C1 adjective Neutral

contraphotoess

/ˌkɒntrəˈfoʊtoʊɛs/

Describing a subject, material, or individual that is inherently resistant to being captured clearly on film or digital sensors. This can be due to physical light-deflecting properties or a deliberate, psychological avoidance of being photographed.

Examples

3 of 5
1

My cat is so contraphotoess; she always turns her head away the exact second I press the shutter button.

My cat is very resistant to being photographed; she always turns away right when I take the picture.

2

The aerospace company developed a contraphotoess coating to prevent competitors from analyzing the drone's design through long-range photography.

The company created a photo-resistant coating to stop others from photographing the drone's design.

3

I'm feeling a bit contraphotoess today, so let's just enjoy the moment without taking any selfies.

I don't feel like being in pictures today, so let's just have fun without cameras.

Word Family

Noun
contraphotoessness
Adverb
contraphotoessly
Adjective
contraphotoess
Related
contraphotoist
💡

Memory Tip

Break it down: 'Contra' (against) + 'photo' (picture). You are 'against the photo.'

Quick Quiz

The new privacy-focused fabric is so _____ that any flash photography results in a blurry, overexposed mess.

Correct!

The correct answer is: contraphotoess

Examples

1

My cat is so contraphotoess; she always turns her head away the exact second I press the shutter button.

everyday

My cat is very resistant to being photographed; she always turns away right when I take the picture.

2

The aerospace company developed a contraphotoess coating to prevent competitors from analyzing the drone's design through long-range photography.

formal

The company created a photo-resistant coating to stop others from photographing the drone's design.

3

I'm feeling a bit contraphotoess today, so let's just enjoy the moment without taking any selfies.

informal

I don't feel like being in pictures today, so let's just have fun without cameras.

4

In certain deep-sea species, the skin is naturally contraphotoess, reflecting sonar but absorbing the specific wavelengths of deep-sea camera flashes.

academic

Some deep-sea animals have skin that prevents them from being photographed well by absorbing camera light.

5

The security firm recommended installing contraphotoess glass in the boardroom to protect sensitive documents from being captured by unauthorized lenses.

business

The security team suggested using anti-photo glass to keep sensitive documents from being photographed.

Word Family

Noun
contraphotoessness
Adverb
contraphotoessly
Adjective
contraphotoess
Related
contraphotoist

Common Collocations

contraphotoess material material that is hard to photograph
highly contraphotoess extremely resistant to photography
contraphotoess behavior actions taken to avoid being in photos
inherently contraphotoess naturally difficult to capture on camera
contraphotoess coating a layer applied to a surface to ruin photos

Common Phrases

a contraphotoess streak

a period of time where someone avoids all cameras

completely contraphotoess

totally impossible to photograph

render something contraphotoess

to make something impossible to see clearly in a photo

Often Confused With

contraphotoess vs unphotogenic

Unphotogenic implies a person looks unattractive in photos, while contraphotoess implies the photo is technically difficult to capture or the subject actively avoids it.

contraphotoess vs photosensitive

Photosensitive means something reacts to light (often getting damaged), whereas contraphotoess refers to the inability to be captured by a camera.

📝

Usage Notes

This term is often used in specialized fields like security, optics, or tech-savvy informal circles. It is more technical and specific than simply saying someone is camera-shy.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners might use this word to mean 'afraid of light,' but it specifically refers to the act of being recorded or captured by a lens.

💡

Memory Tip

Break it down: 'Contra' (against) + 'photo' (picture). You are 'against the photo.'

📖

Word Origin

A modern technical neologism from the Latin 'contra' (against) and Greek 'phōtos' (light), used with an adjectival suffix to denote a state of resistance.

Grammar Patterns

Usually used as an attributive adjective before a noun. Does not typically take comparative endings (-er/-est); use 'more' or 'highly' instead.
🌍

Cultural Context

Reflects modern concerns with digital privacy, surveillance, and the desire to remain 'off the grid' in a highly visual social media culture.

Quick Quiz

The new privacy-focused fabric is so _____ that any flash photography results in a blurry, overexposed mess.

Correct!

The correct answer is: contraphotoess

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