aperture noun An opening, especially one that controls the amount of light entering a camera or optical device. Widening the aperture let more light into the lens for the dim evening shot. + exposure noun The state of being exposed to something, such as weather, danger, or public attention, or the act of revealing something. Prolonged exposure to the sun without sunscreen can cause serious skin damage. + shutter noun A movable cover for a window, or the mechanism in a camera that opens and closes to control light exposure. She closed the shutters before the storm to protect the windows from flying debris. + lens noun A curved piece of glass or plastic that bends light to focus, magnify, or correct vision. She cleaned the camera lens carefully before taking photos of the sunset. + focus noun The center of attention, interest, or activity that receives the most effort or concentration. The meeting's focus was next quarter's budget, so side topics were saved for later. + composition noun The way in which the parts of something are combined to form a whole, or a piece of writing or music. The teacher praised the balanced composition of colors and shapes in the painting. + frame noun A rigid structure that surrounds, supports, or encloses something, such as a picture or a building. He carefully hung the old photograph in a simple wooden frame above the desk. + angle noun A figure formed by two rays that start at the same point, or the measure of the turn between them. The two rays form a right angle. + close-up noun A photograph or film shot taken at very short range so that the subject fills the frame. The director called for a close-up of the actress's face during the confession scene. + panning noun The act of rotating a camera horizontally to follow a subject or scan a scene. The director used slow panning across the valley to open the film's first scene. + zoom verb To move very quickly, or to adjust a camera lens to make a distant object appear closer. The motorcycle zoomed past us on the highway, leaving a trail of dust. + tripod noun A three-legged stand used to support and steady a camera, telescope, or similar device. She mounted the camera on a tripod to keep the long exposure shot steady. + lighting noun The equipment or arrangement used to provide light in a place, or the way light is arranged in a photograph, film, or room. The restaurant's soft lighting created a warm, relaxed atmosphere. + silhouette noun The dark outline or shape of someone or something seen against a lighter background. We watched the silhouette of the mountains darken as the sun went down. + contrast verb To examine or describe differences between things. Contrast the two endings and explain how each changes the story. + saturation noun The state of being completely filled or soaked with something, or the intensity of a color. The soil reached saturation after days of continuous rain. + editing noun The process of reviewing, correcting, and improving written text, film, or other material before it is finished. Careful editing removed several confusing paragraphs from the final draft. + montage noun A single composition, especially in film, photography, or art, made by combining several separate images or pieces. The film used a quick montage to show years passing in just a few seconds. + transition noun The process of changing from one state, form, or stage to another. The transition from high school to college can feel overwhelming at first. + dissolve verb To become or make something incorporated into a liquid, forming a solution. Stir the mixture until the sugar completely dissolves in the water. + soundtrack noun The recorded music and sound that accompany a film, show, or video game. The movie's soundtrack featured an original score alongside several popular songs. + dialogue noun A conversation between two or more people, especially as featured in a book, play, or film, or a formal exchange of ideas. The novel's dialogue felt so natural it seemed like real conversation. + script noun The written text of a play, film, or broadcast, including dialogue and stage directions. The actors rehearsed the script for weeks before opening night. + storyboard noun A sequence of drawings that outlines the scenes of a film, video, or animation before production. The director reviewed the storyboard with the crew before filming the chase scene. + director noun A person who manages, guides, or oversees an organization, department, or creative production. The director gave detailed notes to the actors after the rehearsal. + cinematography noun The art and technique of capturing images on film or video, including camera work, lighting, and framing. The film won an award for its cinematography, especially its sweeping desert landscapes. + animation noun The technique of creating the illusion of movement using a sequence of drawings or images. The studio spent three years on the animation for its latest feature film. + sequence noun A particular order in which related events, numbers, or items follow one another. The technician followed a strict sequence of steps to restart the machine safely. + narrative noun A spoken or written account of connected events, or the way a story is told and structured. The documentary's narrative followed three families over the course of a decade. + footage noun Recorded film or video material, especially of a particular event or subject. Security cameras captured footage of the break-in from three different angles. +