Photography Cheat Sheet

The core ideas of Photography distilled into a single, scannable reference — perfect for review or quick lookup.

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Quick Reference

Exposure Triangle

The fundamental relationship among aperture, shutter speed, and ISO that determines how much light reaches the camera sensor or film. Changing one setting requires a compensating adjustment in one or both of the others to maintain correct exposure. Understanding this triangle is the foundation of all intentional photography.

Aperture and Depth of Field

Aperture is the adjustable opening in a lens, measured in f-stops, that controls how much light passes through. A wider aperture (lower f-number) produces a shallower depth of field, isolating the subject from the background, while a narrower aperture (higher f-number) keeps more of the scene in sharp focus.

Composition

The deliberate arrangement of visual elements within the frame to create a compelling and coherent image. Strong composition guides the viewer's eye, establishes hierarchy among elements, and communicates the photographer's intent through spatial relationships, balance, and visual flow.

White Balance

A camera setting that adjusts color rendering to compensate for the color temperature of the ambient light source, ensuring that whites appear neutral. Different light sources such as tungsten, fluorescent, and daylight cast different color hues that white balance corrects.

Focal Length

The optical distance in millimeters from the lens's optical center to the sensor when focused at infinity, which determines the angle of view and magnification. Shorter focal lengths capture wider scenes, while longer focal lengths magnify distant subjects and compress spatial perspective.

Histogram

A graphical representation of the tonal distribution in an image, showing the number of pixels at each brightness level from pure black on the left to pure white on the right. Photographers use histograms to evaluate exposure accuracy and detect clipped shadows or highlights that lose detail.

RAW vs. JPEG

RAW files store all data captured by the sensor with minimal in-camera processing, preserving maximum latitude for post-processing adjustments. JPEG files are compressed and processed in-camera, resulting in smaller file sizes but permanently baked-in white balance, contrast, and color decisions.

Lighting Ratios and Direction

Lighting ratio describes the relative intensity between the main (key) light and the fill light on a subject, affecting contrast and mood. The direction from which light strikes the subject, whether front, side, back, or overhead, shapes three-dimensionality and emotional tone.

Shutter Speed and Motion

Shutter speed controls how long the sensor is exposed to light, directly affecting the rendering of motion. Fast shutter speeds freeze action, while slow shutter speeds allow moving subjects to blur, conveying a sense of movement or the passage of time.

Post-Processing Workflow

The systematic sequence of digital editing steps applied after capture, typically including culling, color correction, exposure adjustment, retouching, and output sharpening. A non-destructive workflow preserves the original file while allowing iterative refinements through adjustment layers or catalog-based editors.

Key Terms at a Glance

Aperture:The adjustable opening in a lens through which light passes, measured in f-stops. Wider apertures (lower f-numbers) admit more light and reduce depth of field.

Shutter Speed:The duration for which the camera's shutter is open during an exposure, controlling both the amount of light reaching the sensor and the rendering of motion.

ISO:A measure of the camera sensor's sensitivity to light. Higher ISO values allow shooting in darker conditions but introduce more digital noise.

Depth of Field:The range of distances within a scene that appear acceptably sharp in a photograph, determined by aperture, focal length, and subject distance.

Bokeh:The aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in a photograph, particularly the way point-light sources are rendered.

Focal Length:The distance in millimeters from the optical center of a lens to the image sensor when the lens is focused at infinity, determining angle of view and magnification.

White Balance:A setting that adjusts image color to compensate for the color temperature of the light source, ensuring neutral tones appear accurate.

Histogram:A graphical representation of the distribution of brightness values in an image, from pure black on the left to pure white on the right.

RAW File:An unprocessed image file that contains all data captured by the camera sensor, offering maximum flexibility in post-processing.

Exposure Compensation:A camera control that allows the photographer to override the auto-exposure system by dialing in positive or negative stops of light.

Dynamic Range:The ratio between the brightest and darkest luminance values a camera sensor can capture in a single exposure while retaining detail.

Chromatic Aberration:A lens defect where different wavelengths of light are focused at slightly different points, producing colored fringing along high-contrast edges.

Metering:The camera's process of measuring the brightness of a scene to determine proper exposure settings. Common modes include evaluative, center-weighted, and spot metering.

Image Stabilization:Technology that compensates for camera shake using moving lens elements (optical) or a shifting sensor (in-body), allowing sharper handheld shots at slower shutter speeds.

Prime Lens:A lens with a single fixed focal length, typically offering wider maximum apertures, sharper optics, and lighter weight compared to zoom lenses.

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