Aperture | Film Terms Dictionary

Bold "Aperture" text centered over a faint background image of a camera lens, with "Film Terms Dictionary" label in the bottom right corner.

Aperture refers to the adjustable opening in a camera lens that regulates how much light reaches the film or digital sensor. Measured in f-stops (e.g., f/1.4, f/8), it impacts both exposure and depth of field—making it one of the most powerful creative tools in cinematography.

How Aperture Works

Light Control
- Wide aperture (low f-stop): More light enters (ideal for low-light scenes)
- Narrow aperture (high f-stop): Less light enters (used in bright conditions)
Depth of Field
- Shallow DOF (f/1.4): Blurred background, sharp subject (portraits, dramatic focus)
- Deep DOF (f/16): Keeps foreground and background sharp (landscapes, surveillance shots)

A detailed visual demonstrating the effects of different aperture sizes on photography, showing variations in depth of field and exposure.

Aperture in Filmmaking

Tonal Moods:
- Film Noir: Wide apertures (f/2) for dark, moody scenes with selective focus
- Epic Landscapes: Narrow apertures (f/11) for sweeping vistas (Lawrence of Arabia)
Bokeh Effects:
- Creamy background blur (e.g., Citizen Kane’s deep focus vs. The Revenant’s shallow focus)

Technical Considerations

Lens Limitations: Cheaper lenses may lose sharpness at extreme apertures
T-Stops vs. F-Stops: Cinema lenses use T-stops (actual light transmission) for consistency
Diffraction: Over-narrow apertures (f/22+) reduce image clarity

Iconic Uses of Aperture

Moonlight (2016): Wide apertures for intimate close-ups
Blade Runner 2049 (2017): Mixed DOF to guide viewer attention
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014): Deep focus for symmetrical compositions

Aperture Cheat Sheet

f-stop	Use Case	Film Example
f/1.4	Low-light, extreme bokeh	Nightcrawler (2014)
f/2.8	Standard portraits	Her (2013)
f/8	Group shots	The Social Network (2010)
f/16	Landscape cinematography	Dune (2021)