Aperture, ISO, Shutter Speed - What has 1st priority?

[Ballistics]

Taking pictures today, it took me like 30 different combinations before I finally got a good picture and I feel like it has to be easier. Is there a set scenario for certain shutter speeds, ISO, and apertures? In other words, fast shutter speed low iso vs slow shutter speed high iso vs slow shutter speed low iso and so on and so on. I read the tutorial provided in the sticky but it just explains what each does and doesnt go into depth about the combinations and priorities of each.

 

[D-B-J]

Aperture controls your dof, and in turn, the amount of light let in. Controlling dof is an artistic choice most often, but the amount of light let in is not. Wider aperture=more light=better for low light situations. Shutter speed also determines light, slower shutter speed, more light, faster shutter speed, less light. Also, when using flash, you can alter the shutter speed to change the exposure on your background (What isnt lit by flash), as the shutter speed (up to your max sync speed) has no affect on the flash intensity itself. Typically, you only raise the iso when you need it, ie, low light situations.

Regards,
Jake

 

[oldmacman]

Well, my priorities would fall in this order:
- set ISO to the lowest, optimal setting for your shooting conditions. Unless noise is your thing, this is always my first setting. Keep in mind that the lowest ISO setting is not necessarily the most optimal... there are exceptions.
Outside of that, it depends on your goal. If DOF is a priority to help create an area of focus, you don't even care what the shutter speed is unless a tripod will be required. If you are shooting action or attempting to get some kind of cool motion blur, then shutter is your priority. It just depends what you want to achieve.

 

[KmH]

First I consider the white balance since the light source type has a lot to do with which ISO I will want to use.

After that it varies according to shoot requirements/goals. Sometime aperture is next, sometimes shutter speed is next.

The problem you're likely having is you don't yet have enough experience/understand how the 3 exposure values relate to and influence each other.

 

[DDGphotos]

LOL Everyone is 100% correct. it takes a combination of ALL to make a PERFECT picture! !! once you set up for your shot that does not mean you can not change your camera settings.

I sometimes take a note pad and pen and write down my settings and the picture number . . . .THEN I Change everything! ! ! ! I do this to see what I think the VIEWER would like better! !

 

[Trever1t]

To answer your question directly...ISO

You'll want to keep your ISO as low as possible and yet still have enough speed or a small enough aperture to achieve the shot.

 

[480sparky]

D. All of the above.

 

[Ballistics]

I have a lot to learn lol.

 

[oldmacman]

I have a lot to learn lol.

The best part is, the learning should never stop. You should always be striving to create better images. So we are all on the same journey.

 

[katerolla]

have a good look at this vid it should help you understand Exposure

 

[fokker]

Typically it is a priority to use the lowest ISO.

If your subject is not moving then set the aperture (in Av mode) based on how you want the depth of field to look, and shutter speed will be set automatically to make a proper exposure. If you're not using a tripod then you need to make sure that the resulting shutter speed is high enough so that you won't get camera shake from hand-holding. If the shutter speed you get is too slow, then you can either open uup the aperture or raise the ISO, or both.

If your subject is moving then it's usually a good idea to use Tv (shutter priority) mode. You can set the shutter speed to either freeze the motion or blur it depending how you want the photo to look.

 

[IgsEMT]

my turn....
For the two big names Nikon and Canon when using a flash WB of daylight or flash usually does the job.
Next set the camera to ISO up to 400 (depending on the camera you're using you can go higher but stick to 400). Go into Professional mode P (P for program) and enjoy.
Its a start and its a good place to start to get a feel for things.

 

[gsgary]

First is white balance and then it depends what you are shooting, if it is portraits aperture is the first thing i think about and what DOF i want, if i am shooting movement it will be shutter speed first so i can control how much movement i have in the shot, with both ISO is last because i don't know what ISO i will need to get the shutter speeds i want but i will keep it as low as possible

 

[Ballistics]

have a good look at this vid it should help you understand Exposure

Good vid thanks

 

[Big Mike]

I'm very surprised at the number of people who are saying that using a low ISO in their first priority. For me, that is usually the last priority.

The reason for using a low ISO, is to avoid digital noise. But the benefit of using a higher ISO, is that you can use a faster shutter speed....and a faster shutter speed will likely mean a sharper photo, if either the camera or subjects could move (even a little).
IMO, too many people are afraid to turn up their ISO, and thus don't get photos that are as sharp as they could be. Or, they end up with a underexposed image and then try to fix it in post. And doing that, will give you more noise that if you had just turned up the ISO in the first place.

As for which of the three is the first priority....that depends on your creative goal. If it's my goal to freeze a moving subject (or to freeze the movement of the camera being hand held) then I'll keep a close eye on the shutter speed. If I want or need a specific DOF for my photo, then the aperture (as well as distance and focal length) will be more of a priority. But they all work together. For example, if I want to freeze movement (fast shutter speed) then it may be my priority to use the largest aperture possible...because I know that it will give me the fastest shutter speed.

In my DSLR class, I teach that the first thing to do before taking a photo, is to choose your creative goal....and by choosing that goal, you should then know which settings should take priority.