Skip to content
ApertureDaily
Tutorial

Aperture and Depth of Field

By Marcus ReidUpdated September 12, 2026

[Demo data — development only. Specifications are illustrative; editorial copy is sample content.]

Wider apertures (small f-numbers) reduce depth of field, blurring the background and isolating your subject. Narrow apertures (large f-numbers) keep more of the scene sharp.

For portraits, try f/1.8–f/2.8. For landscapes, f/8–f/16.

M

Written by

Marcus Reid

Staff Writer

Marcus writes about technique, education and the business of photography.

Newsletter

The Aperture Daily briefing

Photography news, gear and inspiration — one focused email, no noise. Join thousands of photographers.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy commitment in our editorial policy.