Function keys, commonly abbreviated to Fkeys, are a row of specialised keys found along the top of most computer keyboards, typically labelled F1 through to F12. Unlike standard alphanumeric keys, function keys do not produce a character or symbol when pressed but instead trigger specific commands or actions, either as defined by the operating system, the software application currently in use, or by the user themselves through custom configuration.
In the context of photography and digital image editing, function keys are frequently used as keyboard shortcuts to speed up common and repetitive tasks within image editing applications such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. Actions such as printing an image, saving a file, sending an image by email, undoing a previous action, or switching between tools and workspaces can often be assigned to or accessed via function keys, allowing the photographer to work more efficiently without needing to navigate through menus or reach for a mouse.
The specific actions assigned to function keys vary between operating systems, software applications, and individual user configurations. Many applications come with a default set of function key assignments that can be viewed in the application's keyboard shortcut reference, while most operating systems and programs also allow users to customise and reassign function keys to suit their own workflow preferences. On laptop computers, function keys often serve a dual purpose, controlling hardware functions such as screen brightness, volume, and keyboard backlighting alongside their software roles, typically switched between the two purposes using a dedicated Fn modifier key.