Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

What should you increase to compensate for longer exposures in photography?

1. ISO sensitivity

2. Shutter speed

3. F-stop value

4. Exposure time

The correct answer is: ISO sensitivity

Increasing ISO sensitivity is the correct approach to compensate for longer exposures in photography. When the exposure time is extended, more light hits the sensor, which can lead to overexposure. By raising the ISO sensitivity, the camera becomes more responsive to light, allowing you to capture the image adequately without needing additional light sources. Adjusting the ISO increases the camera's sensitivity, which means you can achieve a proper exposure even in low-light conditions or with longer shutter speeds. This is particularly useful in situations where you want to maintain your desired aperture (f-stop) and depth of field while controlling motion blur and camera shake. Enhancing shutter speed would counteract the effect of a longer exposure rather than compensating for it. Altering f-stop values changes the aperture size but does not directly address the need for more or less sensitivity in light. Lastly, increasing exposure time increases the amount of light captured rather than compensating for it. Thus, adjusting ISO sensitivity is the most effective method for maintaining exposure balance with longer durations.