An image sensor is a device that allows the camera to convert photons – that is, light – into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the device. The first digital cameras used charge-coupled devices, facilitating movement of the electrical charge through the device so it could be modulated.

Film grain is an optical effect that resembles a vast field of tiny particles in images developed from celluloid film. Film captures images via an emulsion of light-sensitive silver halide crystals, and these particles create a grainy visual texture.

What is Photo Noise? In digital photographs, the term noise refers to a certain type of visual distortion. It looks similar to grain found in film photography, but can also look like splotches of discoloration when it's really bad, and can ruin a photograph.

(Focal-STOP) The f-stop is the "aperture" opening of a camera lens, which allows light to come in. It also determines how much is in focus in front of and behind the subject (see depth of field). The f-stop is one of the two primary measurements of a camera lens.

What Is Focal Length? Focal length is the distance (measured in millimeters) between the point of convergence of your lens and the sensor or film recording the image. The focal length of your film or digital camera lens dictates how much of the scene your camera will be able to capture.

What is Bokeh? Bokeh is defined as “the effect of a soft out-of-focus background that you get when shooting a subject, using a fast lens, at the widest aperture, such as f/2.8 or wider.” Simply put, bokeh is the pleasing or aesthetic quality of out-of-focus blur in a photograph.

Bulb (B) is a feature present on all Canon EOS cameras and allows you to use shutter speeds slower than the standard maximum of 30 seconds. All EOS cameras allow you to set a shutter speed as slow as 30 seconds. If you need longer exposure times you can use the Bulb mode.

Long exposure photography is the name given to the technique in which the camera's shutter is left open during a somewhat lengthy period of time. The resulting image captures the trail of moving objects in front of the camera, while showing still elements razor sharp.

Spot metering allows the camera to measure the light reflected from the person's face and expose properly for that, instead of adjusting exposure for the much brighter light around the hairline.

SOOC is an abbreviation of the photography term “Straight Out Of Camera”, simply meaning that an image can be good enough to print straight from the camera without further processing.

The Burn tool darkens areas of an image. The more you paint over an area with the Burn tool, the darker it becomes. From the toolbar, click and hold the icon for the Dodge, Burn, or Sponge retouching tool, whichever is active.

What is the Sharpen Tool? Adobe Photoshop includes a number of useful tools that allow you to accomplish a variety of effects in your images. One of those is the Sharpen tool, which enables you to tighten up a picture and make it clearer by making it sharper

The Select and Mask screen can be accessed by first selecting any of the Marquee tools, the Lasso tools, or the Quick Select tools. Once any of these tools is selected, the option to select and mask the current document will appear on the right side of the top toolbar.