8 unspoken variables impacting your exposure mix

Last updated:- 6th July 2025

The unspoken benefits of an inclusive approach to managing critical exposure variables disappeared amidst marketing campaigns, the shift from analog to digital photography, and the commercial value proposition prioritizing cameras with large sensors. A basic process of reviewing theoretical principles highlighted the commercial priorization of the sensor versus the benefits of utilizing a representative flow diagram highlighting these unspoken digital exposure variables, the digital imaging process, and how we could leverage this information to enhance our digital photography experience.

Most digital photographers were introduced to the exposure triangle, defining the digital camera's three exposure variables: aperture, shutter speed, and the ISO, which is commonly known as setting the sensor's sensitivity. The shutter and aperture values not only influence exposure but also play a crucial role in controlling depth of field, or the level of background blur in an image, and changing shutter speeds, which let us express movement in various conditions. Photographers are advised to keep the ISO low, as higher sensor sensitivities could lead to unwanted image noise.

The mainstream view of the exposure triangle gave modern marketers a significant advantage. For instance, would you classify the exposure triangle as leaning more towards analog or digital cameras? It is worth considering that modern marketing programs tend to include elements of truth while omitting critical details. The illustration below offers photographers a more detailed overview of exposure nuances and the digital processing of the image signal within the digital camera.

Figure 1.

Most digital photographers are familiar with the journey of mastering the dual purpose of the shutter and aperture mix. Achieving the perfect exposure mix includes optical effects such as background blur or the interpretation of moving objects, which demands both experience and regular practice to eventually become a natural routine. You may be surprised at how quickly one learns to add sensor and gamma parameters into the traditional process of finding an ideal exposure mix.

The 8 unspoken nuances impacting your camera's exposure mix:

1. There is way more to the camera's sensor than its diagonal measurement.
2. Each digital camera (sensor) has unique technical and optical limitations.
3. We use the aperture and shutter to expose and saturate the image sensor.
4. The ISO amplifies the image signal; it does not adjust sensor sensitivity.
5. It's crucial to master technical aspects like saturating the sensor and SNR.
6. Consider and manage the 4th exposure variable; average scene luminance.
7. Managing the digital camera's sensor (dynamic range and image noise).
8. Fixing the ISO to monitor/control the reflected light reaching the sensor.

I converted/edited this EM5 II enhanced raw file in Workspace. I adjusted the ISO and tonal adjustments.

The above flow diagram (Fig. 1) illustrates the image signal path from the lens to the final JPEG. My advice is to familiarize yourself with this illustration. The following points are crucial:

• The shutter and aperture control the reflected light to the sensor.
• We manage the avg. scene luminance with a flash and the time of day.
• The ISO amplifies the image signal and noise from the image sensor.
• The TruePic image processor manages the image creation process.
• The gamma curve converts the linear sensor data to a human version.
• The gamma Gradation feature also controls the exposure controller.
• The enhanced raw format links Workspace to the TruePic processor.

A general version of this knowledge applies to all digital cameras. For instance, similar to the Olympus gradation function, Fuji has DR100, DR200, and DR400, and Canon has the Auto Lighting Optimizer. Gamma or tonal controls include shadows, highlights, and midtone adjustments, plus the tone curve option of Workspace. For more in-depth articles on these topics, refer to this link.

Workspace is a powerful option for Olympus cameras. It offers unique raw controls and is one of the best options to familiarize yourself with using and converting Olympus enhanced raw files. I prefer the AI noise filter of Workspace (WS) for my matching raw files. Take note that while Workspace shows no clipping, some raw converters seem overly eager to highlight overexposed areas.

Study my articles on exposure and the photons-to-electrons graph and how we apply this knowledge to control the sensor's saturation and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The photons-to-electrons graph also offers more info about the sensor's noise floor and how to plan/control noise and dynamic range.

In the past, I stated that this know-how is enough to significantly improvement your digital images. I often reflect on that assertion and wonder if I may have been overly optimistic. As I experimented with high dynamic range scenes for this article, I was reminded of how quickly these new sensor and gamma considerations became an instinctive part of determining my exposure mix.

I converted this EM5 II raw file in PhotoLab 7.

I like to share a few general thoughts to improve your digital photography outcomes. One of the most valuable pieces of advice I can offer is to steer away from forums and camera reviews, as they often serve as echo chambers that primarily advocate for cameras with large sensors. Folks, I plan the processing of my raw files as I set my camera's exposure mix. This includes fine-tuning my exposure with the exposure compensation slider of the camera and Workspace. This is followed by tonal and color adjustments and enhancing the image contrast and sharpness with the tone curve function. The primary goal of tonal adjustments is to highlight the natural lighting variations of the scene.

Here are the steps I follow to set and finalize my exposure mix:

• I mainly use Aperture or Shutter Mode with a fixed ISO.
• Learn how to leverage the DOF benefit of M43 cameras.
• Use IBIS to benefit your shutter/aperture exposure mix.
• Select the right focus point to extend the focussed area.
• Practice how to gain 1 to 2 stops without upping the ISO.
• Study this article for more about the Gradation function.
• My final camera exposure settings are 98% optimized.
• This includes specific gradation options for the camera.
• That means I only do small exposure corrections in WS.

A final image from the Olympus EM5 II with the M.Zuiko 25mm f1.8 lens. I converted the enhanced raw file in Workspace.