Everything has a beginning and getting the perfect exposure for your image is a good place to start.
This week I added lessons, for the In Camera Magic: The 12 Essential Creative Options photography course, on the shutter speed and the ISO. These two essentials, combined with the first lesson on the aperture, give you the means to practice exposure … getting the light perfectly for you.
The perfectly for you part is important. Part of becoming an artist with your camera is deciding for yourself when your photo looks good. But, you don’t have to do it on your own. I have some help and support here for you.
Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO, Oh My: Getting the Perfect Exposure For You
Instead of going out and looking for subjects to photograph, choose to go out and practice using your aperture, shutter speed and ISO to get the perfect lighting for your images. This focused practice session will help you become a better and more confident photographer quicker.
Focused Practice Session
Spend the weekend practicing dialing in the perfect light for you. Use your LCD screen to really discern if the lighting is what you want, and if it isn’t dial in new numbers until it is.
- Find a subject (a flower, twig or leaf will do) in bright sunlight.
- Set your aperture to f/3.5.
- Set your ISO to its lowest setting (100 or 200).
- Pick a shutter speed (any that you want). Say the number out loud to yourself.
- Focus on your subject, and take the picture.
- Look at your image on the back of your camera. Is it too dark? Is it too bright?
- If it is too dark, then choose a faster shutter speed and repeat steps #5 and #6 until your photo is lit perfectly for you.
- If it is too bright, then choose a slower shutter speed and repeat steps #5 and #6 until your photo is lit perfectly for you.
While it may seem crazy, when you say the shutter speed out loud your brain recognizes it (more than just seeing it) and associates the light surrounding you with it much more quickly. Do this enough and you will build solid memories … concrete points of reference you will use later.
This focused practice session is just the beginning. Once you have mastered these numbers, try changing one of them and do it again. For example, instead of choosing an aperture of f/3.5, try setting your aperture at f/8 and repeat the exercise. Do this enough and you will be able to quickly judge the lighting settings you want.
Have fun practicing!