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The Bermuda Triangle of Photography, Or: The Three Things That Made Me Want to Throw My Camera in the River.

By Michi Masumi


Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent (M. Masumi, 2023)
Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent (M. Masumi, 2023)

When I first picked up a camera, people kept talking about F-stops, shutter speed, and ISO as if I should magically know what they meant.


I nodded politely.



Inside my head, I was thinking:

"What on earth are these people talking about?"


As a neurodivergent photographer, I learn best when things are broken down into simple chunks. Long technical explanations make my brain pack up and leave the room.

So this is my ND-friendly explanation of what I jokingly call



📸 The Bermuda Triangle of Photograph

(Because half the time my brain says "Bermuda" instead of "Exposure Triangle" anyway.)


TBTOP Illustrated Guide—Masumi, M, 2026
TBTOP Illustrated Guide—Masumi, M, 2026


For many beginners, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO seem to disappear into a mysterious technical fog where nothing makes sense, and every photography tutorial sounds like it was written in another language.


When I first picked up a camera, people kept talking about F-stops, shutter speed, and ISO as if I should magically know what they meant. I nodded politely while secretly wondering what on earth everyone was talking about.


As a neurodivergent photographer, I learn best when information is broken down into simple chunks, visual examples, and practical exercises. Long technical explanations make my brain wander off and start thinking about snacks.


That is why I created the Bermuda Triangle of Photography—a simple, colour-coded, ND-friendly guide that explains the three settings that control light in your photographs.


📥 Download Your Free Guide

The Bermuda Triangle of Photography™ is available as a free downloadable guide packed with visual diagrams, memory hacks, ND-friendly learning tips, and practical examples to help you understand the following:


📸 Aperture (F-Stop)

📸 Shutter Speed

📸 ISO

⭐ Practice regularly using manual mode.

⭐ Enjoy the process

⭐ Experiment without fear


Download the guide before continuing, as this blog builds on those foundations and explores why these three settings matter far more than the camera you're holding.



Why Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO Matter More Than Your Camera


The funny thing is that when I first started photography, I thought buying a better camera would magically make me a better photographer.

Spoiler alert:

It didn't.


What changed my photography was learning how these three settings work together.

Most photographers spend years moving from auto mode to manual mode.


Some never make the jump because all the technical language feels overwhelming.


As a neurodivergent photographer, I needed a simpler way of understanding things. Once I stopped thinking about numbers and started thinking about creative choices, everything clicked. Practice was the key.


Allowing myself to make mistakes was even more important.

I struggled—and if I am honest, I still do sometimes—with lighting. I often find myself leaning towards slightly overexposed images. Part of that may simply be personal preference, but I suspect it is also influenced by the art movements and visual traditions that inspire me.


My fine art photography is heavily influenced by Renaissance aesthetics, particularly the traditions of Vanitas and Memento Mori. Both explore beauty, mortality, memory, time, and the fragility of human existence. These themes continue to influence how I approach photography today, especially portraiture and still-life work.


While many photographers aim for technical perfection, I am often searching for atmosphere, emotion, symbolism, and a sense of reflection. Sometimes that means embracing light in ways that are not technically perfect but feel artistically right.


Maria McCarthy (Author) - Masumi, M., 2025
Maria McCarthy (Author) - Masumi, M., 2025

A Brief Note on Memento Mori and Vanitas

You may be wondering why a photography blog about Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO suddenly mentions art history.

The answer is simple.

The camera settings are the tools, but art is often the reason we use them.


Memento Mori

The phrase "Memento Mori" is Latin for

"Remember that you must die."

Rather than being morbid, Memento Mori artworks were designed to remind people that life is temporary and precious.


Common symbols include:

💀 Skulls

⏳ Hourglasses

🕯 Candles

🌹 Wilting flowers

📚 Books


These symbols encourage reflection on time, memory, mortality, and what truly matters.

The tradition became especially significant during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, influenced by events such as the Black Death and widespread social upheaval.


Vanitas

Vanitas developed from the Memento Mori tradition, particularly in the Dutch Golden Age during the 16th and 17th centuries.


Vanitas artworks often feature luxurious objects such as the following:

💎 Jewellery

🍷 Wine glasses

🎻 Musical instruments

📖 Books

🌷 Flowers


Alongside symbols of mortality, such as skulls, extinguished candles, or decaying fruit.

The message is that beauty, wealth, status, and achievement are temporary.


Why It Matters To My Photography

Although I work with digital photography rather than oil paint, these ideas continue to shape my creative practice.


When I photograph a portrait, a flower, an object, or even a street scene, I am often thinking about memory, identity, time, and what remains after a moment has passed.

Perhaps that is why I am drawn to photography.


A photograph itself is a small act of preservation.

A way of holding on to a moment that would otherwise disappear.


"A photograph itself is a small act of preservation. A way of holding on to a moment that would otherwise disappear."





















Aperture: What Do You Want People To Look At?


Aperture is not really about numbers.

It is about attention.

Imagine you are photographing your daughter, a friend, or someone you love.

Do you want people looking at them?


Or do you want people looking at everything behind them, too?

