Aperture is the hole through which light enters the camera. The size of the hole can be changed to control how much light is let into the camera.
Smaller aperture= less light
Larger aperture= more light
Think of it like your pupil. When its dark out, your pupils open very wide to let more light in to help you see better. When you are outside in the bright sun, your pupils get smaller, to block some of that light out!
Smaller aperture= less light
Larger aperture= more light
Think of it like your pupil. When its dark out, your pupils open very wide to let more light in to help you see better. When you are outside in the bright sun, your pupils get smaller, to block some of that light out!
The size of the aperture is referred to as an "f-stop."
Larger f-stop numbers (like f/22) designate a smaller aperture. Smaller f-stop numbers (like f/2.8) designate a wider aperture. (Confusing, I know!)
Your f-stop controls:
- Exposure (how much light is let in to your camera)
- Depth of Field (the area of your photo that is in focus)
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What is 'Depth of Field'?
Depth of field refers to the range or distance in a photo that appears sharp and in focus.
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Useful when you want everything (near and far) to be in sharp focus, such as with a landscape.
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Useful when you only want a certain part of the image in focus, and the rest blurred out.
This is useful in portraits. By blurring out the background, you simplify the image and keep the focus on your subject. |
2 WAYS TO AFFECT DEPTH OF FIELD:
To create shallow depth of field:
To create Wide depth of field
ASSIGNMENTs:
1. Aperture Collage
2. FLICKR ALBUM EXPLORING APERTURE
DEPTH OF FIELD ASSIGNMENT 1:
Set up a shot so that you have a subject in the foreground (close to you) and in the background (farther back). It can be two objects, two people or even one object or person that has a part of them/it closer to the camera and part farther back in space (for example, a person holding their hands out towards the camera to frame their face). Just make sure that you can see both the foreground and background subjects at the same time.
You will take 3 photographs of your subjects. Use a tripod or make sure you do not move your camera in between shots.
You will take 3 photographs of your subjects. Use a tripod or make sure you do not move your camera in between shots.
- SHOT 1: Use a small aperture (large f-stop #) to create a large depth of field. BOTH of your subjects should be in focus.
- SHOT 2: Use a large aperture (small f-stop #) to create a shallow depth of field. Use manual focus so that ONLY the subject in the FOREGROUND is in focus. The background subject should be blurry.
- SHOT 3: Use a large aperture (small f-stop #) to create a shallow depth of field. Use manual focus so that ONLY the subject in the BACKGROUND is in focus. The foreground subject should be blurry.
Depth of Field Assignment 2
2. Aperture Flickr Album consisting of 10 photos:
Tip for ease: Use Av Mode (Aperture Priority) on your camera and adjust your f-stop, ISO, distance and focal length for each shot.
Get as many shots as you can with a variety of subjects- people, objects, plants, etc. Incorporate what you know about composition- use the shallow depth of field to create SIMPLICITY, and try to use rule of thirds, point of view, leading lines and framing where ever possible.
- 3 Shallow Depth of Field shots-Portrait (indoors) *
- 3 Shallow Depth of Field shots-Portrait (outdoors-not in direct sun) * -try shots having the sun behind the subject and shots having the sun in front of the subject.
- 3 Wide Depth of Field shots (outdoors)
- 1 free choice
Tip for ease: Use Av Mode (Aperture Priority) on your camera and adjust your f-stop, ISO, distance and focal length for each shot.
Get as many shots as you can with a variety of subjects- people, objects, plants, etc. Incorporate what you know about composition- use the shallow depth of field to create SIMPLICITY, and try to use rule of thirds, point of view, leading lines and framing where ever possible.