CREATIVELY CORRECT EXPOSURE
Balance aperture, shutter speed and ISO to get the brightness and the creative result you want.
Shallow depth of field means a small area is sharp while the background becomes soft. Wide apertures such as f/1.4–f/2 are useful for portraits.
Deep depth of field means more of the scene, from near to far, is sharp. Narrow apertures such as f/8–f/11 are useful for landscapes.
At 1/125, the shutter is open for 1/125 of a second. 1/1000 is faster; 1/30 is slower.
FAST = freezes motion • SLOW = shows motion / blur
The ISO at which a digital sensor performs at its best. Usually the lowest setting.
1/60 → 1/125 = −1 stop
1/60 → 1/30 = +1 stop
f/2.8 → f/4 = −1 stop
f/4 → f/2.8 = +1 stop
ISO 100 → 200 = +1 stop of sensitivity
ISO 400 → 200 = −1 stop of sensitivity
So “one stop” is not a fourth part of the triangle. It describes a one-step change in aperture, shutter speed or ISO.
You choose ISO if the camera is set to a fixed/manual ISO.
If Auto ISO is enabled, the camera chooses ISO as well, within the Auto ISO limits you have set.
You choose ISO if the camera is set to a fixed/manual ISO.
If Auto ISO is enabled, the camera chooses ISO as well, within the Auto ISO limits you have set.
Select shutter speed that achieves the desired result and correct exposure
Select aperture that achieves the desired result and correct exposure
Normally you choose ISO. With Auto ISO enabled, the camera can change ISO while you control aperture and shutter speed.
YOU choose: aperture + shutter speed + normally ISO.
THE CAMERA METERS: it shows whether your settings are under, over or correctly exposed. It does not change them unless you enable something such as Auto ISO.
The next page is formatted as a phone-screen background for easy reference when you're out shooting.
Wide → more light + shallow depth of field
Narrow → less light + deeper depth of field
Fast → freezes motion
Slow → shows motion / blur
Low → cleaner image / less grain
High → more sensitivity / more grain
Double the light = +1 stop
Half the light = −1 stop
Balance all three settings to control brightness, depth of field, motion and image quality.