Schertz Photography School & Studio

Aperture & Background Blur: f/1.8 vs f/16
Today you’ll control depth of field—how much of your photo looks sharp from front to back. Think of aperture as the “background blur” lever.

### The basics

• Low f-number (f/1.8–f/2.8): Shallow depth of field → blurrier backgrounds. Great for portraits and isolating a subject.
• Mid f-number (f/4–f/8): Moderate depth → balanced sharpness. Good everyday setting.
• High f-number (f/11–f/16): Deep depth of field → more in focus. Useful for groups, products, landscapes.

### How to set it (generic)

1. Choose A/Av mode.
2. Set f/2.8 (or your lens’s lowest f-number) for blur; set f/8–f/16 for more in focus.
3. Focus where it matters most (use single-point AF from Day 3).

> Note: At higher f-numbers, your shutter speed can get slower. If it drops too low, raise ISO or add light.

### 5-minute exercise

• Put an object 3–6 feet from a background (a mug in front of books works well).
• Take the same photo at f/2.8, f/5.6, f/8, f/16.
• Compare: notice how the background transitions from soft to detailed.

### Quick wins

• Portraits: f/2–f/2.8 (watch your focus—hit the eye).
• Two people side-by-side: f/3.5–f/4.
• Family/group: f/5.6–f/8.
• Products/tabletop: f/8–f/11.
• Landscape: f/8–f/11 (start here; adjust as needed).

Tomorrow: We’ll talk distance & focal length—two more levers that change depth of field.

This photowalk is free and open to students of Schertz Photography School & Studio and members of the Greater New Braunfels Photography Club.

Join us for a morning of photography as we explore Wimberley with a side trip to Driftwood, TX. We will meet in downtown Wimberley at 9 A.M. at the Wimberley Café, where everyone will have time to explore the square and its surroundings. The next stop on the photowalk is the Wimberley Valley Winery, where you can take photos and enjoy wine tasting. Bring a telephoto lens because, at this stop, we might spot some longhorns grazing in the pasture nearby. Afterward, we will visit the Driftwood Winery for more photos and wine tasting. From there, we'll head to the old post office in Driftwood for another photo opportunity. We have two options for lunch at this point.

This photowalk is free and open to students of Schertz Photography School & Studio and members of the Greater New Braunfels Photography Club.

### 📸 Basic Photography Package – 4 Classes

What:
A set of four hands-on, two-hour classes designed to help you move beyond Auto mode, master composition, and explore lenses and filters. Perfect for beginners and anyone looking to sharpen their skills.
When:

• Class 1 – Getting to Know Your Camera
• Class 2 – Compositional Theory
• Class 3 – Beyond Auto Mode
• Class 4 – Lenses and Filters

Dates: Oct 28, Nov 11, 25, Dec 9

Where:
Schertz Photography School & Studio
17305 N Interstate Hwy 35, Suite 1005
Schertz, TX 78154
Why Join:

• Gain confidence using your camera in any setting
• Learn composition secrets that make your photos stand out
• Unlock the creative power of manual mode
• Understand which lenses and filters best suit your style

Cost:
$500 for the complete package (all four classes)
Register:
📞 Call 210-439-0570
📧 Email info@schertzphoto.com