Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

Exposure is primarily based on measuring the amount of what?

1. Light

2. Color

3. Motion

4. Shadow

The correct answer is: Light

Exposure in photography is fundamentally about capturing the right amount of light that reaches the camera's sensor or film. The exposure triangle, which consists of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, determines how light is measured and managed in order to create a well-exposed photograph. For instance, when you adjust the aperture, you are changing the size of the lens opening, which directly influences how much light enters the camera. Similarly, shutter speed controls the duration of time the sensor is exposed to light. ISO settings affect the camera's sensitivity to light. Understanding and balancing these components is crucial for achieving the desired exposure, whether the environment is brightly lit or dim. In contrast, other options relate to different aspects of photography but do not primarily dictate exposure. Color refers to the spectrum of light and how it impacts the hues captured in an image. Motion pertains to the visual conveyance of movement and is more associated with techniques like motion blur or panning. Shadows contribute to the depth and dimension in an image but are a result of light's interaction with objects rather than a direct measure of the light needed for exposure.