AboutDave Nyce Expertise I have used SLR cameras for 30 years and have taught classes on photography at work for my co-workers. I had a darkroom for 20 years, but now am using mostly digital cameras. I can answer questions on equipment and techniques for photography, but am not an expert on specific model numbers of cameras or accessories.
Expert: Dave Nyce Date: 12/15/2006 Subject: aperture
Question But the question is one way to CONTROL sharpness in a picture is with aperture. I don't think there is any way that aperture can CONTROL picture's sharpness, because if the object is out of focus, for example, a book is one feet away from the camera, camera focus on 9 feet, can you use the aperture to CONTROL the sharpness? Aperture can only CONTROL depth of field, can't really CONTROL the sharpness.
-------------------------------------------
The text above is a follow-up to ...
-----Question-----
One way to control sharpness in a picture is with the aperture. True or false?
-----Answer-----
A smaller aperture setting increases the depth of field. The depth of field is the distance over which the subject will remain in focus. For example, with a very small aperture, subjects at all distances can be in focus. So, it is true that you can control picture sharpness with the aperture setting.
Hope this helps!
Dave
Answer You are right, the aperture does not directly control the sharpness. It can affect the amount of sharpness that is lost due to being out of focus.
e.g. if a subject is 10 feet away and your focus is set to 20 feet, the subject can still be brought into focus if the aperture can be made samall enough, as long as there is still enough light for a proper exposure with the small aperture.
