Lesson 1: F-Stop
Updated: Aug 19
Taken on a Fujifilm X-T5. Far more function than a novice needs, this camera is going to take some getting used to. First stop: F-Stop.
The instruction was about depth of field. Set ISO to 400 or 800 and change if needed. Set the lens focal length to 50-70mm. Set up 5 objects 6-8 inches apart. Starting with the largest aperture opening, shoot a frame for each of three of the objects - the one in front, the middle, and the back. As aperture increases, so does depth of field which makes the other objects become more clear.
All shots were taken outdoors, in shade, starting around 6pm. ISO was set to 800. Lens focal length was 60mm.
Never mind the garlic's shoot. Cooking's been elusive.
ISO should have been adjusted as of f/5.6 but the happiness at being able to change the aperture and keep the camera steady enough to keep focused got in the way.
Before sharing the next series (spoiler alert: it went wrong), here's some auto generated text about F-Stop that's worth preserving for future reference.
What Is an F-Stop?
The f-stop, also called the aperture setting, refers to the size of the opening inside the lens through which light passes. It is expressed as f/numbers like f/2.8, f/5.6, or f/16. A smaller f-number means a larger opening, allowing more light to hit the camera sensor. A larger f-number means a smaller opening, letting in less light.
This setting affects two main things:
Exposure: How bright or dark the photo is.
Depth of Field: How much of the image appears sharp from front to back.
For example, an f-stop of f/2.8 lets in a lot of light and creates a shallow depth of field, making the subject stand out against a blurry background. On the other hand, f/16 lets in less light but keeps more of the scene in focus.
How F-Stop Affects Exposure
Exposure depends on three factors: aperture (f-stop), shutter speed, and ISO. Changing the f-stop changes the amount of light reaching the sensor. If you open the aperture (lower f-stop), more light enters, brightening the image. If you close it (higher f-stop), less light enters, darkening the image.
For example, if you take a photo at f/4 and it looks too bright, you can increase the f-stop to f/8 to reduce the light and get a better exposure. This balance is crucial when shooting in different lighting conditions.
How F-Stop Controls Depth of Field
Depth of field refers to the zone of sharp focus in a photo. A shallow depth of field means only a small part of the image is sharp, while the rest is blurred. A deep depth of field means most of the image is in focus.
Low f-stop (e.g., f/1.8 or f/2.8)
Creates a shallow depth of field. Ideal for portraits where you want the subject sharp and the background blurred.
High f-stop (e.g., f/11 or f/16)
Produces a deep depth of field. Useful for landscapes where you want everything from foreground to background in focus.
Understanding this helps you decide how to set your camera depending on the photo you want to create.
Continuing with Lesson 1:
The next series utilizes the same instructions: ISO is set to 800, the lens focal length to 50-70mm. Starting with the largest aperture opening, shoot a frame for each of three of the objects - this time it's the trophy.
Still outdoors, in shade, around 6:30pm.
The difficult part was keeping focus on the trophy while moving the camera back to the middle line. It didn't happen. Yet.
More auto generated F-Stop text before the trophy focus issue is (mostly) corrected.
Practical Tips for Using F-Stop
Here are some tips to help you use the f-stop effectively:
Use low f-stop for portraits
To isolate your subject and create a pleasing background blur, choose f/2.8 or lower if your lens allows.
Use high f-stop for landscapes
To keep everything sharp, use f/11 or higher. This ensures both near and far objects stay in focus.
Adjust shutter speed when changing f-stop
If you open the aperture, you may need a faster shutter speed to avoid overexposure. If you close it, slow down the shutter speed to let in enough light.
Experiment with mid-range f-stops
Settings like f/5.6 or f/8 often provide a good balance between light and depth of field, especially for general photography.
Use the depth of field preview button
Many cameras have a button that lets you see how much of the image will be in focus at your chosen f-stop.
Examples of F-Stop in Action
Imagine you are photographing a flower in a garden:
At f/2.8, the flower is sharp, but the background is a smooth blur. This draws attention to the flower.
At f/11, both the flower and the surrounding plants are sharp, showing more detail in the scene.
Or consider a cityscape at sunset:
Using f/16 keeps the buildings, street, and sky all in focus.
Using f/2.8 might blur the background, which is usually not desired for landscapes.
Continuing with Lesson 1:
The next series tries to correct the trophy focus issue while keeping the middle line.
Still outdoors, in shade, now around 7pm.
The f/5.6 shot seemed to work; the others not so much.
The wine opener series worked a little better but mostly because it was towards the middle line.
This lesson took about an hour and a half. Most of that time was on the trophy re-do and on realigning the items to be closer to the middle line but far enough apart to create depth of field. It was trickier than it sounds but a lot of good learning.
Final Thoughts on F-Stop
Mastering the f-stop gives you control over how your photos look. It affects brightness and focus, two key elements in photography. Practice by changing the f-stop and observing how your images change. This hands-on experience will build your confidence and improve your skills.
Next time you pick up your camera, think about what you want to highlight in your photo. Choose your f-stop accordingly to create the effect you want. With time, adjusting the f-stop will become second nature, helping you capture stunning images every time.
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