subject: What You Need To Learn About Camera Aperture [print this page] If you're just starting out learning photography, then you've probably noticed that photographers have a language all their own. Camera aperture is just one of those common photography terms that gets used a lot without much explanation. Not to worry though, for we've compiled a handy beginner's guide to aperture that should help shed a little light on the subject. Here is a breakdown on what aperture is, how it works, and why you want to use it:
What is Camera Aperture?
In simple terms, aperture is the opening in your lens that lets light come into contact with your film (or digital sensors). The opening can be changed using your camera's F stop or if you have a digital camera you can change it using the manual settings. Some digital cameras even have a fixed aperture mode that lets you pick the aperture and the camera automatically figures out the other settings.
Aperture is measured in "F" numbers and is usually represented on your camera in abbreviations such as F8, F/8 or some variation in between. As the value of the F goes up, the amount of light allowed into the camera goes down. For example, an F value of 1/4 is a wide open aperture while 1/22 is considered as closed as possible.
What Does Aperture Do?
Camera aperture has a dramatic impact on the final prints of your photographs. A closed aperture will allow very little light into the camera, which will in turn give you the opportunity to expose the film for a longer period of time. Adjusting the F value is an effective way to use slow shutter speeds and long exposures without overexposing your image.
Additionally, using aperture allows you to react on the fly to changes in lighting. If you're photographing in bright light, a high F value (closed aperture) will give you the chance to use a slower shutter speed. In contrast, when shooting in a low-light environment, opening up the aperture to a very low F value will provide you with greater flexibility in capturing your image and may even save you from requiring a flash.
Why Should I use Aperture?
Although you can change the aperture any time, it's not something that you have to change. Many SLRs adjust the aperture automatically to great success making it easy not to worry about it. But when manually adjusting the camera aperture you can directly change the image's depth of field. An open aperture will show very little depth of field (subjects that are near the camera will be very clear while the rest is very blurry), while a closed aperture will make your photographs seem more detailed.
Knowing when and how to adjust your aperture is a powerful tool in any photographer's bag of tricks. One way to see how aperture will affect your images is to take every picture twice - once with a low F value and once with a high one. Using aperture is a great way to expand your creativity just by turning a dial or changing a setting.
