L*a*b* is a colour model developed by the Centre Internationale D'Éclairage (CIE). These standards are internationally accepted standards for all colormetric measurements. The Lab model, like other CIE colour models, defines colour values mathematically, in a device independent manner. Lab colour is consistent colour regardless of the device producing the colour.

An image formed by the changes to the silver halide grains in photographic emulsion on exposure to light. The image is not visible until chemical development takes place.

Liquid Crystal Display: a low-power monitor often used on the top and/or rear of a digital camera to display settings or the photo itself.

A box of fluorescent tubes balanced for white light and covered with translucent glass or plastic. Used for viewing, registering or correcting prints , film negatives and positives.

Is an alternate term for exposure meter.

A general term applied to any source of light used in photography.

Refers to any room or containers that is absolutely dark inside, allowing no unwanted light to penetrate.

The ratio between the key and fill lights.

An image type made up of black and white pixels only.

Images containing only black and white pixels. Line art may also include one-colour image, such as mechanical blue prints or drawings.

"A scanning device that uses a linear array CCD. The linear array "sees" one line of the image at a time, and the linear array is moved past the image or the image is moved past the linear array in steps in order to capture the entire image area"

The degree to which the input of a signal is proportional to the output.

Very high contrast film, which gives pure blacks and whites and no grays. Lith paper is a very high contrast paper, though it does normally give some grays with all but the contrastiest negatives.

Some of the newer digital cameras are now coming with a lithium rechargeable battery pack. Lithium batteries are lighter and more costly than NiMH or NiCd type of rechargeable cells and can be rapidly charted.

Is the logarithmic value ( to the base 10 ) of the relative brightness exposed on the film when undergoing sensitometric testing.

A method of image compression where there is no loss in quality when the image is uncompressed. The uncompressed image is mathematically identical to its original. Lossless compression is usually lower in compression radio than lossy compression.

A method of image compression where some image quality is sacrificed in exchange for higher compression ratios. The amount of quality degradation depends on the compression algorithm used and a user selected quality variable.

(lines per inch) The unit of measure for halftone line screen frequency, or how many halftone cells occur in an inch.

"Lightness. The highest of the individual RGB values plus the lowest of the individual RGB values, divided by two

The brightness of either a light source or a reflective surface.

(Look-Up Table) The table of colours a computer can display at a given time.

A measurement of the light intensity. One Lux in video means light level of a candle light. l Lux approximately equals to 10 footcandles (1 Lux = 10.764 fc).

A compression scheme used to reduce the size of image files.