Aperture Priority Guide
Welcome to the Aperture Priority Guide!
I’m Nancy, creator of Mastering Manual Mode, a tried and
true photography course that’s taking hundreds of
photographers from frustration to photography freedom!
You may have found me on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube,
making countless videos that I hope are helpful to you on
your photography journey. I know that learning
photography on your own is difficult, and I hope that this
guide will take away a little of that frustration you’re
undoubtedly suffering from!
This guide gives a crash course on Aperture and Depth of
Field, along with a step by step lesson to shooting in
Aperture Priority Mode, plus a cheat sheet for camera
settings - you’re welcome!
Take a deep breath, take your time, and have fun!
Nancy
NANCY'S WEBSITE
Lesson 1:
What is Aperture?
The Exposure Triangle: A Balancing Act
Photographers often refer to the "exposure triangle" – three settings that
control your images: Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO. These three
elements work to determine the overall brightness or darkness of an
image.
Understanding Aperture: The Size of the "Hole"
At the heart of this lies Aperture, essentially the size of the opening in
your lens that allows light to pass through and reach the camera's
sensor. Think of it as the "hole" through which light travels. This "hole" is
adjustable, allowing you to control the amount of light entering the
camera.
Large Aperture (Wide Open): A larger aperture, like a wide-open door,
allows more light to enter the camera. This helps in low-light situations
or when you want a shallow depth of field (where the subject is in sharp
focus, and the background is blurred).
Small Aperture (Narrow): A smaller aperture, like an almost closed door,
limits the amount of light entering the camera. This is useful in bright
conditions or when you need a greater depth of field (where more of the
scene is in focus, like landscape photography).
Lesson 2:
F-Stops
Understanding F-stops: Measuring Aperture Size
The size of the aperture opening is measured using a scale called f-
stops. These are represented as F1.4, F2.8, F5.6, F8, F11, F16, and so on.
The “Backwards” Relationship:
It's really important to understand, there's a backwards relationship
between the f-stop number and the size of the aperture opening:
Higher f-stop number (e.g., F16, F22): a smaller aperture opening.
Lower f-stop number (e.g., F1.4, F2.8): a larger aperture opening.
This might seem impossible to remember at first, but with a bit of
practice, it will become second nature.
Visualizing the Relationship:
See the illustration below that shows how aperture gets smaller as
the f numbers get bigger.
The Bottom Line
When in a dark room or area, use a wide aperture to let in more light to your
camera using a small f number. When in bright or sunny conditions, you’ll
need to use a smaller aperture to restrict the light coming into the camera
using a big f number.
Lesson 3:
Depth of Field
Aperture: Controlling Exposure and Image Aesthetics
Aperture controls the amount of light entering the camera, but also the
visual appearance of the image. This is because of what is called the
depth of field.
Depth of Field: A Matter of Focus
Depth of field is the area of the scene that will be in focus. This area can
vary a lot, from a very shallow depth of field (where only a small portion
of the scene is in focus) to a large depth of field (where a big portion of
the scene, from front to back, is in focus).
The ladybug image has a shallow The landscape image has a large
depth of field: the subject is in depth of field: allowing the distant
focus and the background is mountains and the foreground
beautifully blurred. This is achieved trees to be in focus. This is achieved
with a wide aperture; a low f- with a smaller aperture; a high f-
number. number.
The Bottom Line
To blur the background, use a large aperture; a small f-number. To get more
in focus, use a small aperture; a large f-number.
Put it into Action!
Let's get off of AUTO and into Aperture Priority Mode. This gives you more
control over how your images turn out, but allows the camera to still
control the final image exposure.
Aperture Priority Mode is a shooting mode on your camera, like AUTO or
Manual Mode. It is a semi-automatic mode, because you tell the camera
which Aperture to use, and then the camera figures out the correct
exposure, and sets the two remaining elements, ISO and Shutter Speed for
you.
Shooting in Aperture Priority Mode
You will find Aperture Priority Mode on your camera on the top dial
noted like this:
A = Aperture Priority (Found on Nikon, Sony, Olympus and Fuji)
Av = Aperture value mode. (Found on Canon)
HERE'S WHAT TO DO:
STEP 1: GRAB A STATIONARY SUBJECT
Go and grab an inanimate object that does not move, like a stuffed toy or a
vase. Next up, go outside! This is best so you have lots of light available. If
you can’t get outside, make sure to do this right next to a window!
STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR APERTURE
Use the cheat sheet in this guide (below) to help you!
STEP THREE : SET YOUR ISO (OR USE AUTO ISO)
You can leave this on AUTO, and the camera will choose an ISO number for
you. Start this way, and then when you feel ready, move onto setting the
ISO yourself.
STEP FOUR: CHECK YOUR SHUTTER SPEED
Your camera will balance exposure for you by choosing the Shutter Speed.
Here is a tip, though: don’t let shutter speed fall below 1/250. If it does, either
choose a smaller F number, or a larger ISO number.
STEP FIVE: START SHOOTING!
You did it!
Aperture Priority Mode is the first step away from the AUTO, and
understanding how Aperture, ISO and Shutter Speed works! But
don't stay here too long, because you can get the images you’ve
always dreamed of consistently when you shoot in manual mode
- it’s KEY to mastering your camera!
PRINTABLE
cheat sheet
APERTURE
MORE FOCUS AREA LESS FOCUS AREA
DARKER BRIGHTER
SHUTTER SPEED
eld
l hand h
My usua
MOTION BLUR speed FREEZES ACTION
shutter
BRIGHTER DARKER
ISO
LESS SENSORS MORE SENSORS
LESS GRAIN/ NOISE MORE GRAIN/ NOISE
[Link]
@smileynanc
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