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Thanks Giving ChapelGeneral Discussion and Introductions

If you are just getting started with photography, some introductions might be in order.  Here you will find guides to getting started in general, or getting started with a particular type of photography. If you are a true beginner, start with the article on “10 Non-Technical Tips for Improving Your Photography Right Now.”  In any case, start with these and then move on to more in-depth topics.

 

Camera exposure diagram with sensor shutter & apertureExposure

The exposure controls on your camera control much more than the brightness of your picture. They also control things like depth of field, the amount of blur in your picture, and even the amount of digital noise. If you master just three controls on your camera, you master exposure. It is important, so you’ll find several articles on how it works and how you can master it. First, here are the core exposure articles:

Once you have digested them, move along to other topics related to exposure:

 

Camera Mode DialCamera Controls

In these articles, we take a closer look at some of the camera’s controls. There are a lot of buttons and dials on your camera, and there are also a lot of numbers to get familiar with. These articles will help you do that. When you are feeling overwhelmed, be sure to check out the article on how to Simplify Your Camera.  The goal is to get you familiar enough with these controls that you forget about them and start focusing on more important things.

 

StPaulView-RuleOfThirdsComposition

Composition might be the most important part of photography, but it is often the most overlooked. Further, what resources there are on composition tend to start with particular devices like shape and line, rather than an overall process and understanding of composition. These articles will get you started with the basics of composing your photographs:

 

RGB colorsColor (and B&W)

Color can be confusing. Most digital color is created using a combination of Red, Green, and Blue, which is called the RGB colorspace. But there are a few different RGB colorspaces, and which one should you use? And what happens if you venture outside the RGB colorspace? And where does Black and White photography fit in? Here are some articles to show you.

 

CameraSharpness and Noise

We all want to take sharper pictures, and at the same time avoid digital noise. That starts with technique in the field, so you find some articles on doing that here. You’ll also find articles on the processing techniques you can use to make your pictures sharper and reduce the amount of digital noise. Recent advances in cameras and post processing techniques have made the tools much more powerful in recent years.

 

Big BendNight Photography

Let these articles introduce you to the joys of photographing at night. If you are busy with work and family obligations, photographing at night will give you more opportunities to get out and shoot. In any event, scenes that appear drab during the day suddenly look dramatic at night. Take advantage of the recent advances in technology to get some stunning photos during the other half of your day.

 

CoumloughraTravel

We all break out our cameras when heading out of town or out of the country. Vacations and holidays are perhaps the time most people use their cameras. In fact, many people buy cameras on the eve of big trips. When you do so, you want to get the best pictures possible. Here are some articles to help you plan your travel, find the best photo spots, and get the stunning pictures you are after.

 

 

Dynamic Range thumbnailDynamic Range

Outdoor photographers are always dealing with problems related to the limited dynamic range of cameras. A bright sky and a dark foreground present a constant challenge. You will face it in nearly every picture. There are several ways to overcome it though. Here are the articles that will equip you for dealing with dynamic range problems:

 

 

Flash
Lighting and Flash

There is a school of thought in photography that you shouldn’t be chasing locations, but rather you should be chasing the light. Of course, there are others who bring their own light with them. In any case, the importance of dramatic lighting cannot be denied. Here are a few articles on finding and creating great light for your photos.

 

 

LR-logoPost Processing Courses

If you are unfamiliar with the world of post processing, it is time to dive in. A lack of time really holds many people back from getting started. If that is you, I have created courses to help you. The first is on learning Lightroom, and it is designed to show you everything you need to know in under an hour. The second is on learning Photoshop Elements. That might also be useful for those of you wanting to learn full Photoshop as well.

 

 

PS-logoPost Processing Techniques

Once you have dove into the world of post processing, there is a lot more to learn. Here are articles on some of the more important aspects of post processing. These articles focus on something everyone wants to know about (removing unwanted items from your pictures) and the most powerful tool in all of post processing (the curves adjustment layer in Photoshop). More to come as well.

 

 

WebsiteDisplay

Now that you have created some great photos, it is time to display them. We live in an extraordinary time when you can share your photos with the entire world and it costs very little to do so. These articles will show you how to create your own online portfolio website, and also show you what you need to know in terms of sizing those photos for the web.

 

 

 

Printing

Despite the wonders of digital display, everyone loves the photographic print. Historically, creating a print has been very difficult, but it is getting easier. Ink jet printing has come a long way, and you can make stunning prints in your own home. You can also outsource the work to others and get great results at good prices, if you know where to go. Whether you do it yourself or have others do your printing for you, these articles should help.

 

 

HistogramTechnical

Photography has always been a little technical. Some aspects of photography have gotten simpler as the technology has evolved, but others haven’t. Further, modern cameras have essentially become little computers. It is important to understand some of these technical aspects of photography, and these articles will help you do so.