Photo Fundamentals: The Exposure Triangle


Welcome to Capture Craft Tutorials! Today, we’re diving into one of the essentials of photography: the Exposure Triangle. This fundamental concept will give you complete control over your camera and help you nail the perfect exposure every time.


What is the Exposure Triangle?

The Exposure Triangle is made up of three essential settings on your camera:

  1. Aperture
  2. Shutter Speed
  3. ISO

Each of these settings affects how much light reaches your camera’s sensor, creating a balanced exposure. Let’s break each one down and look at how they work together.


1. Aperture

Think of aperture as the "pupil" of your camera. It’s the opening in your lens that lets light in, and its size determines how much light reaches your sensor.

  • Measured in f-stops (like f/2.8, f/5.6, f/11, etc.).
  • Lower f-stop (like f/2.8) = wider opening = more light = shallower depth of field (blurry background).
  • Higher f-stop (like f/11) = smaller opening = less light = deeper depth of field (more in focus).

📸 Pro Tip: Use a low f-stop (wide aperture) for portraits where you want that dreamy, blurred background. For landscapes or scenes with more detail, go with a higher f-stop.


2. Shutter Speed

Shutter speed controls how long your camera’s sensor is exposed to light. It’s measured in seconds or fractions of a second, like 1/1000s (very fast) or 1/30s (slow).

  • Faster shutter speed (like 1/1000s) = freezes motion but lets in less light.
  • Slower shutter speed (like 1/30s) = captures motion blur but allows more light.

📸 Pro Tip: Use a fast shutter speed for action shots like sports or wildlife to freeze motion. For low-light settings or creating motion blur (think waterfalls or traffic trails), slow down the shutter.


3. ISO

ISO refers to how sensitive your camera’s sensor is to light. Increasing ISO brightens the image but can also introduce grain, or “noise,” especially in darker areas.

  • Lower ISO (like 100) = less sensitivity = less noise.
  • Higher ISO (like 1600+) = more sensitivity = more light, but with added noise.

📸 Pro Tip: Stick to lower ISO in bright conditions for the best image quality. Increase ISO in low-light scenarios, but avoid going too high to reduce noise.


Balancing the Triangle

Mastering exposure means balancing all three settings to get a well-lit, clear image. Here’s how they work together:

  • If you widen the aperture (lower f-stop) to let in more light, consider increasing the shutter speed or lowering ISO to keep the exposure balanced.
  • When using a fast shutter speed, you might need to widen the aperture or increase ISO, especially in low light.
  • Higher ISO can brighten a shot in dark settings, but try adjusting shutter speed or aperture first to keep noise minimal.

Practical Scenarios

Portraits in Natural Light

  • Set a wide aperture (low f-stop) for that beautiful blurred background.
  • Adjust shutter speed to capture without blur, keeping ISO low if possible.

Sports or Action Shots

  • Fast shutter speed to freeze motion.
  • Adjust aperture or bump up ISO to let in enough light for a sharp shot.

Low-Light Environments

  • Slow down shutter speed and use a tripod to avoid motion blur.
  • Or, widen the aperture and raise ISO carefully to get a clear image.

Conclusion

The Exposure Triangle gives you creative freedom, whether you’re capturing a fast-paced scene, shooting in low light, or working on detailed portraits. As you experiment, you’ll get comfortable knowing how each setting affects the others and when to adjust each one.


Happy shooting, and remember to balance that triangle!