Focus On Lighting Photos Focus on the Fundamentals.pdf

Glossary
this is an introductory book,
but a few terms here go a
little beyond an introductory
explanation. Some readers
will be eager for the extra
detail, whereas others will not
yet want that detail, and they
are welcome to skip what they
don’t need. Just remember
that it’s here when you need it.
Angle Iron: Cheap bracket,
often used for mounting shelves
in storage areas. A flat metal
rod bent to a 90-degree angle.
Available in a variety of sizes.
Reflectors can be leaned against
angle irons, though it is more
secure to use a spring clamp to
prevent the reflector from slipping
or falling over. Find it in any
hardware store.
Aperture: Simple answer: how
open the lens diaphragm is.
The more open, the more light
that passes through the lens
and the greater the exposure.
Measured in f-stops. That’s all a
novice really needs to know, but
some will want more right now.
184 Glossary
Technical answer: the focal length
of the lens divided by the effective
diameter. That’s why a 100 mm
lens set at, say, f/8 has a much
bigger physical opening than
a 25 mm lens set to the same
aperture, even though they both
admit the same amount of light.
Aperture doesn’t just control the
amount of light; it is also one of
the two factors that control depth
of field.
Background Light: A light used
to brighten a background, often
in conjunction with barn doors or
a snoot to control the width of the
beam.
Baffle: An additional sheet of
diffusion inside a softbox. Usually
removable, if less diffusion is
needed.
Bar Clamp: An F-shaped
clamp, similar to a C-clamp,
but generally larger. A threaded
screw is at the bottom and can
be tightened to hold an item in
place. Found in hardware stores.
Barn Door: A tool used to
block light; attaches directly to
the light. Commercially made
models generally have four
doors, which can independently
be opened as much or little
as the photographer desires.
Homemade versions will have a
black board attached as needed.
Beauty <strong>Lighting</strong>: Intended to
minimize skin texture, it is flat
lighting that uses a diffused light
above the camera and usually
a reflector, sometimes a second
diffused light source, beneath the
camera. Most effectively used for
head-and-shoulder portraits.
Blue Glue: Originally designed
to seal refrigerator gaskets, it
has been since marketed under
many brand names as a way for
parents to temporarily put up their
children’s art without damaging
the wall. In photography, it is
used to hold lightweight items in
place without worry of damage
when removed. The term is
photographers’ slang, so you
may have to show store clerks
the picture in this book to find it.
Found in hardware, school supply,
and art supply stores.