If you’ve got a DSLR or mirrorless camera and you’re still using auto mode… you’re not alone. But you’re also not using your camera to its full potential.
In this post, you’ll learn how to take control of your photos by using manual mode—and finally understand what all those confusing settings actually do.
I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the exposure triangle—shutter speed, aperture and ISO—plus how to practise these settings at home to get better, sharper, more creative images.
If you’d rather listen to the audio, click here or listen to Episode 1 of the Better Photos Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or scroll to the end of the page.
Mirrorless vs DSLR: Which One Should You Be Using?
If you’re just getting started and trying to decide between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera, here’s the bottom line: go mirrorless.
I recently switched to the Sony A7 IV and I love it. Unlike DSLRs, mirrorless cameras let you see how your adjustments will affect the photo before you take it. You can literally watch the exposure change live on your screen. This saves time and helps you learn faster.
But whether you’ve got a DSLR or a mirrorless camera, the concepts below apply to both.
Check out my amazon gear suggestions here. You can also find used gear on KEH
The First Step: Switch Your Camera to Manual Mode
Look for the dial on top of your camera and turn it to “M”. That means Manual Mode. Once you’ve done that, you’re in full control.
There are three key settings you need to understand to get a well-exposed photo:
- Aperture (how blurry or sharp your background is)
- Shutter Speed (how motion is captured)
- ISO (how sensitive your camera is to light)
Together, these make up what’s called the Exposure Triangle.
Aperture: Get That Blurry Background (aka Bokeh)
Aperture controls how much of your image is in focus. If you want those dreamy portraits with the sharp face and blurry background, you’re thinking of a low aperture.
Look for a number with an “f” in front of it—like f/1.8 or f/4.0.
- Lower number (f/1.8): More background blur, less in focus
- Higher number (f/8.0+): More in focus, less blur
If you’re shooting portraits and want that creamy bokeh, go as low as your lens allows. Just be careful: the lower you go, the easier it is to miss focus. An f/1.2 lens might give you blurrier backgrounds, but you’ll end up focusing on eyelashes instead of eyeballs if you’re not careful.
💡 Tip: If you’re photographing more than one person, increase your aperture to at least f/2.0 or f/2.8 to keep everyone sharp.
Shutter Speed: Stop Motion or Show Movement
Shutter speed controls how quickly your camera captures the image. Think of it as how fast the shutter opens and closes.
You’ll see it as something like 1/200 or 1/4000.
- Faster shutter speed (1/500+): Freezes action—great for running kids or moving subjects
- Slower shutter speed (1/30 or below): Adds motion blur—use for artistic shots or low light
💡 Pro tip: Your shutter speed should never be lower than the focal length of your lens. For example, if you’re shooting with a 50mm lens, don’t go below 1/50 or you’ll risk camera shake and blurry images.
ISO: Control the Light in Dark Situations
ISO controls your camera’s sensitivity to light. The higher the ISO, the brighter the photo—but it also adds noise (grainy or speckled images).
- ISO 100: Use in bright daylight
- ISO 400–800: Good for indoor or cloudy light
- ISO 1600+: Only use in low light when absolutely needed
💡 Watch out: High ISO can ruin your photo with noise—especially if you’re using a beginner-level camera. The more expensive the camera, the better it handles high ISO.
Shoot in RAW (Not JPEG) If You Want Flexibility
If there’s one thing I wish I’d known when I started: shoot in RAW.
RAW files keep all the image data so you can edit them properly later. JPEGs compress the image and lock in whatever editing you did in-camera.
I shot my daughter’s newborn photos in JPEG, and now I can’t go back and fix anything. The edits I applied back then—when I didn’t know what I was doing—are stuck forever.
Shoot in RAW. You’ll thank yourself later.
How to Practice Manual Mode at Home
Here’s a simple way to practice what you’ve just learned. Grab your camera and take six test shots using the steps below:
📸 Aperture Challenge:
- Take a photo at f/2.0 with your subject close to the lens and background far away.
- Take the same photo at f/8.0 and compare the difference in background blur.
🏃 Shutter Speed Challenge:
- Take a photo of someone moving at 1/30 to capture some motion blur.
- Take another at 1/2000 to freeze the action.
💡 ISO Challenge:
- Go outside and shoot with ISO 100.
- Go indoors in a dark room and shoot with a high ISO (e.g. 3200), and notice the difference in noise.
Once you’ve done that, compare the results. This is the fastest way to train your eye and build confidence in manual mode.
Troubleshooting Common Photo Problems
Here’s how to fix the most common manual mode issues:
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Adjust |
| Photo is too blurry | Shutter Speed too low | Increase Shutter Speed |
| Photo is too bright | ISO too high or Aperture too wide | Lower your ISO or decrease Aperture |
| Photo is too dark | ISO too low or aperture’s too small | Raise your ISO or open up aperture |
| Too much noise | ISO is too high | use more light or lower ISO |
Final Thoughts: Just Keep Shooting
Manual mode might feel overwhelming at first, but like anything—it gets easier with practice.
Your camera isn’t just a fancy iPhone. It’s a tool that gives you complete control over how your photos look and feel. Once you understand the basics of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, you can start creating images that feel intentional, emotional, and beautiful.
And if you’re still not sure where to begin—come find me on Instagram @BrittanyPorterPhotography. Send me a message, tag me in your practice shots, and let’s take your photos to the next level—together.
Looking for gear? Check out My amazon Storefront here
