What is the relationship between aperture and shutter speed in photography?

What is the relationship between aperture and shutter speed in photography?

Aperture and shutter speed are both crucial for exposure. Aperture controls the amount of light entering the lens, while shutter speed determines how long the sensor is exposed to that light.

How do they affect the depth of field?

Aperture directly affects depth of field. A wider aperture (lower f-stop number) results in a shallower depth of field, blurring the background, while a narrower aperture increases depth of field, keeping more of the scene in focus.

Can you give me an example of how to balance them for a portrait?

For a portrait, you might use a wide aperture like f/2.8 to blur the background and focus on the subject. Then, adjust your shutter speed to ensure proper exposure, typically around 1/125s or faster to avoid motion blur.

What happens if I use a very fast shutter speed?

Using a very fast shutter speed can freeze motion, which is great for action shots. However, if the aperture is too narrow, it may result in underexposure, as less light hits the sensor.