Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

Which two controls are primarily responsible for managing the amount of light that reaches the camera's sensor or film?

1. The shutter and the aperture

2. The filter and the lens

3. The ISO and the shutter

4. The aperture and the focus

The correct answer is: The shutter and the aperture

The two controls that are primarily responsible for managing the amount of light that reaches the camera's sensor or film are the shutter and the aperture. The aperture is an opening in the lens that can be adjusted to allow more or less light to enter; a larger aperture (a smaller f-stop number) lets in more light, while a smaller aperture (a larger f-stop number) reduces the light. The shutter, on the other hand, controls the duration for which light hits the sensor. A faster shutter speed allows light in for a shorter period, thus reducing the exposure, whereas a slower shutter speed allows light to enter for a longer duration, increasing the exposure. Together, these two controls allow photographers to finely tune the exposure of their images, managing both the amount of light and the duration of light exposure, essential for achieving the desired photographic effect. The other options include components like filters and ISO settings, which can influence how light interacts with the camera system but do not directly control the amount of light entering the camera in the same fundamental way as shutter speed and aperture. Filters may modify light quality or color but do not adjust light quantity in the same direct manner as the aperture and shutter. ISO refers to the sensitivity of the camera's sensor or