Exposure (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what an exhibition is and what an oral, written or scientific exhibition is like. Also, what is exposure in photography.

What is an exhibition?

When we talk about exposing, exposing oneself or making an exhibition, we are referring to issues that have a common meaning, which has to do with show or teach something to others. This meaning is already found in the very origin of the word exhibition, which dates back to Latin expositionis (from the verb I will expose), composed of the voices ex- (“outwards”) and I will put (“place” or “situate”), that is, that which is taken out, that is put outside.

The origin of this word dates back to the habits of Ancient Rome, where it was customary to throw out onto the street children whose paternity was distrusted, or who were born in families with such few resources that it was impossible to support them.

This action was known as exposure, and for centuries there were reminiscences of it in Western culture, to the point that in more recent times, orphaned or abandoned children were automatically assigned the surname foundlingthat is, exposed.

Nowadays, such practices are frowned upon, and the word has acquired less cruel meanings, linked however with that which is taken out, that is placed on the outside or that is displayed for others to contemplate, learn from, or recognize.

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Thus, for example, exhibitions of historical, scientific or artistic material in museums are known, precisely, as exhibitions, since the pieces are removed from their deposits so that the public can see them, admire them and learn about them.

It is also common to say that one has been “exposed” in one's intentions, one's way of being, or some trait of one's personality or emotions that is normally hidden, concealed, or that is not in good taste to display. So, exposing someone can be equivalent to ratting them outaccuse him, show him to others so that they know something about him that, otherwise, would have remained secret.

Oral presentation

Another very common sense of the verb expose has to do with presentations, conferences or oral presentations in general. In them, one or more spokespersons or specialists on a topic speak on a topic of importance for the public to educate itself on the subject, to clarify doubts or present a problem whose resolution deserves everyone's knowledge.

These types of presentations are known as exhibitions and They are very common in the political and academic spheres. In the latter, they are used as an evaluation mechanism (even to approve important research: what we commonly call “defense” of a thesis) and/or for student participation in class dynamics.

An oral presentation generally consists, then, of a person speaking about a topic to a listening audience, always with the aim of informing, teaching or sharing knowledge. At the end of the exhibition it is common for the public to give their opinion, ask questions or comments and provide feedback to the exhibitor.

Written presentation

In the event that the presentation of a topic (as we explained in the previous case) is not done by a person speaking, but through a text or a set of written textsit is possible to speak of a written exposition.

Essays, reflections, letters of intent, monographs and other similar documents are written expositions, in which the author records his ideas or reflections on a topic so that a reader or a group of readers can later review and understand them. .

Scientific exhibition

For its part, a scientific exhibition, as its name indicates, It is dedicated to topics of scientific-technological interest. It may be an oral or written exhibition, as a presentation, or a museum or fair-type exhibition (traveling), in which those present are instructed in scientific topics, especially in an informative way, that is, aiming at a broad and non-specialized public.

Photography exhibition

In the art and technique of photography, the exhibition has a very specific meaning: the amount of light that enters the interior of the camera (and which, therefore, has contact with the photosensitive material), measured according to the formula:

Exposure = illuminance x time

If the exposure is very high, there will be a lot of light in the photograph and it will run the risk of being overexposed, that is, only white light will be recorded. Otherwise, if the exposure is too low, the photograph will tend to darken and information will be lost in blackened segments.

Exposure is key to a good photograph, and it can be managed through two camera variables:

The opening of the diaphragm, That is, how much the “eyelid” of the camera opens to let the light pass through.
shutter speed, that is, how long the photosensitive material is exposed to incoming light.