A correctly exposed photograph means that it doesn't look too bright or too dark, it's just right. Learning how to expose correctly is also the first step in training to become a photographer. As we've mentioned in previous articles, exposure is influenced by a trinity of factors: aperture value, ISO speed and shutter speed. Balancing all of them correctly is going to get you where you want.
But how do you know when you've taken a correct exposure, apart from what your eyes see on the LCD screen? For that we have the histogram which is basically a graphic representation of how each portion of the frame is exposed. The histogram is your friend and learning how to read it is easier than it seems. However, as you expand your knowledge, you will start noticing that the histogram isn't always right and can't be trusted 100%.
(Success Tip:Take better photos with this simple deck of cards)
When you first start setting those three parameters on your own, which means turning your back on the camera's auto mode, you will most likely make a few mistakes. Overexposure and underexposure are perfectly normal errors that all photographers make when they first learn the craft. Luckily, you can save some of the damage if you shoot RAW in post processing. That also has its limitations, but in some cases you can restore a poorly exposed photo and make it look like it was shot correctly.
French photographer Serge Ramelli has a new tutorial on exposure and we think it’s a good idea for all beginners to check it out. Enjoy!
Learn more about exposure from these recommended books:
- Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera
- Digital Photography: Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO and Exposure
- Bryan Peterson's Exposure Solutions: The Most Common Photography Problems and How to Solve Them