Do you have a favorite f stop?

[Stas Bobkov]

Originally Posted by Garrett Low

Actually Stas, in most cases I detest even lighting. Even lighting equates to flat shots. Shadows and differences in contrast are what brings out expression and draws our attention to the critical elements in a shot.

Photography and film is all about lights and shadows, agreed, Garrett. Dynamic range of equipment and our budget for lighting are those two things however that might limit creativity but can not be ignored.

[Stas Bobkov]

Originally Posted by Brian Drysdale

In that situation the best way balance your foreground lighting level to the match background light levels as required (you may not want a total match) using ND, scrim or lower wattage lights.

... and this leads to..., that's right, - lowering your f-number, so the question was if F5.6 is my favorite F-stop... Probably not, at least for indoors.