Day Two
The Heart of Exposure
The Blur, The Sharp, and The Light**
Aperture is one of the most powerful tools in photography — and also one of the simplest once it’s explained in real language.
Aperture controls two things:
How much light comes into the camera
How blurry or sharp the background looks
Most people think aperture is a complicated technical setting.
It’s not.
It’s just an opening — like a window, curtain, or doorway.
And when you understand how it behaves, your photos instantly look more intentional.
Aperture in Real Life Terms
Aperture is shown as an f-number: f/1.8, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, etc.
Here’s the part that confuses beginners (but won’t confuse you after today):
Small number = big opening = lots of light = blurry background
Large number = small opening = less light = sharp background
That’s it.
That’s the whole thing.
Think of curtains:
• curtains wide open (big opening) → bright room, background feels soft
• curtains mostly closed (small opening) → dimmer room, everything stays sharp
Same idea.
What Aperture Does to Your Photo
Brightness
A big opening (like f/2.8) lets in more light → brighter photo
A small opening (like f/8) lets in less light → darker photo
Background Blur (Depth of Field)
A big opening = blurry background
A small opening = sharp background
This is why portraits often use a low f-number — it isolates the subject.
Landscapes often use a high f-number — it keeps everything sharp.
Aperture is emotional.
It changes how a photo feels.
Where You Find It on Your Camera
In Aperture Priority Mode (A or Av), you control the f-number using:
• the front dial
• the back dial
• or a wheel near the shutter button
Your camera screen will show numbers like: 2.8, 4.0, 5.6, 8, 11.
Those are your aperture choices.
No need to memorize anything — just remember:
Lower number = blurrier background and more light
Higher number = sharper background and less light
Where to Find It on an iPhone
iPhones don’t have a true aperture control like cameras.
But Portrait Mode simulates depth of field.
If you’re using an iPhone:
• switch to Portrait Mode
• look for the f icon
• drag to a lower number for more blur
• drag to a higher number for less blur
It’s not the same as a real aperture, but it gets your brain thinking the right way.
Today’s Practice: The Blur + Sharp Test
Choose one subject — a mug, a plant, a pair of glasses.
Put it near a window.
Shoot with a low f-number (big opening)
Try f/2.8, f/3.5, or the lowest your lens allows.
Take 3–5 photos.
Look at the background — it should feel softer and more separated from the subject.
Shoot with a high f-number (small opening)
Try f/8 or f/11.
Take 3–5 photos.
The background should now look sharper and clearer.
Compare them side by side
Same subject.
Same spot.
The only thing that changed was aperture — yet the photos feel completely different.
This is how you begin shooting with intention instead of guesswork.
Does time of day matter today?
Not at all.
Aperture works the same in any light.
If the scene is darker, your camera will slow the shutter or raise the ISO for you.
That’s the beauty of Aperture Priority — you’re learning one piece at a time.
Why This Matters
Aperture is the setting that gives you creative control without stress.
When you know how to use it, your photos start to look like your vision instead of an accident.
Tomorrow, you’ll learn Shutter Speed — the setting that freezes motion, creates blur, and shapes the energy of your images.
DAY TWO — Aperture Priority (Choosing Blur or Sharpness)
A Quiet Story
Aperture looks like a simple number,
but it’s really a decision:
How much of this moment matters to you?
A shallow aperture isolates what’s important.
A deeper aperture keeps everything in view.
Life works the same way.
Some seasons ask for softness, simplicity, less noise.
Some seasons ask for clarity, awareness, the bigger picture.
Today wasn’t about “learning settings.”
It was about learning what you need right now —
focus or spaciousness.
PAUSE
Slow down before choosing your aperture.
NOTICE
Do you want softness or sharpness today?
CAPTURE
Find two details in your home:
• the edge of a blanket
• the shape of a plant leaf
• the texture of your sweater
• the rim of a bowl
• the corner of a room
Photograph one with a soft background (wide aperture).
Photograph one with a sharp background (narrow aperture).
REFLECT
• Which one felt more like your current season?
Reflective Question:
Where in your life do you crave simplicity and softness, and where do you feel the need for clarity and full depth?