Which setting matters most? Basic video and photography terms explained

Q: "Which setting is the most important — ISO, aperture or shutter speed?"

"None of them is the most important on its own. ISO, aperture and shutter speed together form the so-called exposure triangle and always affect each other. What matters is knowing which setting to change in a given situation — for example, prioritise shutter speed for movement, aperture for portraits and ISO in low light."

Q: "What ISO is best for everyday photography?"

"In good daylight, keep ISO as low as possible, ideally 100 to 200 — the image will be clean and free of noise. Only raise ISO when aperture and shutter speed aren't enough to expose the shot properly."

Q: "What is depth of field and how does aperture affect it?"

"Depth of field determines how much of the photo is sharp. A wider aperture (smaller f-number, e.g. f/1.8) gives a shallow depth of field and a blurred background, while a narrower aperture (larger f-number, e.g. f/11) keeps the whole frame sharp from foreground to background."

Q: "Why is movement blurred in my photos?"

"Most often the shutter speed is too slow. If you are photographing a moving subject, try a faster shutter speed, such as 1/500s or 1/1000s, to freeze the motion."

Q: "Do I always have to set white balance manually?"

"No, auto white balance (AWB) usually handles it on its own. Manual settings are worth it only in mixed or unusual lighting, where you want the colours to be as accurate as possible."

Q: "What is the best lens for portraits?"

"Portraits are most often shot with a longer focal length, such as 85mm, combined with a wide aperture (f/1.8 – f/2.8). This combination blurs the background nicely and doesn't distort the face the way wide-angle lenses do."

Matúš Takáč

· May 10, 2026 · 3 min read

Basic terms — ISO, shutter speed, aperture, white balance and focal length

Table of contents

If you are a beginner photographer, the world of photography may seem full of complicated concepts and technical terms. To help you understand the basics better, I have put together this quick guide explaining some of the most important photography terms.

ISO

ISO measures how sensitive your camera’s sensor is to light. The higher the ISO number, the more sensitive the sensor, which lets you shoot in lower light. However, raising ISO can cause more noise in the photo, which means the images will be less sharp and may contain more “grain”.

Comparison of ISO 100 and ISO 3200

In good lighting conditions, try to keep ISO low (for example ISO 100 or 200).
In low light, raise ISO, but watch out for increased noise (for example ISO 800 or higher).

Aperture

The aperture is the opening in the lens that controls how much light reaches the camera’s sensor. It is expressed as an f-number (for example f/2.8, f/5.6). A smaller number (wider aperture) means more light and a shallower depth of field, so only a small part of the image will be sharp. A larger number (narrower aperture) means less light and a greater depth of field, so more of the image will be sharp.

Comparison of aperture and shutter speed at different ISO values

For portraits, use a wide aperture (for example f/1.8 or f/2.8) to get a beautifully blurred background.
For landscapes or group photos, use a narrower aperture (for example f/8 or f/11) to keep everything sharp.

Shutter speed

Shutter speed determines how long the camera’s sensor is exposed to light. It is expressed in seconds or fractions of a second (for example 1/500s, 1/30s). A shorter time (fast shutter speed) freezes motion, while a longer time (slow shutter speed) can create motion blur.

When photographing fast-moving subjects (such as sports or animals), use a fast shutter speed (for example 1/1000s).
When photographing the night sky or light trails, use a slow shutter speed (for example several seconds) and a tripod to capture the movement of light.

Focal length

Focal length is the distance between the optical centre of the lens and the sensor when the image is in focus. It is measured in millimetres (mm) and affects the angle of view and the magnification of the image. A shorter focal length (for example 18mm) gives a wider angle of view (wide-angle lens), while a longer focal length (for example 200mm) gives a narrower angle of view (telephoto lens).

For landscapes and architecture, use a wide-angle lens (for example 18–35mm).
For portraits or distant subjects, use a telephoto lens (for example 85mm or longer).

White balance

White balance affects how the camera interprets colours under different lighting conditions. Different light sources (sunlight, tungsten bulbs, neon lighting) have different colour temperatures, which can affect how colours look in the photo.

White balance under different lighting conditions

Most cameras have an automatic white balance setting, which is usually good enough.
In specific lighting conditions, try setting it manually to get more accurate colours (for example the “Tungsten” setting under incandescent light).

Exposure

Exposure is the total amount of light that reaches the sensor while you take a photo. It is affected by the combination of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Correct exposure ensures your photos are neither too dark (underexposed) nor too bright (overexposed).

Use the camera’s built-in light meter to get the right exposure.
Try exposure bracketing, where you take several shots with different exposure settings and later choose the best one.

Conclusion

I hope this quick guide helps you better understand basic photography terms and improves your photography skills. Remember that practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to experiment and learn from your own experience!

Frequently asked questions

Which setting is the most important — ISO, aperture or shutter speed?

None of them is the most important on its own. ISO, aperture and shutter speed together form the so-called exposure triangle and always affect each other. What matters is knowing which setting to change in a given situation — for example, prioritise shutter speed for movement, aperture for portraits and ISO in low light.

What ISO is best for everyday photography?

In good daylight, keep ISO as low as possible, ideally 100 to 200 — the image will be clean and free of noise. Only raise ISO when aperture and shutter speed aren't enough to expose the shot properly.

What is depth of field and how does aperture affect it?

Depth of field determines how much of the photo is sharp. A wider aperture (smaller f-number, e.g. f/1.8) gives a shallow depth of field and a blurred background, while a narrower aperture (larger f-number, e.g. f/11) keeps the whole frame sharp from foreground to background.

Why is movement blurred in my photos?

Most often the shutter speed is too slow. If you are photographing a moving subject, try a faster shutter speed, such as 1/500s or 1/1000s, to freeze the motion.

Do I always have to set white balance manually?

No, auto white balance (AWB) usually handles it on its own. Manual settings are worth it only in mixed or unusual lighting, where you want the colours to be as accurate as possible.

What is the best lens for portraits?

Portraits are most often shot with a longer focal length, such as 85mm, combined with a wide aperture (f/1.8 – f/2.8). This combination blurs the background nicely and doesn't distort the face the way wide-angle lenses do.

About the author

Matúš Takáč

I am the creative director and one of the co-founders of Crow Production s.r.o. I focus mainly on video production and photography, and I am also a lecturer who creates courses, workshops and educational articles for beginners and advanced creators.

Which setting matters most? Basic video and photography terms explained

ISO

Aperture

Shutter speed

Focal length

White balance

Exposure

Conclusion

Frequently asked questions

Matúš Takáč

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