C
- C-AF (Continuous autofocus)Mode where the camera focuses continually all the time the shutter button is pressed.
- Cable releaseFlexible cable for firing the camera shutter remotely on older cameras.
- Camera bagBag with padded internal compartments designed to hold and protect camera gear.
- Camera calibrationCorrecting camera color rendition with test charts and software profiles.
- Camera Kit (Analog Efex Pro)Mode for manually selecting the adjustment filters used in Analog Efex Pro.
- Camera shakeBlur caused by camera movement during the exposure.
- Camera typeCamera design, size and the type of user it's aimed at.
- Capture One
- Carbon fiber (tripod)Tripod material that's lighter and more rigid than the usual aluminium tubing.
- Card readerPlug-in device for transferring images from a memory card to a computer.
- Cataloguing softwareSoftware for organising and searching large photo collections.
- CCDOlder sensor design no longer used in cameras but still used in astronomy and astrophotography.
- Center columnExtending vertical shaft in the center of a tripod to raise the height of the camera.
- Center weighted meteringAlternative camera light metering option that's less sophisticated but easier to predict.
- CFA (Color Filter Array)Fine array of colored filters placed over sensor photosites to record individual colors.
- CFast cardHigh speed memory card format used in some cinema cameras, now fading in popularity.
- CFexpressRelatively new type of high-speed memory card used in higher-end cameras and video cameras.
- ChannelColor images are made up of individual color 'channels', usually a red, green and blue channel (RGB).
- Chromatic aberrationColor fringing around object edges commonly seen in less expensive images.
- Cinema 4K (DCI 4K, C4K)'True' 4K video 4,096 pixels wide that's slightly 'wider' than regular 4K UHD.
- CIPAOrganisation which sets standard measurements for different kinds of camera performance, such as battery life.
- Circle of confusionOne of the measurements used in depth of field calculations.
- Class rating (memory cards)Minimum sustained recording speed for different levels of video capture.
- ClippingWhere the brightest or darkest parts of a picture have lost any visible detail.
- Close upPhotography of small objects, though not as small as proper 'macro' photography.
- Cloud storageStoring files online rather than on your computer for backup or so that they can be accessed anywhere.
- CMOSMost popular type of camera sensor used today, and superior to older 'CCD' design.
- CMYKColor model used in printing, both in most home printers and in commercial publishing.
- Cold shoeFor attaching camera accessories that don't need an electrical connection to the camera.
- Color managementSystem used by some professionals to ensure accurate and consistent color across different devices.
- Color modelSystem used to measure and describe colors. The RGB color model is used most in photography.
- Color noiseOne of two types of noise produced by digital cameras and the easiest to remove.
- Color spaceDescribes the range of colors a device can display or reproduce, used in color management.
- Color temperatureA technical measurement for white balance adjustments, measured in degrees Kelvin (K).
- Commander mode (Nikon)A mode on more advanced Nikon flashguns for controlling other flashguns remotely.
- Compact cameraA camera with a fixed, non-removable lens, usually small but not always.
- Compact FlashOlder, larger memory card format once popular but no longer in widespread use.
- CompressionSoftware processing to make photos or video clips take up less storage space.
- Continuous lightingPhotographic lighting which stays on all the time, unlike flash.
- Continuous shootingMode where the camera takes pictures continuously while you keep the shutter button pressed down.
- ContrastThe difference in brightness between different parts of a scene.
- Contrast AFAutofocus system that works out if a subject is sharp by checking when the contrast is highest.
- Contrast filterFilter used in black and white photography to change the color 'contrast' or the way colors are translated into shades of grey.
- Control dialA rotating dial on the outside of a camera with different uses according to the camera mode.
- Converging verticalsA perspective effect where the walls of tall buildings appear to slant inwards and become narrower at the top.
- CopyrightThe right of ownership of a photograph, which normally belongs to the photographer.
- Corner shadingAnother word for 'vignetting', a lens effect where the edges of a picture appear darker than the center.
- Creative blurDeliberately allowing some subject movement with slower shutter speeds.
- Creative Lighting System (CLS) (Nikon)Nikon wireless flash system for controlling Speedlights remotely.
- Crop factorUsed to work out the 'effective' focal length of lenses on smaller sensor cameras.
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- Crop modeUsed on some cameras to allow the use of lenses for smaller format sensors.
- CroppingTrimming an image to remove unwanted areas or fit a specific display size.
- Crop sensorA sensor smaller than 'full frame', or the size of a 35mm film negative.
- CSC (Compact System Camera)Another term for 'mirrorless camera', with interchangeable lenses and part of a system.
- Custom settingsA way of configuring camera controls to better suit the way you like to work.
- Custom white balanceManual white balance calibration process applied in-camera or in software later.