Choosing Your Camera Aperture

camera aperture

Your camera’s aperture determines how much light will enter the sensor and how much is in focus. The number is displayed on the camera as an “f/number.” The smaller the number, the wider the aperture. Aperture can vary from f/1.8 to f/22. The lower the ‘f’ number, the wider the aperture. In low-light conditions, f/1.4 is a good choice. In general, a smaller ‘f/2’ lens will do just as well.

The higher your f-stop, the less light will come through your lens. Aperture also affects depth of field. Depending on what you’re photographing, you can set your f-stop to f/2.8 to a low f/11 to make the subject in the center of the frame appear in focus. Choosing the right ‘f’ value depends on the scene you’re shooting. You can choose between a crisp, detailed focus on your subject and an expansive scene. Aperture is also tied to exposure.

Aperture controls the amount of light that enters the camera. When shooting a landscape, the f/4 setting covers 2.6 to 4.6 feet. The f/2.8 setting covers more than six feet of ground. While post-processing tools can help you get the DoF right, getting the shot in-camera is usually more effective. Aperture also controls the depth of field and bokeh. If you’re using a digital camera, you’ll find these settings very useful for outdoor shooting.