Learning about photography basics

20 Essential Photography Tips for Beginners

Bob Books

1st January 2021

---

At Bob Books, we are dedicated to supporting both established and up-and-coming photographers with our professionals discount and logo-free software, ideal for creating client photobooks or professional portfolios. 

If you’ve just purchased your first DSLR and want to learn the basics or are looking for simple ways to update your existing photography skills, the following tips should help you build a strong foundation. 

Of course, photography is an art you’ll never really be ‘done’ learning. The best way to keep improving is to practice often, make mistakes and be open to learning from others, whether they’re well-established photographers or newcomers to the craft. 

• 1. Learn to hold your camera properly
• 2. Start shooting in RAW
• 3. Understand the exposure triangle
• 4. Wide aperture is best for portraits
• 5. Narrow aperture is best for landscapes
• 6. Learn to use Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes
• 7. Don’t be afraid to raise the ISO
• 8. Make a habit of checking the ISO before you start shooting
• 9. Be careful with your on-camera flash
• 10. Learn to adjust white balance
• 11. Learn to read the histogram
• 12. Play with perspective
• 13. Understand the rule of thirds
• 14. Eyes should always be in focus
• 15. Pay attention to the background
• 16. Invest in a tripod
• 17. Shoot in the early morning and evening
• 18. Invest in some good photo editing software
• 19. Be selective
• 20. Learn from your mistakes

1. Learn to hold your camera properly

This may sound obvious, but many new photographers don’t hold their camera correctly, which causes camera shake and blurry images. Tripods are of course the best way to prevent camera shake, but since you won’t be using a tripod unless you’re shooting in low light situations, it’s important to hold your camera properly to avoid unnecessary movement.

While you’ll eventually develop your own way of holding the camera, you should always hold it with both hands. Grip the right side of the camera with your right hand and place your left hand beneath the lens to support the weight of the camera.

The closer you keep the camera to your body, the stiller you’ll be able to hold it. If you need extra stability you can lean up against a wall or crouch down on your knees, but if there’s nothing to lean on, adopting a wider stance can also help.

2.

Start shooting in RAW

RAW is a file format like jpeg, but unlike jpeg, it captures all the image data recorded by your camera’s sensor rather than compressing it. When you shoot in RAW you’ll not only get higher quality images but you’ll also have far more control in post processing. For instance, you’ll be able to correct problems such as over or underexposure and adjust things like colour temperature, white balance and contrast.

One downside to shooting in RAW is that the files take up more space. Additionally, RAW photos always need some post processing so you’ll need to invest in photo editing software.

Ultimately, however, shooting in RAW can transform the quality of your images, so if you have the time and space, it’s definitely worth it. If you’re not sure how to switch from jpeg to RAW, check your camera’s manual for detailed instructions.

3. Understand the exposure triangle

Although it can seem a bit daunting at first, the exposure triangle simply refers to the three most important elements of exposure; ISO, aperture and shutter speed. When you’re shooting in manual mode, you’ll need to be able to balance all three of these things in order to get sharp, well-lit photos. 

ISO: ISO controls the camera’s sensitivity to light. A low ISO setting means the camera will be less sensitive to light, while a higher ISO means it will be more sensitive to light. An ISO setting of 100 to 200 is usually ideal when shooting outdoors during the day, but when shooting in low light situations, such as indoors or at night, a higher ISO of 400 to 800 or higher might be necessary. 

Aperture: Aperture is the opening in your lens and controls how much light gets through to the camera’s sensor. A wider aperture (indicated by a lower f-number) lets more light through, while a narrow aperture (indicated by a higher f-number) lets less light through. A wide aperture is great when you want to isolate your subject, but when you want the whole scene to be in focus, such as with group shots, you’ll need to use a narrow aperture.

Shutter speed: Shutter speed controls how long the shutter stays open when you take a picture. The longer the shutter stays open, the more light gets through to the camera’s sensor. A fast shutter speed is good for freezing action, while a longer shutter speed will blur motion. Read more about understanding shutter speeds on our blog.

4. Wide aperture is best for portraits

When shooting portraits, whether of people or animals, your subject should be the main focus of the picture and the best way to achieve this is to use a wider aperture. This will keep your subject sharp, while blurring out any distractions in the background. 

