Unjustly given much less attention now than ever before due to AI algorithms in smartphones, exposure settings have become an afterthought in the minds of most smartphone photographers. Although picture quality may be satisfactory, it can be worthwhile to learn about exposure settings in depth in order to take your pictures to the next level and set them apart from the ordinary flood on social media.
Aside from increased clarity, the right exposure settings can help counteract certain challenges, such as low-light environments and fast-moving objects. These can help you capture and immortalise moments that someone less skilled would not. Let’s dive in and look at the different exposure settings and how they work together to produce a dimension of photography that shines both in print and onscreen.
Aperture
Also known as a f-stop number, the aperture setting is denoted by values such as f/1.4 and f/16. Used to control the depth of field in photography, knowing how to manipulate aperture settings is a technique that can direct attention to the intended subjects.
Smaller f-stop numbers, such as f/1.4, tend to blur out more of the background, creating a “tunnel vision” effect that strongly focuses on the object in the foreground. This can be great for professional portrait shoots that require a high level of detail and emphasis on the subject or model.
Higher f-stop numbers, such as f/16, are far more inclusive and indiscriminate, allowing for amazing, high-definition captures of elaborate backgrounds such as scenery. It is best suited for event photography in Singapore, where crowds and decorations fill every inch of the image.
Shutter Speed
Have you ever tried to capture cute pictures of your skittish furry friends, only to realise that most of your shots come out blurry? A higher shutter speed, such as 1/500, can eliminate the blur of movement from an excited and jumpy pet, allowing for beautiful, timeless photographs of your fur kids at play or in motion.
Lower shutter speeds of around 1/10 to 1/15 allow for artistic expressions, such as capturing New Year fireworks at their luminescent beauty. By allowing motion blur, lower shutter speeds allow for light to create trails and blooms that a smartphone just will not replicate.
ISO
A setting that controls a camera’s sensitivity to light, the ISO can make up for lower light environments at high settings such as ISO 800 or 1600, allowing you to conduct night shoots and the like with quick shutter speeds and smaller apertures for that perfect party or clubbing photo.
However, many cameras produce grainy images at higher ISO settings, so considerations have to be made in low-light environments so as to not affect image quality too much.
Conclusion
With all three settings working together to achieve the right exposure, it can be difficult to come up with the right combination of values to achieve the perfect shot. Budding photographers often require years of practice shooting different subjects in varying environments in order to develop a good sense of exposure tweaking!
Over at Firefly Photography, these years of practice all go towards providing you with the best photo studio in Singapore, no matter the occasion or location. Whether you’re striking a genuine pose for a personal session or aiming for a professional look in a corporate photoshoot, our team is ready to make every moment count. Contact us today, and let us illuminate your moments with our expertise and passion for photography!
