When you hear “camera basics,” you might think about different types of cameras. But photography really comes down to a few key elements: the exposure triangle, depth of field, composition, colour, and light.

Let’s talk about gear for a moment. Whether you’re shooting with a DSLR or a smartphone, you can take great photos. Both work best in well-lit areas, especially spaces with natural light from windows or bright surroundings.

Photography isn’t about having the best gear, it’s about sharing what you see through visuals. Whether you’re using a phone or a DSLR, many of the same rules and techniques apply. For example, composition rules are universal. For more on those, check out this post: Composition 101.

Exposure Triangle

The fundamentals of photography often come back to the exposure triangle.

In photography, the exposure triangle is your foundation. It’s made up of three key settings: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Together, they control how much light enters your camera and how your photo looks.

Think of them like the three legs of a stool. If one leg changes, the others need to adjust to keep balance.

• Aperture controls how much light comes in through the lens.
• Shutter speed controls how long that light hits the sensor.
• ISO adjusts how sensitive the sensor is to light.

If your photo is too bright, you can:

• Make your aperture smaller
• Use a faster shutter speed
• Lower your ISO

If it’s too dark, you can:

• Open your aperture wider
• Slow down your shutter
• Raise your ISO

Once you understand this relationship, you’ll be able to take control of almost any lighting situation.

Shutter Speed

Shutter speed controls how long your camera’s sensor is exposed to light.

• A fast shutter speed (like 1/1000 of a second) freezes motion. This is great for sports, pets, or moving subjects.
• A slow shutter speed (like 1/10 of a second) creates motion blur. This works well for light trails or flowing water.

If your image is blurry and you didn’t intend it to be, your shutter speed was probably too slow. Try increasing it and see the difference. Slower speeds require steady hands or a tripod to avoid camera shake.

ISO

ISO measures your camera’s sensitivity to light.

• Low ISO (100–200) gives you clean, sharp images but needs more light.
• High ISO (3200–6400) brightens your photo but adds grain or noise.

When you’re outside in daylight, use a low ISO. In darker spaces, raise your ISO—but not too high, or your photo may look grainy. Think of ISO as a light booster when light is limited.

Aperture

Aperture is the opening in your lens that controls how much light enters your camera. It’s measured in f-stops, like f/2.8, f/4, and f/8.

• A small f-number (f/1.8) = bigger opening = more light
• A large f-number (f/16) = smaller opening = less light

Aperture also affects depth of field (how much is in focus).

• Wide aperture = blurry background (great for portraits)
• Narrow aperture = more in focus (great for landscapes)

Note for phone users: Your phone adjusts aperture automatically, but portrait mode simulates this effect digitally.

Depth of Field

Depth of field refers to how much of your image is in focus.

• Shallow depth of field: subject sharp, background blurry
• Deep depth of field: everything in focus

Shallow depth of field helps draw attention to your subject. Deep depth of field works well for landscapes and group photos. Understanding this helps you tell better visual stories.

How the Exposure Triangle Works With Different Cameras

DSLR: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Full control over all settings
• Works well in many environments
• You control the lighting look
• Different modes (Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority)
• Auto mode available
• Can shoot in RAW for more detail

Cons

• Takes time to learn
• Can feel overwhelming at first
• Requires practice in new lighting situations

Smartphones: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Camera adjusts settings for you
• Quick and easy to use
• No guessing

Cons

• Limited control over shutter speed
• Aperture control only in portrait mode
• RAW shooting is not always available

Tip for phone users: Try using Pro/Manual mode if your phone has it. You’ll gain more control and learn faster.

Next Steps and Continuing Learning

Photography is a lifelong journey. Keep practising, keep experimenting, and most importantly, keep creating. Whether your next step is learning editing, exploring lighting, or shooting for clients, the fundamentals will always guide you.

Photography is a skill you build over time, not something you master overnight. Every photo you take teaches you something new, even the “bad” ones. Mistakes help you learn what works and what doesn’t.

Remember your phone is a powerful tool. Don’t underestimate it. Focus on:

• Light
• Composition
• Timing

These matter more than expensive gear.

Challenge yourself to:

• Take photos every day
• Try new angles
• Shoot in different lighting
• Step outside your comfort zone

Look at other photographers’ work for inspiration, but don’t compare yourself. Your creative voice is unique, and it will grow with practice.

As you continue learning, you may explore:

• Editing apps
• Manual camera settings
• Different photography styles

No matter where photography takes you, the fundamentals will always guide your work. Stay curious, stay creative, and most importantly, keep shooting.