The Exposure Triangle for Beginners - Shooting in Manual Mode

Most DSL cameras come standard with 4 shooting modes: Auto or Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or Manual Mode. The hard truth is that only in manual mode are you, as the photographer, making all the decisions when it comes to the exposure. 

Auto/Program: In this setting your camera is taking in information provided by its sensors and meter and making decisions on what "exposure triangle" makes the most sense given the limited information it has. Program mode allows the photographer to pop on the flash for some fill flash if desired.

Aperture Priority: Allows the photographer to choose their desired aperture (how much depth of field they need), then the camera takes it from there and determines the other two settings that make up the camera's sensors and meter thinks the correct exposure should be. 

Shutter Priority: Allows the photographer to choose their desired shutter speed, and lets the camera figure out what the aperture and ISO settings should be for the best exposure. 

Manual Mode: In this mode, the photographer chooses the aperture, shutter speed and ISO for each exposure. 

UNDERSTANDING THE EXPOSURE TRIANGLE

So what is Aperture or f stops?

• The aperture or f stop is the measurement of how wide your lens opens when it take a photo. 
• This opening is the hole through which the light passes into your camera.
• A wide hole lets lots of chaotic light in, resulting in a shallow depth of field or bokeh (f1.4). 
• A narrow hole lets less orderly light in, resulting in a wide depth of field (f22).

So what is shutter speed?

• Shutter speed is the measurement of how long the aperture stays open. 
• Fast shutter speeds freeze motion  (1/500 and higher)
• Slow shutter speeds show motion and allows the light to flow into the camera for longer periods of time. (1/60 and lower)

So what is ISO? International Organization Standard (now wasn't that helpful?!?)

• Think of ISO in terms of how sensitive the "film" is to capturing and the light/photo that is coming in through the lens.
• Small ISO number require more time to absorb the light/photo but are nice and tidy (low noise/grain). Meaning they work well when there is a good light source.
• Higher ISO numbers require less time to absorb the light but are a bit messy (more noise/grain). Meaning they are good when you are in a low light situation.

So what should you do first? Stop and ask yourself a couple of questions. 

• What is the main think I am trying to capture?
• Is my subject moving? Do I want to freeze or capture that motion? If the answer is yes, choose your shutter speed, then your aperture, take a meter reading and then use your ISO settings to complete the exposure your meter is showing you. Take the shot, if it's not right adjust your ISO for more or less light (higher number if you need more light, lower number if you need less light).
• Do I have multiple lines of people I am trying to get in focus, do I want to wide or narrow depth of field to show off the subject? If yes, then start by choosing your aperture, then your shutter speed and finish off with your ISO. 
  
  If you live and Colorado and would like to learn more in a one-on-one class, email me at cija@3wishesphotography.com