What an adorable baby! That expression is priceless. I love that you didn't stick socks on him, but chose to let those corn niblet toes show. I loved seeing that red PEI clay, as I grew up on the island (Borden-Carleton) and started my photo education there.
To help you to understand the aperature number thing: the numbers on the aperature ring are fractions. an f stop of 16 is 1/16th of an inch. If you saw how tiny the aperature opens up at that f stop, it would be 1/16th of an inch. Very small, so you'd better have a slow shutter speed, given that the hole isn't very big. It takes a longer time for the right amount of light to drift in there if the hole is going to be so small. Hence, small hole, longer time.
On the other end of the ring, you will have, let's say, 1.2. That would roughly translate into more than half an inch, and if you saw the aperature opening that is present at 1/2, you can see that is very wide open, and would let in a LOT of light being so big, so you'd better not let that shutter stay open very long or you'll overexpose. Wide hole, short time. wide aperature, faster shutter speed.
When I first started out in photography, and being math impaired, I had a problem with aperature numbers like 16 being "smaller" than "2". It was confusing to me. Then someone said, "Those are fractions. Divide up a chocolate bar into 16 pieces and eat one of those 16 pieces. 1/16th. Then divide another of the same bar into 2 pieces and eat one of those 2 pieces. 1/2. Which was bigger?" I had to be taught as if I were a two year old, but the lightbulb when on and it made all the difference in going on to understand aperatures.
I look forward to seeing some of your island shots. I go there every year to shoot, usually in the spring. Stanley Bridge and New London, Cavendish is always on my list, trying to find something other than the fishing boats, but the island is so incredibly beautiful. Hope to see some scenery shots from you soon!
