What are the three components of the exposure triangle in photography?

The three components of the exposure triangle in photography are aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. These three elements work together to control the exposure of an image, determining how light or dark the final photograph will be.

Aperture refers to the opening in a lens through which light enters the camera. It affects the depth of field, which is how much of the image is in focus from front to back. A wider aperture (a lower f-number) allows more light in but reduces the depth of field, resulting in a blurred background which is often desirable for portraits.

Shutter speed is the amount of time the camera's shutter is open to let light in. A faster shutter speed can freeze motion, capturing fast-moving subjects clearly, while a slower shutter speed allows more light to enter and can create a motion blur effect, which is useful for specific artistic effects.

ISO measures the sensitivity of the camera's sensor to light. A lower ISO setting produces less noise and is typically used in well-lit conditions, while a higher ISO allows for shooting in lower light but can introduce graininess or noise into the image.

Understanding how these three components interact is essential for achieving the desired exposure and effect in photography.