Photography terminology starting with R
RAW file – a RAW file preserves most of the information from the camera, it doesn’t process it or compress it. You can’t see or print a RAW file until you process it through a computer programme. Raw files are approximately 3-5 times the size of a Jpeg file.
Resolution – is the total amount of pixels the image has. The higher the resolution the more pixels the image has. This comes into effect mainly when printing images. To get good quality big images you will need a high-resolution image. Higher resolution images will also have given bigger file sizes.
Rule of thirds – The rule of thirds is a compositional guideline used in photography and visual arts to create balanced and visually appealing compositions. According to this rule, an image is divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines, resulting in a grid of intersecting points. Placing key elements or points of interest along these gridlines or their intersections helps create a sense of balance, harmony, and visual interest in the composition.
Reflection – Reflections can add depth, symmetry, and visual interest to images, creating dynamic compositions with mirrored or doubled elements and enhancing the overall storytelling and mood of the photograph.
Remote Shutter Release – A remote shutter release is a device used to remotely trigger the camera’s shutter without physically pressing the shutter button on the camera body.
Retouching – Retouching is the process of digitally enhancing or altering photographic images using image editing software to correct imperfections, improve appearance, or achieve desired artistic effects. Check out our full portrait retouching course here!
Red-eye Reduction – Red-eye reduction is a feature found in cameras and flash units designed to minimize the occurrence of red-eye, a common photographic artefact caused by the reflection of light from the retina of the eye back into the camera lens during flash photography.
Reflector – A reflector is a photographic lighting accessory used to manipulate and control light by reflecting and redirecting ambient or artificial light onto the subject to fill in shadows, soften harsh lighting, or enhance illumination. Reflectors come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, such as silver, gold, white, or translucent fabrics, providing different qualities of light reflection and diffusion for creative lighting effects in portrait, studio, and outdoor photography.
Reportage – Reportage, also known as documentary photography or photojournalism, is a genre of photography that focuses on capturing candid, unposed moments and documenting real-life events, social issues, and human experiences in a journalistic or storytelling manner.
RGB – RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue, the primary colours of light used in digital imaging and colour reproduction systems.
Rear curtain sync – Rear-curtain sync, also known as second curtain sync, is a flash synchronization mode used in cameras to control the timing of the flash burst relative to the closing of the camera’s shutter curtain during long-exposure photography. In rear curtain sync mode, the flash fires just before the shutter curtain closes at the end of the exposure, resulting in a trailing flash effect that follows the motion of moving subjects, creating dynamic and natural-looking motion blur effects in photographs.
Remote trigger – A remote trigger is a device or accessory used to remotely activate the camera’s shutter from a distance, allowing photographers to capture images without physically touching the camera.
Redscale – Redscale is a photographic technique or film effect achieved by loading photographic film into the camera backwards, exposing the film’s emulsion layer to light through the film base rather than the usual emulsion side.
Range Finder – A rangefinder is a focusing aid or optical device used in cameras to measure the distance between the camera and the subject accurately, typically using a coincident image rangefinder or an electronic rangefinder system. Rangefinders assist photographers in achieving precise focus and depth of field control, especially in manual focus or low-light situations, by providing distance feedback and focusing assistance through visual or electronic indicators.
