The traditional understanding of photography’s exposure triangle, encompassing Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO, is being reevaluated in the digital age.
Joe Edelman, a renowned photographer and educator, has pioneered a fresh perspective that aligns more closely with the nuances of digital photography. Expanding upon Edelman’s groundbreaking concept, I have integrated two additional critical elements: the light-to-subject distance and the power of the light. This enhanced framework offers a more comprehensive and practical approach to achieving the perfect exposure in a digital context. Here’s an introduction to this new, evolved concept.
Choose your Shutter Speed with PURPOSE and your Aperture with FEELING. Then, adjust the BRIGHTNESS with ISO.
–Joe Edelman
Becoming a pro in photography means understanding the basics of exposure. Knowing how to work with these things can change how awesome your photos turn out. It’s not just about randomly picking camera settings; you must know why you use them. When you line up what you want your shot to say with how you set up your camera, that’s when the magic happens.
So, let’s get into why shutter speed, aperture, and ISO matter so much and how to choose the settings that’ll make your photos truly shine. We’ll also chat about two elements that get less attention: how far your subject is from the light and how intense that light is.
Shutter speed with purpose
Shutter speed determines the time the camera’s shutter remains open, influencing the representation of motion in your photographs. Consider the purpose of your shot: Are you freezing action or conveying motion? Opt for a faster shutter speed to freeze fast-moving subjects or precisely capture a decisive moment. On the other hand, if you intend to convey a sense of movement or capture long exposure shots, choose a slower shutter speed. You can communicate the desired message through your images by aligning the shutter speed with your purpose.
Aperture with feeling
The aperture controls the amount of light entering the camera and impacts the depth of field. However, the aperture also plays a significant role in conveying meaning in your photographs. Consider the story or emotion you want to convey through your image. A wider aperture (smaller f-number) with a shallow depth of field can isolate your subject, drawing attention and creating a sense of intimacy. It can be particularly effective in portraits or when you want to emphasize a specific element.
Conversely, a narrower aperture (larger f-number) with a greater depth of field can capture intricate details and provide context, making it suitable for landscape or architectural photography. By choosing the aperture that aligns with the meaning you want to convey, you can enhance the visual impact of your photographs.
ISO with brightness
ISO sensitivity determines how your camera captures brightness and is closely tied to the available lighting conditions. Consider the lighting situation you are in. A higher ISO setting is beneficial in low light environments or situations requiring a faster shutter speed.
However, higher ISO values can introduce digital noise, impacting image quality. A lower ISO setting is ideal for maintaining optimal image quality in well-lit scenarios. Adjusting the ISO according to the lighting conditions allows you to effectively manage brightness and achieve the desired exposure.
Two missing elements for proper exposure (Flash photography)
Two critical factors that play a pivotal role in achieving the perfect exposure in flash photography are the light-to-subject distance and the intensity of the light source. These elements are instrumental in shaping the quality and quantity of light falling on your subject.
Remember that these two factors are present in natural light photography also, using the sun and clouds.
Light-to-subject distance
Light-to-subject distance refers to the precise placement of your light source concerning your subject. When employing light modifiers such as a softbox, the position of the light relative to the subject can significantly impact the final result. Moving the light closer to the subject effectively enlarges the light source, resulting in a softer, more diffused illumination that gently wraps around your subject.
Conversely, positioning the light farther away will cover a larger area but may produce harsher shadows and less flattering light. Therefore, understanding how to manipulate this distance is crucial for achieving the desired lighting effect.
The power of the light
Additionally, the power of the light source is a vital consideration, mainly when working with battery-operated lights. Managing the power output correctly is essential to avoid prematurely draining the batteries.
For example, when using speedlights, it’s prudent to begin at a lower power setting, such as 1/4 power, and then make adjustments based on your specific lighting needs. This conserves battery life and provides a more versatile range of lighting options, allowing you to fine-tune the exposure precisely to your liking.
Mastering flawless exposure: Applying these key principles
To streamline your photography process and focus more on creativity than technicalities during a photoshoot, you can lock down four elements of proper exposure. This approach involves a series of deliberate choices:
Light-to-subject distance and light power
Begin by positioning your light source, ideally at a 45-degree angle above the subject and a few feet away. This placement ensures catchlights are visible in the subject’s eyes, similar to how sunlight would create them. Start with the light set to a quarter power to extend battery life.
Shutter speed for ambient light
Since you’re using a flash, it will freeze the action, so the shutter speed primarily affects the ambient light in the background. Incorporating natural light, a slower shutter speed can help properly expose the background. A starting point of 1/160 seconds is recommended.
ISO for light sensitivity
Set your ISO to control the sensitivity to light. Begin with the lowest ISO, typically around 100, and adjust as needed.
Aperture for depth and feel
Choose your aperture based on the desired depth and feel of the image. Starting with an f/4 aperture is a good rule of thumb. Adjust it to achieve the desired exposure.
For precise adjustments, use a light meter. Input your ISO and shutter settings, then fire the flash. The light meter will suggest the appropriate aperture for correct exposure. With these settings, you can easily identify which variable to tweak (light power or ISO) if the exposure is off. This allows you to adjust your setup without getting bogged down in technicalities.
By applying these fundamental principles, photographers can achieve flawless exposure with ease. The approach minimizes technical complexity, allowing for a focus on creative aspects.
Optimal positioning of the light source, efficient power settings, balanced shutter speed, and initial low ISO settings lay the groundwork for final adjustments, ensuring that each shot attains perfect exposure, bridging the gap between technical precision and creative expression in photography.
Watch the video below for more of Joe Edelman’s exposure tips in action:
Well rounded approach that I will apply in future photoshoots, it’s always great to see fresh perspectives on what we already feel to be ingrained in us as photographers.
You are never to old to learn something new or a new approach..
Great article “V”..
Raising ISO does not increase noise. Lowering exposure increases noise. Also, ISO doesn’t change the sensitivity of the sensor; it does, as you stated, increase the brightness of the output’s display. Raising ISO is more important for out-of-camera JPEGs, and less important when shooting raw, most contemporary digital cameras.
One important element of lighting is knowledge of the Inverse Square Law…the energy (intensity) of light diminishes in relation to the distance from its source at the Square of the distance. For example, the intensity at two feet from the source is 1/4th. At three feet it is 1/9th. To go further, at four feet it is 1/16th. As you can see, the distance of a light source from your subject can seriously change its QUANTITY. Then there is QUALITY. That has to do with the size of the light source in relation to the subject. A very small light… Read more »
Doesn’t a closer distance to Subject causes more dramatic light falloff, increasing the contrast making the image appear more defined, and probably less flattering? The farther away the light source causes more of a spread in the light resulting in less harsh shadows (contrast), which results in a softer appearance. I like to say as the distance doubles the light coverage quarters…
I finally found someone who agrees with me about the exposure triangle and how ISO actually effects your image. I saw you at PPA 2023 and have been following you since Vanelli told me you would be someone good to follow you.
Thank you for the information. I’m starting to learn how to use off-camera flash, and this lesson will help me understand the why behind each adjustment I make.
Love this. Thanks for putting it out there. I really like aperture with feeling. Thats lovely and certainly an approach I can identify with. BW