The F-stop is a term used in photography to describe the aperture setting of a camera lens. It indicates how much light is allowed to enter the camera, affecting the exposure of the image. A lower F-stop number, like f/2.8, means a wider aperture, allowing more light in and creating a shallower depth of field. This results in a blurred background, which is often desirable for portraits. Conversely, a higher F-stop number, such as f/16, means a smaller aperture, letting in less light and increasing the depth of field. This is useful for landscape photography, where more of the scene needs to be in focus. Understanding F-stops helps photographers control exposure and achieve their desired artistic effects.