Actinic
Ability of light to cause a chemical or physical change in a substance.
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actinic light
a ray of light that is composed of short wavelengths as found in the ultraviolet and violet areas of the spectrum; capable of changing the properties of photosensitive materials on exposure to the light source.
-Actinic - the ability of light to cause a chemical or physical change in a substance.
-Actinometer - early type of exposure calculator.
-Acuity - subjective term for the visual sharpness of an image.
-Chemical focus - point at which a lens brings the actinic rays to focus. In a modern fully corrected lens, chemical and visual focus coincide.
-Chemical fog - even, overall density on film or paper. It is exaggerated by over-development.
Today, photographers can simulate the Sabatier effect by using an actinic light during the development process. However, while the Sabatier effect can produce dramatically intense photos, it is a difficult technique to master and consistently produce.
In modern film photography, this effect can be emulated for artistic effect by briefly exposing the film to actinic light during chemical development. However, because of the speed of modern films, the effect is much more commonly seen in printing.
Sensitive
In photography, refers to materials that react to the actinic power of light.
Some films release into the developer a red dye which absorbs some of the actinic light of the Sabatier exposure.
 See also: Light, Print, Photograph, Film, Image
  
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