lens
(see Shift)
Photoflood
Bright tungsten filament bulb used as an artificial light source.
The bulb is over -run and so has a short life.
(see Tungsten light)
Photomicrography
Sometimes called Microphotography. The technique of taking extreme
close-up photos through the lens of a microscope, it is used
to achieve magnifications greater than those obtainable using
a Macro lens.
(see Macro lens & Macrophotography)
Photoshop
Best known and well used Image manipulation computer program
(by Adobe Systems); which has gradually entered the photographers
vocabulary with words like: 'Photoshoped' meaning retouched or
manipulated.
(see Retouching)
Pincushion effect
Lens aberration (distortion) causing parallel, straight lines
at the edge of the image to curve inwards.
(see Aberration, Distortion & Barrel distortion)
Pinhole Camera
A camera without a lens, just a light tight box with a small
hole at one end.
(see Camera obscura)
Pixel
A single picture element of a digital photo. Digital Bitmap images
(raster images) use a grid of colours known as pixels
to represent images. Each pixel is assigned a specific location
and colour value.The whole image would contain millions of individual
pixels.
(see Image resolution & File size)
Plug-in
A software module that can be used by Photoshop (and other image
editing applications) to provide additional functions including:
import of RAW camera files, file format conversions and creative
image filters.
(see Photoshop & RAW)
Polaroid back
A camera back that uses instant film for proofing a scene
(checking lighting, composition & basic exposure) before
shooting with traditional film.
(see Film back)
Polycontrast
(see Multigrade)
Post Production
Everything after the photo shoot. Post production includes editing, colour correction, cropping, etc.
(see Colour correction and Cropping)
Printing-in
(See Burning-in)
Prism
Glass block which bends light to varying degrees, depending on
wavelength, so separating it into its component colours. Also
sometimes the given name to pentaprism finder.
(see Pentaprism & Finder)
Process paid
Some 'amateur' trannie film includes the cost of processing by
the manufacturers own 'Processing Lab. The transparency film
is returned, slide mounted, ready for the projector, usually
within a week.
(see Trannie)
Processing
The sequence of steps in which the latent photographic image
is converted into a visible, permanent image.
(see Dev. & Latent image)
Pulled (Pulling)
Decreasing the development time of a film to slow its effective
speed, e.g.50 ISO instead of its recommended 100 ISO.
(See Uprating & ISO)
Pushed (Pushing)
Increasing the development time of a film to increase its
effective speed, e.g. 200 ISO instead of its recommended 100
ISO.
(See Uprating & ISO)
R
Rangefinder
A device included on many direct vision cameras as an aid in
focusing. It assesses subject distance (usually by comparing
two images), and displays this information in the viewfinder.
This device may be linked directly to the lens focus control,
to give a coupled rangefinder
(see Coupled rangefinder)
RAW
An unprocessed digital file direct from the camera. Not a 'standard'
file format like TIFF or JPEG. Usually the camera manufactures
software or 'plug-in' must be used to open a RAW image file.
RAW files are usually used to obtain the best theroetical quality
from a given camera.
(see JPEG, TIFF & Plug-in)
RC paper
Modern Resin Coated (plastic) photo paper which does not
need as long washing than the traditional fibre paper (see Fibre (FB) & Resin coated paper)
Reciprocity
Most films are designed to be exposed within a certain range
of exposure times. When an exposure time falls outside of this
range a film's characteristics may change. Loss of effective
film speed, contrast changes, and colour shifts are the common
results. This is called reciprocity effect.
(see Colour Balance, Contrast & Exposure)
Recycling time
Time taken by flash unit to recharge, between firings.
Redhead
A Type of Tungsten lighting from various manufactures (rated
at 800w).
(see Blonde & Tungsten light )
Reflector
Any surface from which light can be reflected. Used to reflect
light from a main source into the shadow areas.
(see Lastolite)
Reflex lens
(See Mirror lens)
Resample
To change the resolution of an image through interpolation. Resampling downwards discards information and resampling upwards creates new information based on adjacent pixels.
(see Image resolution)
Resin-coated paper (RC)
Printing paper with a water-repellent base. RC papers can be
processed faster; requires less washing, and dry far more quickly
than fibre-based papers.
(see Fibre (FB) & Multigrade)
Resolution
(see Image resolution )
Reticulation
Fine, irregular pattern appearing on the surface of an emulsion
which has been subjected to a sudden and severe temperature change
during development.
Retouching
After-treatment carried out on negatives, trannies, prints or
Digital files to remove blemishes or change tonal values. Now,
carried out by 'Photoshop' rather than by hand.
(see Photoshop)
Reversal film
Film or paper designed to produce a positive directly from exposure
and processing, without the need of a negative.
(see Exposure & Trannie)
RGB
The way that the colours are recorded in Digital imaging. A large
percentage of the visible spectrum can be represented by mixing Red, Green and Blue coloured light in various
proportions and intensities.
(see CMYK)
Ring Flash
Type of flash unit which fits around the lens to produce flat
and shadow less lighting.
Rising front
Camera movement enabling the front lens panel to be raised
or lowered from its central position (on most Large format cameras).
Its main use is to maintain correct verticals in architectural
photography.
(see Converging angles, Large format, Movements & Shift)
Roll film
120 format film which has an paper backing and is supplied
wound on an open spool (rather than in a light-tight cassette).
Also the less common double length 220. All these films are used
in Medium Format cameras. The term should be applied to all camera
films in roll form, including 35 mm.
(see: Cut film, Medium format & 35mm)
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