What To Know
- Aperture, the size of the opening in your lens, directly impacts the amount of light entering your camera and plays a crucial role in creating the desired depth of field – the area in your image that appears sharp.
- While the Canon 60D doesn’t have a physical aperture ring on the body, you can still control the aperture through the lens or the camera settings.
- Use a smaller aperture (f/8 – f/16) to maintain sharpness throughout the scene, capturing details in both the foreground and background.
Understanding and manipulating aperture is a fundamental skill for any photographer, especially when using a DSLR like the Canon 60D. Aperture, the size of the opening in your lens, directly impacts the amount of light entering your camera and plays a crucial role in creating the desired depth of field – the area in your image that appears sharp. This blog post will guide you through the process of changing aperture on your Canon 60D, explaining the concepts behind it and showcasing its practical applications.
Understanding Aperture and Its Impact on Your Images
Aperture, often represented by the letter “f” followed by a number (e.g., f/2.8, f/16), determines how much light passes through your lens. A larger aperture (smaller f-number) allows more light to enter, resulting in a brighter image. Conversely, a smaller aperture (larger f-number) restricts light, creating a darker image.
However, the impact of aperture extends beyond brightness. It also directly affects the depth of field, the area in your image that appears in focus. A larger aperture (smaller f-number) produces a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and highlighting your subject. This is often used in portrait photography to isolate the subject from the surroundings. A smaller aperture (larger f-number) creates a deep depth of field, keeping both the foreground and background sharp. This is beneficial for landscape photography where you want to capture every detail of the scene.
The Aperture Ring: A Manual Approach
Older lenses, especially those designed for film cameras, often feature an aperture ring. This physical ring on the lens allows you to manually adjust the aperture by rotating it. The markings on the ring correspond to different f-numbers, allowing you to select the desired aperture setting.
Aperture Control on Your Canon 60D: The Lens and the Camera
While the Canon 60D doesn’t have a physical aperture ring on the body, you can still control the aperture through the lens or the camera settings.
1. Using the Lens’ Aperture Ring (If Applicable)
Some lenses, especially those designed for manual or semi-automatic shooting, will have an aperture ring. If your lens has this feature, you can adjust the aperture directly on the lens itself. Simply rotate the ring to the desired f-number.
2. Using the Camera’s Aperture Control
If your lens doesn‘t have an aperture ring, you can control the aperture through the Canon 60D’s settings. This is done in the camera’s “Av” or “Aperture Priority” mode.
Here’s how to change aperture in Av mode:
1. Switch to Av mode: Rotate the mode dial on your camera to “Av.”
2. Select your aperture: Use the main dial on the camera to adjust the aperture value. The camera display will show the selected f-number.
3. Compose and shoot: The camera will automatically adjust the shutter speed to compensate for the chosen aperture and achieve a proper exposure.
Understanding the Aperture Scale and Its Impact
The aperture scale is a series of f-numbers that represent the different aperture settings available on your lens. The scale typically starts with a small f-number (e.g., f/2.8) and progresses to larger f-numbers (e.g., f/16).
Here’s a breakdown of the aperture scale and its implications:
- Larger aperture (smaller f-number): Allows more light, creates a shallower depth of field (blurry background), and is ideal for isolating subjects.
- Smaller aperture (larger f-number): Allows less light, creates a deeper depth of field (sharp foreground and background), and is suitable for capturing landscapes and group photos.
Choosing the Right Aperture for Your Shots
Selecting the appropriate aperture depends on the type of photography you’re doing and the desired effect. Here are some general guidelines:
- Portrait photography: Use a larger aperture (f/2.8 – f/5.6) to create a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and emphasizing the subject.
- Landscape photography: Use a smaller aperture (f/8 – f/16) to maintain sharpness throughout the scene, capturing details in both the foreground and background.
- Macro photography: Use a larger aperture (f/2.8 – f/5.6) to isolate the subject and create a blurred background, enhancing the subject’s detail.
- Sports photography: Use a larger aperture (f/2.8 – f/5.6) to freeze the action and capture fast-moving subjects.
Exploring the Creative Possibilities of Aperture
Aperture control offers a powerful tool for photographers to express their vision. By experimenting with different aperture settings, you can create a wide range of artistic effects:
- Bokeh: The pleasing blur of out-of-focus areas, often seen in portraits with shallow depth of field.
- Depth of field transitions: Using different apertures to create a gradual shift in focus across the image, drawing the viewer’s eye to specific areas.
- Starbursts: When shooting point light sources at a smaller aperture (f/16 or smaller), the light can create star-shaped patterns.
Mastering Aperture: A Journey of Practice and Exploration
Learning how to change aperture on your Canon 60D is a crucial step in mastering your photography skills. By understanding the relationship between aperture and depth of field, you can create images that reflect your artistic vision and capture the essence of your subjects.
Experiment with different aperture settings, explore the creative possibilities, and refine your technique through practice. The Canon 60D offers a versatile platform for exploring aperture control and unlocking your full photographic potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the maximum aperture on my Canon 60D?
The maximum aperture depends on the lens you are using. Each lens has a specific maximum aperture, which is the largest opening it allows. For example, a lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 can open up wider than a lens with a maximum aperture of f/4.
Q2: How do I know which aperture to use?
The best aperture for your shot depends on the subject, lighting conditions, and the desired effect. Experiment with different apertures and see what works best for your specific needs.
Q3: Can I change aperture while shooting in automatic mode?
No, in automatic mode, the camera selects both aperture and shutter speed automatically. To control aperture manually, you need to switch to Av (Aperture Priority) mode.
Q4: What is the difference between aperture and shutter speed?
Aperture controls the size of the opening in your lens, affecting the amount of light entering the camera and the depth of field. Shutter speed controls the duration that the shutter remains open, affecting the amount of light entering the camera and the motion blur in your image.
Q5: How does aperture affect exposure?
A larger aperture (smaller f-number) allows more light to enter the camera, resulting in a brighter image. A smaller aperture (larger f-number) allows less light, resulting in a darker image.
