What term refers to the difference between the brightest and darkest areas of a frame?

The term that refers to the difference between the brightest and darkest areas of a frame is known as the Contrast Ratio. This measurement is crucial in television production and photography as it describes the range of light from the highlights to the shadows within an image. A higher contrast ratio means that there is a greater difference between the lightest and darkest parts, which can lead to more dynamic and visually interesting imagery. Understanding contrast helps in achieving proper exposure and in creating the desired mood and depth in visual storytelling.

In visual media, controlling the contrast is vital for ensuring that details are not lost in overexposure or underexposure. This allows the audience to experience a richer visual narrative. The other terms listed do not accurately define this specific measurement of light variation. Brightness Level and Brightness Ratio might relate to the overall light intensity but do not specifically denote the range between the darkest and brightest areas of an image. Similarly, Exposure Level pertains more to the amount of light that hits the camera sensor rather than the difference between tonal extremes. Thus, the Contrast Ratio is the precise term needed to describe this relationship.