The goal of a properly exposed photograph is to achieve a balanced image where details in both highlights and shadows are visible, without areas being too bright (overexposed)

or too dark (underexposed).

Proper exposure ensures that the subject is well-lit and the intended artistic vision is maintained.

Key Aspects of Proper Exposure:

1. Balanced Light and Dark Areas

• Shadows retain detail instead of being completely black.

• Highlights avoid being completely white (clipped or blown out).

2. Correct Tonal Range

• A properly exposed image should have a good distribution of tones from dark to light, often visualized in a histogram.

3. Maintains Subject Detail & Texture

• Skin tones in portraits look natural, not too bright or dull.

• Landscape details (e.g., clouds, trees, water) appear rich and not washed out.

4. Aligns with Creative Intent

• High-key images might be intentionally bright for a dreamy, soft feel.

• Low-key images may be dark and moody for dramatic impact.

 

Exposure is a Balance of Three Settings:

• Aperture (f-stop) → Controls depth of field & brightness.

• Shutter Speed → Controls motion blur vs. sharpness & brightness.

• ISO → Controls sensor sensitivity & brightness. 

 

Each adjustment affects the overall look, requiring a trade-off between light, sharpness, depth, and noise.

Everything is relative!

Each one of these affects the captured light- with a different effect.

Assignment:

Investigate your camera.

Google your camera make and model and download your manual

Discover how to set your camera to manual mode and adjust the iso, aperture, and shutter speed.

Find or set up a scene where there is something in the foreground, something far in the background and a range of lights and darks and varied lighting. Ideally something will be moving in the scene as well. Using your tripod will make this easier.

Shoot 25 pictures at 3 different ISOs with 5 different apertures and 5 different shutter speeds. For a total of 75 pictures. For example:

Keep track of the data by doing this in a systematic way and logging your shots. Upload your images (after resizing them) to your Miro board in easy to understand grids.