Blog 3: The Basics of Photography

The Basics of Photography

In today’s world, most of us carry a powerful camera in our pockets. Smartphones have made photography more accessible than ever, allowing us to capture moments wherever we are. For many, a smartphone camera is all they will ever need. Others may own a digital camera but rely solely on its automatic settings, while a smaller group (hobbyists and professionals alike), regularly explore the creative possibilities of photography in greater depth.

While it might seem as simple as pointing and pressing a button, good photography involves far more. Beyond choosing a subject and framing the shot (a topic I will cover in another blog), mastering photography requires an understanding of your camera’s settings. Relying only on automatic mode will limit your creative potential. To truly grow as a photographer, you need to move beyond “auto” and learn how to control your camera intentionally.

At the heart of this is understanding the Exposure Triangle, the foundation of photography. Photography, at its core, is about controlling light. The way light interacts with your camera directly determines the look and feel of your images. By learning how to balance three key settings, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, you can adapt to different lighting conditions and capture the results you envision.

1. Aperture

Aperture refers to the size of the lens opening that allows light into the camera. A wide aperture (a larger opening) lets in more light, while a narrow aperture lets in less. Aperture also controls depth of field, or how much of the scene appears in focus.

• A shallow depth of field (wide aperture) is often used in portrait photography to keep the subject sharp while blurring the background.

• A deep depth of field (narrow aperture) is preferred in landscapes, ensuring sharpness across the foreground, middle ground, and background.

2. Shutter Speed

Shutter speed determines how long the camera’s sensor is exposed to light.

• A fast shutter speed freezes motion, ideal for sports or wildlife photography.

• A slow shutter speed allows more light in but can cause motion blur if the subject is moving.

For example, Astro photographers may keep the shutter open for up to 15 seconds to capture the night sky before the stars begin to move in the sky. On the other hand, creative motion blur (such as smoothing flowing water), relies on slower shutter speeds used deliberately.

3. ISO

ISO adjusts your camera sensor’s sensitivity to light.

• A low ISO (e.g., 100) works best in bright daylight, producing sharp, noise-free images.

• A high ISO helps in darker conditions but introduces digital “noise,” reducing image quality.

ISO often works in tandem with shutter speed: in low-light situations, increasing ISO can allow you to use a faster shutter speed to avoid blur. However, it comes at the cost of clarity, so finding the right balance is key. Some readers may recall the days of film photography, when ISO was determined by the type of film you purchased. For instance, ISO 100–200 film was ideal for bright conditions, while ISO 400 and higher was better suited for low-light environments. With the advent of digital photography, however, we now have the flexibility to adjust ISO directly within the camera, offering far greater creative control and convenience.

Putting It All Together

Balancing aperture, shutter speed, and ISO is essential to achieving correct exposure. Too much light, and the image becomes overexposed, and details are lost, such as the texture in a bride’s wedding dress. Too little light, and the photo becomes underexposed, though dark images can often be corrected in editing more easily than blown-out highlights.

Modern cameras and smartphones can automatically adjust these settings, but automation has limitations. Algorithms cannot always judge the nuances of a scene, such as whether you are photographing a fast-moving subject or a detailed still-life. This is why learning manual or semi-manual modes unlocks far greater creative control.

The Journey of Learning Photography

Photography is both an art and a craft, requiring patience, practice, and experimentation. There are over 50 distinct genres, ranging from portraits and weddings to landscapes, street photography, sports, wildlife, architecture, product, still life, and astrophotography. Each comes with its own challenges and techniques.

Becoming a skilled photographer takes time, but every step forward brings new opportunities to learn and improve. The more you understand your tools, the more you can shape your vision into images that truly capture a moment, a feeling, or a story.

In future blogs, I’ll explore how to make the most of your camera’s different modes, as well as how to elevate your smartphone photography. For now, remember: great photography is not about gear alone, it’s about understanding light, mastering technique, and developing your eye.