The intensity of color in an image. Saturated colors are perceived to have a "purer" look resulting from the absence of the color gray. See also desaturate.
scale
An adjustment that changes the size but not the aspect ratio of an image.
select
A superior image selected for display or for review by a client.
selective focus
The process of isolating a subject by using an f-stop that produces a shallow depth of field. See also depth of field.
shortcut menu
A menu accessed by pressing the mouse button and the Control key, or by pressing the right mouse button.
shutter
A complicated mechanism, usually consisting of a blade or curtain, that precisely controls the duration of time that light passing through the lens remains in contact with the digital image sensor.
shutter priority
A setting on certain cameras that automatically sets the aperture for a correct exposure based on the shutter speed set by the photographer. See also exposure.
shutter speed
The amount of time the shutter is open or the digital image sensor is activated or charged. Shutter speeds are displayed as fractions of a second, such as 1/8 or 1/250.
sidelighting
Refers to light hitting the subject from the side, perpendicular to the angle of the camera. See also backlighting, frontlighting.
silhouette
An image where the subject is a solid dark shape against a bright background. Extreme backlighting, such as a sunset, can create a silhouette effect when a subject is placed in the foreground. See also backlighting, foreground.
single image print
Based on a print preset in Aperture, refers to a single image printed on a single sheet of paper.
slide
See positive.
slideshow
An animated presentation of a series of images. In Aperture, slideshows can be combined with music to present a series of images for display across up to two monitors.
Smart Album
In Aperture, a dynamic collection of images based on defined criteria entered in the Query HUD.
Smart Web Gallery Album
An automatically updated online portfolio. Like Smart Albums, Smart Web Gallery Albums consist of images selected according to criteria entered in a Query HUD.
soft lighting
See diffused lighting.
soft proof
The onscreen simulation by a display of the output from printer or press.
source profile
The profile of a file before it undergoes color conversion.
spectrophotometer
An instrument that measures the wavelength of color across an entire spectrum of colors. It can be used to profile both displays and printers.
Spot & Patch
A tool in Aperture that automatically removes blemishes from an image either by blending the surrounding image texture or by cloning pixels from another part of an image to repair a problem area.
sRGB
A common working space designed to represent the average PC monitor. Because of its small gamut, it is suitable for Web graphics but not for print production.
stack
A group of similar versions that Aperture sequentially numbers and connects to a master file. Stacks can be manually assembled or automatically created from photos shot within a specified interval (one second to one minute). See also alternate, pick.
Stack button
Button that is clicked to open and close a stack.
subtractive color
Images with color elements derived from the light reflected off the surface of an object. CMYK is a common form of subtractive color. See also CMYK.
SWOP
An acronym for Specifications for Web Offset Publications, a standard printing-press profile. Web here refers to a web press, not the Internet.