Both film and digital SLR cameras allow the photographer to manually set the exposure. Aperture, one of the key elements of exposure, is adjustable in manual and aperture-priority modes on an SLR camera. Some digital point-and-shoot cameras also offer the chance to set the exposure manually, including the aperture. Aperture control increases or decreases the brightness of a photo and helps determine the depth of focus.
Function
The aperture setting affects the look of a picture several ways. Closing down the aperture ring in the camera lens allows less light into the camera. This makes your pictures darker. Opening the aperture ring in the lens allows more light in, making your pictures brighter.
The aperture setting also controls the focus of a photograph. Depth of field can be increased by using a wide angle lens and selecting a small aperture opening. A shallow depth of field, with a blurry background, can be achieved by selecting a large aperture opening.
Identification
Aperture is rated in "f-stops." The common way to refer to an aperture setting is f: f2.0 is a wide-open aperture; f32 is a closed-down aperture. A small f number indicates a large opening, with a lot of light allowed into the camera. A large f number indicates a small opening, which means less light can get into the camera to expose the picture.
Types
Certain types of scenes rely on a distinct aperture setting, including sports, scenery and portraits.
To achieve a sports picture where the athlete is sharp but the trees, field and scene behind him are blurred, choose a small aperture setting and a telephoto lens. Shooting with a 200mm zoom lens and an aperture of f2.8 will yield those results.
Scenery can be recorded with a lot of detail by selecting a large aperture number. To have the entire scene in focus from front to back, choose f16 or f32 and use a wide-angle lens.
Portrait photography is best achieved with a small aperture setting, so the background is blurred and the people stand out. Shoot with a telephoto lens, and use an aperture setting of f4 for an individual or couple. Try an aperture setting of f8 or f11 for a larger group.
Benefits
The benefit of setting a camera's aperture is the ability to really determine how you want your photos to look. Automatic settings always look the same. Unique photographs usually result from adjustments by the photographer to get a specific result.
Significance
Adjusting the aperture setting on a camera is one of the key elements to properly exposing a photograph. Aperture plus shutter speed equals exposure. When a picture comes out too dark or too bright on an automatic exposure setting, the photographer should switch to manual and adjust the aperture to allow more or less light in the camera.
Tags: aperture setting, into camera, less light, small aperture, aperture opening, aperture ring, large aperture