The Sunny 16 Rule in Photography: A Simple Guide for Film Shooters

In the age of digital cameras and instant feedback, it’s easy to forget that photography is built on light and intuition. For film photographers (especially those drawn to the streets) one of the most timeless tools is the Sunny 16 Rule. It’s not just a formula, but a way of training your eye to see exposure without relying on a meter.

🌞 What Is the Sunny 16 Rule?

The Sunny 16 Rule is a basic guideline for setting exposure in bright daylight. It says:

• On a sunny day, set your aperture to f/16

• Your shutter speed should then be the reciprocal of your ISO/film speed

For example, if you’re shooting Portra 400 for street photography, you’d use f/16 at 1/400s (or the closest available, like 1/500s).

This simple relationship gives you a starting point and it works surprisingly well, even in a world filled with light meters.

an image I shot in Sri Lanka in challenging light conditions using the sunny 16 rule to apply the right level of exposure to the film

📸 Why the Sunny 16 Rule Matters in Street Photography

Street photography often moves too fast for overthinking. You don’t always have time to pull out a light meter or endlessly adjust settings. The Sunny 16 Rule gives you a framework to work quickly and confidently.

• Amateur street photography → It helps beginners understand exposure without being overwhelmed by numbers.

• Street photography on film → It’s especially useful when your camera lacks a built-in meter (common with vintage models).

• Consistency → Once you practice it, your exposures become intuitive, freeing you to focus on timing and composition.

🎞️ Adjusting for Different Conditions

The Sunny 16 Rule isn’t only for bright days. It adapts with simple tweaks:

• Slightly overcast: f/11

• Overcast: f/8

• Heavy shade: f/5.6

• Backlit subjects: open up 1–2 stops

This flexibility means you can walk the streets with confidence, no matter the weather, knowing your negatives will come back exposed with character.

✨ The Bigger Picture

Learning the Sunny 16 Rule is about more than exposure. It’s about slowing down, trusting your eye, and reconnecting with the roots of photography. For film shooters, it’s a reminder that simplicity often leads to better storytelling.

In the end, the Sunny 16 Rule isn’t just about math, it’s about learning to see the world as light first, and photograph second.