What is the term for the hole in the iris of a lens?

The term for the hole in the iris of a lens is the aperture. The aperture is a critical component in photography and cinematography as it controls the amount of light that passes through the lens to reach the sensor or film. By adjusting the aperture, a cinematographer can influence exposure, depth of field, and the overall aesthetic of the image.

Aperture is measured in f-stops, with lower f-stop numbers allowing more light in and creating a shallower depth of field, while higher numbers let in less light and increase depth of field. Mastery of aperture settings is essential for achieving desired visual effects and ensuring proper exposure in various lighting conditions.