Understanding Manual Mode in Photography

YA'LL, when I first decided that I wanted to start persuing photography as my career and not just a hobby anymore, I started doing research...and I felt like I was reading in a different language. It can be so confusing when your just beginning. So here is a break down of the EXPOSURE TRIANGLE-which are the three most important pieces of learning to use your camera in manual mode.

So, Manual mode (M mode) on your camera gives you full control over your exposure settings. Unlike auto or semi-auto modes, where the camera makes decisions for you, manual mode allows you to adjust the three key settings— (EXPOSURE TRIANGLE)

APERTURE

SHUTTER SPEED

and

ISO

—Using your camera in manual mode allows you make your photos look exactly how you want them to, you have full control over the outcome of your photos! At first, this is intimidating....because I'll be honest, Ill never be sharing my first few manual mode photos....BUT, had I not started and stuck with it, I wouldn't have all of the knowledge I have today, along with the ability to make my photos look HOWEVER I WANT THEM TOO-full creativity! Manual mode=creativity to its fullest extent-which is why photographers are photographers-they are creatives! So, let's jump in to the details!

The Three Key Components of Manual Mode: The Exposure Triangle

To master manual mode, you need to understand the Exposure Triangle, which consists of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. These three elements work together to determine how bright or dark your image is.

So let's think of the Exposure Triangle like filling a glass of water from a faucet. Each setting—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—controls how much "light" (water) fills the glass (your camera sensor). If you get too much, it overflows (overexposed). Too little, and it's empty (underexposed).

1. Aperture (f-stop) – Controls Depth of Field

• What it is: The size of the opening in the lens that allows light to enter.

• How it works: Measured in f-stops (e.g., f/1.8, f/5.6, f/11).

• Effects on photos:

  • Lower f-stop (e.g., f/1.8, f/2.8) → More background blur (great for portraits).

  • Higher f-stop (e.g., f/8, f/16) → More in focus (great for landscapes).

Tip: A wider aperture (low f-number) lets in more light, which helps in low-light situations.

In Aperture terms a wider aperture is a lower f-stop.

NOW LET'S THINK ABOUT IT LIKE THIS

Aperture = The Size of the Faucet Opening

• A wide-open faucet (low f-stop, e.g., f/1.8) lets a lot of water in quickly, just like a wide aperture lets in more light.

• A small faucet opening (high f-stop, e.g., f/16) lets in less water, just like a narrow aperture limits light.

• Effect: A wide faucet (low f-stop) makes the background blurry (shallow depth of field), while a small opening (high f-stop) keeps everything sharp.

  
  

Think of aperture as how big or small the hole is where the light enters—just like adjusting the faucet size!

2. Shutter Speed – Controls Motion Blur

• What it is: How long the camera’s shutter stays open.

• How it works: Measured in fractions of a second (e.g., 1/250s, 1/1000s).

• Effects on photos:

  • Fast shutter speed (1/500s or higher) → Freezes motion (ideal for action shots).

  • Slow shutter speed (1/30s or lower) → Creates motion blur (useful for light trails or waterfalls).

Tip: When using a slow shutter speed, use a tripod to avoid camera shake.

NOW LET'S THINK ABOUT IT LIKE THIS

Shutter Speed = How Long You Leave the Faucet Running

• A quick on-off burst (fast shutter speed, e.g., 1/1000s) means the glass gets just a little water—like freezing motion in a photo. Like freezing one little moment.

• A slow, steady pour (slow shutter speed, e.g., 1/30s) lets in more water over time, just like capturing motion blur in a photo. Capturing more of the movement in the photo.

  
  

Think of shutter speed as how long you let the water flow—just like how long your camera lets in light-or how much motion (water) you want to freeze!

LOW SHUTTER SPEED (when person is moving)

HIGHER SHUTTER SPEED (when person is moving)

3. ISO – Controls Light Sensitivity

• What it is: The camera’s sensitivity to light.

• How it works: Measured in numbers like ISO 100, 400, 1600, 3200.

• Effects on photos:

  • Lower ISO (100-400) → Less grain/noise, best for bright conditions.

  • Higher ISO (800-3200 or more) → Brighter images but more grain (useful in low light).

Tip: Keep ISO as low as possible for clean, high-quality images. Increase it only when necessary.

NOW LET'S THINK ABOUT IT LIKE THIS

ISO = The Water Absorption of the Glass

• A brand-new glass (low ISO, e.g., 100) absorbs water cleanly—meaning crisp, clear photos with no noise (residue).

• A rough, scratched glass (high ISO, e.g., 3200) makes the water look dirty—like high ISO making photos grainy.

  
  

Think of ISO as how sensitive your camera sensor is to light—just like how clean or dirty the glass affects the look of the water inside!

Balancing the Exposure Triangle

When shooting in manual mode, you should be adjusting all three settings to achieve the right exposure: If your photo is too dark, increase aperture (lower f-number), slow down shutter speed, or raise ISO.

If your photo is too bright, lower aperture (higher f-number), increase shutter speed, or lower ISO.

Balancing the Triangle (Filling the Glass Just Right)

✔ If the water (light) is overflowing → Tighten the faucet (higher f-stop), turn it off sooner (faster shutter speed), or use a cleaner glass (lower ISO).

✔ If the glass isn’t filling up → Widen the faucet (lower f-stop), let it run longer (slower shutter speed), or use a more absorbent glass (higher ISO).

How to Practice Manual Mode

1. Set your camera to Manual Mode (M).

2. Choose a subject with good lighting.

3. Start with these basic settings:

   • Aperture: f/5.6

   • Shutter Speed: 1/250s

   • ISO: 200

4. Take a test shot.

5. Adjust one setting at a time to see how it affects the photo.

I hope this brief explanation of the exposure triangle makes the process of learning how to use your camera in manual mode just a little bit less confusing! Feel free to ask question in the comments! And just know that, y0ur first few photos might be HORRIBLE, but thats okay, just keep doing. I promise it will get easier, and eventually you won't even have to think about it when adjusting the settings in manual mode!

Which part of manual mode are you having the most trouble with? Answer in the comments!

Keep it Real,

AB

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