Photography 101: No Such Thing as the Correct Exposure

Approaching Photography as an Art

When learning about photographic exposure, it’s easy to get caught up in the technical aspects of shutter speeds, f-stops, and ISO. Because of all the technical vernacular, often there’s a misconception that there is a “correct” way to expose a photo. If that were the case, then all photos would look the same and photography would no longer be stimulating for our creative senses. In the video and article below, I’ll be going over how there’s no such thing as a correct exposure.

Shooting for Vision: No Such Thing as Correct Exposure | Photography 101

Same Scene, 3 Different Looks

We have our model Whitney standing on a cliff’s edge overlooking the beach. In this scene, I took three different shots at three different exposures. Our model, the balloon props, and the clouds all stay the same, the only thing that changes is the exposure.

Exposing for Silhouette

In the first shot, I exposed Whitney for a silhouette. In the image, the sky and water are at a correct exposure, but Whitney’s body falls underexposed. This gives her a body and the balloons a nice outline against the blue sky and water.

Exposing For What Our Eyes See

This would be the most “correct” exposure. In the shot below, we have a balance between the exposure of the sky and our model Whitney. Although we’re blowing out some details in the sky, the overall image has the most details maintained.

Exposing for Bright and Airy

The last shot ignores the technical aspect of exposure and goes straight for the artistic vision of the photographer, and it’s also my favorite shot in this scene. Because of the light dress and the balloons, I wanted a look that was whimsical and light. A brighter exposure would help communicate that in this image. Although the image is not “technically” correct, it artistically fits my vision, and that’s what makes it correct.

CHAPTER 1: BASIC PHOTOGRAPHY CONCEPTS

• 1.1 – Photography 101 Trailer
• 1.2 – The Workshop Format
• 1.3 – The Camera is Simply a Tool
• 1.4 – How Does a Camera Work
• 1.5 – How to Adjust Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO
• 1.6 – Exposure Triangle
• 1.7 – Exercise: Practice Adjusting Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO
• 1.8 – What is a Stop of Light
• 1.9 – Reading Exposure via the Histogram
• 1.10 – Blown Highlights or Clipped Details
• 1.11 – 6 Tips to Understanding White Balance and Color Temperature
• 1.12 – Assignment: Histogram and Highlight Alert Practice
• 1.13 – Assignment: Mixed Lighting
• 1.14 – Quiz on Chapter 1: Basic Photography Concepts

CHAPTER 2: UNDERSTANDING EXPOSURE

• 2.1 – No Such Thing as the Correct Exposure
• 2.2 – How to Measure or Meter Light
• 2.3 – 8 Key Points to Understanding ISO and Image Quality
• 2.4 – Exercise | Understanding ISO
• 2.5 – Understanding the 3 Primary Metering Modes
• 2.6 – How to Get Perfect Exposures in One Shot
• 2.7 – Assignment: Portrait Using Spot Metering
• 2.8 – Equivalent Exposure but Different Images
• 2.9 – Compensating for Light and Dark Scenes
• 2.10 – Quiz on Chapter 2: Understanding Exposure

CHAPTER 3: FROM AUTO MODES TO MANUAL

• 3.1 – Starting with Automated Modes
• 3.2 – Auto Mode and Flash-Off Mode
• 3.3 – Exercise: From Auto Modes to Manual
• 3.4 – Portrait Mode on a Fashion Shoot
• 3.5 – Assignment: Outdoor Back-lit Portrait
• 3.6 – Landscape Mode on the Beach
• 3.7 – Assignment: Long Exposure
• 3.8 – Sports or Action Mode/a>
• 3.9 – Assignment | Sports or Action Shot
• 3.10 – Macro Mode with Food Photography
• 3.11 – Assignment | Food Photography
• 3.12 – Creative Effects Mode – Floral Photography
• 3.13 – Exercise | Creative Auto Modes
• 3.14 – In-Camera Processing
• 3.15 – Exercise | Pictures Styles and Picture Control
• 3.16 – A Glimpse Into Raw Processing
• 3.17 – Quiz on Chapter 3: From Auto Modes to Manual

CHAPTER 4: SHARP IMAGES AND FOCUSING TECHNIQUES

• 4.1 – AI Servo with Action Shots
• 4.2 – 15 Tips for When You’re Having Trouble Focusing Your Camera/a>
• 4.3 – 3 Primary Types of Autofocus
• 4.4 – Single Shot with Portrait Session
• 4.5 – Assignment: One Shot Focusing Mode for a Sharp Portrait
• 4.5 – Landscape Mode on the Beach
• 4.6 – Single Shot with Action Shots
• 4.7 – Assignment | Focus Recomposing and AF Selection
• 4.8 – Focus Recomposing vs AF Point Selection
• 4.9 – Assignment | Focus Recomposing and AF Selection
• 4.10 – Shutter Speed and the Reciprocal Rule
• 4.11 – How to Hold a Camera and Panning Tutorial
• 3.13 – Exercise | Creative Auto Modes
• 4.12 – Assignment | Panning
• 4.13- Quiz on Chapter 4: Sharp Images and Focusing Techniques

Chapter 5: COMPOSITION, ARTISTRY, AND CREATING GREAT IMAGES

• 5.1 – How to Find the Right Light Direction
• 5.2 What Makes a Great Photograph
• 5.3 How to Capture Candid Moments
• 5.4. Assignment | Candid Moments
• 5.5 Assignment | Flattering Cast Natual Light
• 5.6 Basic Compositional Theories
• 5.7 Assignment | Symmetry
• 5.8. Assignment | Leading Lines
• 5.9 Assignment | Rules of Thirds
• 5.10 Assignment | Triangles and Geometry
• 5.11– Assignment | Negative Space
• 5.12 – The Power of Cropping
• 5.13 Color Schemes
• 5.14 Assignment | Color Schemes
• 5.15 Diving into the Narrative
• 5.16 Assignment | The Narrative
• 5.17 If It’s not Working With, It’s Probably Working Against
• 5.18 Quiz on Chapter 5: Composition Artistry and Creating Great Images

Chapter 6: LEARNING MORE ABOUT YOUR CAMERA

• 6.1 10 Tips on Buying Gear
• 6.2 More About Your Camera and Lenses
• 6.3 Understanding Megapixels
• 6.4 Crop vs. Full Frame Cameras
• 6.5 Crop vs. Full Frame Cameras Demonstration
• 6.6 Prime vs. Zoom Lens
• 6.7 How the Lens Affects Composition
• 6.8 Exercise | Lens Compression
• 6.9 RAW vs. JPEG | The Ultimate Visual Guide
• 6.10 5 Tips on Memory Cards
• 6.11 Quiz on Chapter 6: Learning More About Your Camera

Chapter 7: BONUS

• 7.1 Posing and Action Shots with Female Model
• 7.2 Posing and Lighting with Female Model/a>
• 7.3 Posing and Lighting Couple Portraits

Total Course Run Time: 6H 30M 21S