Which two camera functions need to be balanced for a perfectly exposed photo?

To achieve a perfectly exposed photograph, it is essential to balance shutter speed and aperture. Shutter speed determines how long the camera’s sensor is exposed to light; a faster shutter speed allows less light in and freezes motion, while a slower shutter speed allows more light in but can result in motion blur. On the other hand, aperture controls the size of the lens opening through which light enters the camera. A wider aperture (smaller f-stop number) lets in more light and can create a shallow depth of field, while a smaller aperture (larger f-stop number) reduces the amount of light and increases the depth of field.

Balancing these two settings allows photographers to control the exposure correctly while also influencing artistic elements such as depth of field and motion blur. For instance, if a photographer wishes to use a fast shutter speed to freeze action while also needing enough light for a correct exposure, they can adjust the aperture accordingly. Hence, understanding how these two elements interact is key to mastering photographic exposure.

The other choices include factors like ISO and white balance, but they do not directly relate to the fundamental exposure triangle like shutter speed and aperture do. ISO adjusts the sensor's sensitivity to light, which is also important for overall exposure but varies independently of shutter