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.

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5 Best Monopods for Photographers of All Levels

What are monopods and why do I need one? A monopod is an extremely handy piece of equipment that photographers of all levels can put to good use. Similar to (but different from) their famous three-legged cousin, the tripod, monopods are a single-leg support for mounting your camera on. While they may not be as stable as ... Read more
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Makeup Photography Tips and Inspiration

Makeup photography is an art form that focuses on photographing the entire makeup process and experience, not just the finished product. That said, the process usually consists of three parts. First, makeup shots can include “before” images, which showcase the subject or model prior to the makeup application.  It can also include photos of the ... Read more
Camera Reflector

The 8 Best Photography Reflectors

Lighting is a photographer’s best friend. This crucial element can either make or break a shot. As such, professional photographers and hobbyists alike invest in a reflector to amplify the beauty of the image. Reflectors can either diffuse, bounce, or flag both natural and artificial light. They are often a photographer’s best solution when outdoor ... Read more
Olympus OM-D EM-5 Camera Modes

Aperture Priority vs. Shutter Priority vs. Manual Mode | Which is Best?

We're going to take a closer look at the four main modes available on most cameras and discuss scenarios where each mode makes the most sense. Ready? Let's dive in!

Aiarty Image Enhancer: Restore Faces, Remove Objects, and Enhance Photo Quality (36% OFF + Bonus Gifts)

Whether you’re working with old family portraits or low-res web images, poor image quality can still derail a creative project. In such instances, it’s not uncommon to run into problems like blurry edges, funky artifacts, or just not enough resolution; this is true for photographers, designers, and digital artists alike. Aiarty Image Enhancer has built ... Read more

How to Take Direct Sunlight Portraits

I used to be terrified to shoot in harsh sunlight. I avoided it like the plague, and as a consequence avoided scheduling sessions in anything other than golden hour or overcast days. I soon found out that a limited availability such as this was a financial burden, and bad for business. That was the deciding ... Read more

20+ Posing Cues for Couples from Professional Photographers

Photographers often hear their clients say, “We’re awkward, but we want to be natural, fun & romantic.” This common challenge underscores the importance of mastering posing, a skill that blends technical knowledge with creative communication. The art of posing is more than just positioning subjects; it’s about crafting authentic, emotive stories through images.  This guide ... Read more
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The Best Online Album Proofing Options for Photographers

The deeper you dive into photography, especially when you start taking on clients and making it a business, the more important it becomes to find and use tools that allow you to streamline your workflow. It doesn’t take long before you start spending less time taking photos and more time managing other aspects of getting ... Read more

How to Use Fresnel Lenses in Photography

Fresnel lenses, originally designed for lighthouses, found their way into photography as powerful tools for shaping light. These lenses focus light effectively while remaining lightweight and portable. Whether you’re a portrait photographer or experimenting with creative lighting, understanding how to use Fresnel lenses can add depth and drama to your work. Fresnel Lenses in Photography: ... Read more

Tips for Going Big with Large Photo Prints

When wall space and budget allows, it’s great to go big with large photo prints. Large prints, which can reach up to 96” wide (that’s eight feet!), allow your clients to preserve their special moments on an epic scale, and they also serve as the ultimate showcase for quality photos. For photographers who’ve made print ... Read more
Olympus OM-D EM-5 Camera Modes
Photography Basics

Aperture Priority vs. Shutter Priority vs. Manual Mode | Which is Best?

Michael Henson

We're going to take a closer look at the four main modes available on most cameras and discuss scenarios where each mode makes the most sense. Ready? Let's dive in!

Photography Tips Photography Basics

DIY Reflector | 3 Ways to Make Your Own Reflector

Alice Houstons

It's a long holiday weekend which means the beach, BBQ, and DIY projects! If you're going out to Home Depot to pick up a few tools to fix something around the house, make sure you add bead foam to your shopping list.

Photography Tips Photography Basics

10 Christmas Photography Ideas and Tips

Christopher

Photography and Christmas seem to go hand in hand. With all of your family and friends together, you have a ...

Photography Basics

Cold Weather Photography Tips | How to Defrost and Save a Frozen Camera

Matthew Saville

In this first video tutorial, we're going to talk about what to do when you get frost on your camera when you shoot at night in extremely cold weather.

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Photography Tips Photography Basics

Optical Zoom VS Digital Zoom – What’s The Difference?

Matthew Saville

These days, almost every camera with a built-in lens has some sort of a “zoom” label on it. However, not ...

Photography Tips Photography Basics

Learn How to Photograph Lightning with These 7 Essential Tips

Dawn Gilfillan

Trying to photograph lightning can be a challenge, but the images you get will be very rewarding. No two lightning ...

Photography Tips Photography Basics

The Ultimate Guide to Long Exposure Portraits

Christopher

Long exposure portraits capture ethereal, dreamlike portraits that blur the lines between movement and stillness.  While the advanced technique requires ...

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Photography Tips Lightroom Photography Basics

Grainy Photos 101 | Causes, Fixes and Artistry

Alice Houstons

It’s the end of the day and the sun has set. As the light fades, the night sky catches your ...

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Photography Tips Photography Basics

5 Tips on How to Hold a Camera

fotosiamo

This may be a topic that seems basic and easy to gloss over, but have you ever thought about to properly hold your camera? In this article we will be discussing 5 tips and tricks to help you get better and more stable shots while hand holding your camera.

Photography Basics

The Reason Why The Camera Adds 10 Pounds

Pye

It’s a phrase as familiar to anyone who’s ever stepped in front of a lens: ‘The camera adds ten pounds.’ ...

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Photography Tips Photography Basics Portrait Photography

10 Tips for Better Water Reflection Photography

Sean Lewis

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

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Photography Basics

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 ...

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