Download 7 Free
Photography Cheat Sheets...
100% Free!
I remember the day I got my very first camera. I grabbed a roll of film, rushed outside, and started photographing whatever I could… including a few shots of my sister. A week later, I got the prints back from the lab… and every single image looked like the one on the right. Completely overexposed. You could barely make out a face. That’s when someone told me: If you really want to create amazing photos, you’ve got to learn the fundamentals. So I did. A couple of photography books and another roll of film later… I created the second image. A huge improvement! Now, fast forward 30 years… and I still rely on those same fundamentals every time I create a photo. That’s why I’ve condensed decades of experience into 7 essential Photography Cheat Sheets—so you don’t have to learn the hard way like I did. These free cheat sheets are part of my PhotoNote Card Essentials Collection, and they’ll help you:
Avoid common beginner mistakes
Create better photos faster
Understand the “why” behind your settings
And the best part? You can print them or save them to your phone or tablet… so they’re always with you when you’re out photographing. I truly wish I had these when I started out. Download your free set today… and if you’d like to explore the full collection, check out the complete PhotoNote Cards library. It’s like having a mentor in your back pocket, wherever you go.
First roll of film, from 1989... not so good!
The second roll of film... resulted in a much better exposure! But, a little bit over-edited. :)
ISO Cheat Sheet
Not sure which ISO setting to use in different lighting conditions?
You’re not alone… ISO can feel confusing when you’re first learning photography.
That’s why I created this ISO Cheat Sheet: to take the guesswork out of setting your ISO, so you can create better images with more confidence.
This easy-to-understand guide walks you through six common lighting scenarios, from bright sunny days to indoor events and nighttime scenes.
For each situation, you’ll get a recommended ISO setting and a visual example of what kind of scene matches that environment.
Whether you're photographing a friend in open shade, a child indoors, or the night sky, this cheat sheet gives you a quick reference for what works best.
This printable ISO chart is perfect for slipping into your camera bag or saving to your phone or tablet.
It’s one of the fastest ways to improve your exposure decisions—without getting bogged down in technical jargon.
Whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, or action, this ISO Cheat Sheet will help you make better images with less trial and error.
Aperture Cheat Sheet
Trying to figure out which aperture setting to use?
You’re not alone… and this Aperture Cheat Sheet is here to help.
Aperture does more than just control how much light enters your lens.
It also plays a huge role in how your image looks and feels.
From the brightness of your photo to how much of your scene is in sharp focus, aperture gives you creative control that can make your photos more powerful and intentional.
This printable guide breaks aperture down into two simple but essential roles:
Aperture and Exposure... Larger apertures (like f/1.4 or f/2.8) let in more light, which makes your photo brighter. Smaller apertures (like f/16 or f/22) let in less light, which darkens your photo. The cheat sheet shows this visually, so you can see how each setting affects exposure.
Aperture and Depth of Field... Want a soft, blurry background for a portrait? Use a wide aperture like f/1.8. Want everything in focus from foreground to background? A narrow aperture like f/22 is the way to go. This cheat sheet includes side-by-side photo examples so you can clearly see the difference.
You’ll also see a full range of aperture sizes (from f/1.4 to f/22), illustrated to show how the lens physically opens and closes at each setting... so you can connect the numbers to the visual result.
This Aperture Cheat Sheet is designed to simplify one of the most confusing concepts in photography.
Whether you're shooting portraits, landscapes, or anything in between, this guide will help you:
Choose the right aperture for the light you have
Understand how to control blur and background separation
Make smart exposure choices in the field
Build confidence using manual or aperture-priority mode
Perfect for beginners or anyone who wants a quick visual reminder, this cheat sheet can be printed or saved to your phone or tablet.
Keep it handy as you practice and watch your images get stronger with every click.
