How can you use aperture to improve portrait photography?

1 What is depth of field?

Depth of field is the distance between the nearest and farthest points in your scene that are in focus. A shallow depth of field means that only a small part of your scene is in focus, while a large depth of field means that most or all of your scene is in focus. Depth of field is controlled by aperture, as well as by focal length and distance to the subject. A smaller aperture (higher f-number) creates a larger depth of field, while a larger aperture (lower f-number) creates a shallow depth of field.

2 How to use aperture for portraits

One of the main reasons to use aperture for portraits is to isolate your subject from the background and make them stand out. A shallow depth of field can create a soft and blurry background that enhances your subject's features and expression, while also reducing distractions and clutter. To achieve this effect, you need to use a large aperture (low f-number), such as f/2.8, f/2, or f/1.4. You also need to use a longer focal length (such as 50mm, 85mm, or 100mm) and get closer to your subject.

3 How to use aperture for environmental portraits

Another way to use aperture for portraits is to include more of the background and context in your photos. This is called environmental portraiture, and it can tell a story about your subject's personality, lifestyle, or location. A large depth of field can show more details and textures in the background, while also creating a sense of depth and scale. To achieve this effect, you need to use a smaller aperture (higher f-number), such as f/8, f/11, or f/16. You also need to use a shorter focal length (such as 24mm, 35mm, or 40mm) and get farther from your subject.

4 How to use aperture for creative portraits

A third way to use aperture for portraits is to experiment with different effects and styles that suit your vision and mood. For example, you can use a very large aperture (such as f/1.2 or f/1.4) to create a dreamy and ethereal look, with a very shallow depth of field and a lot of bokeh (the quality of the out-of-focus areas). Or you can use a very small aperture (such as f/22 or f/32) to create a sharp and crisp look, with a large depth of field and a lot of diffraction (the bending of light around the edges of the aperture). You can also use aperture to control the shape and size of the light sources in your background, such as stars, lamps, or candles.

5 How to choose the best aperture for portraits

There is no single best aperture for portraits, as it depends on your creative intention, your subject, your lighting, and your environment. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you choose the right aperture for your situation. First, you need to decide what kind of depth of field you want: shallow, large, or somewhere in between. Second, you need to consider the focal length of your lens: longer lenses require larger apertures to achieve the same depth of field as shorter lenses. Third, you need to consider the distance to your subject: closer subjects require larger apertures to achieve the same depth of field as farther subjects. Fourth, you need to consider the exposure: larger apertures let more light into the camera, while smaller apertures let less light into the camera. You may need to adjust your shutter speed and ISO accordingly.

6 How to practice using aperture for portraits

The best way to master using aperture for portraits is to practice and experiment with different settings and scenarios. You can use a tripod, a remote shutter release, or a self-timer to take photos of yourself, or you can ask a friend or family member to pose for you. You can also use different props, backgrounds, and light sources to create different effects and moods. Try to take photos with different apertures, focal lengths, and distances, and compare the results. Pay attention to how the aperture affects the focus, the depth of field, the bokeh, the diffraction, and the exposure. You will soon discover how aperture can improve your portrait photography and express your artistic vision.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?