Photography Fundamentals: Mastering the Exposure Triangle

Aperture controls depth of field and light entry. Expressed in f-numbers, smaller values (e.g., f/1.4) mean wider apertures, allowing more light, creating a shallow focus. Surprisingly, f-stop numbers are rooted in the square root of 2.

Shutter speed affects motion blur and exposure. Measured in seconds, faster speeds freeze action, while slower speeds blur motion. Did you know the 'Bulb' mode lets photographers keep the shutter open as long as the button is pressed?

ISO determines sensor sensitivity to light. Higher ISO values brighten images but increase noise. The ISO standard was adopted in 1974, consolidating previous ASA (American) and DIN (German) standards for film sensitivity.

Exposure is dictated by aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. It's a balancing act—changing one setting requires adjusting others. Surprisingly, the concept was popularized long after cameras became common, simplifying complex photographic principles.

Metering modes determine exposure measurement. Matrix, center-weighted, and spot metering are common. An interesting fact: The first camera with matrix metering, the Nikon FA, was introduced only in 1983, revolutionizing automatic exposure.

RAW files are uncompressed and editable, unlike JPEGs. Photographers might not know that RAW isn't an acronym but simply means 'unprocessed data'. Each camera brand has its proprietary RAW format, like NEF for Nikon and CR2 for Canon.

Focal length, measured in millimeters, defines lens magnification and angle of view. A little-known fact is that the focal length is not the actual length of the lens but the distance from the optical center of the lens to the sensor when focused at infinity.