Here’s a glossary of image resolutions, formats, and related terms, tailored for photographers, designers, content creators, and tech professionals. This covers technical specifications, file types, and standards used across digital media.
🖼️ IMAGE RESOLUTIONS & FORMATS GLOSSARY
A
Aspect Ratio – Ratio of image width to height (e.g., 16:9, 4:3).
AI (Adobe Illustrator) File – Vector graphics format used for scalable illustrations.
Alpha Channel – Layer in an image defining transparency.
Animated GIF – Looping image format supporting multiple frames.
Anti-Aliasing – Technique to smooth jagged edges in images or text.
B
Bitmap / Raster Image – Image made of pixels; resolution-dependent.
BMP (Bitmap Image File) – Uncompressed raster format, large file size.
Bokeh – Blurred background effect in photography.
Batch Processing – Editing multiple images at once.
Background Layer – The base layer in an image editing program.
C
Compression / Lossy vs Lossless – Reducing file size; lossy loses data (JPEG), lossless preserves data (PNG).
Color Depth / Bit Depth – Number of bits per pixel; affects range of colors (8-bit, 16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit).
CMYK / Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black – Color model used for print.
Canvas Size / Document Size – Width and height of image workspace.
CR2 / Canon Raw 2 – Raw image format used by Canon cameras.
D
DPI (Dots Per Inch) – Resolution for printing; number of ink dots per inch.
Depth Map – Image layer containing distance information for 3D or focus effects.
Dynamic Range – Range of brightness values an image can capture.
DNG (Digital Negative) – Adobe’s universal raw image format.
Downsampling / Resampling – Reducing image resolution or pixel count.
E
EXIF Data / Metadata – Camera settings and information embedded in images (ISO, shutter speed, GPS).
Edge Detection – Technique to identify object boundaries.
equirectangular projection – Image format used for 360° photography.
Editing Layer / Adjustment Layer – Non-destructive edits applied in software like Photoshop.
EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) – Vector graphics format for print and illustration.
F
File Format / Extension – Type of image file (JPEG, PNG, TIFF, GIF, HEIF).
Focal Length – Distance between camera lens and sensor affecting image field of view.
Frame / Canvas – Boundaries of an image or layer.
Flattening / Merging Layers – Combining multiple layers into one.
Flat Image – Image without layers or editable elements.
G
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) – Compressed image format supporting animations and transparency.
Grayscale / Monochrome – Image with shades of gray only.
Gamma Correction – Adjusting image brightness non-linearly.
Gigapixel / High-Resolution Image – Extremely high-resolution images for detailed prints.
Gradient Map – Mapping grayscale image to a gradient of colors.
H
HDR (High Dynamic Range Imaging) – Combining multiple exposures for better detail in highlights and shadows.
Histogram – Graph showing distribution of brightness levels in an image.
Hue / Saturation / Lightness (HSL) – Color adjustment parameters in image editing.
Hex / Color Code – Six-digit code representing colors digitally (#FFFFFF).
HEIC / HEIF (High-Efficiency Image File Format) – Efficient format for Apple devices, supports compression and transparency.
I
Image Resolution / Pixel Dimensions – Width × height in pixels (e.g., 1920×1080).
Interpolation / Resampling – Adding or removing pixels to change image size.
ICC Profile / Color Profile – Data describing how colors should appear on devices.
ISO / Sensitivity – Camera sensor sensitivity affecting image exposure.
iHDR / Intelligent HDR – AI-enhanced HDR processing in modern cameras and smartphones.
J
JPEG / JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) – Popular compressed raster format; lossy compression.
JPEG 2000 – Advanced JPEG variant supporting higher compression and quality.
JPG XR / Extended Range – Supports HDR and transparency.
JPG Mini / Optimized JPEG – Reduced-size JPEG maintaining quality for web use.
K
Key Color / Transparency Key – Color replaced with transparency in compositing.
Knockout / Alpha Knockout – Technique for isolating objects or layers.
Kelvin (K) / Color Temperature – Measurement of light color in photography.
L
Layer / Adjustment Layer – Editable overlays for effects in editing software.
Lossless Compression – Reduces file size without losing image quality (PNG, TIFF).
Lossy Compression – Reduces file size by discarding some data (JPEG).
Lightroom / Image Editor – Software for photo editing and RAW development.
Linear Color Space / Gamma Corrected – Method for processing colors in software or devices.
M
Megapixel / MP – One million pixels; describes camera sensor resolution.
