A little more in-depth on aperture
Aperture is an important aspect of photography that refers to the size of the opening in the lens that allows light to pass through. It is one of the three main elements of the exposure triangle, along with shutter speed and ISO, that determines the exposure of an image.
Aperture is typically expressed as an f-stop, or f-number, which is the ratio of the focal length of the lens to the diameter of the aperture. The f-stop is written as a number, such as f/2.8 or f/16, and the smaller the f-stop, the larger the aperture.
One of the most significant ways that aperture affects the results of a photograph is through depth of field. Depth of field refers to the amount of an image that is in focus, and it can be shallow (meaning only a small part of the image is in focus) or deep (meaning a large part of the image is in focus). A larger aperture (a smaller f-stop) will result in a shallower depth of field, while a smaller aperture (a larger f-stop) will result in a deeper depth of field.
Aperture also affects the amount of light that enters the camera. A larger aperture (a smaller f-stop) will allow more light to enter the camera, while a smaller aperture (a larger f-stop) will allow less light to enter. This can be useful for controlling the exposure of an image or for shooting in low light conditions.
The aperture you choose will depend on the effect you want to achieve in your photograph. If you want to create a shallow depth of field and isolate your subject from the background, you might choose a larger aperture (a smaller f-stop). On the other hand, if you want to keep everything in focus, you might choose a smaller aperture (a larger f-stop).
Different lenses have different maximum and minimum aperture settings. A lens with a wide maximum aperture, such as f/2.8, will be more versatile in low light conditions and will allow you to create a shallow depth of field. On the other hand, a lens with a smaller maximum aperture, such as f/16, will be better suited for landscape photography and will allow you to create a deeper depth of field.
Always remember that when you change your aperture, in order to keep your exposure the same, you will need to make adjustments to either your shutter speed, your iso, or both.
The best way to understand how aperture affects your photos is to experiment with different settings and see the results for yourself. Try shooting the same scene with different aperture settings and see how the depth of field and exposure of the image changes. With practice, you'll get a feel for how aperture can be used to create the look and feel you want in your photographs.
