Many photography newbies who just started photography seems to be confused by these 3 settings (Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO). They tend to ask what settings was used when they see a photo they like. I used to do that too. It wasn’t too helpful as I realized there are simply too many photos around and there is no way I can remember all the settings.

Feeling helpless, I turned to the camera for help instead and used the P mode (program mode). I ended up just pressing the shutter button and nothing else. Well while usually the photographs turned out fine, there are times you feel that the camera is controlling you instead.

Just remember that the shutter speed, aperture and ISO are interlinked. Adjusting anyone of them will affect the others.

I like to think of Aperture as a “door” and shutter speed is how long you open the door. If you have open the door wide (using a big aperture like f2.8), then you only need to open the door for a short while to have enough light. So how big should we open the door? Well normally in a normal outdoor daylight, I would use f5 or f8. It works 80% of the time!

Okie til my next mini - lesson where I will talk about the other 20% of the time!