Magnification USA - Photography Terms & Glossary

Glossary Of Photography Terms [1]

Magnification Magnification in photography refers to the degree to which a subject appears larger in the final image compared to its actual size in real life. Magnification is determined by the focal length of the lens, the distance between the camera and the subject, and the size of the camera sensor or film frame. In macro photography, magnification is a critical factor in capturing highly detailed images of small subjects at close distances.

Magnification ratios, often expressed as fractions (e.g., 1:1, 1:2, 1:3), indicate the relationship between the size of the subject in the final image and its actual size in real life. A magnification ratio of 1:1 means that the subject appears life-size on the camera's image sensor, while higher magnification ratios (e.g., 2:1, 3:1) indicate greater enlargement of the subject relative to its actual size. Magnification is a key consideration for photographers when choosing lenses and camera setups for macro photography, as it directly influences the level of detail, depth of field, and composition of the final image.