Introduction: Exercise 3 - Focus At Different Apertures

Introduction: Exercise 3 - Focus At Different Apertures


For this exercise, the aim is to show the the limits of sharpness when using different apertures and the contrasting depths of fields.
With a similar setting to Exercise 2, I used my garden fence but this time a view along the top of the wooden slats. My focus was set on the first post and the apertures starting from widest to narrowest.

Image 1 - f2.8 1/640s ISO 800

Image 2 - f8 1/100s ISO 800

Image 3 - f22 1/50 ISO 3200

The high ISO needed due to the typically overcast setting means some noise is visible especially in image 3, but I think it is still possible to clearly see the variety of depth of field.

Each aperture setting has it's place in photography, for instance general landscapes call for overall sharpness and hence the need for small apertures when shooting them. For me f2.8 is a great setting, throwing the background out of focus and pulling the eye into the image on the desired focal point.
As well as their image effect there is also the practical side, where the surrounding light will dictate the settings available. For instance, concert shooting can be very dark and without the use of flash it is essential to have a wide aperture available to allow shooting hand held.

Concluding, I understand the importance and functions of different apertures and think it is essential to think and use of them as I set up a shot and consider how I want the image to look and how it will be viewed.