| Kelvin |
Temperature scale used to define the color of a light source; abbreviated as "K." [See color temperature.] |
| Key light |
Principal illumination source on a subject or scene, normally positioned slightly off center and angled to provide shadow detail. [See back light, fill light, three-point lighting.] |
| keyframe |
A complete image, used as a reference for subsequent images. To keep the data rate low, other frames only have data for the parts of the picture that change. |
| Keystoning |
Perspective distortion from a flat object being shot by a camera at other than a perpendicular angle. Nearer portion of object appears larger than farther part. |
| Kicker |
Also called a "hair light." Placed behind the subject to create a glamorous halo effect on the hair or a rugged-looking highlight on the cheek. Helps separate the subject from the background. |
| Kilowatt (kW) |
The standard unit by which electric power capacity is measured. One kilowatt is equal to 1000 watts. |
| Kilowatt-Hour (kWh) |
The standard unit of measurement of large quantities of energy consumed over time. |
| Kinescope |
Also called "Kine." A method of making a film copy of a television program in the days before the existence of Video Recorders. A movie camera was aimed at a specially designed television monitor. Before video recorders were invented this was the only means of recording TV programs. Many kinescopes are now over 40 years old and have the potential to outlast videotapes that were created much later. |
