The Only 5 Camera Settings That Actually Matter for Beginners
If you're new to photography, you might feel overwhelmed by the variety of settings and controls on your camera. But don't worry, there are only a few you actually need to worry about.
What Happens to Your Photos When You Die and What to Do About It Now
Most photographers spend years building an archive worth protecting, but very few have a plan for what happens to it after they die. Copyright, physical media, cloud accounts, and stock licensing don't sort themselves out automatically, and without a plan, decades of work can vanish or get tied up in legal chaos.
The Case for Slowing Down in Landscape Photography
Landscape photography has an intimidating reputation, built up by an industry of tutorials, workshops, books, and courses that treat it like a discipline requiring years of study. But this video makes a compelling case that most of that complexity is noise.
10 Top Tips To Teach Photography Newbies
With good cameras becoming more reasonably priced and nearly all phones having one built-in, photography's something that most people can now easily dabble in. Even though this is true, there are still people out there, kids for example, who haven't picked up a camera before and need a little guidance. So, that brings us on to our ten basic photography tips to teach someone new to photography.
1. Hold The Camera Correctly
This may seem like a really obvious thing to be telling someone, but camera shake, which can occur when you're not holding the camera correctly, is a problem those who are new to photography face. In fact, those who use mobile phones to take photos and hold one hand out while trying to press the shutter button will know all too well how it can result in blurry, wonky shots. To stop this, hold your camera/smartphone with two hands, quite close to your body, position your feet shoulder-width apart to give yourself a more stable base to shoot from.
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If you're using the LCD to compose your shot don't stick your arms out too far in front of you and keep your arms/elbows tucked in when possible.
Before you take your shot, make sure your fingers aren't over the flash (if using it) or blocking the lens and keep a firm grip of your camera but don't squeeze too tightly as you can cause the camera to move, resulting in shake.
Having your arms tucked close to your sides and standing as still as possible will stop any blur caused by movement from spoiling your shot. Don't move your camera/phone away as soon as you've clicked your shutter button either as shutter lag can mean your camera's still processing the shot so you'll end up with a blurry photo of another part of the scene rather than the person or object you want a photo of.
Using a tripod will keep the camera still and help keep shake to a minimum. There are various light-weight, easy to use models which are designed to be used with smaller cameras.
If you don't have a tripod, use a nearby solid object as a support or lean against a wall, tree or whatever object you can find that won't move.
Being conscious of your breathing can further minimise shake. Some suggest taking a deep breath, holding it, taking your shot and exhaling while others prefer to do it the other way around. It's not something that's recommended for very long exposures though!
4. Hold The Camera Straight
Check the framing of your shot before hitting the shutter button as having a photo where it looks like everything's about to slide out of frame's easily done. Having said that, there are times when shooting on an angle can work really well but most of the time, you'll want your horizons to be straight. Using a tripod can help as some models have built-in spirit levels which can tell you when the tripod's not straight. There are the occasions where the spirit level will tell you the shot's wonky but your eye will know different so trust your instincts on these occasions.
5. Different Modes
Camera modes are there to help you capture the best possible images you can so learn what they're for and switch to them when needed. There's also aperture and shutter priority which give you more control over how your camera takes photos and are a great way to start your journey into the manual world. For more tips take a look at these tutorials:
As well as using different modes for different situations, have a go at shooting from different angles and positions too.
6. Shutter Button
Don't be too heavy-handed with the shutter button as this can cause the camera to move which can mean you end up with a slightly blurred shot.
Another important thing to learn about the shutter button is that it can be pressed halfway to focus your shot. This can be used in all shooting situations but is particularly important for shots where your camera doesn't know what your main focus point is and as a result, you end up with blur in the wrong part of the shot. An example of this would be when you position your subject to the left or right of the shot, leaving more space towards the centre and opposite side. As your subject is off-centre your camera may not think they're what you want to focus on and as a result, they'll be blurry while you'll have a background that's nicely in focus. However, using focus lock (half-pressing the shutter) will stop this from happening. Have a look at our previous tutorial for more tips on how to use this: Focus Lock.
7. Backgrounds
Check the background for unsightly items and objects sticking out of your subject's head. If you're not planning on throwing your background out of focus (some drive modes do this automatically) so it's blurred, make sure it's not too distracting or cluttered.
Use the optical zoom on your camera to bring your subject closer, filling the frame and creating more interest. A person can look dwarfed in a wide landscape or surrounded by buildings so use your zoom so you don't lose them in the frame. If you're using a camera phone which doesn't have an optical zoom use your feet to move you closer to your subject rather than using the digital zoom which can lower the quality of the shot.
