Digital exposure

Modern digital cameras are clever bits of kit. The vast majority of the time, they adequately automate the exposure process. However, it would be a waste to purchase an expensive DSLR and not use it to take creative control of your exposure.

A creatively correct exposure is made up of three basic elements, often referred to as the exposure triangle. Each relies on the other and changing any one of them will alter how your image is exposed.

ISO alters how sensitive your camera is to light. A higher ISO allows you to take photographs where less light is available. This will, however, increase the amount of noise that’s introduced into the image. Noise appears as little specks on your photo when you zoom in. It’s usually best to keep the ISO setting as low as is sensible, but not at the expense of your creatively correct exposure.

The aperture setting changes the size of the hole that lets light into your lens. Altering the aperture will also change your cameras depth of field, which is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in focus. If you make your aperture small, less light will enter the lens but more will be in focus. The reverse is also true, with the addition of introducing bokeh. Bokeh is the way your lens renders the out of focus areas in your image. Lenses with good bokeh will make beautiful backgrounds to frame your subjects in and are highly prized by photographers. Open up your aperture to take advantage of bokeh.

Shutter speed is the amount of time your camera’s sensor is exposed to light. The longer it’s open, the brighter the image will be. Images can be taken in a fraction of a second to freeze almost any moment in time. Leaving the shutter open for several seconds can stretch movement across your image to beautiful effect. Just remember to use a tripod.

Try making the exposure decisions for yourself every so often. Your camera won’t always make the right call and taking creative control of your exposures can help you get the shot you want more often.

Opinion piece by Communications Officer Jack Stott