Photography is both a technical skill and an accumulation of experience. Below are 12 of the most classic and practical photography tips compiled from the experiences of countless photographers. Memorizing them will help you tackle many challenging shooting scenarios. Highly recommended for bookmarking.
1. Sunny 16 Rule
The Sunny 16 Rule estimates exposure in bright sunlight when a light meter isn’t available. Set your aperture to f/16 and match the shutter speed to your ISO (or slightly faster). For example, at ISO 100, use 1/100 sec (1/125 sec). Adjustments:
Beach scenes: Use f/22 (brighter environment).
Cloudy days: Switch to f/11 (reduced light).
2. Moony 11, 8, and 5.6 Rules
For photographing the moon:
Full moon: f/11 (pair with shutter speed matching ISO).
Half moon: f/8.
New moon: f/5.6 (requires more light).
3. Camera Shake Rule
When handholding your camera, the shutter speed should never be slower than 1/focal length (in mm) to avoid blur. Example:
50mm lens: Use 1/60 sec or faster.
Low-light solutions: Use a flash, tripod, or brace the camera on a stable surface.
4. Anatomical Gray Card
Without an 18% gray card, use your palm as a substitute:
Hold your palm toward the light source.
Meter your palm, then add 1 stop of exposure for balanced lighting.
5. Depth of Field Rule
For deep subjects, focus on the front 1/3 of the depth to maximize clarity. Key factors:
Smaller aperture (higher f-number), shorter focal length, or greater distance from the subject = larger depth of field.
6. Largest Digital Print Rule
To determine the maximum print size:
Standard quality: Divide pixel width/height by 200.
High quality: Divide by 250.
Example: A 6000×4000 pixel image can print up to 30×20 inches at 200 DPI.
7. Exposure Rule
Digital photos: Prioritize correct exposure in highlights (let shadows be).
Color negative film: Overexpose by 1 stop to retain detail in shadows.
8. Quick Flash-fill Rule
For manual flash control:
Set flash ISO to double your film / 相机 ISO.
Meter the subject, select an aperture on the camera, and set the same aperture on the flash.
Result: Shadows will be 1 stop darker than the main subject.
9. Flash Range Rule
To extend flash reach:
Double the distance = quadruple the ISO.
Example: ISO 100 works at 20 ft; to reach 40 ft, use ISO 400.
10. Megapixel Multiplier Rule
To double digital camera resolution, quadruple the pixel count (e.g., 10MP → 40MP).
11. Action-stopping Rule
Shutter speed needed to freeze motion depends on the subject’s angle:
Movement along the lens axis: 1/125 sec.
45° angle to the lens: 1/250 sec.
Perpendicular to the lens: 1/500 sec.
12. Sunset Rule
Tips for photographing sunsets:
Meter the upper part of the sunset (keep the sun out of the frame to avoid overexposure).
To make the sunset appear 1 hour later, reduce exposure compensation by 1 stop.
