In the beginning was a box. Then someone stuck a hole in the box. Then someone used something to cover the hole. Then finally someone put a light sensitive material inside the box and called it a camera. The hole (called an aperture) determined how much light hit the light sensitive material (called film). The something that covered the hole (was called a shutter) and that determined how long you exposed the film. Obviously, I'm describing a basic box camera, but these controls apply to the modern digital camera as well.

Although some sports photographers might disagree, I believe the aperture is the single most creative tool one can use on any type of Camera. The f-stops (numbers ranging from f-1.4 to say f-22) represent how much the aperture is or is not open to expose light to the film (or digital media card). The smaller the number the more light hits the film, therefore; if you were shooting in dim light you would usually use a small f-stop (unless you had a strong flash). On the other hand, if you were shooting in very bright conditions (like snow borders or skiers) you would usually use a large f-stop.

Without getting into a big technical explanation; the simplest way to remember this is:

Small number = small f-stop (1.2) = small amount in focus and . . .

large number = large f-stop (22) = large amount in focus

To help you visualize this, I want you to sit back and relax. Now try to picture this image in you mind: In the foreground a small boy is playing. Behind him is a field of corn. (We'll call that the middle ground.) Behind the corn, there is a big red barn in the distance. (We'll call that the background.)

If you focus on the boy and use f-1.4 part of the boy will be in focus, then everything else will get softer and softer. If you focus on the boy and use f-5.6 all of the boy will be in focus and part of the cornfield, but not the barn. If you focus on the boy and use f-22 the boy will be in focus, the cornfield will be in focus and the barn will be in focus. Of course there are other variables, such as focusing on the cornfield to begin with. But you start to get an idea of how you can control what the viewer will look at first. Human nature dictates most people will look at the sharpest area first.

Not all lens are the same, that's why I can't just say f-1.4 is always only six inches of focus. On my lens f-1.4 may only have a depth of field (how much is in focus) of about six inches, on yours it may have a depth of field of 18 inches. The basic rule is always the same (small number, small amount in focus) but the actual amount will vary greatly. A great way to know more about your lens is to set up a test shot. Lay down a one foot ruler, then place down a soda bottle, exactly one foot from that soda bottle put down another one, and so on until you have a test range of about 10 to 12 feet in length. Once that is set up, shoot one shot at every f-stop your camera allows. This sounds silly, but once you've done this you'll use that information for the rest of your life.

In a practical sense, I only use a large f-stop on either large groups of people or certain landscape or nature shots. It's not an exaggeration to say that 80% of the time I shoot at f-5.6 or less. The reason I shoot that way is because I like to control where you look. But to be fair I have to warn you, a small depth of field is also more likely to pick up camera shake. If you have any doubts at all about how steady you can hold the camera, try shooting at f-11 or f-16, it's much more forgiving. (Obviously this depends on whether or not you have enough light to do so.) Ideally, we would all use tripods on every shot, but that's not usually very practical. Another help is bringing your own light, (a flash). Using a flash outdoors often gives you more choices, because if you actually want to use say an f-8 or f-11 the flash will give you enough light to do so.

In the digital world, it’s not always obvious what f-stop your camera is using. If you have one of those cameras that has more pictures than numbers, remember this: the little head
means portrait mode, the little mountain means landscape mode. Portrait mode means the camera will automatically use the smallest f-stop (smallest amount in focus) that it can get away with. The Landscape mode means the camera will automatically use the largest f-stop (largest amount in focus) that it can get away with under the given lighting conditions. When you choose the f-stop to shoot with, you choose how the viewer is going to see what you saw.

This Article Written By: Tedric A. Garrison Cedar City, Utah Tedric Garrison has done photography for over 30 years. In college he was an Art Major, and firmly believes that “Creativity can be taught.” Today; as a writer and photographer he shares his wealth of knowledge with the world, at: http://www.betterphototips.com