In this episode we continue the technical journey by talking about aperture. Aimed at complete beginners who know nothing about photography, this lesson talks about aperture, what it is, how it works, and what effects it might have.
If you're new, consider listening to previous lessons before this so that things make a little more sense.
Bullet points from today:
F numbers are the 'bottom' of fractions which is why the hole gets smaller as the numbers go up.
Large/Wide aperture = large opening = small depth of field = small f number (f/1.8)
Small/Narrow aperture = small opening = large depth of field = large f number (f/18)Email me at [email protected] with any questions, feedback, or comments. I'll collate questions for a feedback episode once I get enough.
Homework reminder (if you're following):
- Continue taking pictures for your project. Any pics you take, print them out and stick them in your scrapbook making a note of the settings next to them. Taking photos on auto is fine at this point.
- Consider whether aperture is something that is of value to your project. If so, experiment!
- Set your camera to aperture priority (A or Av). Grab a portable subject (something small & handheld) and stick it on the coffee table in your lounge. Get fairly close to it, and take a photo on the widest aperture (lowest f number), the middle one, as well as on the narrowest aperture (largest f number). Compare the results on your computer, looking specifically at the depth of field. Print them out, stick them in your scrapbook and write the settings next to them so you have a permanent reminder.
- Spin up your Lightmeter app, set the shutter speed to 1/125sec, the ISO to 400, and wave the camera about at differently lit scenes to see the aperture change.