Something I don't get about photography...

[ndee]

If you make the F-Stop bigger(in number, let's say F22), the picture gets sharper overall but why? Why does it get sharper if less light can come onto the lens?

 

[PG]

This is long, but a good explanation.

Basically, the larger the f number the greater depth of field, which means more things are in focus. A smaller number means less depth of field and less of the things in the picture will be in focus. There are situations, like maybe a portrait or pictures of friends and if the background isn't important you don't need depth of field, but if friends were in front of something important like a landmark you would want the depth of field to see everything in sharp focus. Then of course shutter speed and the amount of light get involved and things can get a little complicated. In other words, I understand the basics, but am not very good at making nice pictures.