St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Printable Images http://goo.gl/WsrtR
Cheat Sheets http://goo.gl/IcguO
PDF Cheat Sheets http://goo.gl/Cy14t

mafadecay Loc: Wales UK

No the photo won't be over exposed. The Meter tries to average the scene but vast areas of light or dark will fool the meter causing it to underexpose the image. By you dialing in 1-2 stops you are correcting the meters bad judgement and a getting a correct exposure.

Camera meters struggle in all types of situations such as weddings. All white dress against dark blacks of the grooms tux. Always meter for the dress and again +1 - +2 ev exposure compensation. Just remember if you are using exposure compensation that you return it back to zero when done shooting those conditions otherwise every other image will be off.

Margo Loc: Clearwater Florida

Wow -- I had no idea these types of things existed! Thanks -- I'll be browsing through them.

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

I realized in preparing for an important event that my camera has 23 different settings that can affect a picture. I made a checklist to make sure I didn't leave the camera on an inappropriate setting. Been there, done that.

Niepke

Thanks !

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

Please don't leave, nothing is gained. I ask you to reread, carefully exactly what I wrote. I was strongly trying to say that cheat sheets or crib notes or whatever is not cheating...I was trying to say one should do what ever it takes to accomplish the goal of creating the image you want or need to create. I had a problem with calling it a "cheat sheet." How can bringing along "information" in any form to help one understand settings on your camera or light conditions or whatever be "cheating?" What we have on this site is a collection of people who this very morning saw a photograph somewhere and said, "ya know...I'd like to be able to do that." So they went to the store and bought a camera and it is a daunting position when one opens the packaging and starts reading the often poorly written instructions. These people are sharing the same time and space coordinates with people who have been taking photos professionally for many, many decades. I think...no...I know this often leads to misunderstandings. Hang with the ugly hogs...yes, there are some trouble making (pun intended) boaring remarks...but...they just need to spend a little more time in the fixing bath before they are hung out to dry..........

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Printed crib sheets that you purchase or download are really just concentrated references. You will end up carrying them around and never learning what is on them. The best way to do this (based on decades of experience) is to go through the manual slowly and deliberately with your camera in your hand. Then go through it again slowly and jot down the details you think you will have trouble remembering (there will be pages of it). Then study those details and reduce the notes by 50 %. Do this several times until you have it down to one sheet of paper. If you have done this carefully you should be able to throw the sheet away and get on with taking pictures. I used to study for exams this way - I always made up cheat sheets and threw them away the night before the exam.
As far as putting a reminder in your lens cap to check your setting, get into this habit. Before a shooting session (or at the beginning of the day) take a random shot, then press the review button and look through all the EXIF data for the shot - any odd settings left over from your last session will be apparent. Some cameras allow you to just reset your "normal" settings with one button.

cwb1337

This might help.
CB

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

Not to be excessively argumentative mcveed, but I think we all learn in different ways. Your way is a time honored technique but perhaps not the best for someone else. We all take different paths to the liquor store...
For some...trial and error may be the only way they will ever "get it..." These people will be better at photography than say...brain surgery or explosive ordinance disposal....:)

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Well, of course you're perfectly correct - different people learn in different ways. And some people are content to carry the manual around, or a condensed version of it, and never learn. I would not find that a very satisfying way to photograph - but, as you say, different strokes for different folks. I was merely suggesting what I think is the best way to deal with the learning curve. I was not suggesting it is the only way. Readers are free to agree, disagree, or ignore my suggestion. Or, indeed, critique it, if they wish.

PortraitsforPets Loc: Brisbane

Some time ago, I found this site:
http://www.ilex-press.com/?s=camera+bag+companion&search-type=book&post_type=book
They are a handy little size and as you can see they print a book for both Canon and Nikon. The cost is reasonable and it's packed with lots of info

captxmas Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

So, who wants to post their personal cheat sheets to share with the group. Personally I'd love to see some Nikon D7000 copies.

How bout-it hogs...

On another contribution, the makeuseof.com website has four or five photoshop manuals for free that work well for those of looking to share free knowledge.

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

Personally, I find your way the best way for myself. And mind you I often must go over it several times before it truly "sinks in..."

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I have one of these for my strobes. I can't find it, but I have one. LOL Now, if I can just remember where I put my cheat sheet. :)

AVarley Loc: Central Valley, California

There is a really great quote attributed to Albert Einstein that goes ..."I never commit to memory anything that can easily be looked up in books."

I doubt you'd want to argue this was an individual who didn't care to learn.