A Practical Beginner's Guide to Using Aperture Effectively

Aperture isn't just about controlling how much light enters your camera; it’s a powerful creative tool that directly shapes how your images look. Getting comfortable using aperture correctly lets you decide exactly what stands out sharply and what's gently blurred.

Coming to you from Benjamin Jaworskyj - Simply Learn Photography, this straightforward video walks you step-by-step through understanding how aperture actually affects your images, without unnecessary complexity. Jaworskyj explains clearly what the "f-number" actually means—the relationship between the lens's focal length and the size of its opening. It’s simpler than it sounds: smaller numbers (like f/1.8 or f/2) mean your lens opens wide, letting in lots of light and creating blurry backgrounds. Larger numbers (like f/18 or f/22) mean a smaller lens opening, less light, and more of your scene in sharp focus. This practical breakdown removes confusion, making it easy to remember how aperture affects both exposure and focus.

Another key takeaway from the video is the relationship between aperture and shutter speed. Jaworskyj explains that when using a small aperture (high f-number), your shutter needs to stay open longer to let in enough light. This slower shutter speed can make capturing sharp images of moving subjects challenging, leading to unwanted blur. Jaworskyj points out that even a slight movement from wind or subtle camera shake can ruin an otherwise good photo if the shutter speed slows down too much. This practical tip helps you understand when to use certain aperture settings effectively, avoiding common pitfalls.

Jaworskyj further highlights a less obvious aspect of aperture: diffraction blur. Diffraction happens when your aperture is too small (high f-number like f/22), causing a subtle loss of sharpness across your entire image. Even if you use a high aperture value thinking it’ll maximize sharpness throughout your photo, the result might disappoint you due to this unintended softness. Jaworskyj recommends using mid-range apertures like f/8 to f/16 for sharper photos overall. Smaller apertures like f/22 are better left as a last resort, particularly when you need extreme depth of field or limited exposure in very bright conditions.

To practice this lesson yourself, Jaworskyj suggests placing your camera on a tripod, choosing a clear subject, and capturing the same shot repeatedly at various apertures. Adjust your other camera settings accordingly to maintain consistent exposure. This hands-on experiment allows you to observe firsthand how aperture impacts your images. Beyond noticing depth-of-field changes, you'll also discover subtle shifts in overall image quality as you adjust aperture settings. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Jaworskyj.