The way I think about aperture is that
the larger the number (f-stop) the larger the focus area will be
And the opposite of that is
the smaller the number the smaller the area of focus area will be.
On my Nikon, I turn the Front Dial to the right to make the number bigger and to the left to make it smaller.
I know that is not the professional way to describe it and that doesn’t matter to me. This is how I think about it. I’ve read books, took some classes and had my husband try to explain it but I had to get it straight in my head. Trying to remember that when the aperture opening is large the focus is more narrow messes me up. The way I remember it is the smaller number/larger number.
Here are all of the pictures grouped together so you can see the changes. As the number got larger the area of the picture that is clear is larger.
In manual mode, we also have to talk about shutter speed, ISO and then I will show you have awesome it is to use the meter on your camera! But in order for the meter to make sense, I wanted to talk about aperture & shutter speed. So, next week’s photography post will be shutter speed explained in my simple terms. Let me know if you have any questions about aperture.
Check out my other photography posts here.
gloria graham says
Good explanation of the camera setting, understand it much better.
gloria graham says
Thank you so much for your explanation of the camera setting, understand it much better.
Charlee says
This is THE best explanation of aperture I have ever read. You write the way I think. Thank you SO much! FYI, I found your blog via someone’s Pinterest of gift ideas, which led me to a post with a link to your [everything] in a jar tutorial. I’m subscribed now. 🙂
reasontobecheerful says
Thank you so much for your explanation of the camera setting in layman’s terms! I have read so many explanations and tutorials in books and videos, yet I didn’t fully comprehend until I read your photo tips. Again, thanks for the simplistic photography posts!
Stephanie @ henry happened says
I’m in the midst of taking an online photo 101 class and I think you explained this better than they did! I’m so scared of manual mode 🙂
Lindsay @ Delighted Momma says
Can I just tell you how awesome this is! Please keep up with this awesome (original) series idea! Pinning this now
Shannah @ Just Us Four says
I like that you didn’t explain it “professionally” since I am definitely not a professional. Your pictures spoke 1000 words in explanation though. Thanks 🙂
Jane Craske says
Awesome description. Finally makes sense to me C:
Lindsay says
You have explained this so well, thank you! I really need this!