What is the main impact of optical aberrations in photography?

Optical aberrations significantly impact photography by causing blurriness and distortion, which greatly detracts from image quality. These aberrations occur when light rays fail to converge at a single point after passing through a lens, leading to various forms of optical discrepancies. Common types include spherical aberration, chromatic aberration, and astigmatism, which all lead to a lack of sharpness and defined edges in photographs.

When these aberrations are present, they can create images that appear soft or unfocused. Furthermore, distortion can manifest as curved lines instead of straight ones, affecting the overall composition and fidelity of the captured scene. Photographers strive to minimize these aberrations through careful selection of lenses and adjustments in camera settings, as well as post-processing techniques, to ensure their images are clear and represent the intended subject accurately.