Photography Basics

Aperture # controls depth of field
  f/1.4 - f/2.8 = shallow (blurry background)
  f/8 - f/16 = deep (everything sharp)

Shutter Speed # controls motion blur
  1/1000s+ = freeze motion
  1/60s - 1s = motion blur

ISO # controls light sensitivity
  100-400 = bright, clean
  800-3200+ = dark, noisy

f/1.4 # very wide, shallow DOF
f/2.8 # wide, portraits
f/5.6 # moderate depth
f/8 # good all-around
f/11 # landscapes
f/16 # very deep, everything sharp

# Lower f-number = more light, shallow DOF

1/4000s # sports, fast action
1/1000s # freeze motion
1/500s # birds, wildlife
1/250s # general handheld
1/60s # minimum handheld
1/15s # panning, tripod needed
1s+ # long exposure, tripod

Rule of Thirds # place subjects on intersections
Leading Lines # guide eye through image
Framing # use natural frames
Symmetry # balanced composition
Negative Space # empty space around subject
Fill the Frame # get close to subject

M - Manual # full control all settings
A/Av - Aperture Priority # you set aperture
S/Tv - Shutter Priority # you set shutter speed
P - Program # auto with adjustments
Auto # camera controls everything