Photography terms starting with D

Diffusion Filter Optics, Lenses & Filters grade (1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1) A filter that scatters a small proportion of the light passing through it, lowering contrast and blooming highlights into a soft glow.

Diffusion Panel Lighting & Flash cm A frame holding translucent fabric, used to enlarge and soften a light source placed behind it.

Digital Asset Management Files, Metadata & Workflow The systematic organisation, description, storage and retrieval of a body of image files.

Digital Back Cameras, Formats & Systems A removable sensor unit that attaches to a medium- or large-format camera body in place of a film magazine.

Digital Dodge and Burn Post-Processing & Retouching % Selectively lightening and darkening small areas to sculpt form, usually on a neutral grey layer in overlay or soft light mode.

Digital Stabilisation Motion, Video & Creative Techniques % crop Stabilisation performed by cropping into the frame and shifting the crop window to counteract movement.

Diopter Adjustment Focus & Depth of Field diopters A viewfinder correction that matches the eyepiece to the photographer's eyesight.

Display P3 Colour & Colour Management A wide colour space now standard on modern phones, tablets and laptops, combining the DCI-P3 primaries with sRGB's white point and transfer curve.

Display Pixel Density Printing, Display & Output ppi The number of pixels per inch on a screen, which determines how much image detail it can actually show.

Dmax Printing, Display & Output density units The maximum density a print can achieve, measuring how dark its blacks are. Dmax = log₁₀(1 / reflectance)

DNG Files, Metadata & Workflow MB An openly documented raw container designed as a universal, archival alternative to proprietary camera formats.

Documentary Photography Genres, Movements & Theory Photography that records a subject, community or situation over time with the intention of describing it truthfully.

Dodging Film, Darkroom & Historic Processes seconds Holding back light from part of a print during exposure so that area comes out lighter.

Dolly Motion, Video & Creative Techniques m A wheeled platform carrying a camera and operator, moved along the ground or on track for extended travelling shots.

Dot Gain Printing, Display & Output % The tendency of printed halftone dots to spread as ink is absorbed, making the result darker than intended.

DPI Printing, Display & Output dpi Dots per inch: the number of individual ink droplets a printer places along an inch of paper.

Drone Cinematography Motion, Video & Creative Techniques m Filming from a remotely piloted aircraft, giving access to elevated and moving viewpoints.

Dry Mounting Printing, Display & Output °C Bonding a print to a board using a heat-activated adhesive tissue in a press.

DSLR Cameras, Formats & Systems A digital single-lens reflex camera: an SLR body with a sensor in place of film, retaining the mirror and optical viewfinder.

Dual Card Slots Cameras, Formats & Systems count Two memory card slots that can record simultaneously, sequentially, or split by file type.

Dual Conversion Gain Sensors & Digital Capture A sensor design offering two selectable amplification circuits, one optimised for dynamic range and one for low noise at high ISO.

Dual Pixel Autofocus Focus & Depth of Field An on-sensor phase-detection design in which every photosite is split into two independently readable halves.

Duotone Printing, Display & Output count A print made from two inks, typically black plus one colour, giving a monochrome image more tonal depth than black alone.

Dutch Angle Composition & Visual Design degrees A deliberately tilted camera, so the horizon runs at an angle across the frame.

Terms starting with D