Aperture Controls

To 'step up' the aperture it to increase the f number, which closes the lens of the camera. This makes the depth of field (focus) deeper, so that elements at the forefront and in the distance of the photograph can both be in focus.

To 'step down' the aperture is to decrease the f number, which opens the lens of the camera. This makes the depth of field shallower, so that usually only a very specified point in the photograph is in focus.

I enjoy utilising depth of field in my photographs. I like the effect of a shallow depth of field - it is a good way of focusing the attention of the viewer on one element of the photograph, which can be useful.

These are examples that I took, one with a shallow depth of field and one with a greater depth of field: