Watch video: What is exposure in photography? 

No matter what you’re taking photographs of, or what you’re taking photographs with, the foundations of your image are built on one crucial thing: exposure. 

So what is exposure in photography? Exposure is the amount of light that reaches the sensor or film inside your camera, which affects how light or how dark your image will be. You can control your exposure by manipulating three variables: ISO, aperture and shutter speed, commonly known as the exposure triangle.

• See more terms in our A-Z Dictionary of photography jargon

Explaining and understanding the exposure triangle has confounded photographers for decades, but it’s much easier to think of it as an exposure seesaw. Strictly speaking ISO actually controls the brightness of an image, so it’s helpful to think of ISO as a master brightness dial – but the brighter you make it, the more the image degrades, so you want to keep it as low as possible. 

Technically the “luminous exposure” of a photograph is dictated by the aperture and shutter, so balancing this seesaw is the key to mastering exposure. 

These two variables control the amount of light entering your camera in two distinct ways. The aperture controls the quantity of light that enters; when your aperture is wide open, lots of light can enter at once, producing a lighter image. When your aperture is narrow, only a small amount of light can come in, thus producing a darker image.

What is exposure in photography?

Shutter speed controls how long the camera’s shutter stays open. The longer it’s open, the more light can enter and the lighter a picture will be; but if it’s only open for a short time, less light can enter and the picture will be darker. 

These abstract concepts can be difficult to get your head around, so this video gives a more tangible explanation. First imagine that the cup is our photograph, and filling it up with water is like filling it up with light to expose the image. If we pour in the water very slowly, it’s going to take a long time to fill up – which would be like using a slow shutter speed. But if we throw the water in there super fast, we have to throw it all in at once  – and this would be like using a fast shutter speed. 

Now imagine that the kettle is the photograph. If we fill it up through the small spout opening, we’re going to have to pour water in for longer – so this would be like a narrow aperture. But if we open the lid and fill it through the larger opening, we can pour water in much quicker – so this would be like a wide aperture. 

Taking the analogy further, you can overexpose an image by overfilling your cup, and you can underexpose it by not filling it up enough. So what is the “correct” exposure? Well, some people like their cup filled all the way to the top, others like it filled three-quarters. So it’s entirely up to you – your cup is your photo, so you decide how much light to fill it with!

If you were asking what is exposure in photography, you might also be wondering what is ISO in photography? Using the best light meters will help you take control of your exposure, and these photography tips will enable you to master it!

State

Zip Code

Country

Maurene Cooper, the owner of Vanity Tintype, brought her portable darkroom to the FOX43 studio for a sneak peek at the process behind her Victorian-era photography.

Developing a consistent and cohesive body of work is a key aspect of establishing a strong artistic identity. It allows photographers to express their unique vision and style while creating a recognizable and impactful portfolio.

Let’s explore the importance of consistency in vision and provide some tips for building a cohesive body of work that reflects your artistic vision. It’s possible I am going over some of the same ground in this series, but it is over a good idea to tackle similar thoughts from a slightly different angle.

Define your artistic vision

Before embarking on the journey of creating a cohesive body of work, it is crucial to define your own artistic vision. Take time to reflect on the themes, emotions, and messages you want to convey through your photography. Consider the subjects, styles or genres that resonate with you the most. By clearly defining your artistic vision, you lay the foundation for building a consistent body of work.

This is regardless of what genre you shoot. Is it landscape? Is it cityscapes? Seascapes or perhaps even just sunsets or sunrise? Is there a defining vision for your portraits or macro work? Some people might choose to only create moody black and white or bright primary colors.

Select a unifying theme or concept

Choosing a unifying theme or concept is an effective way to create cohesion in your portfolio. This can be a subject matter, a particular style, a color palette or even a conceptual idea that threads through your images. Selecting a theme or concept helps tie your photographs together and creates a visual narrative within your portfolio.

