This list includes 45 Photography words that start with G, from “GB” to “Guides”. They cover gear, shooting techniques, image properties, and production tools used across photography workflows.
Photography words that start with G are common terms, abbreviations, and concepts you meet in manuals and tutorials. Many reflect long traditions, like “golden hour”, which shaped outdoor portrait and landscape aesthetics.
Below you’ll find the table with Term, Definition, Usage, and Further reading.
Term: You can scan this column to find each word alphabetically and jump to entries you need.
Definition: You get a concise meaning and quick context that helps you understand each term at a glance.
Usage: Usage shows practical examples and common situations where you might apply the term in shooting or editing.
Further reading: Further reading links to deeper articles, tutorials, or equipment pages so you can learn more.
Photography words that start with G
| Term | Type | Category | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaffer | noun | workflow | Head electrician on set responsible for lighting |
| Gaffer tape | noun | equipment | Cloth-backed adhesive tape for securing cables and lights |
| Gamut | noun | setting | Range of colors a device or image can represent |
| Gamut warning | noun | workflow | Editing alert indicating colors fall outside printable/displayable gamut |
| Gamut mapping | technique | technique | Converting out-of-gamut colors into a target device’s color range |
| Gamma | noun | measurement | Midtone brightness curve parameter controlling tonal response |
| Gamma correction | technique | technique | Adjusting gamma to match display or output characteristics |
| Gaussian blur | effect | effect | Soft blur using a Gaussian function to smooth detail |
| Gaussian noise | noun | effect | Random pixel variation following a Gaussian distribution |
| GB | abbreviation | measurement | GB (gigabyte) — unit for digital storage and file size |
| GIF | abbreviation | file | GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) — image file supporting animation |
| Gimbal | noun | equipment | Motorized stabilizer for smooth camera movement |
| Gobo | noun | equipment | Pattern or cutout placed in front of light to shape output |
| Golden hour | noun | setting | Time shortly after sunrise or before sunset with warm light |
| Golden ratio | noun | technique | Composition rule based on ~1.618 ratio for balanced framing |
| Golden spiral | technique | technique | Composition guideline based on a logarithmic spiral derived from the golden ratio |
| Graduated ND filter | noun | equipment | Filter with variable density to darken bright skies |
| GND | abbreviation | equipment | GND (Graduated Neutral Density) — filter type for balancing exposures |
| Gradient map | technique | technique | Editing tool mapping image luminance to color gradients |
| Grain | noun | effect | Visible film or digital noise texture in images |
| Grain reduction | technique | technique | Removing or minimizing visible grain/noise in post-processing |
| Grain structure | noun | effect | Pattern and size distribution of grain or noise in an image |
| Grayscale | noun | setting | Image represented in shades of gray without color |
| Gray card | noun | equipment | 18% gray reference card for accurate exposure and white balance |
| Gray balance | noun | workflow | Adjusting tones so neutral grays render without color casts |
| Ghosting | noun | effect | Unwanted faint secondary images from lens reflections |
| Ghost image | noun | effect | Duplicate or faint image caused by reflections or sensor artifacts |
| Glare | noun | effect | Washed-out highlights or loss of contrast from stray light |
| Glass | noun | equipment | Slang for camera lenses or optical elements |
| Glossy | adjective | effect | High-shine print finish reflecting light |
| Giclée | noun | workflow | High-quality inkjet fine-art print using pigment inks |
| GPS | abbreviation | workflow | GPS (Global Positioning System) — location metadata for images |
| Geotagging | noun | workflow | Adding geographic coordinates to photo metadata |
| Guide number | noun | measurement | Flash power measure indicating distance at a given aperture |
| Grid | noun | equipment | Physical or fabric grid for modifiers to narrow light spread |
| Gridlines | noun | setting | On-screen compositional guides like rule-of-thirds overlays |
| Group | noun | setting | Flash grouping allowing independent control of multiple flashes |
| Green screen | noun | setting | Solid green background for chroma-key compositing |
| Gelling | technique | technique | Applying colored gels to lights for mood or color matching |
| Gain | noun | measurement | Sensor or amplifier signal boost, often measured as ISO equivalent |
| Geometric distortion | noun | effect | Lens-induced straight-line bending like barrel or pincushion distortion |
| GPU | abbreviation | equipment | GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) — hardware accelerating image processing |
| Glow | noun | effect | Soft luminous halo around highlights for dreamy look |
| Gelatin silver | noun | workflow | Traditional black-and-white photographic print process using silver gelatin |
| Guides | noun | workflow | Rulers and snap-to lines in editing/layout software |
Descriptions
Gaffer
The gaffer supervises lighting crews and implements the lighting plan on photo and film shoots.
