A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Camera Settings [2025]

At Kelly Tareski Photography, we believe mastering photography basics is essential for every aspiring photographer. Understanding camera settings is the foundation of creating stunning images.

In this guide, we’ll break down the three key elements of exposure: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to take control of your camera and capture photos with confidence.

Understanding Aperture: The Gateway to Creative Photography

The Basics of Aperture

Aperture stands as one of the most powerful tools in a photographer’s arsenal. It controls the amount of light entering the camera and creates stunning depth-of-field effects. Aperture refers to the opening in your lens through which light passes. It’s measured in f-stops, with smaller numbers indicating a wider opening. For example, f/1.4 is a very wide aperture, while f/22 is a narrow one.

A wide aperture (small f-number) creates a shallow depth of field, perfect for portraits where you want to isolate your subject from the background. It also allows more light into the camera, which is ideal for low-light situations. This effect, known as bokeh, is perfect for portraits and isolating subjects.

Conversely, a narrow aperture (large f-number) lets in less light but increases the depth of field. This means more of the scene will be in focus, which is great for landscape photography where you want everything from the foreground to the background to be sharp.

Creative Applications of Aperture

Aperture isn’t just about technical aspects; it’s a creative tool. Here are some practical ways to use aperture:

1. Portrait Photography: Use a wide aperture (like f/2.0 or f/2.8) to blur the background and make your subject pop.
2. Landscape Photography: Choose a narrow aperture (f/11 or f/16) to keep everything in focus from foreground to background.
3. Low Light Photography: In dimly lit environments, opt for a wide aperture to let in more light without having to raise your ISO too high.
4. Storytelling: Use aperture to guide the viewer’s eye. A wide aperture can draw attention to a specific element, while a narrow aperture can show the relationship between subjects and their environment.

Mastering Aperture Control

To truly harness the power of aperture, practice is key. Start by shooting in Aperture Priority mode, where you set the aperture and the camera adjusts other settings accordingly. Experiment with different f-stops and observe how they affect your images.

There’s no “correct” aperture – it depends on your creative vision and the story you want to tell through your photographs. We encourage our clients to explore different aperture settings during sessions to achieve their desired look.

As you become more comfortable with aperture control, you’ll find it becomes an intuitive part of your photography process, allowing you to capture images with greater depth and impact.

The Relationship Between Aperture and Shutter Speed

Aperture and shutter speed work hand in hand to create the perfect exposure. A wide aperture (small f-number) allows more light in, which means you can use a faster shutter speed. Conversely, a narrow aperture (large f-number) requires a slower shutter speed to let in enough light. This interplay between aperture and shutter speed opens up a world of creative possibilities (which we’ll explore in the next section).

Mastering Shutter Speed: The Key to Motion Control

Understanding Shutter Speed Basics

Shutter speed transforms ordinary shots into extraordinary images. It controls the duration your camera’s sensor receives light. Fast shutter speeds freeze action, while slow speeds introduce motion blur.

Freezing Time with Fast Shutter Speeds

Fast shutter speeds (typically 1/500th of a second or faster) stop motion in its tracks. This technique excels in sports photography or when capturing fast-moving subjects. To freeze a sprinter mid-stride, you might use a shutter speed of 1/1000th of second or faster.

Creating Motion with Slow Shutter Speeds

Slow shutter speeds (usually below 1/60th of a second) add motion blur to your images. This effect creates a sense of movement and dynamism. Imagine capturing the flow of a waterfall or the streaks of car lights at night – these effects result from slower shutter speeds.

The Light and Speed Balance

Shutter speed doesn’t just control motion; it also affects light intake. Fast shutter speeds allow less light to hit the sensor, while slower speeds let in more light. This relationship often requires adjustments to aperture or ISO when changing shutter speeds to maintain proper exposure.

Practical Applications in Different Genres

Portrait Photography: Try a shutter speed of 1/125th to 1/250th of a second. It’s fast enough to avoid camera shake but slow enough to allow sufficient light (perfect for capturing those genuine smiles).

Landscape Photography: Slower shutter speeds create dreamy effects. Use a tripod and a shutter speed of several seconds to smooth out water or clouds (this technique works wonders for those serene sunset shots).

Street Photography: The 1/focal length rule often proves useful. With a 50mm lens, try a shutter speed of at least 1/50th of a second to avoid camera shake (this rule helps maintain sharpness in those candid street scenes).

These suggestions serve as starting points. Photography thrives on experimentation. Push the boundaries and discover unique effects with different shutter speeds.

Tackling Low Light Challenges

Low light situations tempt photographers to use very slow shutter speeds. However, this can result in blurry images due to camera shake. Instead, consider increasing your ISO or using a wider aperture. If a slow shutter speed becomes necessary, a tripod becomes essential.

As we move forward, let’s explore how ISO completes the exposure triangle and affects your images’ overall quality.

How ISO Impacts Your Photography

Understanding ISO Basics

ISO controls the amount of light that your camera lets in and has a huge impact on the darkness or light in your photos. Lower ISO values (100 or 200) indicate less sensitivity, which works well in bright conditions. Higher ISO values (1600 or 3200) increase sensitivity, making them suitable for low-light situations. However, higher ISOs can introduce digital noise, which reduces image quality.

Balancing ISO with Aperture and Shutter Speed

ISO adjustments allow you to maintain your desired aperture and shutter speed in various light conditions. For example, when you shoot a fast-moving subject in low light, you might need a fast shutter speed and wide aperture. Increasing your ISO can help achieve proper exposure without compromising these settings.

It’s often best to start with the lowest possible ISO and adjust other settings first. Only increase ISO when necessary to avoid underexposure or camera shake from slow shutter speeds.

Tackling Digital Noise

High ISO settings can make it easier to create bright images in low-light conditions and reduce the need for a tripod or flash. However, they can also introduce unwanted graininess or digital noise in your images. Modern cameras handle high ISOs better than ever, but it remains a concern. Noise often becomes noticeable in most cameras around ISO 1600-3200.

To minimize noise:

1. Use the lowest ISO possible for the shooting conditions.
2. Invest in fast lenses (wide apertures) to gather more light without raising ISO.
3. Use noise reduction software in post-processing (but avoid over-applying and losing detail).
4. Try using a tripod in low light to allow for longer exposures at lower ISOs.

Adapting ISO for Different Scenarios

For landscape photography, try to stick to low ISOs (100-400) to maintain image quality. In fast-paced environments like sports or wildlife photography, don’t hesitate to push your ISO higher (800-3200) to freeze action.

In studio settings, ISO 100-400 typically achieves the cleanest images possible. For event photography, where lighting can be unpredictable, auto ISO with a maximum limit (e.g., 3200) can prove invaluable.

Evaluating Your Camera’s ISO Performance

Every camera handles high ISOs differently. We recommend you test your camera’s ISO performance in various lighting conditions. Take a series of shots at different ISO settings and examine them at 100% zoom on your computer. This will help you determine your camera’s “acceptable” ISO limit for different types of photography.

Final Thoughts

Mastering aperture, shutter speed, and ISO forms the foundation of photography basics. These settings work together to create well-exposed, visually striking images. We at Kelly Tareski Photography apply these principles across various styles, from senior portraits to commercial shots.

Experimentation with manual mode will help you internalize how these settings interact. Try to shoot the same scene with different combinations of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Analysis of the results will deepen your understanding of how each change affects your image.

Practice is essential to improve your skills. Don’t fear mistakes; they provide valuable learning opportunities. As you continue your photography journey, visit our website for more tips and inspiration (we’ve got over 20 years of experience to share).