How does aperture affect exposure?

Aperture plays a crucial role in determining exposure in photography by controlling the amount of light that enters the camera. It is created by the diaphragm inside the lens, which opens and closes to a specific size, allowing varying amounts of light to reach the camera's sensor. A larger aperture (represented by a smaller f-number) allows more light to enter, which is useful in low-light conditions, while a smaller aperture (larger f-number) allows less light in, which is ideal for very bright conditions.

This ability to adjust the light entering the camera directly influences the exposure of an image. When the aperture is wider, the exposure is brighter, and conversely, when the aperture is narrower, the exposure becomes darker. Thus, understanding and controlling aperture is essential for achieving the desired exposure for a photograph.