What's included in the course
10 Video Lessons

Short, focused lessons that explain the exposure triangle clearly, with examples.

5 Quizzes

Quick quizzes throughout the course to reinforce understanding, plus a final exam at the end.

4 Exercises

Simple shooting exercises to help you apply what you're learning, not just watch videos.

What you'll be able to do by the end

  • Take control of exposure instead of guessing
  • Use aperture and shutter speed creatively, on purpose
  • Balance exposure confidently using stops of light
  • Move beyond AUTO mode with a clear understanding of what changes when you adjust settings

"This course makes you think and teaches you about the exposure triangle fundamentally."

Leslie Hankey

Kevin Lamport

Great explanations regarding the exposure triangle and the mental math required to make it work.

Tyler Liggett

It was great. Laid out well and quizzes did a good job of reinforcing the lessons. I look forward to continuing through the rest of the classes.

Grant Furley

Useful explanation of how it all fits together and how to think about your camera settings.

Exposure Triangle Course Curriculum

    1. Introduction to Exposure

    2. Student Survey

    3. Exposure Triangle Study Guide

    1. History of Camera Exposures

    2. The Sensor

    3. The Shutter

    4. The Aperture

    5. Quiz: The Basic Camera

    1. Defining a Stop

    2. Stopping with ISO, Shutter, and Aperture

    3. Quiz: Stopping Light

    1. Aperture and Shutter Relationship

    2. Making it a Triangle by Adding ISO

    3. Quiz: The Exposure Triangle

    1. Introduction to Priority Modes

    2. ISO and Exposure Compensation

    3. Quiz: Your Exposure Triangle Calculator

    1. Final Exercise: Get Out of AUTO

    2. Final Test

    3. Course Review & Feedback

About this course

  • Free
  • 20 lessons
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Study Guide included
MEET YOUR TEACHER

John Peltier

I've been teaching in-person photography lessons since 2017, primarily to beginners using various camera models. Everyone has the same struggles, and I'm sure you do too. I've brought a proven method of addressing those struggles to these online courses.

Aside from teaching, my photography passion is storytelling. I've completed photodocumentary projects worldwide over the past 15 years, in locations such as Haiti, Guatemala, and Uganda, and have been featured in publications including New York Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, and the U.S. National Park Service.


A clearer way to understand exposure

If AUTO mode feels limiting or confusing, this free course will help you understand what your camera is doing and why.

You don’t need to memorize formulas or dive into technical jargon.
This course walks through exposure step by step, using clear examples and short lessons so you can make intentional creative choices when you shoot.