Digital Photography class

Correct Exposure means Better Pictures

Learn how to set correct exposure to capture better images

In photography correct exposure is the most important key for taking better photographs. Below is an example of an under exposed photo. There is nothing interesting in this image, although it was composed correctly.

Correct Exposure
Here is a sample of an under exposed photo. It is composed well but lack of correct exposure makes this photo useless

Here is the same image, but this time with correct exposure.

Same composition as above photo but correct exposure
Same composition as above photo but correct exposure

The composition is exactly the same because the camera was mounted on a tripod. Thanks to correct exposure, we now see a much more pleasing photo.

What is correct Exposure?

Shutter speed, Aperture value, and ISO together control the exposure in photography, regardless of the type of camera you use. Correct exposure means to control the amount of light which hits the camera’s sensor to capture the brightness and contrast of the scene to the same level that our human eyes can see. If the amount of light is too little we end up with a darker image (under exposed). If the amount of light is too much, we get a brighter photo (over exposed). You may prefer the analogy of cooking food: nobody likes over-cooked or under-cooked food; it has to be cooked just right! Correct exposure is when your choice of these three settings allows the right amount of light for the best brightness and contrast for our main subject.

Photography Tulip Field
Choosing the Correct Exposure and a creative angle shows off the beauty of flowers so much more!

.

How do you control exposure? 

As I mentioned, all exposures are a result of combinations of ISO, aperture and shutter speed. For example, your camera’s built in light meter may measure a need for an aperture of F8 at a shutter speed of 1/30 sec at ISO 200. When you press the shutter release button your camera will close up the iris to an aperture of F8 and open the shutter for a 1/30 second to obtain a correctly exposed picture. The amount of light that squeezes through that opening for that amount of time goes to expose the image sensor. Changes to any of these three settings will result in a different exposure.

This sounds easy. Are there any complications with this approach to capturing great images?

Indeed it is easy, but complications are involved here too, such as how to measure the light, what shooting mode to use, what metering modes your camera supports, etc. In Beginners Digital Camera Class we discuss all of these complications and will show you how to set your camera for correct exposures every time. This is a four hour photography workshop with lots of hands-on practice with setting correct exposures and White Balance.

What is White Balance?

White Balance is another important key in mastering digital photography. Correct exposure and white balance work together to capture a perfect image. In Beginners Digital Camera Class you will also learn about White Balance and how and when to change white balance in your camera.

When is this workshop?

Beginners Digital Camera Class is scheduled for Saturday December 3rd 2016. There are only four spots left for this workshop. Register now to secure your spot and plan to join us as we look at ways to understand your camera controls for taking great images.

What other workshops do you offer?

At Omnilargess we offer many different levels of photography, Photoshop and Lightroom classes. Please visit our UPCOMING CLASSES for more information. We also offer one-on-one photography and editing skills training as private lessons. Please visit our PRIVATE CLASSES page for more information.

Ted and the Omnilargess Team

Scroll to Top