Browse All 840 Photography Terms A–Z

Dynamic Range Exposure & Metering stops (EV) The span between the brightest and darkest tones a camera can record in a single frame while keeping usable detail at both ends. DR = log₂(full-well / read noise)

Düsseldorf School Genres, Movements & Theory A group of German photographers taught by Bernd and Hilla Becher, known for large-format, systematic and often very large-scale work.

E-6 Process Film, Darkroom & Historic Processes minutes at °C The standardised chemical process for developing colour reversal film into positive transparencies.

Editorial Photography Genres, Movements & Theory Photography made to accompany published text — articles, features and interviews — rather than to advertise.

Effective Aperture Exposure & Metering f-stops (EV) The working f-number of a lens once it is focused close, which is always darker than the marked aperture because the lens is extended away from the sensor. N_eff = N × (1 + m)

Effective Pixels Sensors & Digital Capture MP The number of photosites actually contributing to the final image, as distinct from the total on the chip.

Electronic First-curtain Shutter Cameras, Formats & Systems seconds A hybrid shutter that begins the exposure electronically and ends it with a physical curtain.

Electronic Shutter Cameras, Formats & Systems seconds A shutter implemented by resetting and reading out the sensor electronically, with no moving parts.

Electronic Viewfinder Cameras, Formats & Systems A small high-resolution display inside the eyepiece showing a live feed from the sensor.

Embedded Colour Profile Files, Metadata & Workflow KB An ICC profile stored inside an image file, telling any application what its colour numbers mean.

Embedded Preview Files, Metadata & Workflow px A JPEG rendering stored inside a raw file, used for camera playback and fast browsing before conversion.

Emulsion Film, Darkroom & Historic Processes µm The light-sensitive coating on film or paper, consisting of silver halide crystals suspended in gelatin.

Enlarger Film, Darkroom & Historic Processes × magnification A darkroom device that projects a negative onto photographic paper to produce a print larger than the original. Magnification = image size / negative size

Enlarging Lens Film, Darkroom & Historic Processes mm A lens optimised for projecting a flat negative onto flat paper at close range.

Entrance Pupil Optics, Lenses & Filters mm The apparent size and position of the aperture as seen from in front of the lens, which is what the f-number is calculated from. D = f / N

Environmental Portrait Genres, Movements & Theory A portrait made in a setting that tells the viewer something about the subject's life, work or identity.

Equivalent Exposure Exposure & Metering stops (EV) Any different combination of aperture, shutter speed and ISO that yields identical image brightness. N₁²/t₁ = N₂²/t₂

Equivalent Focal Length Cameras, Formats & Systems mm The full-frame focal length that would give the same angle of view as a given lens on a smaller format. f_equiv = f × crop factor

Evaluative (Matrix) Metering Exposure & Metering A metering pattern that divides the frame into zones, compares their brightness against a database of scene types, and infers the photographer's intent.

Event Photography Genres, Movements & Theory Photography documenting conferences, parties, ceremonies and corporate functions.

Exhibition Print Printing, Display & Output A print made to the highest standard for gallery display, with materials and finishing chosen for both appearance and longevity.

EXIF Files, Metadata & Workflow The standard block of technical metadata a camera writes into a file, recording settings and equipment.

Exit Pupil Optics, Lenses & Filters mm The apparent size and position of the aperture as seen from behind the lens, which governs how light strikes the sensor.

Export Files, Metadata & Workflow Generating a delivery file from an edited image, with a chosen format, size, colour space and metadata.

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