How The Aperture Affects Background Blur with Canon R6 MII and RF 85MM F2 MACRO

F/5.6

At this aperture of f/5.6, our chicken and character are in good focus. While reduced, the background still has a nice blur and rounded bokeh. We are beginning to make out a little more detail in the background, but it still has a decent amount of blur. Our subject is still showing separation from the background.

Test picture of character with lights in back taken at f/5.6.
RF 85mm F2 Macro; 1/80, f/5.6, 800

F/8

We are now seeing greatly diminished bokeh at f/8 and are able to make out more of the scene and the object in the background. The chicken and character are looking sharp in detail. There is still a slight blur in the background even at f/8.  

Test picture of character with lights in back taken at f/8.
RF 85mm F2 Macro; 1/80, f/8, 1600

F/11

The detail in the background slightly increases again and our separation from the subject is beginning to be less apparent. Compared to where I began at f/2 with a shallow depth of field, the effects of a deeper depth of field are showing at f/11. The whole image is still not fully sharp from front to back.

Test picture of character with lights in back taken at f/11.
RF 85mm F2 Macro; 1/40, f/11, 1600

F/16

We have taken another step up in background sharpness at f/16. We are nearly matching the foreground although it is still slightly fuzzy in the center and legs of the wine rack.  

Test picture of character with lights in back taken at f/16.
RF 85mm F2 Macro; 1/15, f/16, 1250

F/22

The last tested f/stop is f/22. This is the complete opposite of the aperture wide open with a shallow depth of field. With the aperture closed down, this gives the image a deep depth of field. The center of the background is at its sharpest and the legs of the wine rack have improved in detail.

Test picture of character with lights in back taken at f/22.
RF 85mm F2 Macro; 1/8, f/22, 1250

How did aperture size Affect the image

As shown, adjusting the aperture can have a big effect on the background of your photo and the overall feel of it. The aperture set at f/2 gives that sliver of focus on our subject with everything in the background melting away. On the other hand, perhaps you want to showcase the background, or you have multiple subjects to keep in focus. Setting the aperture to f/5.6 or closed down more can help you achieve what you want in your picture. Keep in mind there are other aspects to consider when trying to obtain correct focus and the desired look in your photography. Changing your composition, lighting, or the overall distance between the camera, subject, and background can affect the background blur and focus in your photo.

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