When we purchase a decent or even a high-end camera that comes with a variety of features, using the “Auto” mode all the time is fubar. Knowing the basics is not a lifetime of learning — mastering photography is. Just like music, where the basics of seven notes create countless symphonies by employing the right combinations of notes, photography also has three basic elements. Using these three basics offers virtually unlimited possibilities for creating beautiful images.
Without further ado, the three photography basics that create the right exposure in an image are Aperture (F-stop), Shutter Speed, and Film Speed (ISO – International Organization for Standardization). For a brief clarification on the acronym “ISO,” it stands for the International Organization for Standardization, which established the standard to determine film speed in photography. Meanwhile, some countries use the term ASA (American Standards Association) or DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung)** — basically, they all refer to the same concept.
THREE BASICS
Before coming to an understanding of the correct combination of those three basics, it’s necessary to know the idea behind each one. A simple explanation of these three basics can be described as follows:
APERTURE
Aperture is the setting that determines the opening of the “window” formed by the aperture blades, allowing light to reach the film plane in film photography or the image sensor in digital photography. Some say, “photography is painting with light,” because without light, photography cannot be done. In other words, aperture controls how much light comes through.
SHUTTER SPEED
Shutter Speed is the setting that determines the duration for which light reaches the film plane or image sensor. In other words, shutter speed controls how long the light comes through.
In brief, Aperture refers to the quantity of light, and Shutter Speed refers to the duration of light.
FILM SPEED / ISO
The last of the three basics, Film Speed (ISO) determines how sensitive the film or digital sensor is to light. To understand film speed, we need to look back at film photography.
In film photography, the sensitivity of film to record an image depends on the emulsion coating on its surface. This coating allows the film to capture images. The method of coating defines the sensitivity of the film — whether it can record with less light or requires more light. In digital photography, the function of the emulsion coating is replaced by the image sensor.
Without going too deeply into the technical process of making film or a digital sensor — which is beyond the scope here — the practical purpose of these three basics is simple: they allow a photographer, through the camera, to produce a correctly exposed image.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF APERTURE?
Aperture affects brightness. A bigger aperture lets in more light, producing brighter images.
The numbering of aperture can be confusing for beginners. A bigger number (e.g., f/16) actually means a smaller opening in the lens diaphragm, letting in less light. Conversely, a smaller number (e.g., f/2.8) means a larger opening, allowing more light to pass through.
Aperture also affects depth of field, which is the span of the area in focus. A small aperture (big number) produces a larger depth of field, keeping more of the image in focus. A large aperture (small number) produces a shallower depth of field, isolating the subject from the background.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF SHUTTER SPEED?
Shutter Speed affects motion. A faster shutter freezes motion, while a slower shutter blurs it. When photographing motion, the right shutter speed is crucial to achieve the intended result. Sometimes, a slow shutter speed is used deliberately to blur motion for artistic or aesthetic reasons — for example, capturing the continuous taillights of cars at night, or a flowing river that looks like smooth velvet.
Certain types of photography require completely sharp moving subjects. Sports photography, children, or any moving objects demand a fast shutter speed to freeze the action.
Shutter Speed also interacts with Aperture. In low-light conditions, a slower shutter speed can compensate for a smaller aperture to achieve proper exposure. Alternatively, a larger aperture can compensate for a faster shutter speed under the same lighting conditions.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF FILM SPEED / ISO?
Film Speed (ISO) affects the graininess of images. Higher ISO settings produce coarser grain. A higher ISO allows photography in lower-light conditions but compromises image quality. ISO becomes the solution when Aperture and Shutter Speed alone cannot achieve proper exposure. In the “Knowing The Functions In Your Camera” article, some other limited options are shared that can be employed before ISO needs to take charge.
LIGHT METER IN CAMERA
Every SLR (single-lens reflex) camera — whether film, DSLR, or mirrorless — has a light meter to measure exposure. Its position in the viewfinder may vary (bottom, side, etc.), but the principle is the same. The light meter indicates the state of exposure: when the pointer is at zero, exposure is correct for the current Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO settings. If the pointer moves toward the minus, the image will be underexposed; toward the plus, it will be overexposed. To correct this, one of the three settings must be adjusted, keeping in mind that changing one affects the others.
Refer back to the effects of Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO. Assuming the camera is in full manual mode: when the priority is set to Aperture, the Shutter Speed adjusts automatically to maintain correct exposure. When the priority is set to Shutter Speed, the Aperture adjusts automatically to follow the Shutter Speed changes.
So, before exploring more advanced techniques for combining the three basics, let’s get an SLR camera — film or digital — in hand.
BEFORE TAKING PICTURES
SETTING THE ISO
Firstly, set the ISO, keeping in mind the location where the shot will be taken. If there is enough light, or if the shots will be taken outdoors, set the ISO to 100.
NOTE: In digital SLR cameras, the range of settings for Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO is considerably wider than in film cameras. Aperture can be adjusted in 1/2, 1/3, or even 1/4 stops, and the same applies to Shutter Speed. ISO can range from 100 to over 100,000 in digital photography.
NOTE: Some creative techniques from film photography, such as push, pull, and cross-processing, are no longer commonly known among newer digital photographers. Some artistic aspects are missing in digital photography but are replaced with other advantages.
WHITE BALANCE
Film cameras do not have white balance adjustment because it is determined by the type of film used. Digital cameras, however, use image sensors, so a white balance feature is necessary. While white balance can always be corrected during post-processing in digital photography, it is recommended to set it before starting to shoot. If adjusting white balance feels complicated, just set it to AWB (Auto White Balance).
SHUTTER SPEED OR APERTURE PRIORITY?
Presumably, we are not shooting in full manual mode, where neither Aperture nor Shutter Speed has priority. Full manual mode allows the most creative control, but only for those with advanced knowledge and experience with the three basics.
Before choosing which to prioritize, consider the type of shots you plan to take. When depth of field is the most important factor — whether shallow or deep — Aperture should be the priority. Shutter Speed becomes the priority when capturing motion is more important, whether to freeze moving subjects or create motion blur.
NOTE: Most DSLRs, such as Sony and Nikon, use “A” on the dial for Aperture Priority and “S” for Shutter Speed Priority. Canon, however, uses “Av” for Aperture Priority and “Tv” for Shutter Speed Priority.
TAKING PICTURES
Indoor photography usually has more consistent lighting, while outdoor conditions change constantly. Clouds, shadows, reflections on subjects, and other factors make a photographer adjust the camera settings frequently. White Balance is usually a minor issue when using AWB (Auto White Balance), and ISO rarely needs to be changed under normal conditions. Whether using Aperture Priority or Shutter Speed Priority, adjustments often need to be made between shots.
Happy shooting!
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