The Manual Photographer’s Cheat Sheet: An Infographic for Beginners

Hanssie

Some people think back nostalgically to the days of film. The hours spent in the darkroom, the smell of the chemicals, the anticipation of the images that magically appear on paper, hanging them to dry. Others have fully re-embraced the medium again, forsaking their DSLRs. People love shooting film for numerous reasons and some still ascertain that the best way to learn the technical aspect of photography is to do so manually.

For those of us who have learned photography with our automatic settings (‘P’ mode anyone?), learning how to shoot analog can be daunting. This handy infographic made by Zippi.co.uk is a great place to start if you’re ready to venture into the world of film (or even manual mode on your DSLR). The guide is pretty comprehensive, covering what film to choose, choosing your ISO, adjusting you aperture, shutter speed and exposure, setting up your composition and more.

[REWIND: WHERE TO START CHART: AN INTERACTIVE FLOWCHART FOR BEGINNING PHOTOGRAPHERS]

This little cheat sheet is a great resource for any photographer’s toolkit – for beginners, a wealth of information you must know, and for seasoned pros, nice to have on hand to pass on to your friends that may be interested in checking out what the film hype is about.

the-manual-photographers-cheat-sheet

P.S. The only thing about the infographic I would change, is not to experiment with ‘converging lines’ on or near railroad tracks due to safety reasons!

If you’re interested in analog photography, here are a few of our past articles with some helpful information about film:

1. List of Places To Buy Rolls of Film Online

2. List of Mail Order Film Developing Labs

3. Watch the Total Film Processing Sequence Condensed Into 4 Minutes 

4. Shooting Film vs. Shooting Digital – Shooting For Your Medium

[Via Manila Bulletin]

RELATED POSTS

thepowerofstorytelling notext

Learn the Art of Visual Storytelling Through Photography

January 28, 2026

Storytelling in photography is an invaluable tool that allows us to communicate beyond words...

2 forest photography tips

Forest Photography Tips & Guide for Better Photos

January 27, 2026

Forest photography offers a unique creative challenge: capturing the interplay of light filtering through...

Aiarty Video Enhancer: Clean Up Noisy, Low-Light Footage and Upscale to 4K (New Year Deal)

January 26, 2026

With 2026 underway, creators looking to bring new life to their old,...

How to Use a Light Meter for Film

January 25, 2026

Metering film is the most common cause of frustration...