Aperture

January 8 2024

kimvanos Avondale, AZ, Photography Tips and Tricks 85392photographer, Aperture, Beginner Photography, DSLR Camera tips

F-Stop

If you haven’t read the previous blog I highly recommend you start there since it will explain the overall concept of the exposure triangle when shooting in manual mode. CLICK HERE FOR LAST BLOG If you have read the previous blog or maybe you are just interested in aperture and a trick to help you learn how to use it on your DSLR camera then read on my friend.

Let’s start with what aperture is from the last blog. Aperture (or F-stop) is how large the opening in the lens is. So think how big a faucet is. Is it a large spout? Or a tiny spout? The larger the spout the more water can come out. The larger the aperture (OR SMALLER the F-stop) is how much light can be let in.

Too much light

1. It lets more or less light in. And that’s good right? Photography is all about lighting. So why wouldn’t a photog just open that aperture as large as big as it can go? (You would do this by lowering the F-stop. It’s backwards just accept it.) One reason is maybe you are in full sun and you will then have too much light Or maybe because of number 2.

Bokeh

2. Now any time you let more light in you reduce the amount of focus if you have multiple planes. If your subject is closer but s/he has a beautiful mountain range behind her/him. Do you want everything in focus or just the subject? That is a personal artistic decision that only you can decide.

If you have a Nikon camera the “A” is the aperture priority auto. If you have a Canon camera the “Av” is the aperture priority auto. When this setting is chosen on mode dial it means you set the F-stop on your camera or you get to decide how big the hole is that the lens uses. Pretty sweet, uh? Why is that important? A few reasons:

Here is the trick: a DSLR camera has the ability to allow you to set the aperture on your camera and then the camera will adjust the rest for you. Make sure to check out what the other settings are as you adjust the aperture. I’ve included some examples with the camera settings below for you to check them out. I did not edit these photos so you can see how they come straight out of the camera. (I used a Nikon D5600 with a 70-300 lens)

F4.8 1/200 ISO6400

F8.0 1/50 ISO6400

F18 1/15 ISO6400

Now it’s your turn. If you take the time to try this out, drop me a couple photos on Facebook, Instagram or email. I can’t wait to see what type of photo art you create. If this was helpful check out my next blog about using the same trick to learn shutter speed.

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December 4 2023

So you got a DSLR, now what?

kimvanos Avondale, AZ, Photography Tips and Tricks Aperture, DSLR, Exposure triangle, Fstop, Girl Scouts, ISO, manual mode, Shutter speed

I got my first “big” camera in 2011 as a Christmas gift. It was a DSLR Canon Rebel. I was so excited to start taking photos of my kiddos, but I didn’t know how to use my “big” camera. If I’m honest it was scary! Then I was told that in order to “really” use my DSLR I needed to start using something called manual mode. And manual mode was all about this thing called the exposure triangle which I didn’t really understand it. Trying to learn the three parts of the exposure triangle when working with a DLSR camera in manual mode felt way over my pay grade. If you already understand the exposure triangle great job but if you are not aware of what the exposure triangle is, let me explain in a manner that really helped me out. There are three parts to the triangle, and each plays a part in how your camera works in manual mode.

1. Aperture (or F-stop) is how large the opening in the lens is. Think how big a faucet is. Does it have a large spout? Or a tiny spout? The larger the spout the more water can come out. The larger the aperture (OR SMALLER the F-stop) is how much light can be let in.

2. Shutter Speed or how fast the lens opens and closes. Again, think of a faucet. Do you turn it on, so a trickle comes out? Or do you turn it all the way on, so it gushes water? The higher the shutter speed the faster the lens opens and closes.

3. ISO is how sensitive the lens is to the light. For this one think if you put your hand under the faucet, is it was hot or cold water? How sensitive is your hand to the water.

Above is my cheesy visual poster board I created the night before I taught a group of sweet Girl Scouts their photography badge. And if they can learn it so, can you! Check out my upcoming blogs for a trick on how to learn Aperture and Shutter Speed that really helped me out. It finally helped everything start to click. I can’t wait to see you learn and grow in your love of photography.

Have a great day!