Photography terms starting with M

Macro Lens Optics, Lenses & Filters magnification ratio A lens corrected for close focusing that reproduces a subject at life size or larger on the sensor. m = image size / subject size

Macro Photography Genres, Movements & Theory magnification ratio Photography at magnifications approaching or exceeding life size, revealing detail invisible to the unaided eye. m ≥ 1:1

Magnification Ratio Focus & Depth of Field ratio The ratio between the size of a subject and the size of its image on the sensor. m = image size / subject size

Magnum Photos Genres, Movements & Theory A photographers' cooperative founded in 1947 to let its members retain copyright and control over their own work.

Manipulation Standards Genres, Movements & Theory The rules defining what processing is permissible in a given field of photography.

Manual Flash Lighting & Flash fraction (1/1, 1/2, 1/4…) Setting flash output as a fixed fraction of full power, so every frame receives an identical burst. Power = full / 2ⁿ

Manual Focus Focus & Depth of Field m Focusing by turning the lens ring by hand while judging sharpness visually or by scale.

Manual Mode Exposure & Metering A mode, marked M, in which the photographer sets aperture and shutter speed directly and the camera only advises.

Mat Board Printing, Display & Output mm A card window placed over a print inside a frame, separating it from the glazing and providing visual space.

Matte Paper Printing, Display & Output Paper with a non-reflective surface that scatters light diffusely, giving a soft appearance free of glare.

Mechanical Vignetting Optics, Lenses & Filters Corner darkening or hard cut-off caused by an accessory physically intruding into the lens's field of view.

Medium Format Cameras, Formats & Systems mm Any format larger than 35 mm but smaller than 4×5 inches, covering film frames from 6×4.5 to 6×17 cm and digital sensors around 44×33 mm.

Megapixel Sensors & Digital Capture MP One million pixels, the standard unit for stating a sensor's resolution. MP = width × height / 1,000,000

Metadata Files, Metadata & Workflow Information stored within or alongside an image file that describes the picture rather than forming part of it.

Metadata Preset Files, Metadata & Workflow A saved template of creator, copyright and contact fields applied automatically on import.

Metamerism Colour & Colour Management The phenomenon in which two samples match under one light source but differ visibly under another.

Meter Calibration Constant Exposure & Metering cd·s/m² The factor K in the exposure equation that ties a measured luminance to a recommended camera setting. N² / t = L × S / K

Metering Mode Exposure & Metering The pattern a camera uses to sample scene brightness when calculating an automatic exposure.

Micro Four Thirds Cameras, Formats & Systems mm An open sensor and mount standard using a 17.3 by 13 millimetre sensor with a 4:3 aspect ratio and a 2× crop factor. Crop factor = 2.0

Microlens Array Sensors & Digital Capture A layer of tiny lenses, one above each photosite, that gathers light which would otherwise fall on the gaps between them.

Microprism Collar Focus & Depth of Field A ring of tiny prisms around a focusing screen's centre that shimmers when the image is out of focus and clears when it is sharp.

Middle Grey Exposure & Metering % reflectance The reference tone, reflecting about 18 per cent of the light that strikes it, that every reflected-light meter is calibrated to reproduce. L* ≈ 50

Minimalism Composition & Visual Design A compositional approach built on very few elements, large areas of empty space and simple graphic forms.

Minimum Focus Distance Focus & Depth of Field m The closest a subject can be to the sensor plane and still be brought into focus.

Terms starting with M