What effect does a larger aperture have on an image?

A larger aperture allows more light to enter the camera, which results in an increase in exposure. This means that in conditions with lower light, using a larger aperture can help achieve a properly exposed image. Additionally, a larger aperture typically produces a shallower depth of field, leading to a less focused background. This effect is particularly useful in portrait photography where the subject can be sharply focused while the background appears beautifully blurred, creating a bokeh effect.

The understanding of aperture's impact on exposure and depth of field is crucial in photography, as it enables the photographer to control not just how much light hits the sensor, but also how the visual elements within the image interact with one another, particularly in creating emphasis on the main subject through selective focus.