F-stop is to photography beginners what inorganic chemistry is to an MFA graduate: some kind of black magic that only makes sense to experts. That said, I’m sure plenty of seasoned photographers use f-stop numbers without knowing what they really mean, too. But no more, because this video explains the concept in a way that makes complete sense.
Dylan Bennet talks you through aperture size, focal length, and how they combine to produce the elusive concept that is f-stop. OK, so there’s a little math, but it’s not too complicated, and the understanding you’ll gain makes it worth it. He wraps up by explaining how photographers use the f-stop terminology—what people mean when they say they’re going up or down stops, and what’s meant by a fast or slow lens—and provides a neat trick for memorizing the scale. Enjoy! [YouTube via PetaPixel]
