Mastering Camera Aperture: A Beginner-Friendly Guide for Photographers

Mastering Camera Aperture: A Beginner-Friendly Guide for Photographers

Whether you're just starting your photography journey or finally dusting off that DSLR you bought last year, understanding camera aperture is a game-changer. Aperture is one of the three pillars of manual photography (alongside shutter speed and ISO), and it’s essential to getting that dreamy, creamy background blur—or sharp, edge-to-edge landscapes. If you’re a creative looking to gain confidence behind the lens, this is where the magic begins.

As a Vermont-based photographer and photography mentor, I’ve helped dozens of new and growing photographers demystify manual settings and unlock their creative potential. Let’s dig into aperture, what it does, and how to use it like a pro.

Side bar: I know it can seem intimidating, but I could encourage ALL photographers to start with a manual film camera (starting with digital can be TOO easy IMO, and harder to really grasp photography). I am so grateful for the time with my manual camera and still shoot with any number of my manual film cameras today.

What Is Aperture?

In simple terms, aperture controls how much light enters your camera through the lens. It’s measured in f-stops (like f/2.8, f/4, f/11, etc.). Think of it like the pupil of your eye—when it’s wide open (a low f-number), more light comes in; when it’s smaller (a high f-number), less light gets through. (also partially the inspiration for the name of my business, Owl's Iris Photography. Much like a camera, our pupil will dilate or retract to compensate for the light around us).

How Aperture Affects Your Photos

There are two major ways aperture impacts your image:

1. Exposure

A wider aperture (like f/1.8) allows in more light, which is helpful in low-light situations—like a cozy indoor brand session or a golden hour elopement in the Vermont mountains. A narrower aperture (like f/11 or f/16) lets in less light, which is ideal for bright environments or when you want a slower shutter speed.

2. Depth of Field

This is the fun part! Aperture directly affects depth of field—how much of your image is in focus. A wide aperture (low f-stop) creates that dreamy background blur (bokeh) that’s perfect for portraits. A narrow aperture (high f-stop) keeps more of the scene sharp, making it great for landscapes or product photography.

Understanding F-Stop Numbers

Here’s a quick breakdown:

f/1.4 – f/2.8: Very shallow depth of field. Amazing for low-light and creamy portraits.
f/4 – f/5.6: A little more in focus, but still good for isolating your subject.
f/8 – f/11: Great for sharpness in landscapes and group shots.
f/16 – f/22: Maximum sharpness front to back—ideal for scenes with lots of detail.

How to Choose the Right Aperture

Still not sure what f-stop to use? Ask yourself:

Do I want the background blurry or in focus?
How much light do I have?
Is my subject moving, or do I need to freeze motion?

Here are a few examples:

Branding headshots → f/2.0 to f/2.8 (soft background, focused subject)
Wedding portraits → f/5.6 to f/8 (more than one person in focus)
Flat lays and product photography → f/4 to f/8 (to keep your details crisp)
Hiking landscapes in the Green Mountains → f/11 to f/16 (everything in focus)

Remember: there's no wrong or right answer to how to use these- it's helpful to know, but if you like bokeh and low depth of field (like i do!) then a more wide open aperture is going to be the move. If you like a little more of the frame in focus, then try playing with more closed f-stops. There are no wrong answers here! Feel free to play around!!

Common Aperture Myths (Busted!)

❌ “A lower f-stop is always better.”
Not necessarily. It’s ideal for portraits, but not for scenes where you want everything sharp.

❌ “You need a fancy lens to control aperture.”
Many kit lenses (like 18–55mm) still allow you to experiment with f-stops, especially around f/5.6. You can absolutely learn and grow with what you have.

Start Practicing: Try This!

Want to practice depth of field? Take three photos of the same subject (like your coffee mug or your dog) using:

f/2.8 (blurred background)
f/5.6 (a little more in focus)
f/11 (most things sharp)

Then review your images side-by-side. It’s the simplest way to train your eye and build confidence in manual mode. They might look something like this:

Ready to Take Your Photography Further?

If this clicked for you and you're ready to build real skills behind the camera—not just guesswork—I offer photography mentorships for creatives at every stage. Whether you’re a Vermont local or joining from across the country, I meet you where you’re at and help you grow.

We’ll go deep into: