Photography cheat sheet
The essentials of the course on a single page: the exposure triangle, starting settings, focal lengths and white balance. Download it as an image to keep on your phone, or print it.
The exposure triangle
Aperture
f/1.4f/2.8f/5.6f/11f/22
More light, blurred backgroundLess light, all sharp
Shutter speed
1/40001/5001/601/81"
Freezes motionStreaks; use a tripod
ISO
1004001600640012800
Clean imageMore light, more noise
Starting settings
| Situation | Mode | Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | A | f/2, ISO 100–400 |
| Sports | S | 1/1000, auto ISO |
| Landscape | A | f/8–f/11, ISO 100 |
| Night on a tripod | M | f/8, 4", ISO 100 |
| Indoors, no flash | A | f/2, ISO 1600 |
Focal lengths
| Focal length | What for |
|---|---|
| 16–24 mm | Landscapes and interiors |
| 35 mm | Street |
| 50 mm | General use |
| 85 mm | Portraits |
| 135–200 mm | Sports and nature |
White balance
| Light | Setting |
|---|---|
| Light bulb | 2700 K |
| Sunset | 3500 K |
| Sun | 5500 K |
| Cloudy | 6500 K |
| Shade | 7500 K |
Three rules of thumb
- Handheld, the minimum shutter speed is 1/focal length: with a 50 mm, 1/50 or faster.
- Sunny 16 rule: in full sun, f/16 and a shutter speed of 1/ISO.
- Each stop doubles or halves the light: open up one, speed up one.