Shutter Speed Cheat Sheet
Not sure which shutter speed to use for your photo? Whether you're trying to freeze fast action or create dreamy motion blur, this Shutter Speed Cheat Sheet will help you make the right choice—quickly and confidently. Shutter speed refers to how long your camera’s shutter stays open to let in light. It affects both exposure and motion—how sharp or blurred moving subjects appear in your final image. But with so many speed options to choose from (like 1/4000 or 1/4 second), it’s not always obvious which setting is best. This cheat sheet gives you an easy visual guide with 9 photo examples and a clear reference chart so you can understand:
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How different shutter speeds affect motion in your image
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Which speeds to use to freeze action vs. blur it intentionally
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How shutter speed impacts exposure (light vs. dark results)
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Ideal settings for sports, wildlife, waterfalls, panning, and more
You’ll see spinning tops to demonstrate motion blur at various speeds, real-world photos that show how fast or slow shutter speeds capture moving subjects, and a go-to chart that lists specific shutter speed ranges with shooting scenarios… …like kids running, pets walking, or silky waterfall effects. This cheat sheet is perfect for beginners learning manual mode or photographers who want to master motion control in their images. Whether you’re photographing action shots, landscapes, or slow-moving scenes, this guide helps you choose the right shutter speed for any situation. Print it out. Save it to your phone. Keep it in your camera bag. With the Shutter Speed Cheat Sheet, you’ll always know how to set the right speed—and create photos that look exactly the way you imagined.
Exposure Triangle Cheat Sheet
Struggling to get the right exposure when shooting in manual mode?
The Exposure Triangle Cheat Sheet makes it simple to understand how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together to create the perfect exposure.
The exposure triangle is one of the most important concepts in photography…
…especially if you’re moving beyond auto mode and want more creative control.
But balancing these three settings can feel like a juggling act.
This cheat sheet gives you a clear visual representation of the triangle and how each side… ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture… affects the others.
If you change one setting, you’ll need to adjust one (or both) of the others to keep the exposure balanced.
This guide includes...
A labeled exposure triangle diagram with real camera settings
A visual explanation of how light is gained or lost when adjusting settings
A real-world example showing how to adjust shutter speed when changing aperture
Tips for maintaining the same exposure while shifting depth of field or motion blur
Let’s say you're shooting at ISO 100, f/5.6, and 1/250 sec.
You decide to open your aperture to f/2.8 for a more blurred background.
The cheat sheet shows that you’ll need to increase your shutter speed to compensate for the added light…
…helping you keep the same exposure while getting the creative effect you want.
Whether you're just starting to shoot in manual mode or want a reliable reference while you’re out photographing, this Exposure Triangle Cheat Sheet will help you...
Understand how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together
Make smart exposure decisions without relying on auto mode
Adjust one setting without accidentally ruining your shot
Practice confidently in changing lighting conditions
Print it.
Save it.
Refer to it as often as needed.
This is one of the best tools for mastering exposure and making the leap to full creative control in your photography.
Depth of Field Cheat Sheet
Want to know how to blur the background in your portraits or keep everything sharp in your landscapes?
It all comes down to understanding Depth of Field, and this cheat sheet makes it easy.
Depth of Field (DoF) refers to how much of your image appears in sharp focus from front to back.
A shallow depth of field means only a small part of the scene is sharp (with everything else beautifully blurred), while a deep depth of field means most or all of the image is in focus.
This Depth of Field Cheat Sheet breaks the concept into three simple parts each with visual examples to help you make better creative decisions when you’re out photographing.
You’ll learn…
1. Aperture and Blur: See how wide apertures like f/1.4 and f/2.8 create strong background blur (great for portraits), while smaller apertures like f/11 and f/16 keep more of the scene in focus (ideal for landscapes).
The guide shows exactly how aperture size affects DoF.
2. Focal Length and Compression: The longer the lens, the more background blur you get, even at the same aperture.
You’ll see how telephoto, normal, wide, and ultra-wide lenses affect DoF on Full Frame, APS-C, and Micro Four Thirds sensor sizes.
3. Focusing Distance + Background: Distance The closer you are to your subject and the farther away the background is…
…the more blur you’ll create.
Simple illustrations show how shifting these two distances changes the final look of your image.
Together, these three factors—aperture, focal length, and distance…
…determine how much background blur you’ll see in your photo.
Once you understand how they work together, you can shape the look of your image with intention.
