What does it mean to "stop down" in photography and how does it affect the outcome of the image?

"Stopping down" in Photography refers to adjusting the aperture to a smaller opening, allowing less light to enter the camera. This results in a larger depth of field, meaning more of the image will be in focus. It can also improve image sharpness and detail, but may require a longer exposure time or higher ISO setting to compensate for the reduced light.