Ultimate Guide to Camera Aperture — What is Aperture & the Exposure Triangle Explained [Ep 1]

Chapters:
00:00 A Look at Aperture in Film
00:17 The Exposure Triangle
00:42 Camera Aperture Explained
01:34 Aperture Tutorial & F-Stops
01:48 Small Aperture
02:30 Example: Small Aperture in '1917'
03:38 Large Aperture
04:07 Example: Large Aperture in 'Joker'
05:07 Medium Aperture
05:59 Example: Medium Aperture in 'Marriage Story'
07:12 Exposure Triangle Preview: ISO and Shutter Speed
07:35 Learn more about aperture

What is aperture? An aperture is what determines how much light passes through a camera’s lens. In photography and filmmaking, lens aperture is more than just an anonymous mechanism inside a lens. The aperture setting is the principal element used to manipulate depth of field, focal length, bokeh, and more. Lens aperture, along with ISO and shutter speed, is also part of the exposure triangle, which dictates the exposure of the final image. In other words, the aperture isn’t just necessary to capture images, it has a direct effect on the look and feel of those images. This is aperture explained, Part 1 of our series on the exposure triangle.

In this video essay and aperture tutorial, we will cover everything you need to know about aperture, depth of field, exposure, f stops, and t stops in photography and filmmaking. Once we cover the basic mechanics of how aperture works, we’ll look at how aperture settings create depth of field and the various visual storytelling techniques you can use in your next project.

So, what are the visual storytelling techniques associated with aperture and depth of field? In 1917, cinematographer Roger Deakins used a small aperture setting (high f stop) to achieve a deep depth of field. By doing so, we are able to observe the soldiers within their surroundings with equal clarity. In Joker, cinematographer Lawrence Sher utilizes a large aperture setting (low f stop) to create a shallow depth of field. This creates separation between Arthur and his environment, allowing us to register his emotional detachment.

In photography and filmmaking, each image-maker needs to be equally adept at aesthetics and mechanics. You won’t be able to speak the language of visual storytelling if you don’t know how to manipulate tools like aperture. Depth of field, focal length, exposure, ISO, shutter speed, and aperture are elements that work in combination to create an image. When you understand the role each of those elements plays, you’ll be one step closer to becoming a master visual artist.

#cinematography #filmmaking #filmtheory

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[StudioBinder]

Chapters
00:00 A Look at Aperture in Film
00:17 The Exposure Triangle
00:42 Camera Aperture Explained
01:34 Aperture Tutorial & F-Stops
01:48 Small Aperture
02:30 Example: Small Aperture in '1917'
03:38 Large Aperture
04:07 Example: Large Aperture in 'Joker'
05:07 Medium Aperture
05:59 Example: Medium Aperture in 'Marriage Story'
07:12 Exposure Triangle Preview: ISO and Shutter Speed
07:35 Learn more about aperture

[jeevanmaria]

you are my film school at home. waiting for the next two episodes.

[ItsJoeHut]

I'm constantly mindblown by the quality of every video on this channel. I can't believe there's people downvoting your videos.

[jayasrighosh]

Who thinks studiobinder is better than film school ?

[film_magician]

I've went to film school and scoured the internet for simplistic explanations of aperture - to help explain it to other crew members on set and things like that. This is by far the best one. Looking forward to your ISO and shutter speed and lens selection ones. An easy way to remember the f stops: [ 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11 and 16 ] you double the number of every second one. Eg: 1.4 doubled is 2.8, doubled we go to 5.6, then 11 (the only one that doesn't perfectly fit, but close to 5.5) and 22. same for 2, 4, 8, 16, 32. Easy way to remember all of them

[marlojustine]

This is like a virtual masterclass for all aspiring cinematographers and even for someone who just like to learn. I just find it amazing that StudioBinder makes such incredible and easy to understand topics about film and arts for a layman's perspective. Imagine paying for a couple thousand dollars just to get a professor teach you these things, compared to this? I mean, this is already a bargain, considering that it is already made available online. Thank you StudioBinder for another awesome and rich content. Can't wait for more.

[mirsyadhikmatullah]

combining this series with "Shot List" is essential, , , one to another has correlation, , ,

[klhonestguide]

Thank you. Always looking forward to these lessons

[BobbyLin]

The comparison to pupils was genius, never heard it explained this well in film school.

[maanbiharipandey]

Studio Binder..you're my first love❤

[mambaman]

I would pay thousands of dollars to take filmmaking lessons from this narrator of Studiobinder videos. The superb British accent alone guarantees that I will learn the material faster. The thoroughness in breaking down the technical aspects of filmmaking would be a bonus; the icing on the cake, so to speak!

[rolandocalzadilla]

I love your voice. I understood everything and English is not my first language

[mrcela]

Fantastic work as always. One of the few channels I have notifications on for

[BarryMckokiner]

I understood so much in just 8 minutes. Great video

[nigelasipa]

Wow. This makes me appreciate both visual storytelling and depth of field even more now. You guys are one of my favourite channels. So good at what you do. Thank you

[CutTheBeardToWatch]

I never thought of aperture like a pupil. This example sticks in the head. Thank you SB

[JoJo-xpwr]

I just love what kind of topics you put into your video! Can you please consider a video about composition in scenes and how to use the golden ratio to structure scenes to be more eye comforting?

[Apple-vmsk]

*Just awesome sir you are great thank you so much it's truly cinematic*

[sarangbisht]

Thank You Studio Binder.
Eagerly waiting for your future episodes.

[muhammadjamal]

I cant tell you how much I enjoy watching your videos, I think of your channel as a movement by it self for movies, still, design and photography enthusiastic
Thank you so much for your efforts.