How to choose your Aperture

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Learning about aperture is exciting when you start out in photography. But many people choose less than optimal apertures for their shots when they're just starting out.

This video explains why it's not always ideal to shoot with your lens wide open, or with a really small aperture either, and why you should compose all of your shots from an aperture like F8, and go from there!

Any questions just let me know!

Cheers,

James

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Gear:

[JamesPopsysPhoto]

If you're not a beginner, you should definitely go and watch something else, I won't be offended.

[jakelarntz]

Beginner or not, this video is mad helpful!

[hidekigomi]

This was like a slap - if I watched this clip a year ago, I didn't have to waste my money and my time to read hundreds of pages I still don't understand. This is what I needed to hear!

[williamstrachan]

Definitely calling me out on the wide open 😂though I must admit I have used a few other apertures as well, since getting my 50mm prime 2 weeks ago. It's nice to have the range available for occasional artistic decisions, but probably better (esp with manual focus) for "out and about/handheld" shots to be through a smaller aperture.

[jaysamuelwright]

Yes!! Game changer! I’ve been wanting a decent “rule of thumb” explanation of aperture effects on the final image! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[jamesdarnell]

I'm a beginner, but OMG. Other YouTube channels recommending I shoot wide open but take care when shooting portraits as the model's eyelash may be in focus but her pupil will be out of focus. Talk about razor-thin depth of field! For now I will shoot at f-5.6 and listen to James Popsys for real-world practical advice. Love your channel James!

[hurleygreen]

GOOD CALLS! I'm a firm believer in the "sweet spot" of any lens in the middle of the aperture range: F8 or F11, definitely not by shooting wide open, un;less low light is the problem
.tAke it on a case by case basis...THANKS!

[UkuleleGo]

One part of choosing an aperture that I really struggle to understand is the differences between them when you're not jumping from one extreme to another. I totally get your point on not pushing a lens to the extreme, but how do you make a call between say F8 and F9 for example? This probably applies more to the smaller apertures. At the moment I tend to find that when I'm out shooting a landscape I'll pretty much default to F9 and not really know why I might change this, particularly if my shot looks like it's generally in focus where I want it to be. Hopefully that makes sense. Thanks in advance.

[johnlochness]

Thanks. This video is spot on. I've recently moved from a Fuji bridge camera to a Sony mirrorless and I've found myself always using the aperture extremes and thinking this can't be right.

[Foofoonoonoo]

Very insightful. Loving your videos. Love that you don't take things too seriously. And am learning a lot. Thank you

[timrpbrown]

I've been snapping for years and never really thought about it - till now. A short video that totally changes the way I will approach my photography from here on. Thanks.

[steelyscott]

Hey James, YES! GREAT! MORE OF THESE TYPES OF VIDEOS, PLEASE! Thank you so much for the info., 👏👍

[jamesmlodynia]

There are times to shoot wide open and times to shoot stopped down a d every thing in between, things to take into consideration, how much of your subject do you want or need in focus, what focal length are you using, a wide focal length will give you more depth of field, how far from your subject are you and what sensor are you using with your camera lastly what is your lighting like and are you shooting handheld or on a tripod.

[pauld]

Excellent simple perspectice concerning aperture. F8 is great!

[maxzylstra]

Great info here! Just started my photography game; recently picking up a second lens that's a f1.7 and thought using it wide open would be the best thing ever. Can't wait to see the outcome after putting some of this into practice! Thanks a lot, James!

[Cretinfour]

Hey thanks. I love your delivery and teaching method.

[Mutton]

Simplest explanation ive seen on this subject. I understand all the tech shit on these settings, but never could quite figure out creatively what aperture to select. F10, F7, the right answer? You've helped, generally it the right answer is, stop bloody thinking about it and take the damn photo. Only change the settings if you have a good reason to.

[mindhorn]

This video has been incredibly useful to me because I was planning to walk into a wooden beam later on today. Thankfully, due to your helpful insight into the results of such actions, I've now decided against it.

[RightTurnsAndLeftovers]

Thanks for another great video. I haven't come across anyone else talking about why not to shoot at the extremes and I think I've ran into the problems you've mentioned.

[martinfey]

great explanation James, all that info in a concise video that will make a direct impact on how and why to use a sensible aperture starting point out in the field regardless of lens. Fast becoming my go to photography tuber.