Photobook Glossary / Definition Of Terms

A computer software program such as Photobook Designer.

The ability to store and keep for a long time. This is applicable for photobook papers and inks.

Generally applies to anything used behind the main image(s).

Using an image as a background and other images on top. The background opacity can be adjusted to prevent clashing of colours/contrast.

Binding is done using PUR

A type of file format consisting of a mapped array of pixels/bits.

The area of print beyond the edge of the page which is trimmed off.

Portrait, Landscape, or Square

The two main types of photo books are hardcover books and softcover books.

Purposely darkening selected parts of an image using an image editing software

Text which is located beneath or next to the image which usually refers to something related to that image

Measured in Kelvin (K), this is a scale used to rate the colour quality of light.

A type of storage card used in digital cameras.

The change and difference of brightness levels within an image. High contrast images are dark black and bright white contents, medium contrast have a good spread of black to white and low contrast have a smaller spread value of blacks and whites.

Inset on front cover where your selected picture would appear, not a die cut keyhole. Cover materials include Linen, Silk, Buckram, Leather and Cambric (Pro Books).

Full front and back wraparound hardcover attached to the book which is fully customisable with images and/or text. Available in a gloss or matte lamination finish.

Full front and back wraparound softcover attached to the book which is fully customisable with images and/or text. Available in a gloss or matte lamination finish.

Removing unwanted parts of an image

A four colour commercial print process consisting of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black which are the primary colours from which other colours can be derived.

The clarity of details in an image

The area of focus in front of and behind the subject. This varies based on the type of lens, aperture and shooting distance.

The use of a digital camera to take images

Portrait, Landscape, or Square

Converted an image from non digital format (film) to a digital format which can be used on a computer.

A optical storage media such as CD’s and DVD’s.

A magnetic storage media such as floppy disks.

The process of transferring data from one location to another. This applies to data being transferred from internet to computer and also from a memory card to the computer.

Stands for Dots Per Inch and is a measurement of the resolution for images, printers, scanners, etc.

An added feature or decorative details which gives a more attractive finish.

A blank sheet at the beginning and end of the book.

The output transfer of data from a computer or file format to another source.

Different types of file formats including JPG, BMP, TIFF, NEF, RAW, etc.

Position of the camera focus where the image is sharpest. An image can also have multiple focal points depending on the camera.

The area in the image in front of the subjects closest to the photographer

Different types of letter style with various sizes

Using one image for the entire front/back cover or one image which covers the full front and back cover.

An image which covers and extends beyond all four sides of the page

Is a technical term for contrast which relates to the relative brightness between tones. It’s often confused with Brightness which is different as each adjustment would add or subtract brightness from every tone. Adjusting the gamma/contrast spreads or compresses the brightness of each tone creating a more even effect.

A double image created by the camera flash.

Stands for Graphics Image Format and has a maximum of 256 colours. It’s practical for a lot of graphics applications but not photographs due to the limited colour palette.

Is equivalent to 1,024 Megabytes (MB). As a comparisson, a typical CD can store 650MB of data whereas a DVD can hold over 4GB (4000MB) of data.

More commonly know as Black & White but also contains multiple shades of gray

lso referred to as margin space, the gutter is the space between the printed area and binding area

The area which the cover flex when it is open. Usually located a centimetre or so from the edge of the cover. Please avoid placing text in this area of the cover as it may become distorted.

A reproduction effect where halftone dots are used to create continuous tone images such as photographs. For example, black and white images are not purely black and white, they are also made up of infinite shades of gray

The parts of an image where it’s the brightest

Ability to plug or unplug a external device (portable hard drive, camera, etc.) while the computer is on

The number of pixels in a digital image

Allows for adjusting the sharpness of outlines in photographs

Refers to the light emitted from typical household light bulbs

Prints images by spraying ink droplets from tiny nozzles

The sensitivity to light of an imaging sensor. For high ISO, the image sensor is more sensitive which allows pictures to be taken in low-light situations

A picture file format which supports 16.7 million colours and commonly used for photographic images

The unit which measures the temperature of colour

The way images and/or text are set out on a page

Liquid Crystal Display is a flat type of electronic visual display screen

One leaf is one sheet of paper, double sided

A type of transparency which adds an effect to an image Megabyte (MB) - A unit of data storage measurement equivalent to 1,024 bytes. A typical CD can hold 650MB of data and DVD’s 4500MB of data.

