Aperture Priority Mode what you need to know!
Are you just getting into cameras? Here is what you need to know about Aperture Priority mode
Mastering the depth of field is perhaps one of the most important things to do to improve your photography. And, if you want to master this side of the art, you need to be well-versed in using the tool of aperture priority mode. The depth of field is the distance between the farthest object and the nearest object in focus. Getting it right will automatically make your photographs worth watching.
If you are a beginner and are not aware of the aperture priority, or the other modes that are important to capture the best photos, let us help you get started with these. Before we go on and discuss the aperture priority mode, let’s first find out what aperture exactly is.
Aperture – What is It?
Aperture, in simple terms, is the size the lens of your camera opens up to capture the photo when you are shooting. It works the same way as the pupil of your eye. It is concerned with the amount of light entering the lens. There will be more light entering the eye when the pupil is dilated, as compared to when it is not.
The size of the aperture is measured by photographers in f-stops. It begins from f/1.4 and continues on. The larger the f-stop, the smaller the aperture is. Higher the number, greater the closure will be.
Aperture Mode for Controlling the Depth of the Field
Shutter speed and aperture size work together to create the right depth of field. This can lead to either making your photo or breaking it. The final outcome of the picture is highly dependent on the values you choose for these two factors.
If you use a DSLR camera, look for AV or A mode on the mode dial present on top of the camera. This allows you to choose the aperture mode. Once you have selected the aperture mode, the camera set the appropriate shutter speed by itself without you having to worry about it.
Shooting in Aperture Mode – Tips
Here are some tips to help you use the aperture priority mode to the best.
When Shooting Portraits
The lighting tends to be pretty good when you are shooting portraits. You can use natural or flash for it, whatever you want and prefer. When you have good light at your disposal, there is no need to make it hard for yourself. You can choose an aperture of your choice to click the photo. One of the best aperture values to work with when clicking portraits is f/5.6. However, you can try out different values and find the one you like the most. The lower the f-stop the more shallow depth of field it will be meaning the background will be blurry.
Shooting Landscapes
The depth of field becomes really important when you are shooting landscapes. Since there is usually a background and a foreground in landscapes, you will be needing to work with a wider aperture. You can try using f/16 to capture landscape photos. This can be tricky at first but it will become much easier once you get into some practice. When shooting landscapes you want everything in focus, that means an f-stop of f/11 and above.
When Not to Use Aperture Priority Mode
Here are some situations where choosing the aperture priority mode might not be a good idea.
If There is Poor Light: If you are shooting in low light, or a darkened room, avoiding camera shake, and getting the right exposure can be a problem. You might be able to deal with the exposure part if you use the aperture priority mode, but the camera shake cannot be avoided. Hence this mode is not to be used in areas with poor light or without a tripod.
Shooting Landscapes at Night: You cannot predict the light when shooting landscapes at night. There are many estimations and calculations to make. Hence, choosing the aperture priority mode is not recommended when shooting landscapes at night instead full manual mode is preferred.
