You Need To Know The Fundamentals of Photography

Don Orkoskey | December 29, 2025

fundamentals of photography

I've created a series on Youtube full of short videos on the fundamentals of photography. These foundational concepts are critical to your understanding of photography.

Fundamentals of Photography

Check out my Youtube playlist called the fundamentals of photography. Alternatively, watch the videos below.

The Exposure Triangle

The Exposure Triangle is made up of the fundamental settings we can adjust to change the brightness of our photos. However, those settings also control other things.

For instance, shutter speed also controls how much motion we see. Too, aperture controls how big our depth of field is. Therefore, while it's important to understand the exposure triangle it's also vital that we learn what each of these settings do.

You can find out more about these settings in the other videos below.

Learn more about exposure in my e-book on the subject. It's on sale now for only $25.
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Understanding Aperture

Aperture is one of our exposure settings. It's critical to understand how to use aperture. Not only does aperture effect brightness but it also effects our depth of field.

Look for future videos on the topic of depth of field in my photography fundamentals playlist over on Youtube.

Understanding Shutter Speed

Shutter speed is another of our fundamental exposure settings. Shutter speed is one of those settings that often give students trouble. First, shutter speed controls time. As such it's measured in fractions of a second. Fractions are never easy. Too, it controls how much movement we see in our photos.

Understanding ISO

Filling out our critical exposure settings is ISO. Understanding ISO is the key to having good photos which aren't too noisy. Too, ISO gives us the opportunity to control our other exposure settings. Therefore, it's massively important that we understand this fundamental of photography.

See all of the rest of my videos on the fundamentals of photography over on Youtube.
Watch Now
Pittsburgh Headshot Photographer Don Orkoskey of WDO Photography I'm full time professional event and headshot photographer Don Orkoskey. Since 2007 I've owned WDO Photography. Additionally, I teach photography in partnership with a number of amazing organizations as well as offering my own group photography classes and individual photography lessons. I teach classes for both adults and children and lead free nature photography meetups each month. I also write a monthly newsletter full of great information and maintain a list of free photography resources and a YouTube channel to help you learn photography.
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How To Use Your Camera Vol. 1: Exposure

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Learn the essentials of exposure and how to use your camera to control the brightness in your photos.

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