Let’s be honest: exposure can feel confusing when you’re just starting out.
But here’s the good news — it all comes down to three settings you already have on your camera:
Aperture • Shutter Speed • ISO
This trio is called the Exposure Triangle, and once you understand how they work together, your photos suddenly look… intentional.
So let’s break it down — simply, clearly, and with examples you can try today.
🌕 1. Aperture — Light + Background Blur
Aperture is the opening inside your lens.
Think of it like your camera’s eye — the wider it opens, the more light it sees.
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Wide aperture (f/1.8 to f/2.8): More light, blurry background
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Narrow aperture (f/8 to f/16): Less light, everything sharp
Real-world example: Portraits
You want the background to melt away and your subject to pop?
👉 Try f/1.8 – f/2.8
Instant bokeh. Instant “wow.”
Real-world example: Landscapes
Want everything sharp from foreground to horizon?
👉 Try f/8 – f/11
Aperture is your depth-of-field superpower.
🕒 2. Shutter Speed — Freeze or Blur Motion
Shutter speed controls how long the sensor is exposed to light.
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Fast shutter (1/500s or faster): Freezes action
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Slow shutter (1/30s or slower): Adds motion blur
Real-world example: Action
Kids running? Dogs jumping? Birds taking off?
👉 Set 1/1000s
Everything stays crisp.
Real-world example: Creative blur
Silky waterfalls, smooth ocean waves, car light trails?
👉 Try 1 second or longer
Just remember: tripod is your friend here.
Shutter speed decides whether your story is fast or flowing.
🔆 3. ISO — Brightness in Low Light
ISO makes your sensor more sensitive to light.
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Low ISO (100–400): Clean, detailed
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High ISO (1600–6400+): Brighter in the dark but adds noise
Real-world example: Café or indoor shooting
You want a bright photo without your hands shaking the camera?
👉 ISO 800–1600
Nice balance between clarity and brightness.
Real-world example: Daylight
It’s sunny? Easy.
👉 ISO 100–200
Maximum image quality.
ISO is basically “brightness backup” when light gets tricky.
🎛 How the Triangle Works Together
Here’s the part most beginners miss:
Exposure is a balancing act.
Change one side of the triangle → you adjust another.
Try thinking of it like filling a glass with water:
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Aperture = size of the funnel
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Shutter speed = how long you pour
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ISO = how thirsty the glass is
If one changes, the others shift to keep exposure right.
Quick scenario
You choose f/2.8 for a blurry background.
Shutter becomes too slow and creates blur.
No problem — just:
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Increase ISO, or
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Speed up shutter
And you’re back in balance.
📷 Daisy’s Ready-Made Settings (Use These Today)
Portraits
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Aperture: f/1.8 – f/2.8
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Shutter: 1/200s
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ISO: 100–400
Landscape
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Aperture: f/8 – f/11
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ISO: 100
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Shutter: as needed
Sports / Fast Action
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Shutter: 1/1000s
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Aperture: widest available
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ISO: 800+ (or Auto ISO)
Night Street Photography
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Shutter: 1/60s
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Aperture: f/1.8 – f/2.8
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ISO: 1600–3200
✨ Final Thoughts from Daisy
Learning exposure isn’t about memorizing rules — it’s about understanding how these three settings work together. Start small, experiment often, and you’ll be amazed how quickly it clicks.
