Picking the right aperture is a balancing act. Too wide, and you risk losing sharpness in the background. Too narrow, and diffraction can soften your entire image. Knowing how to find the right setting for maximum clarity can make a huge difference in your landscape photography.
Coming to you from Chris Baitson Photo, this practical video follows an attempt to capture landscapes in less-than-ideal conditions and how to choose the right aperture. The plan was to photograph snow-covered mountains, but with no snow in sight, the focus shifted to misty scenes and atmospheric compositions. Baitson works through the challenges of shooting in an area with heavy traffic and unpredictable weather. Framing a road snaking through the canyon while timing shots to avoid cars requires patience, but the results highlight how weather-sealed gear and quick adjustments can still lead to compelling images.
One of the main takeaways is how to adapt to shifting conditions. After realizing visibility at higher elevations was poor, Baitson pivoted to a lower-altitude location: Padley Gorge. The change in scenery introduced new challenges, but also fresh creative opportunities. The dense, moss-covered woodland provided a perfect setting for foggy, moody images. To maximize sharpness, Baitson walks through the process of choosing the right aperture for front-to-back focus, explaining how to calculate depth of field using tools like the PhotoPills app. He also demonstrates a faster, more intuitive approach using manual focus peaking to ensure the entire scene remains sharp.
Another key moment is the discussion on diffraction and how it affects sharpness at smaller apertures. Shooting at f/22 ensures everything stays in focus, but it also introduces some softness due to diffraction. The question becomes whether slightly softer detail is better than missing focus altogether. It’s a practical concern for anyone balancing depth of field with image quality, and Baitson presents it as a matter of personal preference rather than a strict rule. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Baitson.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan II - Discovering Hidden Gems with Elia Locardi!”
