Abstract: A comparison apparatus and method for obtaining photographic effects is provided. The apparatus includes a digital display screen, and a digital memory containing multiple example images and diagrams to show how those example images were achieved. The images in the memory are classified by lighting type, color, camera, and lens. Images in the memory are displayed along with a list showing the settings used when the example images were acquired. The digital memory contains images obtained by a comprehensive study of light and color with varying attributes of the photographic process.