Keep in mind that a smaller f/ number means a wider aperture and the wider the aperture, the more dramatic this effect will be. Some lenses can go as low as f/1.2, but even apertures of f/5.6 can do the trick. To better understand how the aperture affects your images, switch to Aperture Priority Mode (Av or A) and try taking some shots with different apertures. If you want to get some tips and inspiration about taking portraits, head over to our interviews with photographers Reme Campos, Sian Davey and Samir Hussein.

Images © Sian Davey

5. Narrow aperture is best for landscapes

Landscape photographs require a different approach, because everything from the rocks in the foreground to the mountains in the background should be sharply in focus. So any time you’re shooting a scene where you want everything to be fully in focus, you should select a narrow aperture rather than a wide one. 

A larger f/ number means a narrower aperture, so go towards f/22 or higher, depending on what your lens allows. Again, using Aperture Priority Mode (Av or A) will allow you to experiment with different apertures without having to worry about adjusting the shutter speed each time. Take a look at our beginners guide to depth of field for more hints and tips.

6. Learn to use Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes

If you want to venture out of automatic mode but don’t feel confident enough to switch to manual yet, Aperture Priority Mode (A or Av) and Shutter Priority Mode (S or Tv) are two very useful options that are available on most cameras and will give you more control without being overly complicated.   

Aperture Priority Mode lets you select the aperture you wish to use and then the camera adjusts the shutter speed accordingly. So for instance, if you’re shooting a portrait and want to blur the background, you could simply select a wide aperture and let the camera figure out what shutter speed is appropriate. 

In Shutter Priority Mode, you select the shutter speed you want to use and the camera will select the aperture for you. So for example, if you want to get a clear shot of your dog racing towards you, you can select a fast shutter speed and let the camera choose the aperture for you.

7. Don’t be afraid to raise the ISO

Many photographers try to avoid ever shooting in high ISO as they’re afraid it will lead to grainy-looking photos or ‘noise.’ But while it’s true that using higher ISO can lead to lower image quality, there’s a time and place for everything. 

If you can’t lower your shutter speed due to motion blur and a tripod isn’t an option, it’s better to get a sharp photo with a bit of noise than no photo at all, and you’ll be able to remove a lot of noise in post processing anyway. Moreover, camera technology has improved so much in recent years that it’s now quite possible to produce amazing photographs even at ISO 1600, 3200, 6400 or higher. 

One way to minimise noise when shooting at higher ISOs is to use a wider aperture whenever possible. Slightly overexposing your image can also help, because making light areas darker in post processing won’t increase noise, whereas making dark areas lighter definitely will.

8. Make a habit of checking the ISO before you start shooting

Discovering that you’ve accidentally shot a whole series of images in ISO 800 on a bright sunny day can be extremely frustrating, especially if the photos were taken to document a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary or other event that can’t be recreated. 

It’s an easy enough mistake to make, though, so to avoid this unpleasant surprise, make a habit of checking and resetting your ISO settings before you start shooting anything. Alternatively, make a habit of resetting this every time you’re ready to put your camera back in its bag.

9. Be careful with your on-camera flash

If you’re not careful, using your camera’s built-in flash at night or in low light can lead to some unpleasant effects like red eyes and harsh shadows. In general, it’s better to crank up the ISO and get noisier photos than to use the on-camera flash and risk ruining the shot altogether. 

Sometimes, however, there may simply not be enough light, and if you don’t have off-camera lighting, you’ll be left with no choice but to use the built-in flash. If you find yourself in this situation and don’t want to miss the shot, there are a couple of things you can do. First of all, find the flash settings in your camera’s menu and reduce brightness as much as you can. 

Second, you can try diffusing the light from the flash by putting something over it. Securing a piece of paper or opaque scotch tape over the flash, for instance, can help diffuse the light and soften it. Or you could bounce the light off the ceiling by holding a bit of white cardboard in front of it at an angle.

10. Learn to adjust white balance

White balance can help you capture colours more accurately. Different types of light have different characteristics, so if you don’t adjust the white balance, the colours in your photography may take on a slightly blue, orange or green hue or ‘temperature.’

White balance can be fixed in post processing, of course, but it can become a bit tedious if you have hundreds of photos that need slight adjustments made, so it’s better to get this right in the camera. Some of the standard white balance settings you’ll find on your camera include Automatic White Balance, Daylight, Cloudy, Flash, Shade, Fluorescent and Tungsten. 

Each of these is symbolised by a different icon, so if you’re not sure which is which, check your camera’s manual. Automatic white balance works alright in some situations, but it’s generally best to change the setting according to the type of light you’re shooting in.

