This list includes 37 Photography words that start with V, from “V-Sync” to “Volume (audio)”. They cover camera settings, lens and lighting terms, capture techniques, and common post-processing concepts used in shooting and editing.
Photography words that start with V are concise terms photographers use for settings, effects, and equipment. For example, “vignetting” comes from early lenses and still describes a popular stylistic effect.
Below you’ll find the table with Term, Definition, and Notes.
Term: The exact word or abbreviation you look up to quickly find its meaning and related topics.
Definition: A short, clear explanation so you understand the term and can apply it in your photography work.
Notes: Brief usage tips, context, or links to deeper articles that help you use the term correctly.
Photography words that start with V
| Term | Type | Abbreviation/Alternate | Typical units/Values |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vignetting | noun | — | stops, % brightness |
| Viewfinder | equipment | OVF/EVF | — |
| Viewing angle | noun | Viewing angle | degrees |
| Video | noun/format | — | fps, resolution |
| Video codec | noun | — | Mbps |
| Video resolution | noun | — | 720p, 1080p, 4K |
| Video bitrate | noun | — | 5–100 Mbps |
| Video mode | setting | — | fps, resolution |
| Variable ND filter | equipment | VND | 1–8 stops |
| Variable aperture | feature | — | f/1.8–f/22 |
| Vlog | noun/technique | vlogging | — |
| Visual weight | noun | composition | — |
| Value | noun | — | EV, stops |
| Vanishing point | noun | composition | — |
| Vibrance | post-processing | — | % slider |
| Vibration reduction | equipment | VR | 1–5 stops |
| Vertical format | composition | — | portrait orientation |
| Vectorscope | tool | — | IRE, % saturation |
| VFX | post-production | Visual effects | — |
| Visible spectrum | noun/science | — | 380–750 nm |
| Voice coil motor | equipment | VCM | — |
| Variable frame rate | setting | VFR | fps |
| Vertical parallax | noun | issue | pixels, mm |
| Visual storytelling | technique | — | — |
| Visual balance | composition | — | — |
| Vivid (picture style) | setting | Vivid | — |
| V-Sync | technology | VSync | Hz |
| View camera | equipment | — | 4×5″, 8×10″ etc |
| Vari-angle screen | equipment | — | degrees articulated |
| Vector mask | post-production | — | — |
| Volume (audio) | setting | — | dB |
| Video noise | noun | — | ISO, dB |
| Video stabilization | feature | — | stops, degrees |
| Virtual reality | format | VR | 360°, stereoscopic |
| Vertical perspective | composition | — | degrees |
| Vanishing line | noun | — | — |
| Visual center | composition | — | — |
Descriptions
Vignetting
Darkening of image corners relative to the center, caused by lenses, filters, or sensor shading; removable in-camera or in editing.
Viewfinder
Device used to compose and frame a photo; optical viewfinders (OVF) are glass, electronic viewfinders (EVF) show a live digital image.
Viewing angle
The angle at which a display or camera can be viewed without contrast loss; important for screens and monitor accuracy.
Video
Moving-image capture mode measured in frames per second and resolution; used for motion work and multimedia content.
Video codec
Compression algorithm for video files (e.g., H.264, HEVC); balances quality and file size during recording and export.
Video resolution
Number of pixels in a frame, e.g., 1,920×1,080 (1080p) or 3,840×2,160 (4K), determining image detail.
Video bitrate
Data rate of recorded video; higher bitrates preserve detail and reduce compression artifacts at the cost of larger files.
Video mode
Camera setting optimized for motion capture, adjusting frame rate, autofocus behavior, and exposure for video shooting.
Variable ND filter
Neutral density filter with adjustable light reduction; useful for controlling exposure and shutter speed in bright conditions.
Variable aperture
Lens design where maximum aperture changes across the zoom range, common in consumer zoom lenses.
Vlog
Short for video blog; content creators use cameras to record and edit sequences for online storytelling and tutorials.
Visual weight
Perceived importance of elements in a frame that directs viewer attention; influenced by size, contrast, color, and placement.
Value
Brightness of tones in an image from black to white; critical for exposure decisions and tonal editing.
Vanishing point
Point where parallel lines converge in perspective, used to create depth and guide composition.
Vibrance
Color adjustment that boosts muted colors while protecting already saturated tones, useful for natural-looking saturation.
Vibration reduction
In-camera or in-lens stabilization that reduces blur from hand shake, measured in stops of exposure advantage.
Vertical format
Frame orientation taller than it is wide, often used for portraits, full-body shots, and tall subjects.
Vectorscope
Video-monitoring tool that displays color hue and saturation distribution, useful for broadcast-safe color grading.
VFX
Digital effects and compositing added after shooting to create elements not captured in-camera or enhance scenes.
Visible spectrum
Range of electromagnetic wavelengths human eyes and standard cameras detect, roughly 380 to 750 nanometers.
Voice coil motor
Small, quiet motor used in many autofocus lens designs to move elements quickly and precisely.
Variable frame rate
Recording mode allowing frame-rate changes during capture for slow- or fast-motion effects; measured in frames per second.
Vertical parallax
Vertical misalignment between overlapping images that causes stitching errors in panoramas and composites.
Visual storytelling
Using composition, light, sequence, and subject to convey narrative or emotion across single images or series.
Visual balance
Distribution of visual weight across a frame to create harmony, tension, or focal emphasis.
Vivid (picture style)
Camera picture profile that increases color saturation and contrast for punchier, more saturated images.
V-Sync
Vertical synchronization that aligns frame output to display refresh to prevent tearing during playback or live view.
View camera
Large-format camera with bellows and adjustable front/back standards, used for perspective control and high detail.
Vari-angle screen
Articulating LCD that tilts and swivels, aiding composition from low, high, or awkward angles.
Vector mask
A Photoshop mask defined by vector paths for precise, scalable selections and clean-edged cutouts.
Volume (audio)
Audio level control when recording video; measured in decibels and important for clean, undistorted sound.
Video noise
Random luminance or color speckles in video footage, increasing at high ISO, low light, or heavy compression.
Video stabilization
Hardware or software that reduces camera shake in motion footage to produce smoother video.
Virtual reality
Immersive 360° or stereoscopic imaging and display used for interactive photography and immersive experiences.
Vertical perspective
Perspective effect caused by camera tilt that changes apparent vertical scale, often used to emphasize height.
Vanishing line
Line in the image that leads to a vanishing point, used to create depth and draw the eye.
Visual center
Area slightly above the geometric center where viewers tend to focus first; useful for placing key subjects.