What Is Aperture Photography?
Aperture photography is an essential element of photography that affects the way light is captured and ultimately the image itself. Aperture is the size of the opening in the lens and is measured in f-numbers, such as f/1.8, f/4.0, or f/22. In essence, the size of the opening changes the amount of light passing through the lens and onto the camera’s imaging sensor. The larger the opening, the more light it allows in; the smaller the opening, the less light it allows in.
For photographers, the size of the aperture is important because it affects the depth of field in an image. Depth of field is the area of an image that is in focus and is determined by the size of the aperture. With a large aperture (small f-number), the depth of field is shallow, meaning a small area of the image is in focus. With a small aperture (large f-number), the depth of field is deep, meaning a larger area of the image is in focus.
Example 1: Aperture Used for Background Blur
Aperture can be used to create a beautiful background blur, also known as bokeh, by using a wide aperture (small f-number). In this example, the aperture is set to f/1.8, which allows a large amount of light to pass through the lens and onto the camera’s imaging sensor. This results in a shallow depth of field, which blurs the background and allows the subject to stand out.
The shallow depth of field also creates a beautiful, soft background blur. The background blur is created by the lens’s aperture shape, which is often circular or polygonal. This creates a pleasing aesthetic that draws the viewer’s eye to the subject.
Example 2: Aperture Used for Sharpness and Contrast
Aperture can also be used to create sharpness and contrast in an image by using a small aperture (large f-number). In this example, the aperture is set to f/22, which allows a small amount of light to pass through the lens and onto the camera’s imaging sensor. This results in a deep depth of field, which keeps a large area of the image in focus.
The deep depth of field also creates a sharp, contrasty image. The sharpness is created by the lens’s aperture shape, which is often circular or polygonal. This creates a pleasing aesthetic that draws the viewer’s eye to the subject.
Conclusion
Aperture photography is an essential element of photography that affects the way light is captured and ultimately the image itself. Aperture photography can be used to create a beautiful background blur, also known as bokeh, by using a wide aperture (small f-number). Aperture can also be used to create sharpness and contrast in an image by using a small aperture (large f-number). Understanding how to use aperture will help you take better photos and be a better photographer.