Generative AI – Generative AI can be used to generate realistic images, enhance photos, or create visual effects through techniques such as image synthesis, style transfer, and content generation. You can experiment with this in editing software such as Photoshop to enrich your photo editing.

Gamut – Gamut refers to the complete range of colours that can be represented or reproduced by a specific device, such as a camera, display, or printer.

Grain – Grain, also known as film grain or noise, refers to the visible texture or pattern of granular particles in a photographic image, particularly in film photography or high-ISO digital photography. Grain is caused by the random distribution of silver halide crystals in photographic emulsion or electronic noise in digital sensors, resulting in a characteristic grainy or gritty appearance in images.

Graduated Filter – A filter with a gradient of density or colour that is used to selectively adjust exposure or colour balance in a scene. Graduated filters are often used in landscape photography to darken bright skies, reduce contrast, or enhance colours by selectively blocking or attenuating light in specific areas of the image.

Guide Number – Guide number is a numerical rating that indicates the power or intensity of a flash unit’s output, typically measured in meters or feet at ISO 100. The guide number is used to calculate the appropriate aperture setting for proper flash exposure based on the distance between the flash and the subject, considering the flash’s power output and the sensitivity of the camera sensor.

Gradient – A gradient, also known as a colour gradient or gradient fill, is a gradual transition of colour, brightness, or transparency between two or more colours or tones in an image. Gradients can be applied to backgrounds, overlays, or adjustment layers in digital image editing to create smooth and seamless transitions between colours or tones.

Giclée – Giclée (pronounced zhee-klay) is a high-quality digital printing method used to produce fine art prints and reproductions of artwork using inkjet printers and archival pigment inks. Giclée prints are known for their exceptional colour accuracy, detail, and longevity, making them popular among artists, photographers, and collectors for creating museum-quality prints.

Gravure – Gravure, also known as rotogravure or photogravure, is a traditional printing process used to reproduce photographic images in newspapers, magazines, and art prints. Gravure printing involves etching photographic images onto metal plates, which are then inked and pressed onto paper to transfer the image, resulting in high-quality reproductions with rich tonal gradations and fine detail.

Gear – A common term used to describe a photographer’s equipment.

Grey Card – A grey card, also known as a white balance card or neutral reference card, is a photographic tool used to establish accurate colour balance and exposure settings in a scene. Grey cards have a neutral grey surface with a known reflectance value, which serves as a reference point for setting custom white balance or exposure compensation in-camera or during post-processing.

Ghosting – Caused by reflections, flares, or internal lens elements that appear as semi-transparent or double images in a photograph. Ghosting artifacts can occur when light is scattered or refracted within the camera lens, resulting in unwanted reflections or secondary images superimposed on the primary subject.

Grid – A visual guide displayed in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen of a camera to assist with composition and framing. Grids are typically divided into a series of horizontal and vertical lines that help photographers align and balance elements within the frame, such as horizons, leading lines, and points of interest.

Gel – A gel, also known as a colour gel or lighting gel, is a translucent coloured filter or sheet used in photography and lighting design to modify the colour temperature, hue, or intensity of light sources. Gels are placed over light fixtures or flashes to create coloured lighting effects, correct colour casts, or match the colour temperature of different light sources. Learn all about shooting in a studio in our Studio Lighting course!

Geotagging – Geotagging allows photographers to record and track the precise location where an image was captured, enabling geospatial analysis, mapping, and organization of photos based on location metadata.

Global adjustment – A global adjustment, also known as a global edit or overall adjustment, refers to an image editing technique that applies changes uniformly to the entire image. Global adjustments can include changes to exposure, contrast, colour balance, sharpness, and other image parameters that affect the overall appearance of the photograph.

GND Filter (Graduated neutral density filter) – A filter with a gradient of neutral density that is used to balance exposure in a scene with high contrast, such as landscapes with bright skies and dark foregrounds. GND filters gradually transition from clear to dark across the filter surface, allowing photographers to darken bright areas of the scene without affecting darker areas.

Gigapixel – An image resolution containing one billion pixels, typically achieved through high-resolution digital imaging or image stitching techniques.

Gyroscopic Stabilisation – Gyroscopic stabilization, also known as optical stabilization or image stabilization, is a camera technology that reduces unwanted camera shake and blur caused by hand movement during handheld shooting. Gyroscopic stabilization systems use gyroscopes or accelerometers to detect motion and compensate for camera shake by moving lens elements or sensor assemblies to maintain a stable image.

Gaussian Blur – Gaussian blur is a digital image processing technique used to create a soft, smooth, and out-of-focus appearance in a photograph. Gaussian blur applies a mathematical algorithm known as a Gaussian function to blur or soften pixels within a selected area of the image, simulating the natural blurring effect of optical defocus or depth of field.

Glare – Glare is a photographic phenomenon characterized by excessive brightness or reflection of light that obscures details, reduces contrast, and creates unwanted visual discomfort in an image. Glare can occur when light sources, such as the sun or artificial lights, are directly or indirectly reflected off shiny surfaces, glass, or water, resulting in distracting highlights or flare artefacts in photographs.

Golden Hour – The short period (usually an hour) before sunset or after sunrise. It’s where the sun is low in the sky and the light produced is a deep orange/red.