Photography Tutorials
The table below lists all the tutorials on the site, the camera icons on the right of the page represent the level of the tutorial. Don't take too much notice of the grading, you will be able to understand most of it even as a beginner and even advanced photographers will find there are some gaps in their knowledge. I know I still have plenty to learn. The three camera tutorials however, are for the more adventurous seekers of knowledge and definitely should be left until last by newcomers.
If you are not a big reader or just want a 'quick fix' solution to a problem, try the Top Ten Photography Tips page first. Enjoy your reading - Geoff.
You might also like to take a look at my eBook Learn Digital Photography with Geoff Lawrence.
A short introduction to the types of cameras available and a discussion on what you need to look out for when buying a camera.
What you need to know when choosing a new lens.
Confused comparing 35mm lens focal lengths to the new DSLRs? This will make it all clear.
What you need to know before you go shopping.
More of a 'why you need a tripod' than a buyers guide, but it does include some tips on buying and using a tripod.
A good place to start for complete beginners, the first few things you need to know.
A short piece of advice on showing your pictures to others.
How to hold the camera properly and why. Also illustrations of how not to hold the camera.
What is it? What does it look like? What causes it? How to avoid it.
An introduction to composition, explaining the 'rule of thirds' and the use of diagonals.
Watch out for those ugly dustbins!
The most important rule of composition.
How to fill your frame with your subject.
Another important aspect of composition.
What it is and how to use it creatively.
How to use Motion Blur, and a discussion on when it's appropriate.
Getting away from the auto settings.
An explanation of the mechanics of exposure and the side effects of choosing different aperture/shutter speed combinations.
Overriding the automatic metering system.
What they are trying to tell you.
Setting up your camera to take a series of pictures at different exposures.
Another piece of the exposure puzzle.
An explanation, strictly for the jargon heads.
Introduction page.
Getting the best out of the sun.
Filling in the shadows.
Break away from the in-camera flash.
Soften those shadows.
A quick remedy in Photoshop.
An introduction to indoor lighting.
A bit of Physics for those who feel the need.
Introduction page.
An introduction to the color temperature scale.
How to set up your camera's manual white balance.
Using a gray card for color balance and exposure measurement.
Ever had the problem of washed out colors, either on a print or on the screen? The chances are the reason for it is that you're using the wrong color space.
A few tips for the budding wildlife photographer.
Lighting and perspective.
What you need and what to watch out for.
For perfectionists.
All the settings you need.
Photograph flowers like a professional, what you need to know.
For when you need extra depth of field.
How to get those ultra close-ups in focus.
Shooting a panned sequence of shots and stitching them together to make a panorama.
Techniques to help you capture those golden moments.
Getting the exposure right in all that white.
Tips on how to capture fast action.
Take better holiday photos without losing your sanity.
A complete 'how to' for weddings, with an accent on crowd control.
Bribing people to sit for you.
Introduction page.
Scaling your files.
Balancing those pixels.
Dealing with color casts.
An introduction to Adobe Camera RAW.
Advanced use of Adobe Camera RAW.
Using the unsharp mask.
Masking parts of your picture to edit certain areas.
How to build accurate layer masks.
A must for landscape and building photographers.
Using layers in Photoshop.
How to make a better job of changing images from color to black & white.
Playing with contrast and tones to give a more dramatic effect.
How to shoot and process HDR pictures with Photomatix Pro software.
A short video showing how to resize your images for the web.
A short video showing how to make color corrections.
A short video showing how to use the levels adjustment to control contrast.
A short video showing how to use the curves adjustment to control contrast.
A short video showing how to use the Quick Mask mode to select areas of your photo.
A short video showing how to blend two layers together using a clipping mask to remove unwanted parts of the image.
A video demonstrating how to use the sliders in ACR
A video demonstrating how to use the tools in ACR
A video explanation of non-destructive editing.
Printing your own and sending them out.
What to do with your masterpieces.
The world of microstock.
Have Your Own Photography Website.
Do it now before you lose all your photos.
What is it and what's in it for you?
The best eBook in the world.
Suggestions for further reading.
My review of a really great e-book.
Test your photography knowledge in the fun quiz.
A few of my snaps with some stories that go with them.
A place to show us your work and get some feedback.
A place to ask questions and have a chat.
Chewing the fat about all things photographic.
My email address.
In an effort to cater for different readers I have divided the knowledge into three distinct levels.
- Tips - appear in red italic text and are designed as the 'quick fix' department if you want to improve your photography quickly, with the minimum of reading and are prepared to take my word for the details, you could do worse than just follow all the tips. With such readers in mind I have produced the 'top ten photography tips' page.
- The main body of the text contains more detailed explanations and examples. This is the level at which you will get much more of the whys and wherefores to help the knowledge stick in your mind. I, personally, find it very difficult to retain a new concept if I do not understand why.
- Anything labeled 'Technical Stuff' is for the ultra curious and those with a certain scientific bent. They are there for completeness. Don't worry at all if you get lost in these bits or don't fully understand. Skipping these bits will not make you any less successful as a photographer.
If you enjoyed this page you might
be interested in my eBook
Learn Photography with Geoff Lawrence