For example, if you are drawn to urban environments, your theme could be “The Beauty of the Urban Landscape.” Through consistent subject matter and a shared visual approach, you can create a cohesive body of work that showcases your unique perspective on urban life.

Establish consistent visual elements

Consistency in visual elements is key to building a cohesive body of work. Pay attention to elements such as composition, lighting, color and editing techniques. Develop a consistent approach to these elements that aligns with your artistic vision and chosen theme.

For instance, you might consistently use strong leading lines, vibrant color palettes or dramatic lighting in your images. These consistent visual choices will create a sense of coherence and unity across your portfolio, tying your images together and reinforcing your unique style.

This does not mean you cannot explore outside of those visual elements, but a consistent portfolio can be key in developing an identity and style.

Embrace a signature editing style

Editing plays a significant role in defining your photographic style and creating a cohesive body of work. Develop a signature editing style that reflects your artistic vision and enhances the mood or atmosphere you want to convey. Experiment with different editing techniques, color grading and tonal adjustments to achieve a consistent look and feel throughout your portfolio.

Consider creating presets or editing templates that you can apply to your images to maintain consistency. This will ensure that your photographs have a cohesive aesthetic, even when capturing different subjects or scenes.

Curate and edit with intention

Building a cohesive body of work involves careful curation and editing. Be selective when choosing which images to include in your portfolio. Look for images that align with your chosen theme, reflect your artistic vision and contribute to the overall narrative you want to convey. Remove any images that do not fit cohesively with the rest of your body of work.

When presenting your portfolio, consider the order and arrangement of your images. Think about the flow and storytelling potential within the sequence of photographs. This thoughtful curation and editing process will help create a cohesive and engaging viewing experience for your audience.

Evolve with intention

Building a cohesive body of work doesn’t mean stagnation. Allow yourself to evolve and grow as an artist while staying true to your artistic vision. Continually explore new techniques, subjects, or styles that align with your overall vision. As you evolve, maintain a balance between consistency and exploration, ensuring that your work remains cohesive while embracing new creative possibilities.

It’s OK to share your journey with others. But try to share the very best of your images, especially with an online portfolio. Nothing better than someone saying, “I knew it was one of your photos before I read the credit.”

Define your artistic vision

Building a cohesive body of work is an essential aspect of developing your unique photographic style. By defining your artistic vision, selecting a unifying theme, establishing consistent visual elements, embracing a signature editing style, curating with intention and evolving with purpose, you can create a portfolio that reflects your creative vision and captivates your audience.

Remember, consistency in vision is not about limitation, but about honing your artistic voice and creating a powerful visual statement. So, embrace the journey of building a cohesive body of work and let your photography shine with consistency and impact.

Happy exploring and creating!

In case you missed it:

Aiken area photographer George Buggs wants people to use their imagination when they see his recent photography exhibit. 

“I hope that we all can use our imaginations,” Buggs said.

Buggs’s artwork will be displayed at The Center for African American History, Art and Culture as part of new exhibit, Anima: Now Sleep. A kick-off for the new exhibit was held Wednesday and feature composited works of photography and images created with artificial intelligence.

Buggs’s work has been displayed Aiken Center for the Arts, The McCormick Arts Center at the Keturah in McCormick, Equine Divine Art Gallery, South Side Gallery and more. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Hampton University and master’s in creative writing from Brown University.

Buggs is from Boston but has lived in Aiken for the last 20 years.

Buggs said the work that was displayed are his anima and has the recurring image of a little girl in each photo.

An anima is defined as a someone’s true inner self, according to Webster’s Dictionary.

“She is somebody that has been with me for a long time as a morphing kind of figure since I took a photo of her many, many years ago,” he said.

The exhibit included a poem that explains the purpose of the images. Buggs said his work goes beyond the canvas and shows how photography can be a lesson not just for himself, but for others.

His favorite piece is “Swamp Angel” which to him reflects the mystery and horror. 

Another photo includes a fist going through a Confederate Flag. Buggs said it represents the people who say the flag has nothing to do with slavery but is about heritage.

