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Exposure, in the context of photography, refers to the amount of light that reaches the camera's sensor or film. It is a fundamental concept in photography that determines the brightness and contrast of an image. Exposure is typically measured in terms of the aperture (f-stop), shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity. The combination of these three factors is often referred to as the exposure triangle.

The aperture, denoted by f-stops (e.g., f/1.8, f/2.8, f/4, etc.), controls the size of the lens opening and thus the amount of light that enters the camera. A smaller f-stop number (e.g., f/1.8) allows more light to enter, resulting in a brighter image, while a larger f-stop number (e.g., f/22) allows less light, resulting in a darker image.

Shutter speed, measured in seconds (e.g., 1/1000, 1/250, 1/60, etc.), determines how long the camera's sensor is exposed to light. A faster shutter speed (e.g., 1/1000) captures a brief moment of light, while a slower shutter speed (e.g., 1/60) captures a longer duration of light, which can be useful for capturing motion or low-light scenes.

ISO sensitivity, often referred to simply as ISO, measures the camera's sensitivity to light. Higher ISO values (e.g., ISO 1600, ISO 3200) make the sensor more sensitive to light, resulting in brighter images in low-light conditions, but also introducing more noise or grain. Lower ISO values (e.g., ISO 100, ISO 200) make the sensor less sensitive to light, resulting in darker images but with less noise.

Proper exposure is crucial for capturing well-lit and detailed images. Photographers often use a light meter or the camera's built-in metering system to determine the correct exposure settings. Understanding and controlling exposure is essential for achieving the desired look and feel in a photograph.