Skip to main content

Photography Lesson #6 Aperture

We went over briefly the basic concept of aperture or f-stop.   When the f-stop is f/1.4 the lens of a camera is open to it’s fullest.  When the f-stop is at f/16 or higher then the lens of a camera is nearly closed.

A photographer might say the image is 2 stops overexposed.  That means too much light has entered the camera by 2 stops. Let’s assume the camera was at aperture f/2.8.  If the photographer says it was 2 stops over or overexposed then the ideal aperture should have been f/5.6. (Based on chart)

Also a photographer can say to add 1/3 of a stop or 2/3rds of a stop.  That means to make the hole bigger by 1/3rd or 2/3rds.  So if the aperture is at f/5.6.  The are two clicks when twisting the lens before you get to f/4.  1/3rd of a stop is one click closer to f/4 and 2/3rd of a stop is 2 clicks closer to f/4.


When you are shooting in a darkly lit environment and you do not want to use a flash, it is best to use a low aperature or bigger hole.  f/1.4 is the biggest  hole a camera can have.  The down side is that these lenses are very expensive.  1 stop makes a big difference in price.  Most wide angle lenses can open up to an f/3.5.

It’s good to know about aperture when buying a lens.  The bigger the hole the more expensive it is.

If you are shooting sporting events or using a zoom feature on your lens.  Than expect to have a high f stop.  Make sure there is a lot of lighting or you’ll need to compensate the light with a wider f stop.  A wider f stop will mean you will not be able to zoom in as much.

The zoom of a camera is directly correlated with the size of the hole.  35mm length of the lense is divided by the size of the hole.(in mm) And that’s how you deprive the number for f stop.

So an f/3.5 means that a 35mm/10mm=3.5

You don’t really need to know the technical details of how to derive f/3.5.  Just understand what 1 stop overexposed means and you’ll be fine.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Special Effects Can Turn Your Photographs Into Pieces of Art

Using photo editing software has never been easier, and any novice photographer can turn their photographs into living works of art. If you want your photographs to stand out, then you should consider editing your pictures with special effects. A few special effects that are becoming extremely popular both online as well as off, are the black and white photo effects, the sepia photo effect, pencil sketch photo effect, as well as the oil painting special effect. With the right type of photo editing software, you can turn your ordinary prints into a spectacular piece. Understanding what each effect does will help you make a decision on what type of photo editing software to use to create the effect that you desire. Black and White Photo Effect This effect will help you turn an ordinary colored photograph into a black and white image. People tend to utilize this effect to make their pictures appear like they were taken from an old time camera. The black and white photo effect wi

How To Capture Stunning Photos On Your Wedding Day

As a Bride On Your Wedding Day You will be treated as the center of attraction throughout this day and you should therefore be ready to carry yourself the best that you can. Be yourself, but at the same remain as elegant and classy as possible; after all it is your wedding day and you have the freedom to enjoy as much as you want to. Smile with your eyes by engaging and connecting with the camera on your wedding day. When you smile with your eyes, your wedding photos will be beautiful whether you are showing your teeth or not. The secret is to enjoy the day and to go with the flow. Try different photo poses when the camera is on you. You can actually even try the red carpet pose that is an ever classic for exquisite unique wedding photos. Avoid creating photos that are shot from one angle. When working with a good photographer, you should find the poses easy to create and achieve. Try as many versions of the poses as possible and focus on making them your trademark. Enlarge

The Best Wedding Photography Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive

When you put together a budget for your wedding, you are likely going to set aside a specific amount for your photography. Then you will begin looking around and comparing prices of photographers. Once you do, the confusion will begin setting in. You will wonder if the best wedding photography is the most expensive, if the cheapest is a decent way to go. Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect wedding photographer within your budget: 1. Ask people you know about the photographer they used for their wedding. 2. Look online for feedback and reviews of a particular photographer or photography studio. Avoid the actual feedback on the photographers website. This is not always honest. 3. Look at their portfolios. Make sure you like the style of photography that the photographer specializes in. 4. Talk, be open and honest about what you want, expect and demand on your wedding day. 5. Compare rates to other photographers in your area. 6. Go with your gut feeling. T