“The fist represents something beyond human beings exerting its pressure on that sense of history and it also reflects the emergence of history,” Buggs said.

Dennis Bickers, who is also a photographer in the area, said his favorite pieces were the photos that featured the same little girl.

“I like supporting other people’s work,” Bickers said. 

Another attendee, Larry Mitchel who has known Buggs for a long time, came to support his friend and said the art was cool because he is not that artistic. He said his favorite was the “Swamp Angel” piece.

“It shows you how talented he really is because I thought he just took pictures; his photography is unbelievable,” Mitchell said.

The Center for African American History, Art and Culture Executive Director Juanita Campbell said she got in contact with Buggs after he attended another event at the center and said his art would be a great addition to the museum. 

“George is also someone who the community knows by his work, as well,” she said.

Campbell said having Buggs’s art at the center is one way he can express himself to the Aiken community.

“Having our community come to take a look at work, not only shares what we believe at the center, but it also reinforces the type of person George is,” Campbell said.

The exhibit will be on display from July 19 until September. 

“Hoverfly” – Photo Courtesy of Gail Stasko.

Natural beauty of Susquehanna Watershed shines as focus of local photo contest.

Regional conservation non-profit North Branch Land Trust (NBLT) assembled a team of judges from local conservation organizations to discuss the beautiful images submitted by area outdoor enthusiasts. Winning photographers, Kevin Jones, Cheryl Miller, and Gail Stasko will be receiving conservation swag bags to honor their great work in capturing important moments around the Susquehanna Watershed in Wildlife, Plant Life, Landscape, and Recreation categories.

“It’s an honor for me to be part of NBLT’s photo contest celebrating the work of local photographers featuring DCNR’s, River of the Year. The Susquehanna River Watershed, Pennsylvania’s largest watershed, is home to 3.8 million people. It’s important to bring attention to the river, its spectacular landscapes, wildlife, and people who all share this special watershed address,” said Diane Madl, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The Susquehanna watershed is more than just the river. It is all of the lands that surround it, all of the creeks that lead into it, and all of the lands that drain into those creeks that drain into the Susquehanna that eventually reaches the Chesapeake Bay! From Tunkhannock’s Riverside Park to the tippy top of Mountain Top, it is all connected.

“Kayaking the Susquehanna” – Photo Courtesy of Kevin Jones.

That connectivity was an important feature for the judges who included Madl, PA DCNR Environmental Education Specialist Supervisor, Hickory Run State Park Complex; Jill Robinson, Deputy Director of the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, representing Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties; and Rachael Stark, Program Coordinator at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. Karley Stasko, Director of Marketing and Development at NBLT organized the event.

Stark remarked, “There were some submissions that were beautiful but did not feel as connected to the watershed. There was this adorable black and white warbler grabbing a grub—which was really unique because there’s only a small window of opportunity where you can see them. But then you look at that doe and fawn in the creek? It just captures all the life and love of the North Branch of the Susquehanna.”

Plants posed a different challenge. After selecting favorites, the conservation judges took a moment to reassess the selections’ connections to the North Branch. Potted plants, while lovely, are quite removed from the watershed. The winning shot, a hoverfly sipping nectar from a daisy, was selected because of its sense of connectivity. Stasko said, “Seeing the action, all the important identifying parts of the plant and insect so clearly, it’s really remarkable. I am happy the daisy is imperfect too. It makes it that much more familiar to anyone who has ever made a daisy crown.”

“Forest golden hour” – Photograph Courtesy of Gail Stasko.

Some shots were easier to choose than others. Robinson, who also serves on NBLT’s Board of Directors, enjoys hiking and running in NEPA’s great outdoors. “Kayaking is the thing to do on the North Branch of the Susquehanna. I love that perspective right from the middle of the water. I also really like the variety of moods these pictures captured; it shows off the diversity of the watershed.” Robinson compared the stormy golden forest to the bright river journey.

