T-Stop: A measure of the amount of light transmitted through a camera lens, which takes into account the lens’s internal light loss. T-stops are used to accurately compare the light transmission of different lenses.
Aperture: The adjustable opening in a camera lens through which light passes to reach the camera’s sensor. The size of the aperture controls the amount of light that enters the camera, and is typically measured in f-stops.
Focal Length: The distance between the lens and the camera’s sensor when the lens is focused at infinity. Focal length affects the field of view and magnification of a camera lens.
ASA: A measurement of the sensitivity of a camera’s sensor to light, often used in still photography. The higher the ASA value, the more sensitive the sensor is to light, allowing for better low-light performance.
Shutter Speed: The amount of time the camera’s shutter is open to expose light onto the sensor. Shutter speed affects the amount of motion blur in an image and can be used to control the exposure time.
Frame Rate: The number of individual images or frames recorded by a camera in a single second of footage. The frame rate determines the smoothness of motion in a video.
FIZ Unit (Focus, Iris, Zoom Unit): A specialized device used in film and video production to remotely control the focus, iris, and zoom of a camera lens.
Overcrank: A technique in film and video production where the camera is set to record at a higher frame rate than normal, creating slow-motion footage when played back at the standard frame rate.
ND (Neutral Density) Filter: A camera lens filter that reduces the amount of light entering the lens without altering the color balance of the image. ND filters are used to control the exposure in bright lighting conditions, allowing for wider apertures or longer shutter speeds without overexposure.
Depth of Fields: The depth of field (DOF) in a photograph or video is the portion of the image that appears to be in focus. The size of a camera’s sensor plays a role in determining the depth of field because it affects the size of the image circle produced by a lens.
Tilt: Tilt refers to a camera movement that involves rotating the camera vertically on its axis. A tilt changes the angle at which the camera is pointing, and can be used to adjust the composition of a shot and control the audience’s focus. When the camera is tilted up, it looks upwards, and when it is tilted down, it looks downwards. Tilt can be used to emphasize or de-emphasize elements in the frame, such as a tall building or a person’s face, and is an important tool for controlling the visual narrative of a shot.
Pan: camera movement in which the camera moves horizontally on its axis, either to the left or to the right. Panning is used to follow a moving subject, create a sense of motion, or to give the audience a wider view of the scene. It’s often used in conjunction with tilt to create more dynamic shots, and it can be used to reveal new information, such as a new character entering the scene or a sweeping vista. Panning is an important aspect of cinematography and can be used to control the audience’s focus, establish spatial relationships between objects, and create a sense of motion in a static shot.
Dutch: also known as canted angle or oblique angle, is a camera shot in which the camera is tilted to one side, resulting in a diagonal axis that is not parallel with the horizon. This creates a sense of instability or disorientation, and can be used to convey a range of emotions, such as tension, unease, or a feeling of being off-balance. The Dutch tilt is often used in horror, suspense, and action films to increase the dramatic impact of a scene and to create a feeling of unease in the audience. The technique can also be used to add visual interest to a shot and to create a distinctive look or style.
Vertigo: a cinematographic technique that creates a sense of dizziness or disorientation. It was first used in the 1958 film “Vertigo” directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and it has since become one of the most famous camera shots in film history. The Vertigo shot is achieved by combining a dolly shot and a zoom shot, where the camera simultaneously moves towards the subject while the lens zooms in. This creates the illusion that the background is moving away from the subject, making the viewer feel like they are falling or spinning. The Vertigo shot is often used in thrillers, horror films, and suspenseful scenes to create a sense of unease or to heighten the emotional impact of a scene.