Wireless Lapel vs Shotgun Mic
Wireless Lapel Mic (Lavalier Mic) Best For: Interviews, vlogging, on-the-go shooting, and capturing clear dialogue in a controlled environment.
The exposure triangle
The exposure triangle is a fundamental concept in photography that explains the relationship between three key elements that control the exposure (brightness or darkness) of an image:
1. Aperture (f-stop)
- What it does: Controls how much light enters the lens.
- Affects: Exposure and depth of field (how much of the image is in focus).
- Wide aperture (e.g., f/1.8): More light, shallow depth of field (blurry background).
- Narrow aperture (e.g., f/16): Less light, deep depth of field (more in focus).
2. Shutter Speed
- What it does: Controls how long the sensor is exposed to light.
- Affects: Exposure and motion blur.
- Fast shutter (e.g., 1/1000s): Less light, freezes motion.
- Slow shutter (e.g., 1/10s): More light, captures motion blur.
3. ISO
- What it does: Controls the sensor’s sensitivity to light.
- Affects: Exposure and image noise.
- Low ISO (e.g., 100): Cleaner image, needs more light.
- High ISO (e.g., 3200+): Brighter image in low light, but introduces noise/grain.
How to Use the Exposure Triangle
To achieve a properly exposed image, you need to balance all three elements. Here’s a practical approach:
1. Start with your creative intent:
- Want a blurry background? Use a wide aperture (low f-stop).
- Shooting fast action? Use a high shutter speed.
- Need sharp landscapes? Use a small aperture (high f-stop).
2. Adjust the other settings to compensate:
- If you open the aperture (more light), you might need a faster shutter speed or lower ISO.
- If you slow the shutter (more light), you may need a smaller aperture or lower ISO.
3. Use ISO as your helper:
- Try to keep ISO low for best quality, but increase it when there’s not enough light for your chosen aperture and shutter speed.
Example Scenarios
You’re photographing an event in low light:
- You want to freeze movement → use a fast shutter speed (e.g., 1/500s).
- The light is dim, so you need a wide aperture (e.g., f/2.8) and a higher ISO (e.g., ISO 3200) to maintain proper exposure.
Capturing Motion in a Waterfall Scene
You’re photographing a waterfall in a forest and want to show the water flowing smoothly (that dreamy, silky effect).
Creative Goal: Emphasise motion blur to show the water’s movement.
Settings:
- Shutter Speed: Slow, around 1/4s to 2s (to blur the water’s movement)
- Aperture: Small, like f/11 to f/16 (to control the light and increase depth of field)
- ISO: 100 (to minimise noise and allow for longer shutter times)
Extra Tips:
- Use a tripod to keep the rest of the image sharp while the water blurs.
- If it’s too bright, add a neutral density (ND) filter to block light and enable slower shutter speeds.
PS, If you found this helpful please let me know by leaving a comment below and sharing on social.
PPS, If you are struggling with anything photography related feel free to email or message me I’d love to help out anyway I can.
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Monique Harmer
Hi, I’m a professional photographer with a passion for capturing moments that tell powerful stories—whether it’s backstage with the Australian Ballet, on assignment as a press photographer, or creating striking brand imagery. With years behind the lens and a love for both the technical and creative sides of photography, I’m here to share insights, tips, and real-world experiences to help you grow your skills and find your own visual voice. Thanks for being here—let’s create something extraordinary.
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