80% of Photography Basics You Need to Know

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5 min read

A Simple Guide for Seeing the World With Intention. The Vana Way.

Photography isn’t just a technical craft. It’s a way of noticing and slowing down long enough to witness the quiet details most people rush past.

At The Vana Project, photography is more than capturing an image. It’s an act of connection: to nature, to story, to the small truths that live in light and shadow.

If you’re just starting out, the world of photography can feel overwhelming. Aperture. ISO. Shutter speed. Lenses. Composition. Lighting.

But here’s the secret:

You don’t need to master everything to create meaningful images.
You just need to understand the essentials, the 20% that unlocks 80% of your growth.

This guide gives you those fundamentals, wrapped in the gentle, nature-rooted philosophy that guides Vana’s creative work.

1. The Exposure Triangle

Your Foundation for Creative Freedom

Every photograph, whether it’s a misty woodland scene or a portrait bathed in window light, is shaped by three settings:

Aperture
Shutter Speed
ISO

Together, they determine not just brightness, but mood, texture, and emotion.

Aperture (f-stop)

Aperture controls how wide your lens opens, shaping depth and softness.

Low f-number (f/1.8, f/2.8)
→ More light
→ Dreamy, blurred backgrounds
→ Perfect for intimate portraits or isolating a single leaf in a forest
High f-number (f/8, f/11, f/16)
→ Less light
→ Everything sharp
→ Ideal for landscapes, seascapes, and storytelling scenes

Vana Tip:
Use aperture to guide the viewer’s attention. Let softness create emotion; let sharpness create clarity.

Shutter Speed

Shutter speed determines how motion appears in your image.

Fast shutter (1/1000, 1/500)
→ Freezes action
→ Great for wildlife, waves, or wind-blown petals
Slow shutter (1/30, 1/10, 1 sec)
→ Motion blur
→ Perfect for waterfalls, clouds, or the gentle sweep of grasses

Vana Tip:
Motion is a story. Decide whether you want to freeze it or let it flow.

ISO

ISO controls your camera’s sensitivity to light.

Low ISO (100–200)
→ Clean, crisp images
→ Best for daylight or bright scenes
High ISO (1600–6400+)
→ Useful in low light
→ Adds grain — which can feel atmospheric when used intentionally

Vana Tip:
Grain isn’t the enemy. Sometimes it adds soul, especially in moody, low-light nature scenes.

2. How These Three Work Together

Photography Is a Balancing Act

Change one setting, and the others must shift to maintain exposure.

Example:
If you open your aperture for a soft, dreamy portrait, you may need a faster shutter speed or lower ISO.

This dance is the heart of photography and once you feel it, everything becomes intuitive.

3. Step Away From Auto Mode

Take Back Creative Control

Auto mode guesses.
You create.

Instead, try:

Aperture Priority (A / Av) - You choose depth of field
Shutter Priority (S / Tv) - You choose motion
Manual Mode (M) - You choose everything

Vana Tip:
Start with Aperture Priority. Depth of field is one of the most expressive tools in storytelling.

Image credit: Aperture

4. Composition: The Art of Intentional Seeing

Technical skill makes a photo correct.
Composition makes it compelling.

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds divides a photograph into three equal sections both horizontally and vertically, forming a 3x3 grid. The four points where the lines intersect are considered the most visually appealing spots to place subjects or important elements of your scene. This technique guides the viewer’s eye naturally and prevents images from feeling static or centred. Place your subject along the grid lines to create balance and flow.

Leading Lines

Leading lines are lines within a photograph, real or implied, that direct attention toward the main subject or into the scene. These lines can be straight, curved, diagonal, or converging, and they help create a sense of direction and movement in the image. Use paths, rivers, branches, or shadows to guide the eye.

Photo credit: Leading Lines & J.PierrePhotography

Natural Framing

Shoot through leaves, windows, or archways to add depth and narrative.