Basic Photography Lesson 1 ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed

The three elements of exposure are:

1. ISO - the measure of a digital camera sensor’s sensitivity to light
2. Aperture - the size of the opening in the lens when a picture is taken
3. Shutter Speed - the amount of time that the shutter is open

Imagine the camera has an eye that is going to let in light.

The aperture decides how much light will come in like a pupil.

The shutter speed is the eyelid and will open at different speeds controlling how long light will come in.

If you have the hole (aperture) wide open you don't want it open for too long or you will OVER expose your image.

If you have the hole closed small you need to open it long enough for enough light to get in or you will UNDER expose your image.

Now the smaller the number of your aperture the bigger the opening.

And your shutter speeds represent fractions of a second: 1/2 1/4 1/8.....1/60 1/80 1/100.

OK now not to confuse you, but film speed also plays a role here.
Just know that the darker your shooting conditions the faster the film you want. 100, 200 are slower 400, 800 are faster.

Even digital cameras have film speed settings.

Ok that said your camera should have a meter. It should tell you if you have the right settings. If you want to shoot moving things in daylight have a fast shutter speed and a small (bigger #) aperture.

If you want to shoot close ups or portraits with a blurry back ground you'll want your aperture wide open and an appropriate (for the light) shutter speed. Fast for bright light slower for low.