In most towns, if not all, young Gen Zs have redeoned the art of photography.

With just a good camera and a high end phone, they are able to take shots and edit them instantly and send them to you at a price of Ksh100 or according to one’s rating.

But besides that, there is a whole language behind photography that many people hear but do not fully understand.

You might hear a photographer say “let’s do a wider shot” or “I need a close up,” and you just nod along.

Understanding these terms not only helps you communicate better but also improves how you take your own photos, even using a phone.

Wider shot

A wider shot is used when you want to capture more than just the main subject. It includes the surroundings to give context to the image.

Imagine you are at a graduation ceremony. Instead of just taking a photo of one person, a wider shot captures the person, the crowd, the stage, and even the decorations. It tells a fuller story.

This type of shot is useful in events, travel, and group photography because it shows where the moment is happening, not just who is in it.

Close up

A close up brings the camera closer to the subject, reducing distractions from the background. The goal is to focus attention on one specific thing.

Think of taking a photo of someone during a birthday celebration. Instead of showing the entire room, you zoom in on their face while they are smiling or blowing candles. You capture emotion more clearly.

Close ups are commonly used in portraits because they help the viewer connect with the subject on a more personal level.

Extreme close up

An extreme close up goes even deeper. It focuses on a very small detail that might not be noticed in a normal photo.

For example, instead of capturing the whole face, you zoom into just the eyes or even a single feature like lips or hands.

In product photography, this could be the texture of a shoe or the design on a watch.

This kind of shot highlights details and creates a strong visual impact. It is often used in creative photography and advertising.

Iris

The iris is part of the camera that controls how much light enters the lens. It works almost the same way as the human eye.

If you walk outside on a sunny day, your eyes adjust to reduce the amount of light. When you are in a dark room, your eyes open up to let in more light.

The camera iris does the same thing.

When taking photos in bright conditions, the iris reduces light to avoid overexposure. In darker settings, it allows more light in so the image can be clear.

Aperture

Aperture refers to the size of the opening that allows light into the camera. It works closely with the iris and plays a big role in how your photo looks.

In real life, if you are taking a portrait and want the background to appear blurred while the subject remains sharp, you use a wider aperture. This creates that soft, professional look many people like.

If you are taking a landscape photo and want everything to be clear, from the front to the background, you use a smaller aperture.

Understanding aperture helps you control both light and focus, which are key to taking better photos.

Final thought

Photography is not just about pointing a camera and clicking. It is about understanding how to frame, focus, and control light.

These common terms may sound technical at first, but once you relate them to everyday situations, they become easy to understand.

With the rise of mobile photography and young creatives across towns, knowing these basics can help you stand out and even communicate better with photographers when you need that perfect shot.

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