Aperture

The Aperture (also known as fStop) is located in the lens. Think of it like a filter that controls how much light is let into the camera. The aperture works exactly like an eye pupil. When it is dark your pupil expands wide to allow more light in to help you see better.

When it is very bright, your pupil will be smaller, as it doesn’t need to be big in order to see. Your pupil is also extremely sensitive to light. Widening it only happens in extreme situations (like pitch black spaces). If our pupils were as wide in broad daylight as they are in dark spaces, our eyes would be severely damaged.

 

(left) If it is too dark and the fstop is too small, it won’t let enough light in and will result in a really dark image. If you try to fix it in photoshop or dodge in the darkroom, the result will be poor quality and grainy. This is known as “underexposure”

(right) If the scene is too bright and your fstop is too big, it will let in too much light resulting in a white “no detailed” image. Allowing lots of light into a camera won’t damage the camera, but it will produce an image that is white with limited details. This is known as “overexposure.”

Balance is Key!

Knowing how much light you need when taking your image is crucial for shooting in different locations with different types of light.

Understanding the rules of Aperture will allow you to know what number to use in any photography scenario. Let’s look at the chart below:

Rule: the lower the number, the more light your camera lens will allow into the camera.
the higher the number, the less light your camera lens will allow into the camera.

Your fStop will also affect the look of your image. 
Example A:

A lower number (more light allowed) will result in a blurry/ softer background. Great for portraits!

 

Example B:

A higher number will result in everything being in crisp focus. Great for landscapes because if keeps everything in focus and lets the light in the sky to be recorded without getting washed out.

Example C: Let’s compare

 

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Understanding the Light Meter.

This tool is a measurement of light and will give you the settings needed to get the best picture possible according to its surroundings.
Light Meters are built into most cameras (but some are portable) and are useful guides to getting the correct exposure without trial and error.

If you choose your Shutter Speed, the light meter will tell you what fStop you need.
If you choose your aperture, the light meter will tell you what shutter speed you need.

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Let’s try a simple activity that explores shutter speed and aperture settings. 

Activity :

Produce two images that show difference in Aperture settings but have the same subject, same composition.

You will want to photograph your subject:
1. Aperture at f2.5
2. Aperture at  f8 or f11 (if your shutter speed is under 1/30, use more light around your subject)

**flowers, tree leaves, people, inanimate objects are best for this because you can get your camera nice and close to your subject. Please get close to your subject.