Photography Terminology Quiz

Study Notes

A camera has five basic parts: light tight box, lens, shutter, holder of sensitized material, and view finder.
The viewing system shows the photographer the entire scene that can be recorded.

The lens is responsible for gathering power and controlling the amount of light that reaches the sensitized material.
The diameter of the whole lens is expressed in f-numbers (e.g. f 2.8, f-4, f-5.6, f-8, f-11, f-16).
The lower the f-number, the bigger the lens opening and the greater the amount of light that enters.

Shutter speed controls the time of exposure of the film to light.
Shutter speeds include: 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, etc.

Focusing is the process of controlling the degree of sharpness of the image.
Types of focusing devices include: range finder (coincidence or split image type), ground glass, and scale bed.

Viewfinder type camera uses a viewing system to show the photographer the scene.
Other types of cameras include ground glass and scale bed.

Film speed (emulsion speed) refers to the degree of sensitivity of the film to light.
Film speed is expressed in ASA (e.g. 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 200, 400) or DIN (e.g. 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, etc.).

Papers used in photography include:
- Silver bromide paper (used for projection, printing, and enlarging)
- Double weight paper (used for projection and contact printing)
- Variable contrast paper (combines contrast range in one paper)
- Glossy paper (produces varying contrast responses)
- Semi-matte paper (smooth surface)
- Rough paper ( textured surface)
Papers can also be classified by their weight (lightweight, single weight, double weight), texture (glossy, semi-matte, rough), and color (white, cream, etc.).