# Photography Parameters Reference

## Light Condition Matrix

### Golden Hour (sunrise/sunset, ~1hr window)
- **Characteristics**: Warm, directional, soft shadows, long golden tones
- **Aperture**: f/2.8 - f/5.6 (wide for bokeh portraits, mid for landscapes)
- **Shutter**: 1/200 - 1/500s (handheld safe)
- **ISO**: 100 - 400
- **White Balance**: 5500-6500K (preserve warmth)
- **Exposure Comp**: +0.3 to +0.7 EV (protect highlights in backlight)
- **Tips**: Shoot into the light for rim lighting; use lens flare creatively

### Blue Hour (20-40 min after sunset / before sunrise)
- **Characteristics**: Cool blue ambient, city lights emerging, dramatic sky
- **Aperture**: f/2.8 - f/4 (need light gathering)
- **Shutter**: 1/30 - 2s (tripod recommended for >1/60)
- **ISO**: 400 - 1600
- **White Balance**: 3500-4500K (enhance blue tones, or warm up for contrast)
- **Exposure Comp**: 0 to -0.3 EV
- **Tips**: Tripod essential; blend ambient and city lights; HDR bracket useful

### Bright Midday Sun (10am - 3pm, clear sky)
- **Characteristics**: Harsh overhead light, strong shadows, high contrast
- **Aperture**: f/8 - f/16 (deep DOF, reduce light)
- **Shutter**: 1/500 - 1/2000s
- **ISO**: 100 (base)
- **White Balance**: 5200-5500K (daylight neutral)
- **Exposure Comp**: -0.3 to -0.7 EV (protect highlights)
- **Tips**: Use shade/diffusers for portraits; polarizer filter reduces glare; look for interesting shadow patterns

### Overcast / Cloudy
- **Characteristics**: Soft diffused light, no harsh shadows, even exposure
- **Aperture**: f/2.8 - f/5.6 (can shoot wide, light is soft)
- **Shutter**: 1/125 - 1/500s
- **ISO**: 200 - 800
- **White Balance**: 6000-7000K (compensate for cool tones)
- **Exposure Comp**: +0.3 to +0.7 EV (clouds can fool meter)
- **Tips**: Great for portraits (natural softbox); colors are saturated; watch for flat landscapes

### Rainy / Wet Conditions
- **Characteristics**: Reflections, moody atmosphere, saturated colors on wet surfaces
- **Aperture**: f/2.8 - f/4 (gather light, isolate reflections)
- **Shutter**: 1/125 - 1/250s (freeze rain drops) or 1/15s (motion blur rain)
- **ISO**: 400 - 1600
- **White Balance**: 5500-6500K
- **Exposure Comp**: +0.3 EV (dark scenes fool meter)
- **Tips**: Protect gear; shoot reflections on wet streets; neon signs look amazing; umbrellas as props

### Foggy / Hazy
- **Characteristics**: Low contrast, ethereal mood, layered depth
- **Aperture**: f/4 - f/8
- **Shutter**: 1/60 - 1/250s
- **ISO**: 200 - 800
- **White Balance**: 5000-6000K (slightly warm to counteract grey)
- **Exposure Comp**: +0.7 to +1.0 EV (fog fools meter significantly)
- **Tips**: Use depth layers for composition; silhouettes work well; manual focus recommended

### Night / After Dark
- **Characteristics**: Artificial lighting, high contrast, neon and ambient light mix
- **Aperture**: f/1.4 - f/2.8 (maximum light gathering)
- **Shutter**: 1/30 - 1/125s (handheld) or 1-30s (tripod for light trails)
- **ISO**: 1600 - 6400 (handheld) or 100-400 (tripod)
- **White Balance**: 3000-4000K (tungsten) or auto (mixed lighting)
- **Exposure Comp**: -0.3 to -1.0 EV (preserve night mood, avoid overexposure)
- **Tips**: Tripod for sharp night shots; use leading lines from street lights; neon signs as backlight

### Snowy Conditions
- **Characteristics**: Extremely bright, high reflectivity, cool tones
- **Aperture**: f/8 - f/16
- **Shutter**: 1/250 - 1/1000s
- **ISO**: 100 - 200
- **White Balance**: 6500-8000K (warm up snow, prevent blue cast)
- **Exposure Comp**: +1.0 to +1.7 EV (critical - snow fools meter badly)
- **Tips**: Overexpose to keep snow white; use spot metering on subject; protect gear from moisture

## Phone Photography Quick Settings

| Condition | Phone Mode | Key Tips |
|-----------|-----------|----------|
| Golden Hour | Portrait / Pro mode | Tap to expose for sky, reduce exposure slightly |
| Blue Hour | Night mode / Pro | Lean against wall for stability, avoid digital zoom |
| Midday | HDR on | Find shade for portraits, use 0.5x wide for architecture |
| Overcast | Portrait mode | Great natural light, no adjustments needed |
| Rainy | Pro mode | Tap wet reflections to focus, wipe lens frequently |
| Night | Night mode | Hold very still 3-5s, use timer to avoid shake |

## Film-Specific Composition Tips

When recreating a film scene:
1. **Match the focal length**: Wide shots (~24mm) for establishing, 50mm for dialogue, 85mm+ for close-ups
2. **Match the aspect ratio**: Crop to cinemascope (2.39:1) for epic, 16:9 for TV, 4:3 for indie/vintage
3. **Match the color tone**: Consider the film's color grading (warm/cool/desaturated)
4. **Consider the era**: Older films may have grain - embrace it or add it in post
5. **Reference the actual frame**: Search for the exact frame online before shooting