The Photographic Triangle

The photographic triangle refers to the three key settings on a camera—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—that work together to control a photo’s exposure. Aperture adjusts the size of the lens opening, affecting brightness and depth of field. Shutter speed determines how long the camera's sensor is exposed to light, influencing motion blur and sharpness. ISO measures the sensor’s sensitivity to light, impacting image brightness and noise. Balancing these three settings based on lighting conditions and your creative goals helps you capture well-exposed, visually appealing photos. Adjusting one often requires compensating with others for the desired effect.