Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

In photography, what does the term "aperture" refer to?

1. The lens opening

2. The shutter speed

3. The ISO setting

4. The light meter reading

The correct answer is: The lens opening

The term "aperture" in photography specifically refers to the lens opening that controls the amount of light entering the camera. This opening is adjustable and is measured in f-stops, such as f/2.8, f/4, or f/8. The size of the aperture affects not only the exposure of the image but also the depth of field, which determines how much of the image appears in focus. A larger aperture (a smaller f-stop number) allows more light to hit the sensor and creates a shallower depth of field, resulting in a blurred background. Conversely, a smaller aperture (a larger f-stop number) lets in less light and increases the depth of field, bringing more elements into focus. The other options pertain to different aspects of photography. Shutter speed, for example, refers to how long the camera's shutter remains open to let light in, influencing motion blur and exposure duration. The ISO setting indicates the camera sensor's sensitivity to light, affecting image brightness and noise levels. The light meter reading measures the light in the scene to help determine the optimal exposure settings but is not inherently related to the physical component of aperture itself.