Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

In the context of aperture, what does 'F' represent?

1. Focal length

2. F-stop

3. Film speed

4. Field angle

The correct answer is: F-stop

In photography, the 'F' in aperture refers to the F-stop, which is a term used to describe the size of the aperture opening in a lens. The F-stop is a crucial element in photography as it directly impacts the exposure and depth of field in an image. Each F-stop represents a halving or doubling of the amount of light that enters the camera. A lower F-stop number indicates a larger aperture opening, allowing more light to hit the sensor, which is beneficial in low-light conditions or when you want a shallower depth of field for subject isolation. Conversely, a higher F-stop number reduces the aperture size, letting in less light, which is useful for achieving greater depth of field and keeping more of the scene in focus. Understanding F-stops is essential for photographers to manipulate exposure and creative effects in their images.