A measure of the graphic resolution equivalent to a million pixels.

Nikon Electronic Format which is a RAW image file used by Nikon

The level of transparency or translucence

When too much light is allowed to affect the image , creating a overbright/washed out efffect.

Each page is 1 side of the page, single sided

The maximum number of pages is 300 pages, sides, 150 double sided

The minimum number of pages is 20 pages/side, 10 double sided

An image which contains a wide angle view. Typically different in width to height ratios, panoramic images are much wider than they are higher.

The Photo Lustre paper features satin-matte PE-coated surface giving each page the look and feel of a genuine photo print. Features include brilliant colours, depth of contrast, low reflection, smudge repellent and outstanding image permanence.

The smooth and soft feel of the silk paper provides a slender and professional sheen across your images.

An optional paper which is a thicker version of the 170gsm Premium Silk.

A premium canvas-like paper, the matte textured paper imparts a memorable touch and is sure to enhance each of your images.

A proprietary electronic file format from Adobe which looks like a printed document and can be viewed, printed and transmitted over the internet.

A very small dot which together with many other pixels, form a larger image.

This occurs when images are magnified to the extent that individual pixels are visible to the eye.

Similiar to GIF files but offers a greater depth of colours

This is done by the software prior to ordering to ensure there are no errors in the file. Items which may be flagged during the preflight process includes low resolution images, blank pages, empty text boxes, etc.

A type of adhesive glue which is currently one of the strongest bookbinding adhesives available.

Stands for Random Access Memory and is used by the computer to rad and write data that is accessed by the Central Processing Unit (CPU)

An image format which is equivalent to the digital negative. The RAW file contains a minimal amount of processed data and needs to be converted in order for it to be printed or used in Photobook Designer.

Predesigned books which have a variety of themes and sizes. Each book contains page layouts which can be re-arranged or modified to your liking.

A photographic effect where photos of eyes have red pupils.

Red, Green and Blue colour standard in which these 3 colours are added and mixed in various ways to reproduce a broad range of other colours.

Is used to describe the visible amount of light or colour in an image. Increased saturation means colours appear more true whereas decreased saturation means colours appear more washed out.

Stands for Secure Digital and is a type of memory card format used in portable devices.

Is a High Capacity Secure Digital memory card used in portable devices.

Is a Ultra Capacity Secure Digital memory card used in portable devices which can contain 32GB worth of data up to 2TB of data.

A dark area caused by the blocking of a light source and the surface area of an object.

The clarity of detail in a photo or image.

Single Lens Reflex, these cameras are now commonly know as DSLR or digital SLR. The process involves a semi automatic moving mirror system that allows the photographer to see exactly what will be captured by the camera.

The backbone of the book which is usually the only part visible when it’s on the bookshelf. This can be used to display the title or something else related to the book.

A small area or “spot” measured by the camera and is commonly used to take high contrast images.

Preset layouts which have been created to give you a head start with your project

Different events and occasions such as Weddings, Birthdays, Holidays, Graduation, etc.

A large image file format which cannot be compressed. This file format is not recommended for Photobook Designer as the file sizes are usually quite big and will take longer to upload.

Also referred to as “tonal range”, this is the difference beween the dark and the lightest parts of a image.

This is the margin line where everything beyond the line is cut off. In Photobook Designer, the trim line is the outer blue line whereas the inner red line is the image/text safety margin.

The area of a cover image which is wrapped/obscured behind the cover

When not enough light is allowed to affect the image , creating a dark and dull image

The transfer or sending of data over the internet to a remote source

Stands for Universal Serial Bus and is a connection port which supports the connection of peripheral devices and computer/electrical devices.

A memory data storage device which incorporates a USB port, also referred to as a USB key.

Softening or shading away the edges of a an image or subject

The concept of colour temperature and the process of removing other light colour spectrums so that objects which look white will be rendered white in the photo.