A shot needs a focal point otherwise your eyes will be left searching the image and they won't find anywhere to settle. You can have more than one focal point but make sure the point that's secondary doesn't fight your main focal point to be the centre of attention. Once you know what your main focal point is there are various compositional tricks you can perform which includes using various elements within the frame to draw the eye to one focus point, you can adjust your framing to make a more pleasing composition or zoom in to really focus on your subject, eliminating other items in the process.
Many professional photographers focus on one type of photography, but this isn't something you need to do straight away. Experiment with various subjects, learning how each needs to be approached differently in the process. It'll also give you the chance to find out which you enjoy shooting the most so if you do want to start shooting more regularly, you'll have a particular subject you can work on perfecting.
Don't be afraid to take lots of shots either as getting out there and actually pressing the shutter button is the best way to learn. Do take the time to evaluate your work too so you know what needs to be improved and just as importantly, know what techniques work successfully. You can also ask other photographers, family members and friends for their feedback too as sometimes they'll see things you've missed. Finally, make sure you have fun and enjoy taking photos!
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The 3-Step System for Accurate Interior Real Estate Colors
Getting white balance right in real estate interiors is harder than it looks. Competing light sources, colored walls, and reflective surfaces all pull your colors in different directions, and fixing it all globally in post rarely works.
MacBook Neo by the Numbers
There's been a lot of press about how the new MacBook Neo performs on one photo or video task or another, and largely the consensus has been that it can do a number of things, but not all things. Well, what does that mean in actual raw data?
Nikon Europe Offers Free Five-Year Warranty on NIKKOR Z Lenses
Nikon Europe has introduced a free extended five-year warranty on all newly purchased NIKKOR Z mount lenses, offering photographers added confidence and long-term protection. The warranty applies to all Z mount lenses, including kits and teleconverters, purchased from authorised Nikon retailers, the Nikon Store, and Nikon Plazas across most European countries. This initiative highlights Nikon’s trust in the enduring quality of its NIKKOR lenses, built on more than 90 years of optical innovation.
From Nikon:
Nikon Europe announces an extended, free five-year warranty on all newly purchased NIKKOR Z mount lenses.
Purchasing a new NIKKOR Z mount lens now comes with added peace of mind, as the lens will be covered against faults that might occur within the first five years of ownership.1
The new warranty is applicable in most European countries2 and covers NIKKOR Z lenses purchased from authorised Nikon retailers, Nikon Store and Nikon Plazas in Europe.
All NIKKOR Z mount lenses are covered by the new warranty, including kit lenses and teleconverters. If a claim fulfils the conditions during the extended warranty period, the lens will be repaired free of charge by authorised Nikon technicians.
Customers simply need to register their NIKKOR Z lens product within 90 days of purchase via an easy online process and it will be covered for five years from the date of purchase.
Nikon has been designing and manufacturing NIKKOR lenses for more than 90 years, pushing innovation in optical science alongside a dedication to the highest possible quality products. This extended free warranty reflects Nikon's confidence in the enduring quality of NIKKOR lenses.
For more information, please visit the Nikon Europe website.
1 Terms and conditions apply
2 See terms and conditions for the full list of applicable countries
5 Low Light Mistakes That Are Costing You Image Quality
Shooting in low light is one of the most technically demanding situations in photography, and a handful of bad habits can quietly ruin your results before you ever open an editing program. Most of these mistakes are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
5 Top Garden Macro Photography Tips - How To Photograph Dew Drops
When you look out of your window and you see your lawn covered in morning dew, sparkling in the sunlight you need to get out of your PJs, pick up your camera and get outside to photograph it. If you can't face getting up quite so early you can try using a spray bottle on your plants and shrubbery as this will create the same kind of effect.
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1. Macro Lens Is A MustYou'll need a macro lens as you're going to be working at close focusing distances but if you're a compact user you should switch to macro mode (usually a flower symbol on your mode dial) to let your camera know you're going to be working close to your subject).
If you have a tripod with a centre column that can be turned horizontally or upside down, set it up, otherwise, you might find a bean bag more useful. If you have one, use a cable release or remote release as even the slightest touch on the camera can cause enough camera shake to blur your image. Alternatively, a two-second self-timer gives you enough time to press the button and let go or, if your camera supports it, use your Smart Device to trigger the shutter.
A mid-range aperture will give you a decent depth of field, throwing the background out of focus while the subject stays ultra-sharp. Keep an eye on your shutter speed as you don't want a blurry photo. Do try a larger aperture too but if you find it blurs more of the shot then you intended, just change the size.
