Photography terminology starting with D
Depth of Field – the distance around your focus point (in front and behind) that is sharp. A long DOF will show everything sharp from the foreground to the background. A shallow DOF will show only a small part of the picture sharp with the foreground and background being blurry.
Diaphragm – Diaphragm is the mechanical device inside a camera lens that controls the aperture. Modern DSLR cameras use what is known as an “iris diaphragm,” which is made of overlapping blades that can be modified to increase or decrease the size of the aperture.
Drive Mode – Also known as shooting mode, refers to the setting on a camera that determines how multiple shots are taken in succession when the shutter button is pressed. Common drive modes include single-shot mode (capturing one image per shutter press), continuous shooting mode (capturing a rapid sequence of images), self-timer mode (delaying the shutter release for a specified time), and interval timer mode (capturing images at set intervals).
DSLR – Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera. Popular camera type for learners of photography and professionals. Lenses can be changed and the manual settings can easily be adjusted. Find out about the best beginner DSLRs here.
Dynamic Range – range of luminosity and colour depth in an image, between the highest and lowest intensities. An image with a higher dynamic range will have more detail in the lights, darks and colours.
DNG – stands for ‘Digital Negative’. This is a standard format for a Raw file and will work on all image manipulation programs that process Raw files. Click here to find out the what, why and should you convert to DNG.
Developer – Developer is a chemical solution used in traditional film photography to convert the latent image on exposed film or photographic paper into a visible image. The developer solution reacts with light-sensitive silver halide crystals to reduce them to metallic silver, forming the final image.
Darkroom – A darkroom is a controlled environment used in traditional film photography for processing, developing, and printing photographic images. Darkrooms are typically light-tight rooms or enclosures equipped with photographic enlargers, trays, and other equipment for handling and processing light-sensitive materials.
Digital – The process of capturing, storing, and processing images using digital technology, such as digital cameras, memory cards, and computers. Unlike traditional film photography, which relies on chemical processes to capture and develop images, digital photography uses electronic sensors to record and digitize light information, allowing for instant image preview, storage, and manipulation.
Diffuser – A diffuser is a translucent material or accessory used to soften and diffuse harsh light sources in photography. Diffusers scatter and spread light rays, reducing contrast and eliminating harsh shadows to create a softer and more flattering lighting effect for portraits, close-up photography, and other applications.
Dodge – Dodging is a darkroom technique used in traditional film photography to selectively lighten or reduce the exposure of specific areas of a photographic print during the printing process. By shielding parts of the print from light during exposure, photographers can lighten shadows, reduce contrast, and emphasize highlights to adjust the overall tonal balance of the image.
Diptych – A photographic composition consisting of two images displayed side by side or hinged together as a pair. Diptychs are often used to create visual narratives, comparisons, or juxtapositions between two related or contrasting subjects, themes, or moments.
Digital Asset Management – Digital Asset Management (DAM) refers to the organization, storage, and retrieval of digital files, including photographs, videos, and other media assets. DAM systems and software help photographers and organizations manage and catalogue their digital assets, including metadata, keywords, and file formats, for efficient search, retrieval, and distribution.
Documentary Photography – Documentary photography is a genre of photography that focuses on capturing real-life events, people, and social issues in a candid and unobtrusive manner. Documentary photographers aim to tell stories, raise awareness, and document historical or cultural events through visual storytelling and journalistic principles.
Drone Photography – Drone photography, also known as aerial photography, is the practice of capturing images from unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) equipped with cameras. Drone photography offers unique perspectives and aerial views of landscapes, cityscapes, and events, allowing photographers to capture stunning aerial images and videos from above.
Direct light – Direct light refers to light that travels directly from the light source to the subject without being diffused or scattered by intervening objects or materials. Direct light produces harsh shadows, strong contrasts, and well-defined highlights, making it suitable for creating dramatic lighting effects in photography.
Digital Zoom – Digital zoom is a feature found in digital cameras and smartphones that magnifies the central portion of an image electronically, simulating the effect of zooming in without changing the focal length of the lens. Unlike optical zoom, which magnifies the image optically by adjusting the lens position, digital zoom enlarges the image digitally, resulting in reduced image quality and resolution.
Direct Positive –Also known as positive-to-positive or reversal process, is a photographic printing method that produces positive images directly from a positive or transparency film. Unlike traditional negative-to-positive printing, which involves creating a negative image first, direct positive printing eliminates the need for an intermediate negative, resulting in positive images with rich, vibrant colours and high contrast.
Daguerreotype – Daguerreotype is an early photographic process invented by Louis Daguerre in the 1830s, which produced one-of-a-kind images on polished silver-plated copper plates. Daguerreotypes are characterized by their sharp detail, mirror-like surface, and unique aesthetic qualities, making them highly valued as historical artefacts and collectables.
Denoise – A digital image processing technique used to reduce or remove noise, artefacts, and unwanted graininess from digital photographs. Denoising algorithms analyse the image data and selectively smooth out noise patterns while preserving fine details and image quality, resulting in cleaner, more visually pleasing images.
Dynamic range – Dynamic range is the range of luminance of an image between its highest and lowest light intensities, usually pure white and pure black. The dynamic range of a digital sensor is slightly narrower than that of film photography, and both are significantly limited in comparison to what the human eye can perceive. Scenes with a wider dynamic range than that of the camera sensor will result in images that are either overexposed or underexposed.
