Learning the lingo will help you learn more advanced concepts quicker

  • Focal Length – is the distance the lens is from the sensor when the image is in focus. The Focal Length is measured in mm, and is found on different lens types. 

    Focal Length | Understanding Camera Zoom & Lens Focal Length | Nikon | Nikon
    The easiest way to understand this by thinking of it in terms of how zoomed in the image is; more accurately it’s the angle of view that changes which gives the appearance of zooming in and out. The higher the focal length the more zoomed in it is, but also the more compressed the distance between you and the subject appears. A really wide angle gives the impression that the subject is much further away that what you would normally perceive it to be. A narrow angle would make the subject appear closer than they actually are.

  • Camera sensor – The sensor is the part of the camera that captures the image (think of it like the retina in your eye). 

  • Lens – Big glass thing on the front of the camera. Can’t miss it.

  • Zoom lens – A lens with a variable focal length e.g. 18-200mm.

  • Prime Lens – A lens with a fixed focal length e.g. 50mm.

  • Frame Rate – A video is captured by taking a large number of images over a period of time and stitching them together to create movement. Frame rate or FPS (frames per second) refers to how many frames are captured in a second. Bear in mind that there are different broadcast frame rate standards which you must adhere to, with the standard in the UK being 25fps.