You can do photography with even the simplest of cameras, but the principles I’d like to teach are for people who want to learn to use a DSLR, Mirrorless camera, micro four-thirds camera, or any camera that allows the photographer to adjust the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Now that you have your camera, let’s jump into learning exposure.

What is Exposure in Photography?

When we talk about “exposure,” we’re simply referring to the brightness or darkness of a photo. While it might seem straightforward to capture a correctly exposed image (one with the proper balance of light and dark), the reality is often more complex.

Exposure is achieved by balancing three critical elements:

1. Aperture
2. Shutter Speed
3. ISO

These elements work together to control how much light enters your camera and interacts with its sensor, ultimately determining the brightness of your image.

To help you better understand how these components influence exposure, we’ve created a helpful infographic. Feel free to view, share, or download it below!

Art of Visuals Exposure Cheat Sheet:

WHAT IS APERTURE?

Simply put, Aperture is the hole within your lens, through which light travels into the camera body. It controls the amount of light that reaches your camera’s sensor, playing a crucial role in determining the exposure of your image. Think of it as the pupil of your camera—it widens or narrows to let in more or less light, depending on your settings.

The image above on the left is shot at an aperture of 1.4 making it a wide aperture while the image on the right is taken at 5.6 making it a more narrow aperture, therefore more of the shot is in focus.

WHAT IS ISO?

ISO is a measure of your camera’s sensitivity to light. In simple terms:

• Low ISO numbers (e.g., 100 or 200): Your camera is less sensitive to light, resulting in smoother, cleaner images with less grain or noise. Ideal for bright conditions or well-lit environments.
• High ISO numbers (e.g., 1600 or higher): Your camera becomes more sensitive to light, which helps in low-light situations. However, this increased sensitivity can introduce grain or noise into your photos.

ISO is one of the three key elements of the exposure triangle, working alongside aperture and shutter speed to create a properly exposed image.

Low ISO Image:

High ISO Image:

WHAT IS SHUTTER SPEED?

What is Shutter Speed?

Shutter speed, also referred to as “exposure time,” is the duration the camera’s shutter remains open, allowing light to hit the camera sensor.

• Fast Shutter Speeds (e.g., 1/1000s): These freeze motion, capturing sharp images of fast-moving subjects, like a bird in flight or an athlete mid-jump.
• Slow Shutter Speeds (e.g., 1/10s or slower): These create motion blur, where moving objects appear streaked along their path, adding a sense of motion or drama to your photo.

Shutter speed not only influences the clarity of motion but also plays a role in controlling the amount of light entering your camera, working in tandem with aperture and ISO for a properly exposed image.

Example of a high shutter speed image:

Example of a low shutter speed image:

What is White Balance?

White balance adjusts the color temperature in your images to ensure that whites appear neutral and accurate, rather than tinted with unwanted colors like red, yellow, or blue.

How It Works:

• Light sources, such as the sun, light bulbs, or candles, emit different color temperatures (measured in Kelvin). For instance:
  • Daylight: Cool, bluish tones.
  • Incandescent lights: Warm, yellowish tones.
• White balance corrects these variations by adding the opposite color to neutralize the image. For example:
  • A yellow-tinted image will be balanced by adding blue tones.
  • A blue-tinted image will be balanced by adding warm tones.

Why It Matters:

Proper white balance ensures that colors look natural and true to life, making your photos visually appealing and realistic.

Art of Visuals White Balance Cheat Sheet:

AUTO FOCUS MODES AND HOW THEY WORK

Modern DSLRs and mirrorless cameras offer a range of autofocus modes designed to simplify and enhance your photography experience. Here, we’ll focus on two of the most commonly used modes: Single Focus (AF-S) and Continuous Focus (AF-C).

Single Focus Mode (AF-S / One Shot / Single Servo / S-AF)

This is the simplest form of autofocus, ideal for stationary subjects.

• How It Works:
  • Press the shutter-release button halfway, or use an AF-ON button if your camera has one.
  • The camera locks focus on the subject where the active autofocus point is placed.
  • Press the shutter button fully to take the photo.
• Advantages:
  • Ease of Use: Point, focus, and shoot without needing to track movement.
  • Precision: Perfect for static subjects like landscapes, portraits, or still-life photography.
• Disadvantages:
  • If the subject or camera moves after focus is locked, the focus becomes invalid.
  • You’ll need to refocus each time the distance between the camera and the subject changes.
• Pro Tip: Use this mode in good lighting and when your subject is stationary to achieve sharp focus.

