Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

How is exposure typically measured in photography?

1. By examining light levels

2. Through aperture size

3. By calculating shutter speed

4. Using camera weight

The correct answer is: By examining light levels

Exposure in photography refers to the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor, affecting the brightness of an image. It is typically measured by examining light levels as it encompasses the overall light available in a scene and is influenced by various elements including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity. When a photographer assesses exposure by examining light levels, they are observing how much light is present and determining the optimal settings to achieve the desired exposure. This is often done with the help of a light meter, which quantifies the light in a given scene and helps the photographer to make informed decisions regarding the combination of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings to achieve the correct exposure. While aperture size and shutter speed are important factors that contribute to exposure, they are not standalone measurements of exposure themselves. Aperture controls the size of the lens opening, and shutter speed determines how long the camera sensor is exposed to light. These settings must be balanced to achieve proper exposure, but they don't measure light levels directly. Using camera weight is unrelated to exposure as it does not influence how light interacts with the sensor or the exposure settings in photography.