This printable DoF cheat sheet helps you…
Blur the background for portraits, food, or wildlife
Keep everything sharp for landscapes or architecture
Understand how lens choice and distance affect image depth
Make smarter aperture choices in the field
Whether you’re shooting with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, this guide is the perfect tool to help you take creative control of your images.
Print it.
Save it to your phone.
Keep it handy as you learn.
With this Depth of Field Cheat Sheet, you’ll stop guessing and start shaping your photos the way you envision them.
Natural Light Cheat Sheet
Shooting portraits in natural light can produce stunning results…
…but only if you understand how to work with the light, not just around it.
Not all sunlight is flattering.
Harsh overhead light, deep shadows, or blown-out backgrounds can make even a well-composed photo fall flat.
That’s why I created this Outdoor Natural Light Cheat Sheet…
…to help you harness the best lighting nature has to offer.
This guide is packed with pro tips I’ve used for over 35 years as a portrait photographer.
It’s your step-by-step reference for getting softer light, more flattering shadows, and more professional-looking portraits, no matter where you’re shooting.
You’ll learn…
When to shoot: Discover why the 1–3 hours before sunset (often called golden hour) provides the most flattering, warm-toned light.
Where to position your subject: Learn how placing your subject in open shade or with the sun behind them can avoid harsh shadows and squinting.
How to choose your camera settings: Get recommendations for focal lengths (50–200mm), aperture settings (f/2 to f/4), and ISO for natural-looking results.
Which shooting mode to use: Why Aperture Priority mode is ideal when you're getting started—and how to switch to Manual Mode when you're ready.
Real-world examples: See side-by-side portraits with camera settings to understand how different lighting setups create mood and visual impact.
This cheat sheet shows you how to use natural light creatively—to highlight your subject, shape emotion, and add depth to your outdoor portraits.
Whether you’re photographing your family in the backyard or working with a client at sunset, this Natural Light Cheat Sheet will help you…
Avoid harsh light and unflattering shadows
Find the best light at any time of day
Make your portraits look polished, soft, and intentional
Use light direction to control mood and highlight your subject
Print it or save it to your phone so it’s always on hand when you’re heading out for a portrait session.
With this guide, you’ll stop relying on luck and start shaping light to match your creative vision.
Manual Mode Cheat Sheet
Ready to take full creative control of your camera?
Learning how to shoot in Manual Mode is the next step and this cheat sheet walks you through the process, one step at a time.
Manual Mode can feel intimidating at first, but once you understand how shutter speed, aperture, and ISO work together, you’ll be able to capture the exact look you want…
…without relying on auto mode or letting your camera make the creative choices for you.
This Manual Mode Cheat Sheet breaks the process down into 5 simple steps to help you get a perfect exposure—every time you create a photo.
You’ll learn…
1. Set Your ISO: Start by choosing your ISO based on the lighting conditions—sunny, cloudy, indoors, or nighttime. The guide shows recommended ISO ranges from 100 to 3200.
2. Choose Your Creative Intent Decide what matters most in your shot: depth of field or motion.
Want a blurry background?
Set your aperture first.
Need to freeze motion?
Start with shutter speed.
3. Check the Light Meter Use: your camera’s built-in light meter to find the correct exposure. The cheat sheet explains how to read it and adjust your settings until the meter reads “0” (neutral exposure).
4. Take a Test Shot + Review the Histogram: Learn how to use the histogram to double-check exposure and ensure you’re not losing detail in the highlights or shadows.
5. Adjust & Reshoot: Compare the histogram to your scene’s dynamic range, and tweak your least important setting to fine-tune the result.
With this guide, you'll build confidence using Manual Mode…
…and understand not just what settings to use, but why they matter. It’s like a mini photo lesson in your pocket.
This printable reference is perfect for beginner photographers transitioning to manual or intermediate shooters who want a quick refresher.
Print it.
Pack it.
Or save it to your phone for instant help in the field.
With the Manual Mode Cheat Sheet, you'll finally feel in control…
…so you can create photos that match your creative vision from the moment you press the shutter.