Continuous Focus Mode (AF-C / AI Servo / Continuous Servo / C-AF)

This mode is designed to handle dynamic, moving subjects.

• How It Works:
  • The camera continuously adjusts focus as it tracks a subject moving through the frame.
  • Focus is maintained even if the subject moves closer or farther from the camera or if you move.
• Advantages:
  • Dynamic Tracking: Perfect for fast-moving subjects like athletes, wildlife, or kids.
  • Adaptability: The camera adjusts focus in real time, keeping the subject sharp.
• Disadvantages:
  • Recomposition Challenges: If you recompose your shot after focus is locked, the camera might refocus on a different part of the frame.
  • Battery Drain: Continuous adjustments can use more battery power.
• Pro Tip: Use this mode for action photography or when working in unpredictable situations where subjects won’t stay still.

Choosing the Right Mode

• Use Single Focus (AF-S): For still subjects where precision matters.
• Use Continuous Focus (AF-C): For fast-moving subjects or dynamic scenes.

Understanding these modes and when to use them will help you capture sharper, more compelling images in any situation.

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPOSITION

Composition refers to the arrangement and placement of objects and elements within your photograph. It is one of the most critical aspects of great photography, as it dictates how your audience engages with and interprets your image.

Why Composition Matters

• Visual Impact: A well-composed photograph draws the viewer’s eye to the most important parts of the scene.
• Storytelling: It helps convey emotion, movement, or a message, turning a snapshot into a visual narrative.
• Artistic Intent: Great composition demonstrates deliberate and thoughtful artistry, elevating your work beyond mere technical skill.

Key Principles of Composition

1. Rule of Thirds:
   • Divide your frame into a 3×3 grid.
   • Place key subjects along the lines or at their intersections to create balance and interest.
2. Leading Lines:
   • Use natural or architectural lines (e.g., roads, fences, or rivers) to guide the viewer’s eye to the subject.
3. Framing:
   • Surround your subject with elements like windows, arches, or foliage to naturally draw attention.
4. Balance:
   • Ensure that elements in your photo feel harmonious, whether symmetrical or asymmetrical.
5. Negative Space:
   • Use empty areas in your frame to emphasize the subject and create a sense of simplicity and focus.
6. Depth:
   • Layer elements in the foreground, middle ground, and background to add dimensionality.

The Art of Attention

Any aspiring photographer should pay close attention to composition, as it is the foundation of visually striking and emotionally resonant imagery. Mastering composition transforms ordinary scenes into extraordinary works of art.

Composition Examples:

WHAT IS AN IMAGE SENSOR

An image sensor is the part of your camera that captures light and converts it into a digital image. Its size plays a significant role in determining the quality of your photos and the overall performance of your camera.

Why Sensor Size Matters

1. Image Quality: Larger sensors capture more light and detail, resulting in sharper, higher-quality images.
2. Low-Light Performance: Bigger sensors perform better in low-light conditions, producing less noise and maintaining clarity.
3. Lens Functionality: Sensor size affects the field of view and depth of field, influencing how your lens captures a scene.

Three Basic Sensor Size Categories

1. Four Thirds (Micro 4/3):
   • Common in compact mirrorless cameras.
   • Offers good image quality with a balance of portability.
2. APS-C (Advanced Photo System type-C):
   • Found in many entry-level and mid-range DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.
   • A popular choice for enthusiasts, offering excellent quality without the bulk of full-frame systems.
3. Full Film Format (Full Frame):
   • Used in professional-grade DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.
   • Delivers the best image quality, with exceptional low-light performance and depth of field control.

Smaller vs. Larger Sensors

• Smaller Sensors: Found in point-and-shoot cameras and smartphones; more compact but limited in quality, especially in challenging light conditions.
• Larger Sensors: Found in DSLRs and advanced mirrorless cameras; ideal for high-quality photography in diverse scenarios.

Sony a7Sii Full Frame Mirrorless Camera:

AOV Image Sensor Diagram:

METERING AND HOW IT WORKS

PHOTOGRAPHY LENSES FOR BEGINNERS

CONCLUSION