Lesson Two

All about your Aperture

Short story: the iris of your camera lens that controls how much light you let into a shot.  

Long story: first of all, lets get this part straight. the larger the number, the smaller the opening and the smaller the number, the larger the opening. 

If you were able to look at your aperture while it was clicking a photo, it would look a little something like this:  

You may hear people calling a lens fast. This means that the aperture will go nice and low, letting more light in, and clicking the shutter faster. Shooting at f16 or f22 may be easiest in lots of light situations (daylight or flash) it can also lead to some super special low light shots with awesome light streaks. But that will be in our lesson next week. What's a macro with you? Ever wondered why you (hopefully) move your point and shoot settings to the flower when you want to take photos of flowers? Well, that's the macro mode and it helps point and shoots to go down to their lowest aperture. If you are using a DSLR and macro photography really interests you, one day you need to splurge for that macro lens (it's worth every bit!). Some lenses have a macro setting but I'm talking about a fixed macro lens. I am a nikon user and my favorite macro is the 60mm 2.8. Since it's a fixed lens this means I need to be the one to move since my lens can't. I have been loving this lens more and more and use it for everything. Product, food, fine art, even portraits. Just because it can go down to f2.8 doesn't mean it can't go up to f32. Here are some examples of my favorite photographs taken with my macro lens.

So go ahead slide that aperture down. Get arty one day or just control how much of the frame you have in focus. It's great to make those special moments really stand out on your scrap page (or even off your wall). There are a few ways to do this and depending on how savvy you are with your camera will determine which option will work best for you.  

As for your challenge this week? You guessed it. I want the tiniest sliver in focus. That means you will need to get your aperture as low as it will go. Upload your photos anywhere you like (flickr, the polkadotplum gallery (under the challenge category), photobucket, etc.) just be sure to link up your photos here so we can leave you some love!  

Now for how to get a wide open aperture shot  

Flower power.
If you are using a point and shoot (as stated earlier), switch over to the flower to turn on your macro mode. This will help to make your depth of field more shallow and really make those special parts of your photo pop.

A for aperture priority.  
A little easier but depending on how you are metering you may not get the best possible photo. Again if you set you aperture as low as it will go then all you have to do is click. The shutter will figure it self out automatically.  

M for manual.
This will probably be the best option (as it normally is). Take your aperture as low as it will go then balance out the exposure. Good luck everyone! I can't wait to see the photos.