bländarvärde

Bländarvärde, often referred to as aperture in English, is a fundamental concept in photography and optics. It describes the size of the opening within a camera lens through which light passes to reach the sensor or film. This opening is controlled by an adjustable diaphragm, which is a set of overlapping blades that can create a larger or smaller hole.

The size of the aperture is quantified using f-numbers, also known as f-stops. These numbers, such as f/1.8, f/5.6, or f/22, represent a ratio of the lens's focal length to the diameter of the aperture. A smaller f-number, like f/1.8, indicates a wider aperture, allowing more light to enter. Conversely, a larger f-number, such as f/22, signifies a narrower aperture, restricting the amount of light.

Bländarvärde has a significant impact on two key aspects of an image: exposure and depth of field. A wider aperture (smaller f-number) results in a brighter image and a shallower depth of field, meaning only a narrow plane of the scene will be in sharp focus, with the foreground and background appearing blurred. This is often used for portraits to isolate the subject. A narrower aperture (larger f-number) produces a darker image and a greater depth of field, where more of the scene, from near to far, is in sharp focus. This is commonly used in landscape photography to ensure everything is sharp. Photographers adjust the bländarvärde in conjunction with shutter speed and ISO sensitivity to achieve the desired exposure and creative effects.