Understanding Aperture
Let me first start off by saying that I am just a mom that likes to take pictures of anything and everything. I like to experiment with my camera and see what kind of results I can get with different setting. I purchased my first DSLR camera a little over a year ago when the Canon 300D (digital rebel) first came out and I still consider myself in the learning process. I don't know a lot about the technical stuff but I have learned a tremendous amount from friends that I have met on the internet and from studying other photographers work. I have always wondered how some photographers manage to get a blurred background while their main subject is in focus and through a little research and experimenting, I have figured out how to achieve this.
So if you have ever wondered how to create a this effect, this months technique of understanding aperture is for you!

I will try to keep this simple so you don't have to be intimidated to give it a try. First of all you may be wondering "What is aperture"? Well, aperture is the size of the lens opening that allows light into your camera. There are 3 main components that work together to create a photograph, aperture, shutter speed and ISO. The numbers that measure the size of the lens opening are called f-stops. This is where it gets a little confusing, a small number f-stop, lets say f/2.8, is actually a large lens opening (aperture) which lets more light in. The more light coming to the lens illuminates your focused subject making it sharper and the remaining light coming into your lens appears blurred or splattered. Just try to remember that a large aperture (lens opening) is actually a small f-stop number and this will equal less of you photo being sharp. Now repeat after me, MORE LIGHT = LESS SHARPNESS! Just kidding!! The opposite is true as well. A small aperture (lens opening) will be a large f-stop number and this will create more of your photo to be in focus. To be honest, it took me a while to get the whole concept.

Now you may be thinking all of this sounds pretty good, but how do I adjust my aperture setting?
Well, the easiest way to do this is by using the AV (aperture value) mode on your camera settings. By using the AV mode you can set your desired aperture setting and the camera will automatically set the proper shutter speed. I use the AV mode on my camera 90% of the time.
If you don't know how to do this, I recommend getting out your manual and see what it says. Let me say one more thing before you get started, if you don't own a SLR or DSLR camera you can still try this challenge. Many models of point and shoot camera's come with AV mode which will allow you to adjust your aperture, but they will probably me more limited in your range of f-stop settings.

For this exercise lets try shooting with a large apperture (small f-stop number) such as f/1.8, f/2.8, 3.5 or even 4 and see what happens. Next change your setting to a small aperture (large f-stop setting) such as f/11, f/14 or even f/22. Just remember the results will vary depending on the type of camera and lens used. Please keep in mind that this exercise is just for fun and to learn something new about your camera. You don't have to create a layout with these photos but be sure to share your results in the photograpy gallery.

Here are some examples of a few that I took this morning.
http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/galle...hp?photo=48633
http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/galle...cat=500&page=1

Have fun!!

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Lisa

I forgot to mention, in photographic terms this is called a shallow depth of field and that is the
effect that we are trying to create for this months challenge.

Lisa

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Lisa

I use a Canon Power Shot S50, and shoot in AV mode a lot. However, I'm constantly adjusting and guessing. I'm going to read the article a few more times so it can sink in a little more.

Great, I also have a Canon Powershot (S60) which I tried the same thing with, the results were not quite as dramatic but I will post them so you can see the difference.

Lisa

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Lisa

The way I've had it explained to me is the f stop indicates (loosely) the total number of feet in front/back of the focal point that will be in focus. Roughly translated to 1/3 in front of the focal point and 2/3 in back.

For close object, an f-stop of 2.8 would mean 1 foot in front of the subject and 2 feet in back of the subject would be in focus or Fuzzy Background.

For close objects, an f-stop of 8.0 would roughly mean lots would be in focus in front and in back of the subject. Sharp background.

f-stops are basically irrelevant in cases of shooting subjects far way.

Is that correct?

Yes, I think anything above f/11 should give you much more detail in your background and depth of field.
Lisa

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Lisa

Heres mine.

Its great when it 70 degrees and sunny on the beach in the middle of december...

Anyway, I took this with at f/4.5 and 4000 shutter speed on my digital rebel. It was very bright so it was a litlle harder to get the shallow depth of field.

Cheri

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"If little else, the brain is an educational toy...The problem with posessing such an engaging toy is that other people want to play with it, too. Sometimes they would rather play with yours than theirs." -Tom Robbins, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

Even though I'm new to digital scrapbooking, depth of field is something I've been exposed to (sorry for the pun) for about 20-25 years. The way I can remember about depth of field is comparing it to playdough being extruded though an opening. (Or spaghetti if you prefer.) The bigger the opening (f-2, 2.8 etc) the more likely the dough is to plop out in one piece -shorter depth of field. The smaller the hole (f 8, 16, 22 etc.) the longer the rope - longer depth of field.

I've had instances over the years when I used f2 or so where I've focused on a person's eyes, I thought, and actually the end of their nose was in focus and their eyes not. The "rule" for portraits is f5.6. Keeps the eyes and nose in focus but the background will be blurred nicely. With landscapes a long depth of field works well when you have foreground clear to background you want to stay in focus. F22 will keep them all in focus but even f8 and higher will work well too.

I have a Nikon D-70 and love it!
Ann