Terminology question

[Marcel]

Why do we 'stop down' but not 'stop up'?

 

[Kerioak]

Personally speaking stopping down with the state of my back and hips is much more favourable to stopping up. I used to stop up a lot more when I was younger so perhaps it is an age thing

 

[alexkidd]

i have to be honest i don't think i've said either

 

[purpleclouds]

At weddings, you're always (incorrectly) asked to be upstanding, yet never downseating!

Oh sorry....I mentioned the W word

 

[nigpd]

I always ask my GF to stop down but she invariable stops up

 

[-Rob-]

I stop up quite often. Last night I stopped up until 3am. I'm tired today though.

 

[jerry12953]

Why do we 'stop down' but not 'stop up'?

We "open up", don't we, which figures.

It would be more logical to "close down".

 

[Marcel]

Well we shoot wide open, but we dont shoot 'almost closed'.

 

[Munchkinn]

Call it what you like as long as you know what you are doing!

 

[PsiFox]

fork andles

 

[Chaz Photos]

AS I see it is F-stop's so if you require less light or more DoF then you need an f-stop down to a smaller opening
IMHO

 

[Marcel]

So why not f-stop up to a bigger one

 

[HoppyUK]

You open up, to a lower f/number, and a wider aperture. Especially with fast glass.

Helpful innit.

Why don't we just say brighter or darker?

 

[Kerioak]

Photography is a bit like cricket in its back to front terminology - then again, photography is a LOT easier to understand than cricket commentary

 

[StewartR]

photography is a LOT easier to understand than cricket commentary

It's a genetic thing. Cricket commentary is like the offside rule - the ability to understand it is conveyed on the Y chromosone. I mean, stuff like nurdling it down to fine leg or serving up some chin music makes perfect sense to all the blokes in the office, but none of the girls.

 

[buckas]

talking about strange sayings

what about chopping a tree down, then chopping it up

 

[HoppyUK]

talking about strange sayings

what about chopping a tree down, then chopping it up

I like that one

I've never heard of chin music, but I know exactly what it means. Let's serve some up to those Aussies

 

[Caledonia]

fork andles

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[Marcel]

It's a genetic thing. Cricket commentary is like the offside rule - the ability to understand it is conveyed on the Y chromosone. I mean, stuff like nurdling it down to fine leg or serving up some chin music makes perfect sense to all the blokes in the office, but none of the girls.

*Checks pants*

That meant nothing to me