A wide aperture, such as f/1.8, creates a beautiful, blurry background and draws attention to the subject.


A smaller aperture, such as f/11 or f/16, allows more of the scene to stay sharp.

Neither is right nor wrong.


It depends on the story you want to tell.


My Rule

🌸 Portrait = wider aperture

🏞 Landscape = smaller aperture

Simple.


Shutter Speed: Do You Want To Freeze Time Or Show Movement?

This is where photography becomes magic.

A camera can freeze a split second that your eyes never noticed.

Or it can stretch time.


A fast shutter speed freezes action.

Think:

⚽ Football

🏃 Running

🐕 Dogs

👧 Children


A slow shutter speed records movement.

Think:

🌊 Waterfalls

🚗 Light trails

🌃 Night photography


One of my favourite exercises for beginners is to photograph the same subject using different shutter speeds. You'll learn more in ten minutes of experimenting than watching ten YouTube videos.


ISO: The Emergency Torch

I often describe ISO as the emergency torch in your camera bag.

When there isn't enough light, ISO helps.


The problem?

The brighter you make the image through ISO, the more grain and noise may appear.

Modern cameras handle high ISO much better than older cameras, but I still try to keep ISO as low as possible unless I genuinely need it.


My Typical ISO Settings

☀️ Sunny day = ISO 100

☁️ Cloudy day = ISO 400

🌆 Evening = ISO 800–1600

🌙 Night photography = ISO Auto (up to 6400)


Again, there are no absolute rules.

Photography is about solving problems creatively.


The Biggest Mistake Beginners Make

Most beginners ask:

"What settings should I use?"


The better question is:

"What am I trying to achieve?"


Once you know the answer, the settings become easier.

Want blur?


  • Adjust aperture.

  • Want movement frozen?

  • Adjust shutter speed.

  • Need more brightness?

  • Adjust ISO.


The settings are tools.

Not goals.


Practice Regularly Using Manual Mode

This was the biggest turning point in my photography journey.

Not a new camera.

Not a new lens.

Not expensive equipment.

Practice.


Manual mode forces you to understand light.

You will get it wrong.

You will underexpose images.

You will overexpose images.

You will accidentally blur photographs.


Good.

That is how photographers learn.



Luke - Masumi, M 2025 (Chatham, Kent)


My Top Photography Books That Can Assist You:


📚 Understanding Exposure – Bryan Peterson

One of the best beginner photography books ever written.

If you only buy one book about aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, make it this one.

📚 The Photographer's Eye – Michael Freeman

Fantastic for understanding composition and visual storytelling.

📚 The Digital Photography Book – Scott Kelby

Practical, simple, and full of real-world examples.

📚 Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO & Exposure – Al Judge

Perfect if you want to focus specifically on understanding exposure.

📚 Within the Frame – David duChemin

Less technical and more about creating photographs with purpose and meaning.


They collectively cover:

  • Exposure basics

  • Composition

  • Practical tips

  • Technical mastery

  • Creative vision


It's balanced, thoughtful, and perfect for beginners and neurodivergent learners who benefit from multiple teaching styles.


📚 Understanding Exposure – Bryan Peterson

Verdict: One of the best beginner books ever written. Why it’s good:

  • Breaks down ISO, aperture, and shutter speed in plain language

  • Uses real-world examples, not jargon

  • Helps you feel exposed, not just memorise it

  • Perfect for your “Bermuda Triangle” theme

This is the book that turns confusion into confidence.


Best current options (prices and links correct at time of publishing):




📚 The Photographer's Eye – Michael Freeman

Verdict: Brilliant for composition and visual thinking. Why it’s good:

  • Helps you understand why an image works

  • Teaches framing, balance, rhythm, and visual flow

  • Ideal for someone like you who blends poetry + photography

This book elevates your eye, not just your settings.





Best current options (prices and links correct at time of publishing):



📚 The Digital Photography Book – Scott Kelby

Verdict: Practical, simple, and very beginner-friendly.

Why it’s good:

  • Step-by-step “do this, not that” style

  • No fluff, no theory overload

  • Great for people who learn by doing

It’s like having a friendly mentor whispering tips in your ear.


Best current options (prices and links correct at time of publishing):



📚 Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO & Exposure – Al Judge

Verdict: A focused deep dive into the exposure triangle.

Why it’s good:

  • Clear explanations

  • Lots of diagrams

  • Perfect for people who want to master the technical side

This one pairs beautifully with your blog theme.


Best current options (prices and links correct at time of publishing):


📚 Within the Frame – David duChemin

Verdict: A soulful, artistic book about meaning and intention.

Why it’s good:

  • Less about settings, more about why you shoot

  • Encourages storytelling and emotional connection

  • Ideal for photographers who see the world poetically (like you)

This is the book that reminds you photography is heart before hardware.


Great options depending on format:



My Gold Nugget

⭐ Practice regularly using Manual Mode.

⭐ Enjoy the process.

⭐ Experiment without fear.


The best photographers I know are not necessarily the most technical.

They are the most curious.

And curiosity is free.

Happy shooting.


Michi x

Peace N' Love.

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