← LCCPHOTOGRAPHY
Photography Cheat Sheet
ElementControlsLow Value EffectHigh Value Effect
Aperture (f-stop)Light + Depth of Fieldf/1.8: Large opening, shallow DOF, blurry background (bokeh)f/16: Small opening, sharp background, less light
Shutter SpeedMotion blur + light1/30s: Motion blur, light trails. Lower = more light1/2000s: Freeze motion. Higher = less light, sharp action
ISOSensor sensitivity to lightISO 100: Clean, no grain. For bright conditionsISO 3200+: Noisy/grainy. Use only in very low light
★GOLDEN RULE — For sharp handheld shots: Shutter speed ≥ 1/focal length. (e.g., 50mm lens → shutter ≥ 1/50s). Tripod for anything slower.
Golden Hour
30–60 min after sunrise and before sunset. Warm, directional, soft light — ideal for portraits and landscape
Blue Hour
20–40 min before sunrise and after sunset. Cool, even light, great for architecture and night scenes
Harsh midday light
Avoid for portraits (hard shadows under eyes/nose). Good for black-and-white or street photography
Overcast sky
Natural diffused light — great for portraits without harsh shadows. Nature's giant softbox
Direction of light
Front light: flat, even. Side light: texture and depth. Back light: dramatic silhouettes, rim lighting
  • Rule of Thirds: Divide frame 3×3 grid. Place subject on intersection points (not center) — more dynamic
  • Leading Lines: Use roads, fences, rivers to draw viewer's eye toward subject
  • Framing: Use archways, windows, trees to frame your subject within the photo
  • Negative Space: Leave empty space around subject to convey scale or isolation
  • Symmetry: Reflections, buildings, doorways. Center placement works well here (exception to thirds)
  • Fill the Frame: Get close for detail shots — eliminate distracting backgrounds
  • Foreground Interest: Place something in foreground to add depth to landscape photos
★Rules are starting points, not laws. Learn them thoroughly, then break them intentionally. The best images often violate one rule while mastering others.
ScenarioMode / SettingsTips
Portraits (people)Portrait mode, f/1.8–2.8Natural light on face, subject 1–2m from bg for best bokeh
Action / SportsPro mode: 1/500s+, Sport modeBurst mode helps. Track the subject, not the phone
Night / Low lightNight mode (auto), Pro: ISO 800–3200, slow shutterStabilise phone on surface. Night mode takes multiple shots, merges
LandscapeWide angle lens, HDR onTap sky to expose for sky, or sky to expose for land — find balance
Food / Close-upTap to focus, Portrait modeNatural side light best. Avoid flash (flattens food)
Video (general)4K@30fps (most phones)Walk smoothly with bent knees. No zoom while recording unless optical