Aperture

Aperture is the size of the shutter opening within the camera. This opening controls the Depth of field. Aperture readings are represented by numbers 30-1.2. The numbers depends on the camera and/or lens you are using. Aperture is part of the formula when using full manual.
Most cameras have an aperture priority this is the beginning of gaining more control as the photographer.





The Larger the opening (2.8 small number) the shallower the depth. This gives you a blurry out of focus background. You can even get things like only part of a subject in focus. This shallow
depth also allows to use the camera in lower light. Why would you want to do this?
To simplify a photography, To draw attached to what you want to be your focus
Small # Shallow depth...less in focus. Check out the picture above this paragraph for an example.



The smaller the opening think (22 larger number) the larger the depth. The larger depth give that crisp focus. Think about a landscape you want the whole photograph to be in focus. You would want to have a tripod to get the steady crisp picture. Less light in the camera means longer exposure. The photography of the landscape above is an example of a great depth of field. So more of the photography is in focus.


This large # sharp pictures wide(large)depth...more in focus
Ansel Adams used to sit for hours waiting on the right light and everything to line up to take his Photographs. Just a note.


Depth of (DOF) is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an image. Although a lens can precisely focus at only one distance at a time, the decrease in sharpness is gradual on each side of the focused distance, so that within the DOF, the unsharpness is imperceptible under normal viewing conditions.The DOF is determined by the camera-to-subject distance, the lens focal length, the lens f-number, and the format size or circle of confusion criterion.


Now its your turn to try out the aperture mode. Use it to change the depth of field. Try lining up something you have in your home like crayons, bottles, etc. Then do a photo were they are all in focus then use a smaller aperture setting like 2.8 and only get some of the items in focus. Don't forget to watch your shutter speed number if it is less than 1/60th( it may just say 60 on your readout) of a second secure your camera by using a tripod or setting it on a table.
As you change your aperture # your shutter # is moving at the same time to keep expose if you are using AP or AV mode. So remember to watch that shutter speed# as well. If your inside use the light of a window. Next week Shutter Speed.
Post your photos.