What can influence the overall exposure of an image?

The overall exposure of an image is significantly influenced by the lighting conditions present at the time of capture. Good exposure occurs when the camera sensor receives an adequate amount of light, and this is primarily determined by the available ambient light. If the lighting conditions are poor, even with optimal settings for aperture, shutter speed, or ISO, the image may still appear underexposed. Conversely, in bright conditions, different shutter speeds, apertures, and ISO values can help achieve desirable exposure.

While shutter speed, ISO, and aperture are critical components of the exposure triangle and each contributes to the final exposure, they are not the only factors at play. Lighting conditions set the stage that interacts with these settings, ultimately determining whether the exposure is balanced, overexposed, or underexposed. Understanding how lighting conditions impact exposure helps photographers make more informed decisions when setting their camera parameters to achieve the desired result.