11. Learn to read the histogram

Although you probably glance at your camera’s LCD screen to see if you’ve correctly exposed an image, this isn’t a reliable way to assess exposure as images may appear brighter or darker on the screen than they really are. The best way to accurately check exposure at the time of shooting is to use your camera’s histogram, which is the little graph that shows up next to your images. 

Learning to interpret the histogram will take some time and practice, but the brief explanation of it is that it gives you information about the tonal range present in your image. The left side of the graph represents the blacks or shadows and the right side represents the whites or highlights.

If the graph is skewed to the right, your image may be overexposed and you’ll have lost a lot of detail in the lighter areas of the photo. If it’s skewed to the left, it’s likely underexposed and will be too dark. For a more in-depth explanation of the histogram, check out Digital Camera World’s histogram cheat sheets.

12. Play with perspective

The best way to get a bit more creative with your photography is to experiment with perspective. The exact same scene can often look very different when approached from a different angle, and capturing your subject from above or below may change the whole feel of a photograph.  

Not every angle will work for every photograph, of course, but you’ll never know what works and what doesn’t if you don’t experiment. When shooting animals or children, you can try getting down to their level and viewing the world through their eyes. If you’re shooting a portrait, why not stand on a bench and shoot your subject from above? 

Image © Simon Jay

13. Understand the rule of thirds

The rule of thirds is based on the idea that pictures are generally more interesting and well balanced when they aren’t centred. Imagine a grid placed over your images with two vertical lines and two horizontal lines that divide the picture into nine equal sections. 

If you were following the rule of thirds, rather than positioning your subject or the important elements of a scene at the centre of the photo, you’d place them along one of the four lines, or at the points where the lines intersect. Some cameras even have a grid option you can turn on, which can be useful if you’re still learning to compose your images.  

Of course, photography is all about creativity and personal expression, so you may sometimes choose to break this rule and place the points of interest elsewhere in your photo. This is absolutely fine, but before you start breaking this rule, it’s important that you understand it and are in the habit of consciously thinking about the points of interest and where you want to place them. We also have a list of compositional techniques to improve your photography, find out more.

14. Eyes should always be in focus

When shooting portraits, you’ll be focusing on a very small area so it will be more important than ever that you get a nice sharp image. The eyes in particular are an important facial feature, and they’re often the first thing people look at, especially when it comes to close-ups and headshots. 

With this in mind, your subject’s eyes should be your main point of focus. To get both eyes nice and sharp, choose a single focus point and aim it at one of the eyes. Once the first eye is in focus, keep the shutter button pressed halfway down and move the camera slightly to recompose the photo and include the second eye.

15. Pay attention to the background

Generally speaking, the background should be as simple and clutter free as possible so that it doesn’t pull the viewer’s attention away from the main subject of the photo. Muted colours and plain patterns tend to work well, because you don’t want viewers to end up being more interested in the colourful building or church tower in the background than your model. 

Fixing a distracting background can be as simple as moving your subject or changing your angle, but if that doesn’t work, it may be possible to obscure it by using a wider aperture and getting in as close to your subject as possible. Whenever you can, though, try to keep the background neutral, especially if you’re placing your subject off to the side of the photograph and the background is very visible. Find out some more tips with our guide to minimalist photography.

16. Invest in a tripod

If you want to get sharp photos in low light without raising the ISO too much, a tripod is an essential accessory. It will also allow you to experiment with long exposure photography, where you leave the shutter open for seconds or even minutes at a time, which can make for some amazing effects when photographing things like cityscapes or rivers and waterfalls. 

When purchasing your first tripod, there are a few things to consider such as weight, stability and height. Weight is important because you’ll be carrying the tripod around with you and don’t want anything too heavy, but it also needs to be stable enough to support your camera and the lenses you plan to use. You can hear more about what we recommend for upgrading your photography gear with our blog.

17. Shoot in the early morning and evening

Lighting can make or break a photo, and the early morning and evening are widely thought to be the best times of day for taking photos. In photography, the hour just after the sun rises or before it sets is called the “golden hour,” because the sun is lower in the sky and the light is softer and warmer.

Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits or still life, using the early morning or evening light can give your photos a serene feel with its warm glow and the long shadows it casts. Of course, the golden hour is not the only time you can get good outdoor photos, but it does make it easier.

18. Invest in some good photo editing software

Once you start shooting in RAW, post processing will become a must rather than an afterthought, so you’ll need to invest in some photo editing software that will allow you to perform basic editing tasks such as cropping, adjusting exposure, white balance and contrast, removing blemishes and more. 

