Glossary of Photographic Terms
Contrast
The range of tonality in the print. A high contrast
picture is one with not much middle tone but extremes in blacks and
whites. A low contrast picture is missing both the bright highlights
and dark shadows with only the middle tones represented.
Crop
When taking a photo or printing a negative, there may be more
visual information than the photographer desires. In this case the
photographer will focus in on the part he or she wants in the picture,
thereby cropping out the rest.
Enlarger
A device used to send light through a negative onto
photographic paper for the purpose of producing a photographic print.
Film Cartridge
The container that holds the film in the camera.
Light- Sensitive Emulsion
Both film and photographic paper are
covered with a coating that is sensitive to light. This is what
allows the film and paper to react with light when a photograph is
taken. Once exposed to light, the emulsion contains the image and is
invisible until the film and paper are developed.
Light Source
Any device serving as a source of visible
light. For example, the sun, the flash on a camera or a lamp.
Negatives
The developed film that contains a reversed tone image of
the original scene.
Photographic Paper
Special paper for printing photographs covered
with a light sensitive emulsion.
Processing
Developing, fixing, and washing exposed photographic film
or paper to produce either a negative image or a positive image.
Safe Light
An enclosed darkroom lamp fitted with a deep red filter
to screen out light rays to which film and paper are sensitive.
Tone
A shade of colour. For example: light grey, dark grey and
medium grey.
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