04-11

2010

Basic Aperture

Photography is all about light.

Controlling aperture permits YOU to control the amount of light and there by controlling depth of field (how sharp or blurry the photo is).

I suggest (if your camera has this option) you shoot in aperture priority (usually AP or A on the dial). You can control the aperture and it will automatically select a shutter speed.

Basically when it comes to aperture, the LOWER the number, the MORE light is let through and the more SHALLOW (or fuzzy) the photo/background becomes. The HIGHER the number, LESS light is let through and MORE of the photo is in focus.

f/2.8

f/4

f/8

f/13

f/20

f/32

As you can see in this progression, starting with the first photo, barely anything is in focus, the background is just a wash of color and only a couple petals are in focus, by the time you reach the last photo, EVERYTHING is in focus including the window screen which is now well defined.

When you hear someone saying, “I shot wide open”, usually they are referring to using a LOWER number aperture, like f/1.8 for example, which lets MORE light through the lens and creates SHALLOW depth of field.

Now remember how I mentioned that photography is all about light? If you are in a brightly lit area, direct sun for example, you may NOT want to shoot “wide open”. Doing so again lets the maximum amount of light through the lens and in that bright scene it could be TOO much light and overexpose (make the photo too bright/white/washed out) your photo.

Eventually I will do a really basic shutter explanation, ISO, and how to put aperture and shutter speed together.

{19 comments}

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Samantha twitter: @SunsetWinds

I’m not ashamed to say that I DO play with aperture, but I had no IDEA that THAT’S what I was doing! Thank you for a wonderful, easily understandable explanation, Sarah! I can’t wait for more photography tutorials from you

Sarah twitter: @starrymom

Yay I am so glad it helped!

Now you will be able to CONTROL the outcome of your photos more!

Keeshia twitter: @keeshiabarker

Awesome post! I haven’t been able to learn much about photography and this was definitely informative :) Thanks for sharing!
{shared blog entry — Random tidbits about me}

Sarah twitter: @starrymom

Thank you! What’s great is this generally applies to ANY camera. Even most point and shoot cameras will allow manual settings.

Caitlin twitter: @caityliz

I fool around with my Aperture, but there’s some things I wasn’t sure about. Thanks! I’m looking forward to your future posts :)
{shared blog entry — I’m counting on you, Interwebz.}

Sarah twitter: @starrymom

You are very welcome! I hope to do a photography tutorial each week, kids permitting lol

Jenn twitter: @kissmykitty

Thank you so much for posting this. While your explanation is simple, it’s simple and straightforward AND complete with examples — it definitely drilled it into my dense head, haha. I have been playing around with aperture for a few months now, like Samantha, but I never really “got” it. I read your post, saw your photos, and bam, it clicked!

Post more tips/info, pretty please. :D
{shared blog entry — You know what is super awesome?}

Sarah twitter: @starrymom

I am so glad it helped! I am going to try to post a new tutorial every week!

Caity twitter: @caitysparkles

Awesome post. Although I had a vague understanding, this definitely drilled it into my head.

I think these photo tutorials should definitely be a regular occurrence.

Thank you!
{shared blog entry — VulnerEARbility.}

Sarah twitter: @starrymom

Oh yes, I will eventually do a shutter speed and ISO post!

Kristi {at} Live and Love...Out Loud twitter: @TweetingMama

I can’t wait to get out there and really play around with the aperture. I’ve experimented with it many times, but I feel like now I can play…with purpose. lol Thanks for the great tutorial!

Kristi, Live and Love…Out Loud
@TweetingMama
{shared blog entry — Not Me! Monday – It’s Spring Break & Mama Needs a Nap!}

Sarah twitter: @starrymom

You are very welcome! I can’t wait to see your results!

Friday Favorites – One Starry Mom’s Fabulous Photos | live and love...out loud

[…] a few fabulous photos of your own and if you need help, she’ll be more than happy to give you a few pointers. Oh, as if she wasn’t awesome enough already…she’s also a webdesign and WordPress […]

Brianne twitter: @briannepitt

Love this! I need to experiment more with smaller apertures. And with long exposures. (Those go hand in hand I suppose!) I’ve seen some really cool shots of water done over about 20 seconds that are gorgeous and surreal looking.

Sarah twitter: @starrymom

Oh yes, I LOVE those silky waterfall shots!

Lynda twitter: @lynda

Oh, I never commented on this one? Love the explanation and the photos. This “post card” for your comment form really rocks! I love your designs. :)
{shared blog entry — Action Tuesday! Introduction and CoffeeShop Review [131/365]}

Sarah twitter: @starrymom

Thank you so much! I need to find the time and do a shutter speed post as well, just need a good subject lol.

Lynda twitter: @lynda

Personally, I’d love something on ISO too. It’s a concept I understand, but making the best choice for my shots is challenging. The more I can read about it, the better. :)
{shared blog entry — After the Rain [134/365]}

Sarah twitter: @starrymom

Oh yes, I have plans for an ISO post as well THEN how to work aperture/shutter/iso to create a shot.

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