The opening, even without knowing it, is one of the things that most attracts our attention when we start in the world of photography. If we come from the Smartphone or from the old and simple compact ones, or if we always work automatically, we are not aware of how those images that arouse our interest so much are made. We see those fascinating photographs, those extremely sharp-eyed portraits, so isolated and perfect, those landscapes of infinite focus. It is at that moment when we think What a photo! What a beauty! What a professional!
Although there are multiple factors that influence an image, one of the most prominent is the diaphragm opening of our objective, and it is also one of the first that we should begin to know for its usefulness when it comes to controlling both the light and the depth of field (focused area in the image).
It is with these two initial concepts, with which, once learned, you can play to create creative images. Here are some ideas, but first let’s review very briefly how the aperture of the diaphragm affects the image.
Opening the diaphragm:
The more open the diaphragm of your lens is (low F values for example F1:4, F1:8) More light will enter through it to your sensor. Likewise, at more open diaphragms, shallow depth of field or area in focus in the image.
Closing the diaphragm:
On the contrary, the more closed the diaphragm of your lens is (high F values for example F16 or F22), less light will enter through it to your sensor. Regarding the depth of field, at more closed diaphragms, greater depth of field or area in focus in the image.
1. Highlighting elements
When opening the diaphragm, the depth of field decreases, which allows us to use the focused areas of the image to highlight those elements that interest us above the rest; the center of interest.
2. With some rhythm
As a photographer of any type, you will have already realized that an image is made up of a thousand variables, decisions, and joint techniques. The use of more or less closed openings together with the rhythm of repeating patternscan help you find fascinating images full of rhythm and depth.
3.Bokeh
You will love this very visual technique, and it is basically done by playing with light and large openings. You can see how to make Bokeh, in this complete article.
4. Hyperfocal distance
Although it may seem like an impossible concept, the truth is that it is much easier than it seems, and if you don’t believe me, I’ll show you here 😉 . If we have previously commented on how you can play with the aperture to reduce the depth of field of your images and focus the focus on a part of the image, you can also use it to emulate those wonderful landscapes that you have always admired. Do you see those sharp, perfectly focused landscape images? Well, they are also achieved through (among other aspects) the opening of your diaphragm.
5. Forced perspective
Or how to “trick” our eye through impossible shots playing with perspective and opening. To achieve images like the following you need imagination, minimal scene preparation, and a diaphragm opening as closed as possible (high F) so that all the planes of the image are in focus, thus helping the optical illusion that the elements They are parts of the same plane.
6. Macro photography
Visually very attractive, macro photography gives us images of impossible giants. Bugs, eyes, flowers, or objects blown up to unreal proportions, and a very, very small depth of field (area of focus) that you can use creatively to “paint” your backgrounds or your subject’s surroundings.
7. With movement
We have already commented that the aperture not only affects the depth of field of the image, but also the light received by the sensor through the lens. The more we open the diaphragm, the more light enters through it, and the less we do, the less light. And light introduces another variable: shutter speed. The more light, at higher speeds we can take the images. In less light, we must work with slower speeds. If you want to capture movement, closing the diaphragm will help you get slower speeds at which to photograph.
8. In the footsteps of the protagonist
Imagine someone in the background of the scene, out of focus, perfectly clear footprints in the sand. Although the focus guides us visually through the image and points out the centers of interest, there are many ways to explain or narrate in the image. Those footprints belong to our protagonist and lead us to him, just as the spotlight could, although in this case, we use it in a somewhat more creative way 😉
9. Same frame, different focus
With large apertures (low F), we have already mentioned that we will have small focal lengths. Have you ever thought about doing a series without changing the frame, just the focus, and seeing how the direction of the image changes depending on the element you decide is in focus? Have you tried to place them next to each other as if they were a single image?
10. Flares or reflections
The aperture of the diaphragm, in a similar way to what happens with the bokeh, can help you to increase or decrease the effect of the Light rays of the sun that enter through our lens, especially in backlit images; the so-called “flares”, which we usually want to avoid at all costs with our beloved parasol. So the more you open the diaphragm, the more chances that the lights will enter your lens, which you can use in an artistic way, or avoid it by closing the diaphragm and using the lens hood 😉
Controlling the diaphragm is one of the most effective ways you will have to get closer to those images that captivated you so much the first times you saw them and that surely brought you here, to this moment, to this article. Because like you, we have all experienced that moment when we want to know what things are made of and why. And let’s hope that moment never leaves us, neither that curiosity, nor that desire. May we not lose enthusiasm and the desire to learn and enjoy our passions. Because knowing the answer to how that image was taken should not stop us, but push us to ask ourselves more and more questions. Now you know a few things that you can practice until you get tired of the diaphragm. But by no means does this end here. 😉 Keep asking yourself and you will continue to surprise yourself, overcome yourself and above all, enjoy yourself.
And you know, if you think someone else might be interested or interested in some ideas on how to play with the aperture to get some dreamy images, share it and encourage them with some why, on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. Thank you very much 🙂