Some need help with f/ and A

[Cottonwood]

I put this together as a ready reference card, that I keep in my photography bag. You can right click save, then print off and laminate this yourself.

[Hillary]

I see what you are trying to accomplish with this, but it can be a tad misleading.

All lighting situations are different, and I don't want anyone to take away that shooting f/8 and 1/60 will give you a perfect result everytime.

This should simply show what settings let in more light.

Knowing what setting to adjust to make a picture pop is what makes manual photography so great (and addicting).

So much goes into being a photographer vs. taking a picture. DOF calculations, exposure metering, exposure lock, understanding ISO, knowing what shutter speed will give you stills, and what speed will give you blur, the list can go on and on.

But, again, all lighting situations are different and the only way to understand exposure is to fail at exposing a picture and learning what to change.

I hope I'm not coming across negatively. My intent is not to bash your reference card. I see the intent, I just don't want anyone to be mislead.

If I could make a suggestion for someone just starting to explore manual photography and exposure.... take a notebook with you. Note the time of day, which way the light source in coming into your frame, and your camera exposure settings when you are taking a shot. Even if it is under or over exposed, note what changes you made to correct it. Then try different settings that will give you clean exposure again.
It is great to reference later on and you can always have notes if you are planning to take pictures (you will know a starting point for camera)

[Cottonwood]

Great add on Hillary...

[Shane]

Nice reference card, Cottonwood. And excellent comments, Hillary. Spot on. I'd just add a recommendation for folks to learn to read and use the histogram when taking photos. Don't trust your camera's LCD display when you're trying to decide if you got a proper exposure or not.

When you begin to understand how the tools work, you can rocket forward very quickly in your photographic skill. Like Hillary said, it's all about the light.

[Hillary]

I'd just add a recommendation for folks to learn to read and use the histogram when taking photos. Don't trust your camera's LCD display when you're trying to decide if you got a proper exposure or not.

Studying my histogram is still something I am learning!

[dcbrown]

Watching this for information. Will probably pick up a good DSLR next month. Looking to probably get a Nikon 5100, unless I change my mind.

[Cottonwood]

That is a nice Nikon DC

[bowhuntntxn]

And THIS is why I am no good at this manual photography thing.

[Cottonwood]

What is nice, because I use manual lenses on my Canon 30D and when I turn the f/ ring... I can almost tell when looking through the OVR that I am in f/11 or f/8 and you really know if your f/22