Understanding the Exposure Triangle
The Exposure Triangle is a fundamental concept in photography that helps you achieve the correct exposure—how bright or dark an image appears. It consists of three key elements that work together to control the amount of light reaching your camera’s sensor:
Aperture – This is the size of the lens opening. A wider aperture (like f/2.8) lets in more light and creates a shallow depth of field, great for blurry backgrounds. A smaller aperture (like f/16) lets in less light and keeps more of the scene in focus.
Shutter Speed – This determines how long the camera’s shutter stays open. A fast shutter speed (like 1/1000 sec) freezes motion, while a slow shutter speed (like 1/30 sec) allows for motion blur or low-light exposure.
ISO – This controls the sensor’s sensitivity to light. A low ISO (100–200) is ideal for bright conditions and gives clean, sharp images. A high ISO (800 or above) helps in darker settings but may introduce grain or “noise.”
Balancing these three elements—like the sides of a triangle—is key to crafting a well-exposed image. Adjusting one side usually means changing another to compensate. Mastering this balance gives you creative control, whether you’re shooting crisp wildlife in action or a moody forest at dusk.
Would you like a visual diagram or simplified version for beginners?