North Branch Land Trust and conservation partners look forward to more celebrations of the River of the Year and all our local waters.

Featured Image (Top): “Creek Family” Courtesy of Cheryl Miller.

These photographs of plants in exquisite detail were taken by Karl Blossfeldt, born in 1865. The photos were published in the 1920s and became associated with the avant-garde art movements of Weimar Germany. The plants in these gorgeous photos are so detailed that they look more like sculptures than living things.

I love photo number 4, as it looks like little grinning faces are covering the body of this plant. Paredolia is always a great surprise! 

From Instagram:
“Using a homemade camera Karl Blossfeldt — born on this day in 1865 — managed to photograph plants in extraordinary detail. Originally made to help his design students observe natural forms more closely, the remarkable images quickly became aligned with the avant-garde movements of Weimar Germany.”

Generation Z are using artificially intelligent (AI) photo app Remini to transform their selfies into professional headshots and are questioning why they would ever pay for a photographer instead.

The generative AI photo enhancer Remini has gone viral on TikTok, with thousands of users using the technology to transform their smartphone pictures into flattering corporate headshots.

@gracesplace #CapCut #ai #remini #fypシ ♬ 3:15 (Slowed Down + Reverb) – Russ

In a TikTok video, that has amassed over 42.2 million views in the last five days, content creator @Gracesplace showed how she used Remini to turn a selfie in her car into a series of professional headshots for her Linkedin profile.

Since then, the AI photo app has shot up in popularity. The Remini app has even dethroned Meta’s Threads and soared to the number one spot in the U.S. on Apple’s App Store charts.

The #Remini hashtag currently has over 1.4 billion views on TikTok with content creators asking why they should “pay for headshots when AI does them for free?”

Remini launched in 2019 with software to enhance photo clarity, such as making blurry images clearer. However, in 2022, it added generative AI to its app. While Remini is free to download, it requires a subscription to gain access to all of its features.

@gracesplace Replying to @Aidan #remini #fypシ #ai ♬ original sound – Grace

Remini works a lot like the photo editing app of 2022 Lensa AI. In a follow-up TikTok video, @Gracesplace shows how to use Remini to produce a corporate headshot.

Users start by uploading eight to 12 photos of themselves and selecting their gender. Then, they select a “model image” that mimics the style and composition they want — with categories ranging from “casual” and “trendy” to “travel” and “curriculum.”

The curriculum category features models in business attire and generates professional headshots. After that, there is a swiping function which allows Remini users to narrow down their favorite images.

‘PSA to Photographers: Y’All Better Lower Your Prices’

While many TikTokers were impressed by the AI-generated headshots, many users were troubled that apps like Remini could supplant real photographers.

@mollie.danielle AI really said, “were gonna make you look spanish”… and im here for it #capcut #AI #foryou ♬ 3:15 (Slowed Down + Reverb) – Russ

“PSA to photographers: y’all better lower your prices,” one viewer gloats.

Some TikTok users agreed with their sentiment, commenting: “For real, they [photographers] charge so much just for five pictures.”

While another viewer argues: “AI can’t replicate the true art of a talented photographer. I don’t know anyone who would rather have AI-generated wedding photos.”

@taylee.wells this is crazy😭 #CapCut #ai #aiheadshot #trending #foryoupage #xyzbca #trend ♬ 3:15 (Slowed Down + Reverb) – Russ

Furthermore, while the headshots were certainly impressive, some of the images had defects synonymous with AI technology such as hands with too many or too few fingers.

@ha.lei.gh When you cant use your AI headshots becaude it took of 80 pounds and everyone would notice… 😅🙃 #remini #ai #aifail #aifails #aiheadshot #aiheadshots #funny #fail ♬ 3:15 (Slowed Down + Reverb) – Russ

Meanwhile, according to Insider, other TikTokers claimed that Remini appeared to have substantially changed their weight to make their shot more flattering — with one user dubbing the AI as “fatphobic.”

Image credits: Header photo via TikTok/@gracesplace Depositphotos.