Mask / Layer Mask – Allows selective editing of image areas.
Metadata / EXIF / IPTC – Embedded info about the image, camera settings, and copyright.
Monochrome / Grayscale – Image using a single color channel.
Morph / Warp Tool – Image transformation for distortion or artistic effect.
N
Noise / Grain – Random variations in brightness or color in images, often from low light.
Normal Map / 3D Map – Data representing surface normals for 3D rendering.
Native Resolution / Sensor Resolution – Original size captured by the camera sensor.
Non-Destructive Editing – Edits that do not overwrite the original image.
Number of Channels / RGB / CMYK – Separate color layers in an image.
O
Opacity / Transparency – Level of visibility of a layer or object.
Overlay / Composite – Combining images or effects on top of each other.
OpenEXR – High dynamic range raster format used in professional visual effects.
Orientation / Portrait vs Landscape – Image vertical or horizontal layout.
Output Sharpening / Export Settings – Adjusting image sharpness for display or print.
P
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) – Lossless format supporting transparency.
PPI (Pixels Per Inch) – Resolution for screen display.
Pixel / Picture Element – Smallest unit of a digital image.
Palette / Indexed Color – Limited set of colors in a file (GIF, PNG-8).
Post-Processing / Retouching – Editing done after image capture.
Q
Quality Setting / Compression Level – Degree of compression affecting image file size and quality.
Quick Export / Preset – Shortcut for saving images with predefined settings.
Quadtree Compression / Image Segmentation – Technique in graphics for optimization.
R
RAW / Digital Negative – Unprocessed image data directly from sensor (NEF, CR2, ARW).
Resolution / Dimensions – Width × height in pixels, or detail level for print.
Raster / Bitmap – Pixel-based images, resolution dependent.
RGB / Red, Green, Blue – Color model used for digital screens.
Retina / High-DPI Display – Screen with higher pixel density for sharper images.
S
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) – Vector image format, resolution-independent.
Sharpening / Unsharp Mask – Editing to enhance perceived detail.
Saturation / Color Intensity – Strength of colors in an image.
Sampling / Anti-Aliasing – Process to reduce jagged edges.
Stereo / 3D Images – Images with depth information for 3D viewing.
T
TIFF / TIF (Tagged Image File Format) – High-quality raster format, often uncompressed.
Transparency / Alpha Channel – Portion of image allowing background to show through.
Thumbnail / Preview Image – Small version of image used for browsing.
Tonal Range / Histogram – Range of brightness levels in an image.
Texture Map / Bump Map – Image used to add surface detail in 3D rendering.
U
Upscaling / Resampling – Increasing image resolution, often using interpolation or AI.
Uncompressed / Original File – Image stored without compression.
UV Mapping – Coordinates linking 2D images to 3D models.
Undo / History / Non-Destructive Workflow – Reverting edits without losing original image.
Ultra HD / 4K / 8K – High-resolution standards for display or capture.
V
Vector Image / Vector Graphics – Image defined by paths, not pixels; scalable without loss.
Vignette / Edge Darkening – Effect darkening edges for aesthetic focus.
Vertical Resolution / Pixel Height – Number of pixels along vertical axis.
Visual Noise Reduction / Denoise – Removing unwanted artifacts.
Volume Rendering / 3D Image – Imaging technique for volumetric data.
W
WebP / Web Graphics Format – Compressed image format optimized for web.
Watermark / Copyright Overlay – Logo or text embedded for ownership.
White Balance / Color Correction – Adjusting colors to match real-life lighting.
Wide Color Gamut / AdobeRGB / ProPhoto RGB – Larger range of colors for professional work.
Workflow / Image Pipeline – Sequence of steps from capture to final output.
X
XMP Metadata / Extensible Metadata Platform – Adobe standard for storing image info.
X-Resolution / Y-Resolution – Pixel density in horizontal and vertical directions.
XCF / GIMP File – Native editable file format for GIMP.
Y
YUV / Color Space / Luma & Chroma – Separates brightness and color components for video or images.
Yield / Export Success Rate – Successful conversion or rendering of images.
Y-Axis Orientation / Coordinate System – Vertical reference in image processing.
Z
Zoom / Digital Zoom / Optical Zoom – Magnification of image; optical maintains quality.
Z-Depth / Depth Map – Stores distance info for 3D or post-processing effects.
Zero Compression / Lossless Storage – Image saved without quality loss.
Zone System / Exposure Zones – Photography technique for controlling exposure levels.
Published 17th Feb. 2026