Bridging Photography and Communication-Exposure

This summer, I’m exploring a project close to my heart—connecting photography with communication. With a background in journalism, consumer communication, and photography, I’ve learned that the way we frame a photo often mirrors how we share a message.

This week’s topic: Exposure

Why Exposure Matters

In photography, exposure is everything. Too much light washes out the scene, and too little hides the details. I’ve found the same principle applies to communication: how much you share—and how you share it—shapes how people experience your message. This week, let’s look at exposure and what it can teach us about more intentional, inclusive communication.

Exposure in Photography: Finding the Sweet Spot

When I pick up my camera, one of my first thoughts is exposure. A perfectly exposed photo captures the world as I want you to see it—details are clear, shadows add depth, and highlights don’t blind you. Overexpose a shot, and everything looks washed out. Underexpose, and important details disappear into darkness.

Great exposure isn’t about showing everything—it’s about balance. It’s about guiding the viewer’s eye and helping them connect with the story I want to tell.

Exposure in Communication: Sharing Enough, Not Too Much

In communication, exposure works in the same way. Underexposed messages don’t give your audience enough context. They can feel unclear, secretive, or incomplete, leaving people confused or even excluded. Overexposed messages flood people with too much information, emotion, or detail. They can overwhelm, disengage, or push people away.

When you find the right “exposure” in your communication, your message lands with clarity and impact. You share enough to connect and inform, without overwhelming or leaving gaps. It’s the sweet spot where people feel included, respected, and invited to engage.

What Photographers Can Teach Communicators

Photography has taught me that exposure is a deliberate choice, not an accident. When I frame a shot, I ask: What needs to be visible, and what can stay in the shadows? I use the same thinking when I craft a message: What will help my audience connect—and what might distract them?

When you start treating communication like exposure, you naturally create messages that are more focused, intentional, and inclusive. You make space for people to see what matters, without blinding them with unnecessary glare.

Finding Balance

Exposure is about clarity and connection—knowing what to reveal and what to hold back. The next time you share an idea, a story, or a photo, think about your own “exposure settings.” Are you giving your audience the best chance to truly see what you want to share?