Shutter speed controls the duration that the camera shutter is open when taking a photo, measured in fractions of a second. Aperture and depth of field determine what is in or out of focus in an image. ISO controls the camera's sensitivity to light, with higher numbers producing brighter images. The rule of thirds is an compositional guideline where an image is divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically to place elements strategically within the frame. Manual exposure allows the user to set shutter speed, aperture, and ISO manually rather than relying on the camera's automatic settings. White balance ensures accurate color rendition by adjusting for the color temperature of the light source.