Exposure (EV)
The Exposure Triangle
Exposure Value (EV) is a number that represents a combination of a camera's shutter speed and f-number, such that all combinations that yield the same exposure have the same EV value.
The Three Pillars
- Aperture: Controls light entering the lens (f-stop).
- Shutter Speed: Controls duration of light exposure.
- ISO: The sensor's sensitivity to light.
Standard EV Values (ISO 100)
- EV 15: Bright Sunny Day (Sunny 16 Rule)
- EV 12: Overcast / Open Shade
- EV 7: Brightly lit street at night
- EV -2: Deep moonlight
FAQ
What is the Sunny 16 Rule?
On a sunny day, set aperture to f/16 and shutter speed to the reciprocal of your ISO (e.g., ISO 100 -> 1/100s).