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A beginner’s guide to aperture
What’s the difference between f/1.4 and f/22?
![A beginner’s guide to aperture](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:4912/1*jqL4PXgrFfwKF84Qes4XPA.jpeg)
3 keys to photography
There are 3 key elements to photography: Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. These are also known as the exposure triangle. Learning how to use these 3 features on your camera is the secret to creating better photos.
![The exposure triangle: Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:700/1*CLM5IyqKfmRSsxYBzHnM1Q.jpeg)
What is aperture?
Aperture, also known as an F-stop, is how large of an opening you let light through to your camera.
One-stop refers to doubling or halving the amount of light making up an exposure. Adding a stop of light by doubling the exposure will brighten an image. Decreasing by one stop or halving the exposure will darken an image.
The smaller the f-stop number (think f/1.4), the larger the aperture. Seems kind of backward right? This graphic will help you make the connection.
![Aperture diagram from f/1.4 to f/16](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:700/1*jNwenasnCMjfEq1dOMMJ-g.jpeg)
So the next time you’re wondering which aperture to use in any given lighting situation just…