If you’re just getting started with photography, terms like ISO, shutter speed, and aperture might sound intimidating — but they are the foundation of every photo you take. Understanding how these three settings interact is key to moving out of auto mode and into full creative control.
This guide will explain each of these core photography settings in a clear, beginner-friendly way and show you how to use them to take better photos in any situation.
What Is the Exposure Triangle?
The exposure triangle refers to the relationship between:
- ISO
- Shutter Speed
- Aperture
These three settings work together to determine the brightness (exposure) of your image. Change one, and it affects the others.
Balance is key:
- Too much light = overexposed (too bright)
- Too little light = underexposed (too dark)
Let’s break down each setting.
ISO: Sensitivity to Light
ISO controls how sensitive your camera’s sensor is to light.
Common ISO Values:
- ISO 100–200: For bright, daylight conditions
- ISO 400–800: Indoors or cloudy conditions
- ISO 1600–3200+: Low light or night photography
Key Tips:
- Lower ISO = cleaner image (less grain)
- Higher ISO = more light but introduces noise or grain
- Use the lowest ISO possible for your situation to maintain image quality
Example:
Shooting outside on a sunny day? Use ISO 100.
Shooting indoors in dim light? Try ISO 800 or higher.
Shutter Speed: How Long Light Hits the Sensor
Shutter speed controls how long your camera’s sensor is exposed to light. It’s measured in fractions of a second or full seconds.
Common Shutter Speeds:
- 1/1000s: Freeze fast action (sports)
- 1/250s: Standard outdoor photos
- 1/60s: Handheld portraits
- 1s or slower: Long exposures, night photography
Key Tips:
- Fast shutter speed = freezes motion
- Slow shutter speed = motion blur (use with a tripod)
Example:
Photographing a waterfall? Use 1/2s for silky smooth water.
Photographing a bird in flight? Use 1/1000s to freeze its wings.
Aperture: How Wide the Lens Opens
Aperture is the size of the opening in your lens, measured in f-stops (f/1.8, f/4, f/11, etc.)
Common Aperture Values:
- f/1.8: Very wide (lots of light, blurry background)
- f/4–f/5.6: Moderate
- f/11–f/16: Small opening (less light, more in focus)
Key Tips:
- Wide aperture (low f-number) = shallow depth of field (blurry background)
- Narrow aperture (high f-number) = deep depth of field (everything sharp)
Example:
Shooting a portrait? Use f/2.0 for background blur.
Shooting a landscape? Use f/11 to keep everything in focus.
How the Settings Work Together
Here’s a quick overview of how these three settings interact:
| Setting | Affects | Trade-Offs |
|---|---|---|
| ISO | Brightness & grain | Higher ISO = more noise |
| Shutter Speed | Motion & brightness | Slower = more blur, faster = less light |
| Aperture | Depth & brightness | Wider = blurrier background, more light |
Changing one setting affects the others. For example:
- If you slow down the shutter to let in more light, you might need to lower ISO to avoid overexposure.
- If you use a wide aperture for a portrait (f/1.8), you’ll need a faster shutter speed to balance the exposure.
Practice Scenarios
📸 Portrait in Natural Light:
- ISO: 100
- Shutter Speed: 1/200s
- Aperture: f/2.8
This combo gives a soft background with enough speed to avoid blur.
🌄 Landscape Photography:
- ISO: 100
- Shutter Speed: 1/125s
- Aperture: f/11
Use a tripod for stability and ensure sharpness across the scene.
🏟️ Action Shot at a Sports Event:
- ISO: 800
- Shutter Speed: 1/1000s
- Aperture: f/4
Freeze movement and adapt to low indoor lighting.
Shooting Modes That Help
Modern cameras offer semi-automatic modes to ease your learning process:
- A/Av (Aperture Priority): You choose the aperture, camera picks the rest.
- S/Tv (Shutter Priority): You choose shutter speed, camera adjusts ISO and aperture.
- M (Manual Mode): You control all three for full creative freedom.
Start with Aperture Priority for portraits and Shutter Priority for action shots.
Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Camera
Understanding ISO, shutter speed, and aperture gives you control over how your images look — from brightness and sharpness to motion and background blur.
Photography is both technical and artistic. The exposure triangle gives you the tools to express your creativity with precision.
Practice by shooting the same scene with different settings. Review your results and see how each setting changes the image. With time, adjusting these will become second nature — and your photos will thank you for it.