Let’s talk about aperture.
Aperture is one of those photography words that sounds very important—like something you should already know—or else everyone in the room slowly backs away from you.
“Oh, you don’t understand aperture?”
Well then… good luck with your life.
But relax. Aperture is actually very simple once we stop pretending it isn’t.
What Is Aperture (In Human Terms)?
Aperture is the opening inside your camera lens that lets light in.
That’s it.
That’s the whole thing.
That’s all it does.
It’s basically your camera squinting.
Big opening = lots of light
Small opening = less light
Think of it like your eye:
Bright day → you squint
Dark room → eyes open wide like you just heard a noise at 3 a.m.
Your camera does the same thing.
Except your camera never blinks, never gets tired, and never says,
“Ugh, why did you turn that light on?!”
The Confusing Part: f-Stops (WHY ARE THE NUMBERS LIKE THIS?)
Aperture is measured in f-stops, like:
f/1.8
f/4
f/8
f/16
And here’s where beginners panic.
Because the smaller the number, the BIGGER the hole.
WHY.
This is one of those moments where photography says:
“Trust me.”
And you say:
“I do not trust you.”
But just remember:
Small number = big opening
Big number = small opening
It’s like ordering pizza:
“I’ll take the small number… but make it HUGE.”
Aperture Controls Two Things (AND ONE OF THEM IS MAGIC)
Aperture affects:
- Brightness (Light)
Big opening → brighter photo
Small opening → darker photo
Simple. Logical. We’re doing great.
- Background Blur (AKA: “Wow, That Looks Professional”)
This is where aperture becomes famous.
Wide aperture (f/1.8) → blurry background
Narrow aperture (f/11) → everything in focus
Wide aperture says:
“Look at THIS subject. Ignore everything else. That background is none of your business.”
Narrow aperture says:
“Everyone behave. I want to see ALL of you.”
This is why:
Portrait photographers love wide apertures
Landscape photographers want everything sharp
Beginners go, “Why is only one eyeball in focus?!”
When Should You Use a Wide Aperture?
Use a wide aperture (small number) when:
You want blurry backgrounds
You’re taking portraits
You’re indoors
It’s dark
You want your photo to scream, “I know what I’m doing”
(even if you absolutely do not)
Warning:
Too wide, and you’ll focus on the nose…
while the eyes go on vacation.
When Should You Use a Small Aperture?
Use a small aperture (big number) when:
Shooting landscapes
Group photos
You want everything sharp
You don’t want Aunt Linda asking,
“Why am I blurry but the tree is crystal clear?”
Aperture in One Sentence (THE CHEAT CODE)
If you remember nothing else, remember this:
Aperture controls how much light comes in and how blurry the background is.