Most professional photographers use programs like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, but if you want something a little less pricey to start with you can try Photoshop Elements, Picasa or Paint Shop Pro.

19. Be selective

It’s important to realise that every photographer, no matter how experienced or talented, gets some mediocre shots. The reason that their portfolios are so impressive, however, is that they only display their best work; they don’t bore you with ten photos of a nearly identical scene. 

So if you want your work to stand out when sharing your photos on Facebook, Instagram or photo sharing sites, try to narrow it down to just a couple of very good photos from each shoot. You may have shot hundreds of photos at your friend’s birthday party or your son’s football match, but by displaying all of them, you’re obscuring the five or ten really great shots that you got.

Have a look at our guide to creating your own portfolio, and read our interview with photographer Felix Rome on creating a powerful photo series.

Image © Felix Rome

20. Learn from your mistakes

Getting overexposed, blurry or badly composed photos can be frustrating, but rather than letting such photos discourage you, use them as a learning tool. The next time you get a bad photo; don’t immediately hit the delete button. Instead, spend some time studying the photo to work out what went wrong and how you could improve it. 

Most of the time there will be a simple solution such as trying a different composition or using a faster shutter speed, but if you see any recurring problems, you’ll have a chance to study up on specific aspects of photography and strengthen your weaker areas.

We have a wide range of photography interviews and guides to suit any type of photographer. Want to learn more about our professional portfolios and all year round discount? Then have a look at our professionals page.

Get in the zone - 5 Techniques to Boost Creativity and Wellbeing

Time-Saving Tips for Your Christmas Photo Books

10 Christmas Gift Ideas for Photographers

Photography Basics – The Ultimate Beginner’s Photography Guide

The photography basics are fundamental for anyone who is beginning to work in photography.

Regardless of your interests, gear, or goals, having a solid foundation of the main concepts of photography is key to capturing better images and improving your photography.

However, things are not easy when you start off; What are the photography basics? Which are the fundamental concepts of digital photography? What’s the best way to learn the basic elements?

I was in that position too, and I know that it’s hard. There are plenty of photography basics articles online, but the information is often incomplete or displayed in a non-logical order.

For that reason, I decided to create this beginner’s photography guide to learning the basics.

This photography basics guide is what I’d have loved to find when I first picked up my camera; all the important information you need to understand the main photography concepts displayed in a logical and digestible order. To help you in the process, I also included plenty of examples, infographics, and photography basics cheat sheets that will make everything easier.

Ready to learn the digital photography basics?

Basic concepts of photography

We’ll dive into each photography concept below but, in a nutshell, these are the main photography basics:

1. Exposure
2. Aperture
3. Shutter speed
4. ISO
5. Exposure triangle
6. Depth of field
7. Focal length
8. Sensor size
9. Focus
10. Sharpness
11. Camera settings
12. Camera modes
13. Metering modes
14. Focus modes & areas
15. White balance
16. Histogram
17. Composition
18. Photography gear
19. Editing
20. Photography tips for beginners

Below you’ll find all these photography basics explained.

Apart from this information, the best way to learn the basics is to check the specific article that you’ll find at the end of each photography concept. You can also download this photography basics guide as a PDF if you’re interested.

I promise that if you follow this beginner’s photography guide, you’ll learn and master all the photography fundamentals in a flash!

GET OUR FREE EBOOK TO
MASTER THE PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS

20 LESSONS AND 80+ PAGES WITH EXAMPLES, INFOGRAPHICS, TIPS, AND MORE!

1. Exposure – The main element of photography

Exposure is the most important photography basic and the first photography concept that you need to understand.

You’ve probably heard before the expression “photography is painting with light”, and it’s completely true! Photography is about capturing light, and exposure is so important because it’s the amount of light collected by your camera.

The photography exposure basics are composed of different elements that we’ll discuss below like the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. The fundamental thing to understand is the effect of exposure, which is to capture the image with a determined brightness (this is also called “Exposure Value”).

Ideally, the image should be correctly exposed, that is, with the perfect amount of brightness where you can see all the detail in the highlights and the shadows. However, in photography exposure there’s no right or wrong, and the artistic choice of many photographers is to capture an underexposed or overexposed image. For now, we’ll focus on the elements to capture a correct exposure.

Exposure basics also has other effects on the final look of the image like the depth of field, the motion, and the digital noise. We’ll also get into this throughout this photography basics tutorial.

