Photography for Beginners: Pt 5: All About Aperture
- Blue Jay
- Oct 15, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 11, 2023
Previously we discussed shutter speed and how to use it to your advantage to get the best photos. Shutter speed and ISO work together to get good exposure, and they are 2 of the 3 pillars of the exposure triangle. Today we're discussing the 3rd pillar: aperture.
With these 3 settings mastered, your photos will be looking professional in no time!
What is Aperture?
Aperture refers to the opening in your camera's lens that controls the amount of light entering the camera. It essentially acts as the "pupil" of your camera. Just like how your pupils shrink and expand when the lighting around you changes, the "pupil" of the camera also has to adjust with the light.
Aperture is often described in terms of f-numbers, such as f/1.8, f/4, or f/16. These are called f/stops. Not all cameras use the forward slash (/) symbol.
These numbers represent the size of the aperture opening; the smaller the f-number, the larger the opening. The larger the f-number, the smaller the opening.
Why?
The f stands for "focal length". The number is there to tell you the relationship between the size of the focal length and the aperture opening.
When you twist your lens you'll notice it either gets longer or shorter. This is what is meant by "focal length".
So in short, the f/stops are fractions. For example, if your focal length is 50mm and the f/stop is f/2, the aperture opening is 1/2 of the focal length which is 25mm. But take the same 50mm lens and change the f/stop to f/22, now the aperture opening is 1/22 of the focal length, and that's a much smaller number (2.3 mm).
This is why the smaller numbers actually represent larger openings and vice versa.
I bet you didn't think photography involved math! But sadly, it does. As someone who was never good at math, this is a challenge. Thankfully, you only need to know basic fractions, and as long as you understand that bigger actually equals smaller, you'll be fine!
As you can imagine, aperture plays a crucial role in making sure your photos get the proper exposure.
A larger opening results in a brighter photo. A smaller opening results in a darker photo.
How to Use Aperture
1. Controlling Light and Depth of Field
Aperture also plays a significant role in determining the depth of field (DOF) in your images.
Depth of field is the zone of acceptable sharpness in front of and behind your subject. It decides how blurry the background is going to be.
A wider aperture (e.g., f/1.8) results in a shallow DOF, where the subject is sharp, but the background is blurred (commonly known as "bokeh").
In contrast, a narrower aperture (e.g., f/16) produces a deeper DOF, keeping more of the scene in focus.
A photo with a shallow DOF  | A photo with a deep DOF  |
Product, wildlife and portrait photography often use a shallow DOF, while landscape photography is often shot with a deep DOF. It's important to determine ahead of time what kind of photo you're taking to achieve the desired effect.
Note: In Aperture Priority mode (more on that below), the camera adjusts the shutter speed for you while you play with the aperture. Be aware that a narrower aperture will slow down your shutter speed to make up for the lack of light, so it's good to have a tripod handy if you want to shoot in a deep depth of field.
2. Using Aperture Creatively
Aperture not only affects the technical aspects of your photos but also offers creative opportunities. Understanding how to harness its power can elevate your photography skills to new heights.
For portrait photography:
For example, when photographing portraits, a wide aperture (low f-number) can produce a beautiful background blur, making the subject stand out vividly. This technique is often referred to as creating a "bokeh" effect (as previously stated), and it adds a touch of magic to your portraits.
Focusing on special details:
Additionally, using a shallow depth of field can also draw attention to specific details or features, like the eyes of your subject, while gently blurring the rest of the image. This technique is commonly employed in close-up or macro photography to capture intricate textures and patterns.
For creative blurs:
Place objects in the foreground of your photo and use a shallow depth of field (again, lower numbers) to blur them, adding an element of interest to the image.
For landscapes:
On the other hand, landscape photographers often prefer a smaller aperture (high f-number) to ensure that everything from the foreground to the distant horizon is sharply in focus. This approach allows them to convey the full grandeur of the scenery, capturing every detail from the pebbles in the foreground to the mountains on the horizon.
For dreamy photos:
You can take that same landscape photo and turn it "dreamy" and hazy by giving it a shallow DOF (lower f/stops).
Tip: The type of lens you use will affect the aperture settings available to you. You want to look for a lens that has the highest maximum aperture possible (the minimum number doesn't usually matter).
Some lenses' aperture settings change depending on the focal length.
The maximum aperture is usually included in the name of the lens. (e.g Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM)
Where to Access Aperture Settings On Your Camera
Smartphones:
On most smartphones, the default camera app simplifies the process for beginners.
To adjust the aperture (often referred to as "Portrait Mode" or "Aperture Mode"), open the camera app, and look for the mode that allows you to create a blurred background effect. You can then adjust the strength of this effect.
You can also download third party apps for more creative control.
Point and Shoots:
Point and shoot cameras may have limited aperture control compared to DSLR and Mirrorless cameras.
Look for a "Scene" or "Mode" dial on your camera and select modes like "Portrait" or "Aperture Priority" (usually marked as "A" or "Av"). In these modes, you can adjust the aperture settings.
DSLR and Mirrorless:
For DSLR and Mirrorless cameras, aperture control is more versatile.
Set your camera to "Aperture Priority" mode (usually marked as "A" or "Av") or "Manual" mode (usually denoted as "M").
In Aperture Priority mode, you can set the desired f-number, and the camera will adjust the other settings for proper exposure.
In Manual mode, you have full control over aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
These settings are most likely found on a wheel on the top right of your camera.
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Conclusion
Understanding aperture is a crucial step in taking good photographs. It affects both the exposure and creative aspects of your images.
By learning how to use aperture effectively and in conjunction with shutter speed and ISO, you'll be well on your way to capturing stunning photos.
Whether you're using a smartphone, point-and-shoot, or a more advanced DSLR / Mirrorless camera, knowing how to control aperture will significantly enhance your photography skills as a beginner.
Your Homework
Quiz: Which of these f/stops will give you the deepest DOF?
f/1.2
f/1.4
f/2
f/2.8
In the next post, we're going to discuss the Exposure Triangle and the different ways ISO, shutter speed, and aperture can work together for the best effects.
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