A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Macrograph - A photograph that is the same size as or larger than the subject.

Macro lens - A lens specifically constructed for close-up photography, having its elements designed to give their best results when the subject is close to the camera. The special focusing mechanism of a macro lens permits sharp pictures from as close as three inches, which makes it possible to record subjects life-size on film, Macro lenses are also used for normal photo­graphy at ordinary subject distances.

Macrophotography - Photography of a subject where the image is recorded in the same or larger than actual size.

Macroscopic - Visible to the naked eye, as opposed to Microscopic, which means so small as to be invisible or indistinct without the use of a microscope.

Magazine - A light-proof metal container for 35 mm film, also known as a cartridge.

Main light -  Same as “Key light”- the principal source of light, usually in a studio, and generally the brightest light on a subject or scene.

Make-up Artist - A person who specializes in applying and touching up a subject's make-up for photography sessions.

Mask - (1) Opaque material (usually thin plastic) placed in front of the lens like a filter to block some of the light entering a lens. The mask may have a cut-out shape (a keyhole or heart-shape, for example) or may block half of the image frame to facilitate a double-exposure. (2) Opaque frame used to hold down the edges of photographic paper when making a print. Since the margin area beneath the mask is not printed, the print will have a white border.

Masking - The ad of blocking out light from selected areas of an image for various purposes; for example, to cover the edges of a piece of printing paper during exposure to produce white borders.

Medium format film - 120 roll film is the most popular medium-sized format film, and provides negatives or slides (transparencies) that are 2¼” by 2¼” (6 x 6 cm), 2¼” by 3¼”, or 6 x 7 cm in size. 220 roll film is used to make the same negative and slide sizes, but has most of the paper backing that is found on 120 film eliminated, so the roll is longer than a 120 roll and provides twice as many frames as 120 film.

Microprism collar - Focusing aid in a viewfinder screen composed of small glass or plastic multiple prisms. An image that is in focus appears sharp and clear; an out-of-focus image has a broken-up, shimmery appearance. Called a collar because it is ring-shaped and encircles the centre area of the lens (which may have a split-image screen in it) like a collar.

Midtone - Area of an image or a scene that displays average tonal values.

Mid-roll rewind - Feature on some cameras that permits the film to be rewound before the final frame is exposed.

Miniature camera - Camera with a film format smaller than APS film.

Mirror lens - A lens that uses curved mirrors to reflect light back and forth and so create a long focal length within a physically compact body. The main disadvantage of the mirror lens is that the aperture is fixed and usu­ally quite small, preventing any control of depth of field. Light intensity can be regulated to a degree by use of a neutral density (ND) filter. Otherwise, exposures must be controlled by shutter speeds. The telltale product of the mirror lens 5 the ringed appearance of out-of focus highlights, known as "doughnuts", which can be used to striking effect. Such distortion is due to a blind spot in the lens, caused by placing the front mirror in the center of the first lens element.

Modelling light - A light built into a flash unit that remains on while the flash is turned on in standby mode, permitting the photographer to assess highlight and shadow areas that will be created when subsequently exposing the film in the brighter light of the flash. The modelling light also permits focusing.

Model release - A contract in which a model consents to the use of his or her images by the photographer or a third party. Sometimes referred to simply as a "release."

Monochrome - An image of a single colour in differing shades, descriptive of a black and white or sepia-toned image.

Monopod - A single-legged camera support that functions in a manner similar to a tripod. Also may be called a "Unipod."

Montage - (1) Technique of combining in a single photographic composition elements from various sources, such as parts of different photographs. (2) A photographic image produced by this technique.

Motor drive - Camera accessory (either built in or attached as a separate unit to some cameras) that automatically advances the film when an image has been taken and continues to recock and fire the shutter continuously, taking a rapid sequence of exposures at a predetermined rate of frames per second. A motor drive usually also rewinds the film when the roll has been completely-exposed.

Motor winder - Camera motor that automatically advances the film when an image has been taken, and usually also rewinds the film when the roll has been completely-exposed.

Mount - Frame or backing used to support and protect prints and transparencies. A transparency is generally called a slide once it is in a mount.

Multiple exposure - The recording of two or more images on the same frame of film. This can be achieved in a number of ways. Some cameras have a multiple exposure control that lets you recock the shutter without advancing the film, On cameras without this facility you can recock the shutter after pressing in the rewind release, keeping the film taut by constant pressure on the rewind lever Another technique is to expose the same film twice, taking care to align it so the frame positions match up for the second exposure.

Multiple flash - Simultaneous use of more than one flash unit.