The aperture of your lens determines how much light enters the camera. It also controls the depth of field — the portion of the image that appears sharp. In Fire Photography, aperture becomes a storytelling tool: it guides the viewer’s eye and shapes the light of Fire itself.

Understanding aperture values

A wide aperture such as f/2.8 lets in a lot of light but reduces the area in focus, while a narrower aperture like f/8 creates a more detailed and balanced image. When photographing Fire, it’s often best to close the diaphragm slightly to avoid overexposing the flames.

Creating depth with focus and light

A large aperture (around f/2 to f/4) will highlight a face lit by the flame and blur the background, isolating the subject within the glow. A medium aperture (around f/5.6 to f/8) will make it possible to render the environment visible — embers, smoke, and shadows all become part of the scene. Each choice conveys a different emotion.

Fire as a sculptor

The light of Fire reveals shape and texture. A simple torch movement can transform the perception of a face or body. Playing with aperture means deciding how that light will sculpt the world around it — whether to embrace mystery or clarity, intimacy or drama.