Using Math and Photography to Take Great Outdoor Photos

Samantha S. Marshall
Studio 151 Photography

Taking great outdoor photos involves more than just pressing the shutter button, it is about understanding how to “manipulate light.” With a little math, you can adjust your camera settings to capture beautiful images every time. Here’s how to combine math and photography for outdoor photos!

The Exposure Triangle consists of three key elements: aperture, shutter speed, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). In this article, we’ll explore how they work together to create the perfect shot! (Note: These examples and strategies are designed for cameras with manual mode options.)

Aperture: Controlling Light with f-Stops

Aperture controls how much light enters your camera by adjusting the size of the lens opening. In bright, sunny situations, use a smaller aperture (higher f-stop) to avoid overexposing your image. On cloudy days or in shady areas, a larger aperture (lower f-stop) allows more light to enter.

Quick math for aperture:

• f/2.8 = More light (larger opening)
• f/16 = Less light (smaller opening)

top: f/10; middle: f/4; bottom: f/2.8)

For sunny outdoor photography, start with an aperture around f/8 to f/16 to control the light and keep everything in focus. If there’s not enough light, the camera autofocus may struggle. (image:

Shutter Speed: Freezing or Blurring Motion

Shutter speed controls how long your camera’s sensor is exposed to light. A fast shutter speed freezes action, while a slower one can create motion blur.

Simple math for shutter speed:

• 1/1000 = Fast shutter, less light (freeze action)
• 1/30 = Slow shutter, more light (can blur motion)

In this image we can see both action frozen in time, along with some blur of the bee’s wings. To capture this image the settings we used were1/1600 sec at f/3.2 and ISO 100 since the sun was shining brightly in the garden.

For moving subjects like wildlife, a faster shutter speed (1/1000 or higher) is ideal. For still scenes, slower speeds like 1/60 or 1/125 can work. Remember to stand still or use a tripod when using slower speeds to avoid unintentional blur.

ISO: Adjusting Sensitivity to Light

ISO controls how sensitive your camera’s sensor is to light. Use a low ISO like 100 or 200 outdoors in bright conditions to keep the image clear and noise-free. In lower light, set the ISO to 400 or 800, but be cautious of potential graininess.

Quick ISO math:

• ISO 100 = Bright light, clear image
• ISO 800 = Low light, but can add grain

Today’s cameras, including some smartphones, can handle higher ISO settings more effectively without much grain.

Start with Auto Mode, Then Switch to Manual

To see how settings work together, start in auto mode. Take a picture, and observe how the camera automatically adjusts the settings based on the scene. Next, switch to manual mode and try to recreate the same photo by adjusting the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO yourself. This practice will help you understand how these settings balance and affect your photo.

Practice and Have Fun!

Taking great outdoor photos means balancing aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. As you adjust one setting, the others must shift to control the light. For example, on a sunny day, you might use an aperture of f/16, a fast shutter speed of 1/1000, and ISO 100. If clouds appear, simply open the aperture to f/4, slow the shutter to 1/250, or increase the ISO to 400.
With practice, you’ll quickly master these adjustments. Most importantly, have fun! Photography is about enjoying the process while capturing beauty of nature.