Rules of Thumb - post them here!

[mamarazzi_squared]

I am looking to create a list of rules of thumb that I can keep in my camera bag as a reference until this information becomes second nature to me ...

Specifically things like:

- To create a silhouette effect (black image), expose for the sky
- To get white snow, expose for the sky

... etc.

I am especially looking for tips when photographing people in various lighting situations. I just always seem to forget what I am supposed to expose for to capture the best shot.

Thanks for playing!

[TheObiJuan]

Magenta sunsets/sunrises I set the WB to Flourescent.
The green from flourescent lights are typically offset by the camera adjusting and adding Magenta to the image.

[kenw]

don't handhold with a shutter under 1/mm.

(unless you have IS)

[sbp]

sunny 16 rule when there is full sun out.
ISO-200, 1/200 speed, F16

[zepp]

Wash your hands before making a sandwich.

[Digital Daddy]

The best lure for fish is confidence. Might be your best lens too.

[dcnctx]

Plan for the worst and expect the best! Works for everything, not just photography.

*Batteries charged?
*Memory cards packed?
*Plastic bag ready for rain; 2 plastic bags ready... (sometimes I overdo it.)
*Remove lens cover before missing the shot.
*Checklist I made is in my pocket?

Anyhow you get the idea. Good luck and not a bad idea.

[mamarazzi_squared]

Originally Posted by zepp

Wash your hands before making a sandwich.

Love it!

Thanks for the ideas and please keep them coming!

Another one that I read recently (when re-reading Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure) is when photographing something that has a lot of green in it, to expose for the green and under expose by 2/3.

Question - in bright light / back lighting to get the subjects correctly exposed, do I just expose for the subjects?

[TXFZ1]

Back of the hand makes a quick gray card

http://www.popphoto.com/howto/1175/t...hic-rules.html

David

[picasso]

Scott Kelby has a book out called "The Digital Photography Book" Here are a few things from it.

For most lenses the sharpest aperture is about 2 stops smaller than wide open. Ex. A 2.8 lens f5.6 and f8 would be the sharpest.

Don't place the horizon line in the dead center of the photograph when shooting a landscape.

When take a portrait focus on the subjects eyes.

Don't cram to much on one memory card. That way if one goes bad you have it split up.

Some of this may be mundane but maybe you did or did not know it and can put it on your list.


Paul

[thelegend1472]

Don't eat yellow snow

[mivy00]

Originally Posted by thelegend1472

Don't eat yellow snow

Goes hand in hand with dont pee aginst the wind

[iCe]

Originally Posted by thelegend1472

Don't eat yellow snow

uh oh

Auto White Balance is the devil...

[Cope]

Originally Posted by sbp

sunny 16 rule when there is full sun out.
ISO-200, 1/200 speed, F16

And cut it in half for a cloudy day.

[kenw]

From the lighter side, struggling to stay OT:

In lonely urban areas, a tripod makes a good weapon, but only if extended
A sold print trumps a big white lens
Nicks, dings and scratches on a camera are honor badges of front-line experience.
If you keep over 50% of the shots you take, you need higher standards.
Quick releases won’t
The perfect shot always has one more defining element than the shot you just took.
The race goes to the ones that run it, not to those who “deserve” it.

And: