telephoto
Far-off lens type
Telephoto describes a camera lens that magnifies distant subjects, making them appear closer than they are: a telephoto lens, telephoto shot.
The term combines "telephone" logic—reaching across distance—with photography.
Telephoto lenses compress perspective, flattening the apparent depth between foreground and background.
Wildlife photographers and sports shooters rely on them to capture subjects they can't physically approach.
Rapid movement or magnification
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- enlargementIncrease in size
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- reachExtend to touch
focal length · long-range · close-up · cropping · extension · amplification
Light-focusing curved glass
- primeReadying for action
- zoom lensAdjustable-magnification camera optic
- teleconverterLens attachment adding magnification
- extenderThing that adds length
tripod · monopod · gimbal · lens hood · filter · image stabilization · lens mount · barrel
Adjustable optical inlet
- shutterHinged window covering
- exposureState of being unprotected
- bokehAesthetic quality of defocus
- portraitArtistic depiction of someone
shallow depth · wildlife · sports · birding · safari · paparazzi · surveillance · astrophotography
Lens-to-convergence-point distance
- refractionWave bending between media
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
- fluoriteCalcium-based cubic mineral
- coatingsApplied surface layers
distortion · vignetting · flare · sharpness · resolution · contrast
At great distance
- remoteDistant or controller
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- inaccessibleCannot be reached
- unreachableCannot be accessed
stadium · arena · stage · runway · wildlife blind · observation · reconnaissance · lookout
zoom
Rapid movement or magnification
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- enlargementIncrease in size
- compressionForcing into smaller space
reach · focal length · long-range · close-up · cropping · extension · amplification
lens
Light-focusing curved glass
- primeReadying for action
- zoom lensAdjustable-magnification camera optic
- teleconverterLens attachment adding magnification
extender · tripod · monopod · gimbal · lens hood · filter · image stabilization · lens mount · barrel
aperture
Adjustable optical inlet
shallow depth · portrait · wildlife · sports · birding · safari · paparazzi · surveillance · astrophotography · airshow
focal length
Lens-to-convergence-point distance
- refractionWave bending between media
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
- fluoriteCalcium-based cubic mineral
coatings · distortion · vignetting · flare · sharpness · resolution · contrast
faraway
At great distance
- remoteDistant or controller
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- inaccessibleCannot be reached
unreachable · stadium · arena · stage · runway · wildlife blind · observation · reconnaissance · lookout
- zoom lenseswide-angle, superzoom, 70-200mm, 100-400mm
- photographycamera, flash, lens, shooting, aperture
- tele- wordstelevision, TV, telegram, telecom, teleport
- camera gearcamera, lens, tripod, flash, filters
- phone photographycamera phone, smartphone camera, selfie, front camera, rear camera
- photo termssharp, blurry, JPEG, bright, dark
telephotowide-angle
Encompassing broad vistas
wide · ultrawide · ultra-wide · fisheye · panoramic
- telephone numberCode to connect calls
- telephone poleTall post carrying wires
- telephone callSpoken exchange via handset
- telephone lineWired voice transmission channel
- telephone boothEnclosed public payphone station
- telephone bookPublished listing of subscribers