F-Stop (Aperture)
Definition
The F-Stop is a numerical measurement of the aperture — the opening in the camera lens through which light passes to reach the sensor or film. F-stop numbers are expressed as a ratio (e.g., f/1.4, f/2.8, f/5.6, f/11), where lower numbers indicate a wider opening (more light, shallower depth of field) and higher numbers indicate a narrower opening (less light, deeper depth of field). In professional cinema, the T-stop is often used instead, as it accounts for light lost through the glass elements of the lens, providing a more accurate measurement.
Contextual Usage
The DP instructs the first camera assistant: "We're going to be shooting at T2 for the interiors, so make sure your focus marks are precise — the depth of field is going to be very shallow. For the exteriors, we'll stop down to T8."
About this section
Production — or "principal photography" — is the phase in which the film or video is actually shot. It is the most visible and, typically, the most expensive phase of the entire process. Every day on ...
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