What Is F-Stop, And How Can It Change Your Photography?

F-stop is to photography beginners what inorganic chemistry is to an MFA graduate: some kind of black magic that only makes sense to experts. That said, I’m sure plenty of seasoned photographers use f-stop numbers without knowing what they really mean, too. But no more, because this video explains the concept in a way that makes complete sense.

Dylan Bennet talks you through aperture size, focal length and how they combine to produce the elusive concept that is f-stop. OK, so there’s a little maths, but it’s not too complicated, and the understanding you’ll gain makes it worth it. He wraps up by explaining how photographers use the f-stop terminology — what people mean when they say they’re going up or down stops, and what’s meant by a fast or slow lens — and provides a neat trick for memorising the scale. Enjoy! [YouTube via PetaPixel]


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