Choosing an F-stop

Choosing an F-stop

  • Existing Light that you want to conform to

  • DOF considerations (aperature, camera to subject distance and focal length being the DOF factors)

  • Quality of light

  • Resolution of image: image is sharper at lower stops, even though there is less DOF. Light refracts against the closed down iris diaphragm of higher f-stops, reducing sharpness

  • DPs and their teams usually have favorite f-stops (between 2.8 & 5.6 many times)

  • Decide which ares should be exposed normally. Light them to your chosen sto