Gaffer tape
Gaffer tape is durable, leaves minimal residue, and is preferred over duct tape on sets.
Gamut
A color gamut defines how vibrant or limited colors appear when captured, displayed, or printed.
Gamut warning
Gamut warnings help photographers correct or compress colors to avoid unexpected shifts when printing or exporting.
Gamut mapping
Gamut mapping preserves perceived color by remapping colors from one color space to another during export or printing.
Gamma
Gamma affects how midtones render; adjusting it brightens or darkens midtones without clipping blacks or whites.
Gamma correction
Gamma correction ensures images look consistent across monitors, printers, and web displays by compensating for device curves.
Gaussian blur
Gaussian blur reduces noise or creates shallow-focus effects in editing while preserving natural falloff.
Gaussian noise
Gaussian noise appears as fine grain introduced by sensor or processing, common in low-light images.
GB
Photographers track image sizes in GB when storing RAW files, backups, and video footage.
GIF
GIFs are limited to 256 colors but useful for short animations and small web graphics.
Gimbal
Gimbals reduce shake during handheld video and dynamic photo shoots for cinematic motion.
Gobo
Gobos create textured light or patterned shadows for creative studio or on-location lighting.
Golden hour
Photographers prize golden hour for soft, directional light and rich colors ideal for portraits and landscapes.
Golden ratio
Using the golden ratio guides pleasing subject placement and often leads to harmonious compositions.
Golden spiral
Photographers use the golden spiral to guide eye movement through an image toward focal points.
Graduated ND filter
Graduated ND filters balance exposure between bright skies and darker foregrounds without affecting colors.
GND
GND filters are marked soft or hard to suit horizon shapes and contrast levels.
Gradient map
Gradient maps are used for creative toning, duotones, and mood shifts in post-processing.
Grain
Grain can be stylistic or unwanted; film grain differs from sensor noise in character and distribution.
Grain reduction
Software tools reduce grain while attempting to preserve detail and sharpness.
Grain structure
Grain structure affects perceived sharpness and aesthetic; film stocks have characteristic grain structure.
Grayscale
Grayscale mode is used for black-and-white photography and tonal studies.
Gray card
Photographers use a gray card to set neutral white balance and consistent exposure across shots.
Gray balance
Gray balance helps produce natural-looking colors and consistent skin tones across images.
Ghosting
Ghosting reduces contrast and creates bright, often colored flares in high-contrast scenes.
Ghost image
Ghost images usually result from internal reflections or filter surfaces and can be reduced with lens hoods.
Glare
Glare lowers image contrast and is minimized with lens hoods, flags, or changing angles.
Glass
Photographers often refer to lenses simply as “glass” when discussing focal lengths and quality.
Glossy
Glossy prints show vivid colors and contrast but can reveal fingerprints and reflections.
Giclée
Giclée prints are valued for archival quality, color accuracy, and fine detail reproduction.
GPS
GPS embeds location coordinates into image metadata for geotagging and cataloging.
Geotagging
Geotagging organizes images by location and enables map-based browsing and location services.
Guide number
Use the guide number to calculate flash distance or required aperture for proper exposure.
Grid
Grids focus light into a tighter beam for more control and directional highlights.
Gridlines
Gridlines help align horizons, maintain straight architecture, and compose using guides.
Group
Groups let you assign power and modes to sets of flashes for complex lighting setups.
Green screen
Green screens isolate subjects for background replacement in studio and location shoots.
Gelling
Gels can correct color temperature or add creative color casts to scenes.
Gain
Increasing gain brightens capture but raises noise; it’s common in low-light or video.
Geometric distortion
Distortion alters architectural lines and is corrected in-camera lenses or in post-processing.
GPU
GPUs speed up editing tasks like noise reduction, rendering, and real-time previews.
Glow
Glow is often added intentionally in post to soften skin and evoke atmosphere.
Gelatin silver
Gelatin silver prints are classic darkroom prints prized for tonal depth and longevity.
Guides
Guides help align elements, maintain safe areas, and ensure consistent framing across images.