Does aperture really matter when you are taking landscape photo

12 years 5 months ago #166801 by MYoung
New person question. So I'm learning how to take photos with my new camera. When taking a landscape photo I've noticed that regardless if my aperture is wide open or closed down there is no change in DOF. The one thing I have noticed is my shutter speed will change.

What aperture do you use when doing landscape photos? Is there a golden rule to follow?

:P


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12 years 5 months ago #166810 by John Landolfi
DoF is not an issue when everything in your frame is 50+feet away. Even wide open with a fast lens, your autofocus will be at infinity, and evrithing will seem equally in focus. But if you include something in the foreground, say, 30 feet away, then whether it will be in focus as well may depend on your choice of aperture. If you understand Hyperfocal Distance, then you can be really precise with your choice pf aperture by using Manualk Focus mode.


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12 years 5 months ago #166819 by chasrich
The aperture also determines just how much light you allow in. The camera or you will adjust to compensate and give a good exposure. It is the same effect you will experience when changing the ISO. A 1 f-Stop change in aperture needs a 1f-Stop change in either ISO or shutter speed. Comprend'e ?

“Amateurs worry about equipment, professionals worry about money, masters worry about light, I just make pictures… ” ~ Vernon Trent
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12 years 5 months ago #166837 by VT Hiker
Generally, John is right. Because focusing distance also affects DOF, if you focus at 3 feet and you're set at f/2.8, the distant stuff will be out; conversely, if you're focused at 30 feet with 2.8, the stuff right in front of you will be at least a little blurry.

Ultimately, it's still a good idea to shoot at f/8 or 10 if you are focused at a moderate distance and want everything sharp.

Every moment of light and dark is a miracle. - Walt Whitman
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12 years 5 months ago - 12 years 5 months ago #167076 by Henry Peach

MYoung wrote: When taking a landscape photo I've noticed that regardless if my aperture is wide open or closed down there is no change in DOF.


As the others have mentioned there is more influencing DOF than just aperture. Focusing distance is a big one. Here's an online DOF calculator where you can input things like camera format (your is APS-C), lens focal length ,focusing distance, aperture, etc..., and it will tell you about the DOF created by those settings.

www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html
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12 years 5 months ago #167095 by Rob pix4u2
in general if I want everything in focus from foreground to infinity I will use f 16 or f 22 as the aforementioned Hyperfocal distance would dictate

Remember to engage brain before putting mouth in gear
Rob Huelsman Sr.
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12 years 5 months ago - 12 years 5 months ago #167742 by Stealthy Ninja
Good answers and I think you'd better learn to integrate some foreground elements to give your landscape interest, especially when doing WA shots. I'm thinking that if you're not noticing a difference then your landscapes are perhaps a little too 2 dimentional.
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12 years 5 months ago #167792 by shutter bug
Wow, I just learn so much reading this thread and it wasn't even my question. Thanks everyone. I love this site!


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12 years 5 months ago #168192 by b4d93r
I agree. I'm currently working on landscape myself and this has been a great thread. Stuff I haven't even thought about.

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12 years 5 months ago #168244 by Baydream
:agree: about the aperture. As long as the available light will support a fast enough shutter speed to get a sharp image, close 'er down.

Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
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