The Basics of Aperture - Updated

Below I am going to try and explain the basics on how Aperture works. This is not easy to understand as you would think a higher f/stop number would give you a bigger lens opening while a lower number  would give you a smaller lens opening. This is not the case.

TIP: the higher the f/stop number = the smaller the lens opening = smaller aperture

        the lower the f/stop number  = the bigger the lens opening  = larger aperture

Try and use a small aperture like f/16 (small lens opening) if you want as much as possible of the image to be in focus. Then try and use a large aperture like f/2.8 (bigger lens opening) to only have your main subject in focus. 

For instance if you shoot landscapes you want to use a higher f-stop number (smaller aperture) as you want to get more of the picture in focus. If you only want your subject in focus and to blur the backgound then a large aperture like f1.4 - F2.8 would give you that result. 

The in between apertures like f/5.6 - f/8 is good for general uses as it produces an average depth of field.

In the diagram below you can see the difference between a high f/stop number and and low f/stop number.

If you have any questions about this subject let us know and we can try and explain in more detail.

Have fun...