The Odd Things Photographers Say (and What They Really Mean)

As photographers, we use a language of our own. Sometimes, we’re not even aware of how weird we sound. So, if you’ve ever caught yourself saying something utterly bizarre to a fellow photographer (or a bewildered client) and wondered, 

“Do I sound like a lunatic?” you’re not alone.

Here’s a peek into some of our strangest phrases and what we *really* mean. 

1. ”I love the grain in this one!” Translation: I forgot to change my ISO, but let’s pretend this was intentional. It gives the image that ‘vintage’ vibe… right?

 2. ”Just one more shot.” Translation: I’m about to take another 20 photos. This won’t end until my memory card is crying for mercy.

3. ”I need to chase the light.” Translation: I’m on a mission to find sunlight that’s going to make everyone look like they’re in a painting. Which means I’ll probably be running back and forth for the next hour. Just bear with me.

4. ”This composition needs more negative space.” Translation: I’m creating room for the artsy void, so don’t mind the empty patches. They’re intentional, trust me. 

5. ”Could you do that again but look less… aware of the camera?” Translation: I want you to look natural like you’re blissfully unaware of me lurking nearby. Think National Geographic, but for humans.

6. ”The golden hour waits for no one.” Translation: I need this shot *now*, and by “now,” I mean the sun is setting at 7:03 pm, so we have exactly two minutes to make magic happen. 

7. ”It’ll look better in post.” Translation: This shot isn’t perfect, but don’t worry — Lightroom and Photoshop will save the day. I hope. 

8. ”I’m just getting some candids.” Translation: I’m taking pictures of you without warning, so no awkward posing. Just act normal — or as normal as possible- knowing a camera is pointed at you.

9. ”I’ll fix it in Photoshop.” Translation: There’s a lot of stuff in this shot I didn’t notice until now, like the trash can in the corner. But, hey, I have the magic eraser tool. It’ll be like it never existed. 

10. ”This photo has great bokeh!” Translation: All those blurry background lights? Yeah, that’s not a mistake; it’s a feature. 

And yes, we are very proud of it. — In the end, photography is about capturing moments that are messy, beautiful, and sometimes a little bit odd. 

And while our jargon may sound strange, it’s all part of the creative chaos that makes photography so much fun. So next time you catch yourself talking in photography code, don’t worry. You’re in good company!

Let me know if you’d like to add anything more to this or if you’d like help posting it directly!