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Photography Golden Triangle

One of the most confusing areas in photography has to be what is known as The Golden Triangle or The Three Pillars of Photography, this being ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed. I get tons of questions about trying to get out of Auto and move into Manual mode.  

The simple way to use these to change your photography is remember this simple statement

“You change one, you change them all”

This post is a guide to exactly what ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed are and what they do and how they effect your photos, plus the relationship between them. Plus as a little bonus I have drawn up a chart for you to download and keep to help you in the field or where ever you need a quick reminder.

ISO (camera light sensitivity)

ISO is  the measure of sensitivity to light the camera is. The higher the ISO number the more sensitive to light the camera is, ISO 100 is less sensitive to light than 3200, 

Higher ISO is typically used when shooting in a low light situation such as night photography, concert photography, etc.

Lower ISO is typically used in ever day shots when a sharp crisp image is required.

ISO standard setting in most modern camera is 100

NOTES

  • Higher ISO Allows
    • Lighter images (increase light sensitivity)
    • more image noise / grain
    • The use of a faster shutter speed and a smaller aperture
    • Shooting in low light conditions
  • Lower ISO Allows
    • Darker images (decreased light sensitivity)
    • Less image noise / grain 
    • The use of a slower shutter speed and a higher aperture
    • Shooting in normal light conditons (day light)
APERTURE

Aperture is a measure of the amount of light a lens lets into the camera. The lower the aperture value the more light enters the camera. f2.8 allows more light into the camera than f11.

A lens with a wider aperture such as f2.8 is known as a Fast Lens.

NOTES
  • Lower Aperture Value Allows
    • More light to enter the camera
    • More background blur (bokeh)
    • Lower depth of field
    • The use of a faster shutter speed and a lower ISO
    • Shooting in low light condtions
  • Higher Aperture Value Allows
    • Less lightto enter camera
    • Less background blur
    • Higher depth of field
    • The use of a slower shutter speed and a higher ISO
    • Shooting in normal daytime conditions
SHUTTER SPEED

Shutter speed is the speed at which the camera shutter operates and the camera captures the image, and subsequently the amount of time the sensor is exposed to light.

NOTES

  • Faster Shutter Allows
    • Less light into camera
    • Freeze subject action
    • Capturing of high speed subjects (1/200s and above)
    • The use of a lower aperture and a higher ISO
    • Handheld Shots (1/80s and above)
  • Slower Shutter Allows
    • More light into camera
    • Creation of motion in shots (1/50s and ) lower
    • Creation of smooth water and car trails
    • The use of a higher aperture and a lower ISO
    • Use of tripod to steady shots

In order to make it a bit easier to understand the relationship  between ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed I have drawn up a simply diagram below. If you would like to download a copy to use in the field or for you own use,please use the buttons below.

PDF DOWNLOAD
JPEG DOWNLOAD

DSLR Controls – Front Controls

I must start first off by saying that the shots in this post are of my Canon 7D and whilst most Canon cameras all have the same layout, Nikons do not. This does not really make a lot of difference as the operation of most DSLR cameras are the same, and whilst the buttons may not be in the same place, they do operate in the same or similar way.

Also another important note is that you can program the buttons on most DSLR to do different functions as you prefer, the diagrams and descriptions although are correct for the functions may not operate the same as your camera as these layouts are the default layouts.

The way this will work is I will cover each side of the camera in turn, Back, Front and Top. I am not going to mention stupid things like where the batteries go, or how to attach a strap but the more necessary things as well as somethings that when I first started I just could not figure out. Also I have changed the names slightly to help you make more sense of things and not be too technical.


Front of DSLR

Front of Canon 7D


The front of most DSLR cameras looks the same with the lens mount being in the middle with a release button to allow you to remove it.
Again I will start at the bottom left of the picture and work clockwise.
Lens Mirror
When you remove your lens and see inside your camera, you see the lens mirror. this is the bit that makes you camera an SLR and allows you to see through the viewfinder.
DO NOT TOUCH OR PUT ANYTHING IN HERE.

Remote Sensor

This is the sensor used by the camera when being operated by infrared remote control, it is not the same place that a remote camera cable release would use.
Shutter Button
The button your press to actually take the photo, at default settings pressing half way down will start focus and lock exposure, full press will take the shot.
Red Eye Reduction / Self Timer Indicator
This little light is a dual purpose little fella, when using the self timer it flashes to let you know when the shot it going to be taken.
It also works to reduce red eye in your shots.
Lens Line Up Marks
On all DSLR there is a mark to show you where to connect your lens. On some makes of Canon which take both EF and EFS lenses there are two marks.
Red for EF lenses
White for EF-S lenses
To connect a lens simply line up the make on the side of the lens with the mark on the camera and turn.
Flash Button (only on certain models)
On models with a built in flash there is a button to pop up the flash when you need it. This is normally only needed in manual modes as the flash will pop up automatically when needed in auto modes.
Lens Release
To the left of the lens mount there is a large button, this is to release the lens in order to remove it from the camera. Just press the button and turn the lens to remove.
How to attach a lens to a DSLR
In order to attach a lens to your DSLR camera simply do the following
  1. Remove the lens cover and lens cap from your lens.
  2. Line up the white or red mark at the base of your lens with the white or red mark on the lens mount on the camera.
  3. If the marks are lined up correctly the lens will just slip onto the camera, do not try to force it, if it does not just slip on you have not lined it up correctly.
  4. Now turn the lens, normally clockwise, until it clicks. Your lens is now on your camera.
How to remove a lens from a DSLR
To remove a lens from your DSLR simply do the following
  1. With one hand press the Lens release button (normally to the side / left of the lens)
  2. Now with the other hand turn the lens, normally counter clockwise, until it comes of the camera. It does not take any force to remove the lens so if it feel stuck make sure you have pressed the release button. Your lens is now off your camera  
Depth of Field Button
On certain DSLR such as the Canon 7D there is a depth of field preview button, pressing this shows you the best depth of field for your chosen settings.

Final Note
Most of the camera buttons have a dual function and in order to make adjustments you need to use either the rear dial or the top dial depending on what you want to change.
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