Welcome To Photography! 2. Going Back To The Basics
Understanding ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture, the Exposure triangle, Composition, White Balance, Color Spaces, Raw vs. Jpeg
Well, hello there!
Photography is an art form that allows us to capture the beauty of the world around us. It can be a challenging and complex craft to master, but with the right knowledge and practice, anyone can take stunning photographs. In this post, we’ll cover the essential photography basics you need to know to start taking great pictures. We’ll cover everything from understanding ISO to choosing the right color space for your images.
Exposure Triangle
The exposure triangle is a fundamental concept in photography that explains the relationship between three key elements of exposure: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. If one variable changes, at least one of the others must also change to maintain the correct exposure. Besides the proper exposure your photo will have at the end, the elements of the exposure triangle have other responsibilities, sort of speak. Meaning, the aperture controls the depth of field (how much bokeh you will have or not have), shutter speed can blur or freeze action, and ISO can add or subtract film grain or digital noise from an image. Understanding the exposure triangle is essential for mastering manual mode and creating well-exposed images. I will talk more about the three elements of the exposure triangle below.
ISO
ISO is the measure of your camera’s sensor sensitivity to light. The higher the ISO number, the more sensitive your camera is to light. A higher ISO is useful when shooting in low light conditions, but it can also introduce noise or grain to your photos. To get a sharp and noise-free photo, you need to use the lowest ISO possible that still allows you to get a good exposure.
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed refers to the amount of time your camera’s shutter remains open when taking a photo. A slower shutter speed allows more light into your camera, but it also introduces motion blur. A faster shutter speed can freeze motion but may require a higher ISO or wider aperture to compensate for less light. A general rule of thumb is to use a shutter speed that is at least equal to the focal length of your lens.
Aperture
Aperture is the opening in your camera’s lens that allows light to pass through to the sensor. The wider the aperture, the more light enters the camera, and the shallower the depth of field. A shallow depth of field can be useful when you want to isolate your subject from the background. A smaller aperture will result in a larger depth of field and a sharper image overall.
More about the Exposure Triangle, Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, you can learn in this very useful video by Expert Photography.
Composition
Composition is the arrangement of elements in your photo. It’s how you decide to frame your shot, and it can make or break your image. One of the most basic composition rules is the rule of thirds. This rule suggests that you divide your image into a grid of nine equal parts by drawing two horizontal and two vertical lines. You then place the subject of your photo on one of the intersecting points of the grid. Then we also have leading lines, symmetrical composition, golden triangles, diagonal, etc.
Color Spaces
Color spaces are a complex topic in photography, but they are essential to understand if you want to produce accurate and consistent color in your images. A color space defines a range of colors that can be reproduced, and each device or medium has its own specific color space. The two most common color spaces in photography are sRGB and Adobe RGB. sRGB is the default color space for most consumer cameras and monitors, while Adobe RGB has a wider range of colors and is often used by professional photographers. However, it’s essential to note that not all devices or mediums can display the full range of colors in Adobe RGB, so it’s important to choose the appropriate color space depending on your final output.
Disclaimer: if you post on social media and use the Adobe RGB color space, the colors in your photo will be automatically adjusted to the sRGB space. Adobe RGB is usually used for printing.
Here is a short video by the one and only Peter McKinnon on Color Spaces.
Raw vs. Jpeg
When you take a photo with a digital camera, you have the option to save the image as a RAW file or a JPEG file. A RAW file is essentially the digital negative of the image, while a JPEG file is a compressed and processed version of the image. RAW files contain all of the image data captured by the camera, giving you more flexibility in post-processing. With a RAW file, you can adjust white balance, exposure, and other settings without losing image quality. On the other hand, a JPEG file has already been processed and compressed by the camera, so there is less flexibility in post-processing. However, JPEG files are smaller in size and easier to share, making them a popular choice for casual photographers and social media.
White Balance
White balance refers to the color temperature of your photo and it is measured by Kelvins [K]. Different light sources have different color temperatures, which can result in a photo with a color cast. The human eye is excellent at adjusting to different lighting conditions, but cameras need help. You can set your white balance manually, or you can use a preset like daylight, cloudy, or fluorescent to match the color temperature of the light source.
In conclusion, understanding the basics of ISO, composition, shutter speed, aperture, white balance, color spaces, and RAW vs. JPEG is crucial for any photographer. By mastering these concepts, you can take your photography skills to the next level and create stunning images that capture the beauty of the world around you. Remember, practice makes perfect, so grab your camera and start shooting!
Thank you for reading this post! I really hope you enjoyed it!
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