Many photography experts claim that light is everything when you pick up a camera and shoot, but every device has additional parameters that manufacturers don't always explain. Trying each configuration with a photo in between is uncomfortable, and with that in mind, we found ExposureTool, an online tool that helps us visualize the effects of aperture, ISO, and shutter speed.
A Sea of Conflicting Advice
If you decide to search the web for tips on taking better photographs, you'll find eleven recommendations for every ten photographers. Seeing the world through a lens has led to enormous differences that, while they may be technically justified, only confuse novices with their compact cameras, who just want a trick or two and higher-quality photos. A common point is light, and to understand its benefits completely, we must first know the camera parameters that affect it to a greater or lesser extent.
How ExposureTool Works
ExposureTool is an excellent starting point. This utility loads online (you have to be a little patient) and its main function is to demonstrate the effects on a photograph of very important parameters found in almost any camera: Aperture, ISO sensitivity, and shutter speed.
The best part of ExposureTool is that you can make mistakes freely. Move one of the sliders to the maximum and you'll see what happens to the photograph. Are your images too dark? Maybe raising the ISO number a bit will help. Want a more blurred background? Modify the aperture value. ExposureTool lets you practice as much as you want without touching your camera.
The only weak point is that it doesn't enable the use of your own images (so you can have a better idea of what went right or wrong), and as I mentioned above, its loading time demands patience. Apart from that, ExposureTool is a highly recommended option for learning photography and the essentials of aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. There may be other similar systems out there, but this one doesn't ask for anything in return.
