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Module 8 · Level 2 — Intermediate

The Exposure Triangle

You use aperture, shutter speed and ISO together to expose deliberately in A, S and M modes.

12 lessons · 1 h 48 min video · Animation · · 12/12 in English
Recommended prerequisite:
M3, M5
Common mistakes:
Dropping the shutter speed too low in the dark and getting a blurry photo · Shooting a group at f/1.8 and leaving the back row blurry · Fearing ISO so much that you settle for a dark photo.
  1. 8.1What is exposure?In EnglishWhy does a photo sometimes come out pure white and sometimes pitch black?Exposure is the amount of light that reaches the sensor, like filling a bucket with water.9 min · visuals described in the audio version
  2. 8.2ApertureIn EnglishHow does the "pupil" inside the lens work?Small f-number = wide opening = more light.9 min · visuals described in the audio version
  3. 8.3Depth of fieldIn EnglishWhy does the background melt away in professional photos?A wide aperture, a short distance and a long focal length blur the background.9 min · visuals described in the audio version
  4. 8.4Shutter speedIn EnglishHow do we freeze time?How long the shutter stays open decides both the light and the motion.9 min
  5. 8.5Frozen moment, flowing motionIn EnglishWhy do waterfalls look like silk in some photos?A fast shutter speed freezes, a slow shutter speed makes things flow.9 min · visuals described in the audio version
  6. 8.6ISOIn EnglishWhy do photos come out grainy in the dark?ISO amplifies the signal; the higher it goes, the more noise there is.9 min
  7. 8.7All three togetherIn EnglishHow do the three settings affect one another?The same light can be reached with many combinations; the choice is creative.9 min
  8. 8.8The idea of a stopIn EnglishWhat do photographers mean by "1 stop"?One stop is double or half the light.9 min · visuals described in the audio version
  9. 8.9A modeIn EnglishWhy do professionals love A mode?You choose the aperture, the camera chooses the shutter speed.9 min
  10. 8.10S modeIn EnglishWhen does S mode save the day?You choose the shutter speed, the camera chooses the aperture.9 min
  11. 8.11Manual mode and Auto ISOIn EnglishIs manual mode really hard?In M mode everything is up to you; Auto ISO is a safe middle way.9 min
  12. 8.12Which mode for which situation?In EnglishPortrait, sport, landscape: which mode should you choose?A practical decision table: choose the mode for whatever you want to control.9 min

Module project

The 9-Frame Experiment

Shoot the same scene with 3 apertures × 3 shutter speeds and note the differences. Then shoot only in A mode for a week.