Cheat sheet
Aperture
Use a wider aperture for softer backgrounds; stop down when everyone needs to stay sharp.
Free photography resource
Your camera settings, made simpler.
The Beginner Photographer's Camera Settings Cheat Sheet gives you a steady, beginner-friendly starting point—so you can spend less time searching menus and more time noticing the light.
- A simple exposure reference for aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
- Practical starting settings for portraits, families, indoor sessions, and more.
- A calmer way to troubleshoot blurry, dark, or noisy photos.
Inside the guide
A no-fuss reference for real photo days.
Keep it nearby while you practice. The guide makes exposure choices feel less abstract, then gives you practical settings to test in the situations you'll photograph most.
Cheat sheet
Shutter speed
Match your minimum speed to movement before you change anything else.
Cheat sheet
ISO
Raise ISO only after aperture and shutter speed support the photo you want.
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