Photography (IPA: /fә'tɑgrәfi/ or /foʊ'tɑgrәfi/) is the process of recording pictures by means of capturing light on a light-sensitive medium, such   as a film or electronic sensor. Light patterns reflected or emitted from objects expose a sensitive silver halide based chemical or electronic   medium during a timed exposure, usually through a photographic lens in a device known as a camera that also stores the resulting   information chemically or electronically. The word "photography" comes from the French photographie which is based on the Greek words φως phos ("light"), and γραφίς graphis ("stylus", "paintbrush") or γραφή graphê ("representation by means of lines" or "drawing"),   together  meaning "drawing with light." Traditionally, the product of photography has been called a photograph, commonly shortened to  photo. The camera or camera obscura is the image-forming device, and photographic film or a silicon electronic image sensor is the   sensing medium.   The respective recording medium can be the film itself, or a digital electronic or magnetic memory.