Mastering Exposure

Exposure is controlled in the camera with three variables-the f/stop, shutter speed, and ISO. They all work together to determine the final exposure. It is crucially important to be able to work comfortably with these three variables. Photographers use the language of 'stops' to make exposure adjustments. A stop is a measurement of the light. Shutter speeds, f/stops, and ISO are all set up to be counted in stops. Automatic flash is controlled in a similar fashion with its own flash exposure compensation (FEC) control. Achieving the optimum exposure is essential for capturing the ultimate in quality images. Fortunately, two exposure aids, highlight alert and histogram, offered by your camera make shooting excellent exposures straightforward. Exposure modes are the method the camera uses to arrive at the exposure. Though your camera may offer several, the most useful ones by far are manual, aperture-priority, shutter-priority, and program. Aperture-priority and shutter-priority are semi-automatic exposure modes.