What does the term "crop" refer to in Photoshop?

In Photoshop, "crop" specifically refers to the action of removing portions of an image to focus on a particular area or to change the overall composition. This process allows users to eliminate distracting elements from the edges of an image or to reframe it to better suit their design needs. Cropping can help improve the visual impact of an image by centering attention on the intended subject, enhancing clarity and relevance.

The other choices describe different functions within Photoshop: changing color depth adjusts the range of colors in an image; adjusting brightness and contrast affects the overall lightness and darkness as well as the intensity of colors; applying a filter effect alters the appearance of an image in various artistic or stylistic ways. Each of these actions serves distinct purposes and does not align with the definition of cropping.