Yes! Correct exposure is subjective.

In photography, achieving the correct exposure is crucial as it directly impacts the brightness, contrast, and overall quality of the image. However, defining the "correct" exposure is not an absolute value, but rather a subjective interpretation that aligns with the photographer's vision and creative intent. It involves finding a balance between the three major pillars of exposure: ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed.

It depends on various factors, including the lighting conditions, the photographer's creative intent, and the subject being photographed. Different photographers may interpret a scene differently and thus may choose slightly different exposures to achieve their artistic vision.

The Exposure Triangle empowers photographers to manipulate these elements to obtain the desired exposure for a specific scene. Each of these pillars contributes uniquely to the final image:

1. ISO: The ISO setting determines the sensitivity of the camera sensor to light. A lower ISO preserves image quality in well-lit conditions, while a higher ISO is useful in low-light situations but may introduce digital noise.

2. Aperture: The aperture, measured in f-stops, controls the amount of light entering the camera. A wider aperture creates a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and emphasizing the subject, while a narrower aperture increases the depth of field, keeping more of the scene in focus.

3. Shutter Speed: Shutter speed dictates the duration of time the camera sensor is exposed to light. Faster shutter speeds freeze fast-moving subjects, while slower speeds capture motion blur and long-exposure effects.

The correct exposure is the one that best captures the photographer's artistic vision while accurately representing the scene. 

For instance:

In a well-lit landscape scene, the correct exposure might involve using a low ISO, a medium aperture for a balanced depth of field, and an appropriate shutter speed to capture the scene's details.

For a captivating portrait with a blurred background, the correct exposure could entail using a wider aperture for a shallow depth of field, a low ISO to maintain image quality, and a suitable shutter speed to avoid blurriness.

In fast-paced sports photography, achieving the correct exposure may involve using a higher ISO to cope with limited light, a wide aperture to allow more light, and a fast shutter speed to freeze the action.

As photographers gain experience and practice, they develop an intuition for choosing the right exposure settings to achieve their desired results. The correct exposure is a fluid concept, enabling photographers to express their creativity and communicate their vision effectively through their photographs.

In summary, the correct exposure is subjective and can vary from one photographer to another, based on their creative vision and the specific shooting conditions. The goal is to achieve an exposure that effectively communicates the photographer's intent and captures the essence of the scene in a visually compelling manner. With experience and practice, photographers learn to make informed decisions about exposure settings to achieve their desired results.

May your photography journey be filled with wonder, inspiration, and boundless joy, and off course out of the box.

Photographer & Blogger Prasenjeet Gautam 

www.prasenjeetgautam.com

Keep experimenting & Happy Photographing