This list includes 10 Photography words that start with Y, from “Y channel” to “Yoke”. They are mostly technical terms, abbreviations, and equipment names used in shooting, lighting, and post-production.
Photography words that start with Y are concise terms photographers, editors, and technicians use to describe gear, processes, or settings. For example, the “Y channel” is essential for luminance and color separation in printing and video workflows.
Below you’ll find the table with Term, Definition, Usage, and Related links.
Term: The term column shows the photography word or abbreviation starting with Y, so you can find entries quickly.
Definition: A short, plain-language explanation that gives the essential meaning in one or two sentences for quick reference.
Usage: Practical notes on how and where you will see the term, and how it applies to shoots or editing.
Related links: Curated links to deeper articles, tutorials, or product pages so you can explore examples and detailed guidance.
Photography words that start with Y
| Term | Category | Common Units / Typical values | Alternate spellings/Abbrev. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y channel | theory | luminance 0–255 or 0–1 | Y, luma, luma channel |
| YCbCr | color space | Y,Cb,Cr components; 0–255 ranges | Y’CbCr, YCC |
| YUV | color space | Y,U,V components; subsampling common | Y’UV, YUV420 |
| YUV 4:2:0 | color subsystem | subsampling ratios 4:2:0, 4:2:2, 4:4:4 | YUV420, YUV 4:2:0 |
| YCC | color space | luma/chroma components | YCbCr abbreviation |
| Yellow filter | accessory | filter factor ~1–4 stops; warming effect | Y filter |
| Yellowing | conservation | occurs over years; humidity/heat factors | print yellowing, paper yellowing |
| Yoke | accessory | mount sizes vary by light/model | yoke mount |
| Yaw | technique/movement | rotation 0–360°; degrees | yaw axis |
| Y-axis | theory | pixels, degrees, or mm depending on context | vertical axis |