Core photography concepts and camera settings
25 cards · practical
Sign up to start studying this deck
| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| Exposure | Total light captured by aperture, shutter speed, and ISO Adjust one setting and compensate with the others to keep balance. |
| Aperture | Lens opening size; lower f-number = more light, shallower DOF Use wide f/1.8–2.8 for blur; f/8–11 for sharp scenes. |
| Shutter speed | Exposure time; faster freezes motion, slower blurs it Use stabilization or ~1/focal length to avoid shake. |
| ISO | Sensitivity setting; higher brightens but increases noise Raise ISO in low light; keep low for cleaner images. |
| Depth of field | Range of acceptable sharpness around the focus distance Wider apertures, closer distance, longer lenses reduce it. |
| Stops | A doubling or halving of light in exposure settings 1 stop change examples: f/4→f/5.6, 1/250→1/125, ISO 100→200. |
| Histogram | Graph of image tones from shadows (left) to highlights (right) Spikes at edges mean clipping; adjust exposure. |
| Metering mode | How the camera measures scene brightness for exposure Matrix/Evaluative for general; Spot for precise subjects. |
| Exposure compensation | User-set brightening or darkening in auto modes Dial + for backlit subjects; − to protect highlights. |
| White balance | Color temperature setting for neutral whites Auto WB works; set Kelvin or presets for accuracy. |
| Dynamic range | Span between deepest shadows and brightest highlights Expose to save highlights; lift shadows in edit. |
| Manual mode | You set aperture, shutter speed, and ISO Best for tricky light or night. Match meter, then check histogram. |
| Rule of thirds | Place subjects on thirds lines and intersections Enable the grid; break it when symmetry is stronger. |
| Leading lines | Lines that direct the eye toward the subject Roads, rails, and paths add depth and direction. |
| Framing | Use scene elements to surround and emphasize the subject Look for arches, branches, or windows. |
| Negative space | Empty areas that isolate and emphasize the subject Sky, water, or walls can give subjects room to breathe. |
| Fill the frame | Move closer to remove distractions and add impact Crop in-camera to cut clutter and reveal detail. |
| Perspective | Vantage point that changes size and spatial relationships Move your feet; zoom changes framing, not perspective. |
| Golden hour | Warm, soft light after sunrise and before sunset Long shadows add texture; flattering for skin tones. |
| Soft light | Diffused light with gentle shadows and low contrast Clouds, shade, and diffusers soften harsh light. |
| Backlighting | Light coming from behind the subject toward the camera Expose for subject or silhouette; use hood to reduce flare. |
| Auto mode | Camera chooses all exposure settings Fast for snapshots; use tap-to-expose on phones. |
| Program mode | Camera sets aperture and shutter; you can bias settings Use program shift to favor faster shutter or more depth. |
| Aperture Priority | You set aperture; camera sets shutter (and ISO if auto) Control depth; great for portraits and landscapes. |
| Shutter Priority | You set shutter; camera sets aperture (and ISO if auto) Control motion; use for sports or light trails. |