Understanding Aperture

Below you will find an excerpt from my book “Understanding the Basics of Exposure”. This will help you get a better idea of the books content as well as teach you a little about the Aperture and how it is used. If you know of anyone into photography please share this post. I believe that the book can help those just getting started as well as reinforce the basics for those who have been doing this for awhile. You can find out more about the book here: 

http://eldridgestudios.blogspot.com/2012/10/exciting-news.html 

and here: 

http://eldridgestudios.blogspot.com/2012/11/quick-reminder.html.


Enjoy this excerpt and please leave a comment and let me know what you think.
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What is the Aperture?

Aperture in its basic definition is a hole in which light travels through. This opening is increased or decreased using a series of blades within the lens of a DSLR. The number that is used to indicate the size of the opening is called an f-stop. The f-stop number is determined by dividing the focal length of the lens by the diameter of the pupil (or opening). Luckily in the camera world we just have to pay attention to the numbers after the “f” to know the f-stop. Smart people somewhere already did the math.

How the Aperture is Used?

The aperture is used when determining proper exposure. If you think of the aperture as a faucet and light as water it might be easier to understand. If you turn a faucet on full blast it is letting a large amount of water flow. That would be the equivalent of a wide open aperture i.e. f2.8. If you turn the water on just slightly where there is only a trickle then you have a small aperture i.e. f22.

Not only is aperture used to help determine proper exposure but it is used to determine depth of field.

• Depth of Field (DOF)

• DOF is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a photograph that appear reasonably sharp. Think of this area as the focal plane as well. Lenses can precisely focus on a given point. However, anything closer or further away from that point begins to leave the focal plane. This is how you get the nice blurry backgrounds you see in some photographs or the tack sharpness in others.
• The smaller the opening (higher the f-stop number) the greater depth of field. Think of it like squinting your eyes.
• The larger the opening (smaller the f-stop number) the shallower the depth of field.

•Aperture is one of the most powerful tools in a photographer’s arsenal to creating compelling images. It vital to your photography that you fully understand what changing aperture numbers will do to your photograph.

Below is a list of typical f-stops you typically see on modern lenses and a graphical representation of what happens to the depth of field as the f-stop number changes. I highly recommend that you memorize these apertures as it will help you later when you are determining manual exposures and depth of field.

Wings over Homestead

Anything aviation related has always fascinated me.  How they fly, how fast they move, and the men and women who fly them.  See, I have been a pilot since 1994.  I don't fly that much any more but I certainly never pass up the opportunity to photograph them.  Today, I headed out to the Wings over Homestead air show at the Homestead Air Force Base.  This is a show that comes every year or two and it is always entertaining.  

While it might not be a Sun-N-Fun or an Oshkosh it is a fun place to be when the jets rocket down the runway.  I would like to take this time to thank all those involved in bringing us this free air show.  More than that though I would like to thank the men and women of the armed forces for their efforts each and every day.

Take a look at some of my favorite from today.  Enjoy!

Quick Reminder

iPad Version

Hey folks, quick reminder, I recently released my book "Understanding the Basics of Exposure". This is a great gift for someone you know just getting into photography or wants to improve their photos. Consider my book as a virtual stocking stuffer for Christmas, too! It makes a great companion to any photographer's gift! The guidance works for most any camera, because Understanding the Basics of Exposure reinforces the skills of the photographer.

As a limited time bonus, you can receive a free digital copy of any photograph on my website www.eldridgestudios.com !!!! For $2.99 you can get guidance in photographing and an original photograph for your printing use! How? Leave a review of my book wherever you made the purchase. You can give the digital copy as gift to that photographer in your life, or keep it for yourself!

PDF Version

The book is available for the iPad and as standard PDF. It is 33 pages long and chock full of valuable information and beautiful photographs all for $2.99! Get yours today!









iPad Version: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/understanding-basics-exposure/id570851846?mt=11#

PDF Version: http://www.lulu.com/shop/jason-eldridge/understanding-the-basics-of-exposure/ebook/product-20453300.html

Feel free to check out my blog as well. It is full of information that you can put to use and it’s free!!

www.eldridgestudios.blogspot.com

The Reason

Zackeal Eldridge:  That's my boy!

A photograph is a moment captured; an interpretation of life.  Time passes and memories begin to fade.  If you have been lucky enough to have photographs of those moments then by simply looking you are transported back to those memories; no longer are they fading, no longer forgotten.  It is for this reason that I pick up my camera.

Changing Light

It has always amazed me the difference a few minutes can make during sunrises or sunsets.  Below you will see two photographs taken just a few minutes apart.  You can see in the first one that the sun hasn't risen to the point that direct light is hitting the buildings.  It is however strangely iluminating the clouds just above them. 

A short time later the second shot was taken.  It is easy to tell that it is just after the sun has fully risen as the light is directly reflected in the clouds, the buildings and the water.  Always remember, at sunset and sunrise if you don't like the light just wait a few minutes.

These two images are distinctly different and each one works depending on what you like.

Don't forget about my Understanding the Basics of Exposure book that just hit the virtual shelves! You can find the press release here: http://eldridgestudios.blogspot.com/2012/10/exciting-news.html The price is only $2.99!

Exciting News!

iPad Version

Several months ago I had an idea. The idea was based on my own struggles with exposure when I was starting out in photography. This e-book book has been designed to give you a solid foundation regarding exposure as you continue to build your own photographic skills.


Within these pages you will find information about ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture and how they all work together. You will also gain understanding of how your camera meter works, what the different exposure modes represent, and how to best use the modes.

This book was designed to be used specifically with the iPad and if you are an iPad owner then you can get your copy from the iTunes Store here:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/understanding-basics-exposure/id570851846?mt=11#

Now, if you are saying “What about me? I don’t have an iPad!” Well, I’ve got you covered. If you follow this link you can download a PDF version here:  http://www.lulu.com/shop/jason-eldridge/understanding-the-basics-of-exposure/ebook/product-20453300.html


Cost: $2.99 for either version



PDF Version

If you like what you read then please rate this book at the site where you made the purchase. Feel free to drop me an e-mail or give me a call with any comments or suggestions for this book or for future ones.

Consider the Time of Day

 Here are a few of my favorite engagement photos from yesterday's (10/06/2012) shoot.  There is a little pull off as you are headed to Key Biscayne where these were taken.  It is one of my favorite locations for engagement photos.

However, taking a couple there on a Saturday afternoon poses some interesting problems.  Until now I had only visited there early in the mornings and typically we were the only ones there and had the run of the place.  Saturday afternoons on the other hand are crawling with people and not the quiet contemplative ones either.  But with a little effort and the willingness of these folks to walk around the photos came out just fine.

The moral of the story is know your location if at all possible prior to the shoot.  I did show up about 30min before and took a quick note of what we had to work with.  If I hadn't done that it certainly would have been a little more challenging.

Of course having folks like this makes it all the easier!