If you’re new to photography, you’ve probably heard the term f-stop or f-number. While it can seem confusing at first, understanding f-stops is one of the most important steps toward taking better photos.
An f-stop describes the size of your camera lens’s aperture—the opening that allows light to pass through the lens and reach the camera’s sensor. The lower the f-number (such as f/1.8), the larger the aperture opening, allowing more light into the camera. Higher f-numbers (such as f/11 or f/16) create a smaller opening, allowing less light to enter.
Different lenses offer different maximum apertures. For example, the Canon EOS R50 kit lens has a variable maximum aperture of f/4.5-6.3, meaning the widest available aperture becomes smaller as you zoom in.
Besides controlling the amount of light entering the camera, your chosen f-stop also affects depth of field. Lower f-numbers create a blurrier background that’s ideal for portraits, while higher f-numbers keep more of the scene in focus, making them popular for landscapes.