Digital Post-Processing & Editing Flashcards
6 cards from real Photography and Media practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Digital Post-Processing & Editing flashcards as text
What is a 'layer mask' in Adobe Photoshop?
Answer: A grayscale channel that controls the transparency of its associated layer without deleting pixels
A layer mask uses a grayscale channel attached to a layer where white reveals, black conceals, and gray partially reveals the layer content — non-destructively.
What is 'color grading' in photo and video post-production?
Answer: Adjusting and stylizing the colors and tones of an image for aesthetic or narrative effect
Color grading is the creative process of stylizing the colors, tones, and mood of an image or video beyond technical correction, to achieve a desired look or feel.
What does 'clipping' mean when it appears on a photo histogram?
Answer: Tonal values that have been pushed beyond the recoverable range — pure black or pure white with no detail
Clipping occurs when shadow or highlight values exceed the sensor's range, resulting in areas of pure black or pure white with no recoverable detail.
What is 'frequency separation' used for in portrait retouching?
Answer: Splitting texture (high frequency) from color/tone (low frequency) for independent retouching
Frequency separation splits an image into texture detail (high frequency) and color/tone (low frequency) layers, allowing skin retouching without destroying natural texture.
What is the purpose of 'RAW conversion' software (like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One)?
Answer: Interpreting the raw sensor data and applying processing decisions to produce a viewable image
RAW conversion software interprets the unprocessed sensor data, applying demosaicing, white balance, tone curves, and other adjustments to produce a finished image.
What does 'vignetting' refer to in photography?
Answer: Darkening or lightening of the edges and corners of an image relative to the center
Vignetting is the gradual darkening (or sometimes lightening) of an image's edges and corners, caused optically by the lens or added deliberately in post-processing.