Make sure your focus is on the drop(s) so you get a nice clear shot of them. You may have to sacrifice foreground sharpness as a blurry drop will just distract the viewer.
Dewdrops falling down blades of grass look great but another cool and simple trick is to get an image inside the dewdrop. To do this take another flower or grass blade and move it behind your subject until you can see it in your viewfinder. Do remember that everything you see is reversed in the dewdrop though so if you want to centre the object that's to the left you need to move it more to the right.
You've read the technique now share your related photos for the chance to win prizes: Daily Forum Competition
Pushing Personal Boundaries With the Viltrox Vintage Z2 TTL On-Camera Flash
For as far as I can recall, I have always been somewhat skeptical about using flashes for my personal work, specifically the casual, street-documentary style shooting that I tend to do whenever I simply feel like bringing a camera out. Ironically, when it comes to my commercial work, where everything is more controlled with purpose, I am not shy about using flashes to shape the lighting of the final image.
Laowa Sunlight 2x Full Frame Anamorphic Zoom Series Review
Recently, I got a chance to have a look at the brand-new Laowa Sunlight 2x FF Anamorphic Zoom Series and thought I'd share a thought or two.
Five Years Later, the Nikon Z9 Remains the Best Hybrid Camera on the Market
Today, I'm not talking about the newest camera on the market. But I'm talking about one of the best. And, in the end, that's kind of the point.
Doriyan Coleman Sees Poetry on the Streets of Cleveland, and He Has the Exhibition to Prove It
Doriyan Coleman is a Cleveland-based photographer, author, and educator whose work treats the everyday as something worthy of sustained attention. His street photography draws on themes of selfhood, community, and the quiet grandeur of the natural world, and the results feel less like documentation and more like visual verse.
How Contrast in Shape and Texture Can Replace Perfect Light
Shooting in bad light isn't a death sentence for your images. In fact, some of the strongest nature photographs come from conditions most people walk away from. Knowing how to read light, use contrast, and process with intention separates images that resonate from ones that just document a place.
How to Find and Frame Epic Sunset Light Before It Happens
Great light isn't random. After 15 years of landscape photography, William Patino makes the case that almost none of his best work has come down to luck. It comes down to reading the sky, understanding cloud behavior, and knowing exactly what to do once conditions start to break your way.
How Layers of Light Create Depth in Any Photo
Flat photos usually come down to one thing: no sense of depth. Understanding how to build layers into your compositions is one of those skills that quietly separates the work of consistently compelling photographers from everyone else.
3 Top Church Photography Tips
Churches are something the majority of us will have in our towns and villages and they're a great location for a spot of photography as they're just as interesting on the inside as they are on the outside. Plus, you might have a graveyard to explore as well. Whatever your style of photography, a church will probably have something to grab your attention.
1. Getting Access
To make the most of what our churches have to offer we have to get inside them which can be trickier than you think. Larger churches and cathedrals may have photographic restrictions (a fee payable to use a tripod, no flash etc.) and certain opening hours but generally smaller, local churches are more willing to give you access any time of the day. Just phone in advance to let the vicar or whoever holds the key know that you'd like to take some photographs inside the church. In many smaller towns churches are left unlocked during the day.
[HOOK]position_1[/HOOK]In buildings of this size, you might as well keep your flash in your bag as it will only add light to objects a few feet in front of you. Instead, you need to get your sturdy tripod out, fasten your camera to it and use a long exposure.
As exposures can be several seconds long, the smallest of nudges can cause the camera to shake so try using a remote / cable release or the camera's self-timer option to reduce it. You could even use your Smartphone to trigger the shutter if you have a camera which can be controlled remotely via smart devices. When it comes to lenses, anything goes. Telephoto lenses can be used to capture the details found on the roof, wide-angle lenses for the wider architectural scenes and macro lenses for close up details of pews, columns and altars.
2. Respect Your Surroundings & Fellow Visitors
Before we discuss shooting suggestions do please remember churches, particularly smaller ones, are quiet places so try to make as little noise as possible as you move around. Be respectful of others around you who are there to pray etc. too.
If you're visiting a church that's popular with tourists do remember that others will want to take photos too so work quickly or plan your visit for first thing in the morning or nearer closing time when less visitors will be around.
3. Shooting Suggestions
Try shooting down the aisle to capture the lines of pews, altar and everything else people think of when you ask them to describe a church. Find a comfy pew or a part of the floor you can lie on (don't worry about the funny looks) and focus your lens on the roof which often has interesting patterns and features. Don't be afraid to get in close to objects either.
