The Key Factors To Nailing Exposure Every Time

How many times have you taken a photo and been disappointed in the results? Whether it be overexposed or underexposed images, you find yourself not quite nailing the perfect exposure. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there, including myself. Still do this day, photographers from all around the world will incorrectly expose their images. However, with a greater understanding of your 3 variables that influence light in your image, you’ll eventually be nailing 99% or more of your images with every session.

In the realm of photography, capturing the perfect image is an art form that relies on understanding and mastering the fundamental variables of exposure: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. These three elements work in harmony to control the amount of light that enters the camera, ultimately shaping the final outcome of the photograph. Let's delve into each of these variables and explore their significance in creating stunning imagery.

Shutter Speed

Shutter speed refers to the amount of time the camera's shutter remains open, exposing the camera's sensor to light. It is measured in fractions of a second, ranging from fractions like 1/8000th of a second to several seconds or even minutes for long exposures. A faster shutter speed freezes motion, making it ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects such as sports or wildlife photography. On the other hand, a slower shutter speed creates motion blur, which can be used creatively to convey a sense of movement or to capture long-exposure shots of flowing water or light trails. Shutter speed is particularly important in street photography if you’re wanting to capture a particular individual in complete focus, or blurred. The decision you make on your shutter speed here will greatly influence your final result!

Aperture

Aperture, expressed in f-stops, determines the size of the opening in the lens through which light enters the camera. It not only controls the amount of light but also influences the depth of field in an image. A wide aperture (small f-stop number) such as f/1.8 allows more light to enter the lens and produces a shallow depth of field, resulting in a blurred background that isolates the subject, perfect for portraits or macro photography. Conversely, a narrow aperture (large f-stop number) like f/16 reduces the amount of light, resulting in a greater depth of field, keeping more elements in focus, which is ideal for landscape photography.

ISO

ISO measures the sensitivity of the camera's sensor to light. A lower ISO such as ISO 100 is less sensitive and produces images with minimal noise but requires more light for proper exposure. In contrast, a higher ISO such as ISO 1600 is more sensitive to light and is useful in low-light conditions but may introduce more digital noise or grain to the image. Finding the right balance between ISO and the other exposure variables is crucial to achieving optimal image quality while minimizing noise.

Applying all 3 Key Photography Variables

Understanding how these three variables interact is essential for achieving proper exposure and creative control in photography. For example, if you're shooting in low light conditions and want to maintain a fast shutter speed to freeze motion, you may need to increase your ISO or widen your aperture to allow more light into the camera.

Similarly, if you're shooting a landscape scene and want to ensure everything from the foreground to the background is in sharp focus, you may opt for a narrow aperture, which would require a slower shutter speed or higher ISO to compensate for the reduced light. Once you feel like you’ve gotten more comfortable with these 3 key variables in photography, your next task I’d recommend getting more confident and experience with, is creating compelling and powerful composition with your images.

To Wrap Up

Mastering the trinity of exposure—shutter speed, aperture, and ISO—is essential for any photographer looking to elevate their craft. By understanding how these variables work together to control the amount of light that enters the camera, photographers can unlock endless creative possibilities and capture images that truly resonate with their audience. So next time you're out with your camera, remember to consider the interplay of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO to expose the perfect image.

If you’re wanting to see more of my work for some examples on how to expose your images, or simply want to reach out, don’t hesitate to look through my most recent images, or head straight to my Instagram. Speak soon!