The Exposure Triangle actually.


Photography is an art that relies heavily on the right balance of three key elements: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. These three components form what is known as the "exposure triangle." Mastering this triangle is essential for capturing great photos in any lighting condition. If your able to learn what each side of the triangle does than you know more about than 99% of people in the world (probably).


Shutter Speed: Freezing or Blurring Motion

The shutter speed controls how long the camera's sensor is exposed to light. It is measured in fractions of a second, such as 1/500th or 1/1000th of a second. A faster shutter speed (like 1/1000th) is ideal for freezing fast-moving subjects, such as athletes in a sports event, ensuring that the image is sharp with no motion blur. However, a high shutter speed limits the amount of light reaching the sensor, which can result in a darker image.


Conversely, a slower shutter speed allows more light to hit the sensor but can introduce motion blur if the subject or the camera moves. This can be creatively used for effects like light trails in night photography. The key question to ask is: Do you need to freeze action, or can you afford some blur for artistic effect?


Aperture: Controlling Depth of Field

Aperture refers to the size of the opening in the lens through which light enters the camera. It is measured in f-stops, such as f/1.2 or f/16. A lower f-stop number (e.g., f/1.2) means a larger aperture, which allows more light to enter and results in a shallow depth of field. This is perfect for portraits, where you want the subject in sharp focus while the background is blurred.


On the other hand, a higher f-stop number (e.g., f/16) means a smaller aperture, less light entering the camera, and a deeper depth of field. This is useful for landscape photography, where you want both the foreground and background to be in sharp focus. The question here is: Do you want to isolate your subject or capture the entire scene in detail?


ISO: Adjusting Sensor Sensitivity

ISO measures the sensitivity of the camera's sensor to light. A lower ISO value (e.g., ISO 100) means less sensitivity, resulting in a cleaner image with minimal noise. Higher ISO values (e.g., ISO 3200) increase sensitivity, which is useful in low-light conditions but can introduce noise, giving the image a grainy appearance.


Different cameras have varying ISO capabilities, with some handling high ISO settings better than others. The challenge is to balance the need for light with the acceptable level of noise in your images. The question to ask is: How much ISO do you need to achieve the desired exposure without compromising image quality?


Balancing the Exposure Triangle

Understanding the interplay between shutter speed, aperture, and ISO is essential for achieving the perfect exposure. There is no single "correct" setting; it depends on the scene you are photographing and the creative effect you want to achieve. Practice adjusting each element to see how they affect your images, and you'll be well on your way to mastering photography.


Alternatively, if you're still learning, most cameras offer an automatic mode that can help you achieve a balanced exposure by adjusting the settings for you. But as you become more comfortable, experimenting with manual settings will give you greater control and creative freedom.

With a solid grasp of the exposure triangle, you're equipped to take better photos and understand the technical side of photography. You're basically a professional photographer at this point.


I’m Isaac Killgore and If you're in the Bryan-College Station area, I offer professional photography services for graduations, sports, headshots, couples, portraits, events, commercial, and travel photography. Contact me today to book your session and capture your special moments.