Reflections off windows, cases and even abstract shots of blurred lines of pews up close can create interesting images. Although if you're trying to capture images of objects protected by cases you won't want reflections or glare spoiling your shot. Try using an ND, polarising filter or cupping your hand around your lens to cut down on reflections and have a cloth handy to remove any fingerprints that have been left on the case.
The large stained glass windows found in most churches look great when lit up by sunlight and they also work well as zoom burst subjects, something we've covered previously on the site.
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Why "Enjoy the Process" Is Actually Terrible Advice (And What to Do Instead)
Choosing the right gear matters less than most people think. What matters far more is whether the act of making photos actually means something to you, and that turns out to be a harder question than it sounds.
Glowing Morning Scene Wins POTW Award
A stunning English countryside shot capturing snow-dusted hills glowing in soft pink and amber morning light has won our 'Photo of the Week' (POTW) award.
'March Morning's Glow' by BillRookery is a real beauty. The snow-dusted hills catching that first light of the day is gorgeous, and the puddles in the foreground reflecting it all back makes it even better. That old stone viaduct tucked behind the bare winter trees ties the whole scene together nicely. A brilliant capture, well deserved!
Every Photo of the Week (POTW) winner will be rewarded with a Samsung 128GB PRO Plus microSDXC memory card with SD adapter, providing top-tier storage for all your creative needs across multiple devices. But that's not all! In January 2027, we’ll crown our 2026 Photo of the Year winner, who will take home the ultimate prize of a Samsung Portable 1TB SSD T7 Shield, courtesy of Samsung. It’s time to shoot, submit, and showcase your best work for a chance to win these incredible rewards!
How To Find A Model To Photograph - 8 Top Tricks & Tips
© Joshua Waller
If you fancy trying your hand at portrait photography, you will need a model. If you have the money you could go to an agency and hire one – at least, that's the theory - but there are plenty of other options that aren't quite as expensive and you can do the leg work yourself.
Find tips on where you can find models, how to contact them and what all of the acronyms models/photographers use mean.
Below you'll find 8 tips/ideas/suggestions on where you should start your search as well as tips on working with 'pros vs new models' and what exactly MUAs, TFCD, TFP stand for.
1. Join A Model Community Website
© Joshua Waller
A really great alternative to using a model agency is joining a model community website. There are several good ones and joining at the lowest membership level is free so there is no risk. In time, if you feel being a member has benefits you can pay a subscription and get more benefits. These usually include being to include more portfolio images, the ability to send more personal messages, for example.
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© Joshua Waller
These sites usually let you search for models in your locality and also in the styles or ‘levels’ that you want to shoot. If you want to do glamour, topless or fine art nude, you can specify that or if you are after models within a certain age range. Check the sites below for details.
3. Get Down With The Lingo
© Joshua Waller
When you first join a modelling website, it can be very daunting. There are strange expressions (togs, MUAs, TFCD, TFP, for example) and it is all a little scary. By the way, togs are photographers, MUAs are make-up artists, TFCD is time for CD and TFP is for time for prints. TFCD and TFP are really important and means the model will give their time and pose in return for CD or prints of the shoot.
4. Not Everyone Will 'Work For Pictures'
© Joshua Waller
A professional model is unlikely to work with you in return for pictures unless you can benefit their portfolio with some amazing shots. In time, this could be you but you are probably not there just yet.
5. Where To Begin?
© Joshua Waller
So how do you start? If you are new to model photography, it makes sense to find a model also just starting out. This means you can learn your respective trades together and expectations are lower. As mentioned above, some will work with you in return for photos, too, or they'll charge less than someone with a lot more years of modelling under their belt.
6. Pros Of Using A Pro
© Joshua Waller
On the other hand, working with a more experienced model will make it is easier for you in that they can create poses without too much instruction from you. They will probably be more knowledgeable about make-up for photography - again it is unlikely you will be using a make-up artist at this stage.
7. Making Contact
© Joshua Waller
Once you find a model or two you like the look of – as in terms of experience, cost etc. or literally – send them an email, explaining what you are about and what you want and go from there. If you are new to this, say so. If you have some pictures already, post them on your profile and ask prospective models to look at your look.
It is worth saying that the odds are that you are not going to get a response from every model you approach and this is true even if a model is looking for photographers. The important thing is not to take it personally and it can be for any number of reasons.
8. Don't Forget The Shoot!
© Joshua Waller
It's rare, but you can arrange a shoot with a model and they not turn up – it happens the other way round, too, with photographers so don't be that person! Make sure you arrive with plenty of time and do contact the mode if you're going to be late.
To prevent 'no shows', it is worth reading feedback on the site from fellow members. Unreliable models/photographers will have negative feedback.
More Advice On Working With Models