Photography Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Photography facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What does 'working a scene' mean in street photography? → Staying in one location and photographing multiple moments as the scene evolves
2. What role does a 'fill light' play in a portrait lighting setup? → It reduces shadows cast by the main (key) light
3. What is the 'golden spiral' composition technique based on? → The Fibonacci sequence
4. What is the compositional effect of 'rhythm and repetition' in photography? → Repeating visual elements create a sense of pattern, movement, and visual harmony
5. In spot metering mode, what percentage of the frame does the camera typically meter from? → 1-5% of the frame
6. What defines 'high-key' portrait lighting? → A brightly lit image with minimal shadows and a light, airy overall tone
7. In high-speed sync flash photography, what trade-off occurs compared to normal sync? → Maximum effective flash power is significantly reduced
8. What is the primary purpose of a model release form in professional photography? → To grant the photographer permission to use the subject's likeness commercially
9. In a batch processing workflow, what does creating a synchronized preset profile across multiple images primarily ensure? → Consistent color treatment and style across a series
10. A photographer's light meter reads a correct exposure at f/5.6, 1/500s, ISO 400. Which alternative setting gives the same exposure? → f/8, 1/250s, ISO 400
11. What is the function of a camera's mirror lock-up feature? → To reduce vibration caused by mirror movement during exposure
12. A photographer doubles the shutter speed from 1/125s to 1/250s. To maintain the same exposure, what must they do? → Open the aperture by one stop or double the ISO
13. How does the 'Dutch angle' technique affect the mood of a photograph? → It creates tension, unease, or dynamic energy by tilting the camera
14. What shooting technique helps a portrait photographer keep a moving subject's eyes in sharp focus during a session? → Back-button focusing combined with continuous autofocus (AF-C or AI Servo)
15. For zone focusing on the street, which aperture setting provides the deepest depth of field? → f/8 or f/11
16. What is the purpose of using a gold reflector when photographing portraits outdoors? → To add a warm, sun-kissed glow to skin tones
17. Why might a photographer choose a lens with fluorite or ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements? → To reduce chromatic aberration and improve color accuracy
18. In a caption, the first sentence should be written in ______ tense. → Present
19. What is the aperture measured? → F Numbers
20. What does 'chasing the light' mean in the context of street photography? → Actively moving to locations and times of day where natural light is most favorable
21. What does 'figure-to-ground relationship' describe in photographic composition? → The contrast between a subject and its background that allows the subject to stand out
22. What is the 'hyperfocal distance' and why is it useful in street photography? → The focus distance that maximizes depth of field from half that distance to infinity
23. Which tax deduction is commonly overlooked by self-employed photographers in the U.S.? → Home office deduction for dedicated workspace used exclusively for business
24. Which compositional technique involves placing the subject along imaginary lines that divide the frame into nine equal sections? → Rule of thirds
25. When using center-weighted metering, which part of the frame has the most influence on the exposure reading? → The central 60-80% of the frame with emphasis on the middle
26. What does an incident light meter measure compared to a reflected light meter? → Light falling on the subject rather than light bouncing off it
27. What key-to-fill light ratio of approximately 2:1 or 3:1 is preferred for natural-looking portrait lighting? → It produces a subtle, realistic contrast that mirrors outdoor lighting
28. What is a 'beauty dish' light modifier designed to produce? → Soft, directional light with a slight wrap and crisp specular highlights
29. Which of the following is the primary artistic effect controlled by adjusting the aperture setting? → Depth of field
30. In color theory, what is simultaneous contrast? → A color appears to shift depending on the colors surrounding it