Here’s a handy Camera Settings Cheat Sheet to help you master photography. This guide covers essential camera settings, including exposure, focus, and white balance, to give you full control over your shots. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced photographer, understanding these settings will improve your photos. Keep this cheat sheet handy to make quick adjustments based on lighting and subject conditions.
Exposure Settings
Shutter Speed
- Controls how long the sensor is exposed to light.
- Fast speeds (1/500s - 1/8000s) freeze motion (e.g., sports).
- Slow speeds (1s - 30s) create motion blur (e.g., light trails).
- 1/60s - 1/250s is common for handheld shots.
Aperture (f-stop)
- Controls how much light enters through the lens.
- Wide (low f-number, e.g., f/1.4 - f/2.8): More light, shallow depth of field (blurred background).
- Narrow (high f-number, e.g., f/8 - f/16): Less light, deep depth of field (sharp foreground & background).
ISO
- Adjusts sensor sensitivity to light.
- Low ISO (100-200): Best for bright conditions, less noise.
- Medium ISO (400-800): Good for indoor or cloudy conditions.
- High ISO (1600+): Useful for low-light but increases noise.
Focus & Depth of Field
Autofocus (AF) Modes
- Single (AF-S/One Shot AF): Locks focus on a still subject.
- Continuous (AF-C/AI Servo): Tracks moving subjects.
- Hybrid (AF-A/AI Focus AF): Switches between single and continuous.
Manual Focus (MF)
- Use for precise focusing, especially in low light or macro photography.
Depth of Field (DoF)
- Shallow DoF: Achieved with a wide aperture (f/1.8), isolates subject.
- Deep DoF: Achieved with a narrow aperture (f/11+), keeps more of the scene in focus.
White Balance (WB)
White Balance Settings
- Adjusts color temperature to avoid color casts.
- Auto (AWB): Works well in most situations.
- Daylight (~5500K): For outdoor sun.
- Cloudy (~6500K): Warmer tone for overcast conditions.
- Tungsten (~3200K): Reduces yellow/orange tint from incandescent lights.
- Fluorescent (~4000K): Reduces green/blue tint from fluorescent lights.
- Custom: Use a gray card for precise balance.
Metering Modes
Evaluative/Matrix Metering
- Measures light across the whole frame, best for general use.
Center-Weighted Metering
- Prioritizes the center of the frame, useful for portraits.
Spot Metering
- Measures light from a small point, great for high-contrast scenes.
Drive Modes
Single Shot
- Takes one picture per press.
Continuous/Burst Mode
- Takes multiple shots while holding the shutter button, useful for action photography.
Timer/Remote
- Delays shutter release for self-portraits or to avoid camera shake.
File Formats
RAW
- Best for editing, retains maximum image data, large file size.
JPEG
- Smaller file size, processed in-camera, less flexible for editing.
Tips and Sources
Useful Tips
- Use the Exposure Triangle (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed) to balance light and clarity.
- For sharp handheld shots, use a shutter speed at least 1/focal length (e.g., 1/50s for a 50mm lens).
- Use a lower f-number (e.g., f/1.8) for blurred backgrounds and portraits.
- Use a tripod for long exposures (e.g., night photography).
- Shoot in RAW for the best editing flexibility.