Photography Basics

The Photography basics category of our site will give you a foundation for your photography education.  While many of these are considered beginner or 101 tips and tutorials, they are essential to your understanding of photography.

best water reflection photography feature pye jirsa

10 Tips for Better Water Reflection Photography

Sean Lewis

This is one technique you should absolutely keep in your toolbox to boost your creativity.

diagonal lines unsplash giorgio trovato pjAEca8gAgM unsplash

Essential Tips for Using Diagonal Lines in Photography

Christopher

Shapes help create structure and visual interest in compositions. They guide the viewer’s eye, establish balance or tension, and convey ...

Diffraction, Aperture, and Starburst Effects

Pye

Starburst effects can add an interesting element to a photograph. In a dark scene, it can add a dreamy, peaceful twinkle to the lights. In a daytime scene, a starburst sun can add drama and interest to the skies.

Before and After exposing to the left

What is “Exposing to the Left” and Should You Do It?

Pye

You'll be amazed at how much time you can save if you combine this exposure tip with those we shared in Part One, and it works regardless of the camera you use. Check out Part Two (of Two) in our exposure series.

Photography Basics | Beginner’s Complete Guide To Photography

Matthew Saville

Everybody knows how to click a photo these days, but, do you really know photography? Whether you know just a little bit, or nothing at all, here is your complete introduction to photography!

foreground middle ground background

Foreground, Middle Ground, and Background in Photography

Christopher

The difference between a good photo and a great photo often comes down to its composition.  A composition with multiple ...

The Reciprocal Rule in Photography and How to Apply It

Pye

How fast does your shutter speed need to be to achieve a sharp image?  To answer this question, look to ...

white balance

Understanding White Balance & Color Temperatures in 8 Steps

Pye

This article puts the SLR Lounge spin on simplifying White Balance and Color Temperatures to help you gain full control over your photography regardless of what kind of scene you may be shooting in.

8 Maternity Photography Tips and Ideas (Updated)

Christopher

Here are a few tips to help you get through your first maternity session.

How To Photograph Fireworks | Tutorials and Tips (Updated)

Joe Marshall

Whether you've never tried photographing fireworks or you're a seasoned pro, you'll find interesting, inspiring, and useful information in this roundup!

balance in photography

Understanding Balance in Photography

Christopher

Balance is a compositional technique in photography that juxtaposes images within a frame so that the objects are of equal visual weight. When different parts of a photo command your attention equally, perfect balance is achieved. In photography, there are two main techniques of balance you should be aware of: formal and informal. We’ll discuss the difference between each and how they can affect your photo.

how to take sharp photos

How to Take Sharp Photos in 12 Tips

Pye

In this article, I'm going to look at what contributes to a photo's sharpness, and what you can do to maximize the sharpness of your images.

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