The photography triangle—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—is the foundation of exposure in photography. These three elements work together to control how much light reaches your camera’s sensor, affecting brightness, depth of field, motion blur, and image noise. Adjusting one requires compensating with another to maintain proper exposure. For example, increasing ISO in low light may allow a faster shutter speed, while widening the aperture can reduce the need for high ISO, minimizing grain. Understanding this balance is key to taking full control of your camera.

Aperture: Controlling Light and Depth of Field

Aperture refers to the opening in your lens that lets light in, measured in f-stops (e.g., f/2.8, f/8). A lower f-stop means a wider aperture, allowing more light and creating a shallow depth of field—ideal for portraits with blurred backgrounds. A higher f-stop narrows the aperture, increasing depth of field for landscapes where sharpness throughout the scene is crucial. Since aperture affects exposure, changing it may require adjusting shutter speed or ISO to compensate. For a deeper dive, check out this guide on aperture by Photography Life.

Shutter Speed: Freezing or Blurring Motion

Shutter speed determines how long the camera’s sensor is exposed to light, measured in fractions of a second (e.g., 1/500s, 1s). Fast shutter speeds (e.g., 1/1000s) freeze action, perfect for sports or wildlife, while slow speeds (e.g., 1/30s) create motion blur, useful for artistic effects like flowing water. However, slower speeds increase the risk of camera shake, so a tripod may be necessary. If you adjust shutter speed for creative effect, you’ll need to balance exposure with aperture or ISO. Learn more about shutter speed from B&H’s expert tutorial.

ISO: Balancing Light and Noise

ISO measures your camera sensor’s sensitivity to light. Lower ISO (e.g., 100) produces cleaner images but requires more light, while higher ISO (e.g., 3200) brightens shots in low light but introduces noise or grain. Modern cameras handle high ISO better, but it’s best to keep it as low as possible for optimal quality. If you raise ISO to avoid motion blur in dark settings, you may need to adjust aperture or shutter speed to avoid overexposure. For more on ISO, visit Cambridge in Colour’s detailed explanation.

Learn the Photography Triangle Hands-On

If you’re struggling to master these concepts, personalized guidance can make all the difference. Feel free to reach out via my contact details for one-on-one coaching. If you’re in or around Lisbon, we can even schedule a practical shoot where you’ll apply these settings in real time under different lighting conditions.

Summary: The Key to Perfect Exposure

The photography triangle—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—forms the core of manual photography. Aperture controls light and depth of field, shutter speed manages motion, and ISO adjusts sensor sensitivity. Changing one requires adjusting another to maintain proper exposure. By mastering this balance, you’ll unlock creative control over your images. Practice experimenting with these settings to see their effects firsthand and elevate your photography skills!