Exposure triangle cheat sheet.

The Exposure Triangle is the cornerstone of photography, and understanding how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity interact is crucial for capturing well-exposed images. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, having a handy cheat sheet can help you make quick and informed decisions in the field. In this blog post, we'll provide you with an Exposure Triangle cheat sheet to demystify these essential elements and achieve perfect exposure in your photography.

The Exposure Triangle Components:

1. Aperture (f-stop):

   • Controls depth of field.

   • Affects the amount of light entering the lens.

   • Wide aperture (e.g., f/1.4) = Shallow depth of field + More light.

   • Narrow aperture (e.g., f/16) = Deep depth of field + Less light.

2. Shutter Speed:

   • Determines exposure time.

   • Affects motion in the image.

   • Fast shutter speed (e.g., 1/1000s) = Freeze fast motion.

   • Slow shutter speed (e.g., 1/30s) = Introduce motion blur.

3. ISO Sensitivity:

   • Adjusts the camera's sensitivity to light.

   • Higher ISO (e.g., ISO 1600) = More sensitivity + More noise.

   • Lower ISO (e.g., ISO 100) = Less sensitivity + Less noise.

Using the Cheat Sheet:

• Start by selecting the priority or mode on your camera that suits your creative intent:

  • Aperture Priority (A/Av) for depth of field control.

  • Shutter Priority (S/Tv) for motion control.

  • Manual Mode (M) for full control over all three elements.

• Assess your shooting conditions:

  • If it's bright and you want a blurred background, choose a wide aperture (low f-number).

  • For freezing fast action in good light, opt for a fast shutter speed.

  • In low light, consider increasing ISO sensitivity to maintain proper exposure.

• Refer to the cheat sheet to balance the three elements:

  • If you change one element, adjust the others accordingly to maintain the same exposure.

  • For example, if you widen the aperture for a shallower depth of field, increase the shutter speed or lower the ISO to maintain the same exposure value.

Common Scenarios:

• Portraits with creamy backgrounds: Wide aperture (e.g., f/2.8), fast shutter speed, and low ISO.

• Landscapes with sharp foreground and background: Narrow aperture (e.g., f/11), moderate shutter speed, and low ISO.

• Sports photography to freeze action: Fast shutter speed, wide aperture, and medium ISO.

• Low-light or night photography: Wide aperture, slow shutter speed, and higher ISO.

Final Tips:

• Use a tripod for long exposures and to avoid camera shake.

• Bracket exposures for high-contrast scenes.

• Review histograms to ensure balanced exposure.

• Experiment and practice to refine your skills.

Conclusion:

With this Exposure Triangle cheat sheet, you can confidently approach different shooting scenarios and achieve perfect exposure in your photography. Understanding how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity work together empowers you to make creative decisions that bring your vision to life. So, print out this cheat sheet, keep it in your camera bag, and let it be your guide to capturing stunning images. Happy shooting!