Today’s how-to video from the Hamed Photography YouTube channel explores one of the most fundamental concepts in photography; namely the f/stop setting you choose. Hamed is a successful pro whose straightforward tutorials are designed to help elevate your skills, master important shooting techniques, and introduce you to the world of visual storytelling.

He describes today’s topic like this: “Whether you’re shooting with a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or even a smartphone with manual controls, mastering aperture will give you creative control over your images and videos.

Aperture refers to the opening in a lens through which light enters the camera and falls on the sensor. It one of the variables in the familiar Exposure triangle—alongside shutter speed and ISO— that interact to determine a correct exposure. In basic terms, “the lower the f-number the wider the aperture and the more light it allows in.”

Conversely, a smaller f-number like f/16 or f/22  means a narrower aperture with less light reaching the sensor. You may ask your why it matters whether you control exposure by changing shutter speed, ISO, or aperture, and the answer is simple: The f/stop setting you use has a significant impact on depth of field which is the area in focus in front of and behind a key subject.

Hamed illustrates how wide apertures create a shallow depth of field, “which means only a thin slice of the scene is in sharp focus”—a popular technique for wildlife photos, nature scenes, environmental portraits, and other types of images shot against distracting backgrounds.

Narrow apertures, on the other hand, produce a deeper zone of focus—thereby keeping more of the scene critically sharp. As Hamed says, “this approach is ideal for landscapes, architecture, and product photography where maximum sharpness throughout the frame is important.” He also explains how manipulating the f/stop can determine the overall mood and story of an image and is a key component for unlocking your creative potential.

Once you’re done watching head over to the Hamed Photography YouTube channel where there are many more instructional videos that demystify the photography process.

We recently shared a tutorial explaining another key camera technique that’s essential to master; namely, how to capture precisely focused photographs in difficult situations by understanding how a camera’s AF system works and then putting the Single-Point mode to work.

Abobe has provided photographers with exciting new features for removing distractions as Photoshop continues to evolve, and we’ve covered most of them in the past. But as all of us become enamored with these innovative capabilities we tend to ignored older tools that can still be very helpful.

According to post-processing expert Matt Kloskowski, our old friend Content-Aware Fill falls into this category of overlooked gems, and in the next nine minutes you’ll learn when and how to use it for more efficient enhancements. He admits that he’s a big proponent of Photoshop’s new Remove tool and Generative Fill but he explains why these tools can pose several problems that are easy to solve with Content Aware Fill.

Matt’s sample image is a nice backlit photo of a beautiful backlit snowy egret perched atop a log on the shore, but he doesn’t like how the sun and sky intrude into the top of the frame. Sure, it’s possible to crop out these unwanted elements, if you’re willing to accept a tighter composition, but that’s not part of Matt’s plan because he wants to include more of the surrounding environment.

Matt first tries Generative fill to rehabilitate the top portion of the image. It’s looks OK but “pretty good” doesn’t meet his standards and you’ll you’ll see why he’s displeased with the less-than-ideal results. By zooming in on the image it becomes readily apparent that the texture of the original image doesn’t match the texture in the area that was repaired with Generative Fill. And this disparity is due to a difference in resolution.

Whether or not this is a concern depends upon your intended use for the shot, and if you just plan on sharing a compressed version on social media, nobody will ever notice. But when  high-resolution is required for making big prints or other critical applications, it’s time to take a different approach that will deliver superior image quality.

This is when Content-Aware Fill comes into play, and Matt explains why “it can fix large areas much faster (and with more precision) than we could in any other way.” The remainder of the lesson is devoted to demonstrating the simple step-by-step process required for getting the job done.

Kloskowski’s popular YouTube channel is a great source of instructional how-videos about all things Adobe, so be sure to pay a visit.

And on a related note, don’t miss the tutorial we featured recently with another image-editing specialist who demonstrates five more overlooked Photoshop features that belong in your everyday post-processing workflow and how to employ them for fast-and effective enhancements.

Most photographers are intrigued by the prospect of capturing exotic animals in their natural environment, but many of us lack the time or means to book a safari abroad. The next best thing is a trip to the local zoo where you can make some great shots, work on your skills, and get prepared for shooting in the field.

This behind-the-scenes tutorial with one of our favorite British bird photographers takes you on an instructional tour of the famed Chester Zoo that houses almost 60 African species and is often referred to as the UK’s best zoo. Instructor Darrel Oakden refers to himself as an amateur because he doesn’t make a living with a camera, but this portfolio is full of pro-quality images.

In barely 10 minutes Oakden illustrates how zoos offer numerous opportunities to make compelling images of a wide-range of species that you may never see in the wild, and he provides several effective techniques for creating a more natural look while minimizing the fact that your subjects are in captivity.

Thoughtful composition plays a big part in this assignment, and one powerful technique is to get in tight with a telephoto lens to isolate a majestic subject. You can also introduce a feeling of realism by framing wide shots in a way that eliminates fences and other man-made obstacles from the frame.

And just like when shooting in the field, the more time you spend observing a subject and familiarize yourself with it’s habits, the better your results will be. So slow your roll, sit down on a bench, watch the social interaction among subjects, get familiar with how they move about, and formulate a strategy. Only then is it time to pick up the camera and get to work.

One key goal is to make background as unobtrusive as possible, especially if there’s a visible enclosure behind your subject. One way to do this is by combining a long focal length with a wide aperture to throw the background out of focus and draw attention to the hero of the shot.

At the point there’s still much more to learn and Oakden walks you through other important considerations like dealing with the light and conveying the mood or power of a subject. He also offers an important warning about shooting in temperature-controlled indoor exhibits that may cause your lens to fog up when going back outdoors on warm days.

Oakden’s instructional YouTube channel offers a wealth of information for anyone interested in nature and wildlife photography, so be sure to take a look.

And even if travel photography isn’t your thing, don’t miss the comprehensive beginners guide we featured recently that covers everything necessary for shoot compelling photographs—not snapshots—during your summer excursions.