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

ND - Neutral Density.

Negative - An image in which the brightness values are reversed - that is, reproduced so that the lightest areas are the darkest, the darkest areas are the lightest, and intermediate tones are similarly reversed. "Negative” commonly refers to such an image on exposed and developed photographic film that is intended for use in making positive prints of the image.

Negative holder - A clamp-like device that fixes a negative in position in an enlarger.

NEGATIVE-POSITIVE PROCESS - Any photographic process in which a negative is first made and then used to produce a positive image (e.g. a print)

NEUTRAL DENSITY FILTER - Filter for use in front of the lens that absorbs all visible wavelengths to a more or less equal extent. ND filters can be used with both monochrome and color films, since they have no effect on color balance.

Neutral test card - Also known as the “Gray card” or a "Kodak neutral test card," this is an 8" X 10" (20 cm by 25.5 cm) card, about 1/8" thick, that is uniformly gray on one side. The gray side reflects precisely 18% of the white light that strikes it (corresponding to the calibration of a reflected-light meter). It is uniformly white on the other side, which reflects 90% of the light.

Ni-Cd - Nickel-cadmium. Also referred to as "Ni-cad". A NiCd battery is one type of rechargeable battery that should be completely discharged of its energy before it is recharged.

NiMH - Nickel Metal Hydride. A NiMH battery is one type of rechargeable battery that does not need to be completely discharged of its energy before it can be recharged.

Non-lens spotlight - A light with variable field and beam angles obtained by changing the spacing between the bulb and reflector.

Normal Lens - Lens with a focal length approximately equal to the diagonal of the film format. A scene viewed through a normal lens appears to have the same perspective as if it was being viewed “normally” without a lens, just the way your eye sees it. Most 35 mm cameras' normal lenses have a focal length of approximately 50 mm.