Exposure refers to how much light is captured by the camera sensor (or film). It determines how bright or dark a shot appears and is controlled by a combination of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings.
Proper exposure ensures details are visible in your footage and it is visually appealing. Overexposed shots blow out highlights (lost detail in bright areas), while underexposed shots crush shadows (lost detail in dark areas). Balanced exposure maintains clarity and color accuracy.
Adjust exposure settings based on lighting conditions. Use tools like histograms or zebras in-camera to guide adjustments and prevent clipping or loss of detail.
Give spatial awareness – Use it to orient viewers to geography, characters’ placement, or scene tone.
Match narrative needs – Tailor the scale (cityscape, room, street) to the scope of the story.
Keep it engaging – Add motion (like a slow pan or drone shot) to make the establishing moment dynamic.