If you've ever wondered why photographers get so excited about an f/1.4 lens, or why your kit lens only opens to f/5.6 when you zoom in, then understanding aperture is the key. Aperture isn't just another camera setting. It can have a large influence on creative decisions every time you press the shutter, affecting not only how bright your image is but also how it looks and feels.

Ask almost any photographer what an f-stop does and they'll probably tell you it controls depth of field. They're right— and we are all about limited fuss here but that's only part of the story.