Below, you can see a photography basics infographic with the main effect of exposure on an image.

Not clear enough? Check out our guide to photography exposure!

 

EXPOSURE IN PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE

 

2. Aperture – A fundamental concept in photography

Aperture is the first concept of the photography exposure basics.

In brief, the aperture works like our pupils; it’s the opening of the camera lens, which controls the amount of light that goes through the lens to the camera sensor.

This basic photography concept has a direct effect on the exposure; the wider the aperture the brighter the image will be, and the narrower the aperture the darker it will be. It also plays a significant role in the depth of field and sharpness of the image.

The max. and min. aperture of the lens is defined by a value known as “F-stop”. The larger the F-stop number is, the smaller/narrower the aperture and vice versa. This number follows a sequence like this:

The best aperture camera settings will depend on the light, the subject that you’re shooting, and the final look that you want in your image.

You can see all the main effects of this exposure setting in the below photography basics cheat sheet for aperture.

Interested in learning more about aperture with some real examples? Click below and check out our Guide to photography aperture!

 

APERTURE IN PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE

 

3. Shutter Speed – A key element for beginner photography

The second photography fundamental related to exposure basics is the shutter speed.

In short, shutter speed is related to how long the camera shutter is open and capturing light.

This has a significant impact on the exposure; a shorter shutter speed will translate into a darker image whereas a longer shutter speed will capture a brighter image.

Shutter speed is also a photography fundamental for capturing motion, something vital in some genres like long exposure photography. It also has an effect on the camera shakiness and the possibility of shooting handheld vs. the need for using a tripod.

The main way to measure shutter speed is using seconds and fractions of a second following a sequence like this:

The best shutter speed settings will depend on the available light and the motion that you want to capture in your subject.

You can see the main effects of this setting in the below photography basics chart related to shutter speed:

Want to find more information and examples? Check our complete guide to shutter speed!

 

GUIDE TO SHUTTER SPEED

 

4. ISO – A must in any beginner’s photography guide

The last of the exposure photography basics is the ISO.

In short, the ISO works by increasing the light information captured by the camera sensor.

This has a drastic effect on the exposure; the higher the ISO, the brighter the image will be, and the lower the ISO, the darker the photograph will be.

Apart from exposure, ISO has a major side effect called “digital noise”. As you increase the ISO, your image will be brighter but will also have more digital noise, which is an important element related to the quality of the image.

The ISO number is usually measured using “ISO levels”, which follows this sequence:

The main ISO camera settings will depend on the available light. If you’re shooting in low-light or night environments, you’ll have to use a higher ISO if you want to capture the right exposure. The same applies if you want to use a narrow aperture or fast shutter speed and there’s not enough light. You’ll have to strike a balance with the other photography basics. This might seem complex but it’s rather easy as you’ll see in the next photography concept.

You can see all the ISO effects in the following photography basics cheat sheet.

Would you like to master ISO? Check out our Guide to ISO in digital photography!

 

ISO GUIDE

 

5. Exposure triangle – the secret to understanding the photography basics

Once you understand the photography basics of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, it’s time to put them all together!

The best way to see how these elements interact with each other is through the exposure triangle.

The exposure triangle is included in most beginning photography guides, and it’s simply an analogy to explain the effects and interaction of the main photography basics of exposure. According to this, all three elements must be in balance if you want to capture a correctly exposed image. So, when you adjust one side of the triangle, you’ll have to adjust one or the two other sides to strike a balance.

For instance, if you open your aperture, you’ll have to either reduce the shutter speed or decrease the ISO to achieve the same amount of brightness (exposure level).

Using the exposure triangle is one of the best basic photography tips for beginners, and once you understand it, it’s very easy to put it into practice.

To make things easier, below you can find a photography basics cheat sheet with the exposure triangle analogy.

You can find an in-depth guide full of examples in our exposure triangle guide!

 

THE EXPOSURE TRIANGLE GUIDE

 

6. Depth of field – A basic concept in photography

One of the fundamentals of digital photography is the depth of field.

In short, depth of field is simply the space in the image that is acceptably sharp and in focus.

In photography, we can say that there’s a shallow depth of field when just a narrow portion of the frame is acceptably sharp, whereas we speak about a large depth of field when a big portion of the frame is considered to be in focus.

Depth of field is affected by many different factors:

• Aperture: The wider the aperture, the shallower the depth of field
• Focal length: The longer the focal length, the shallower the depth of field
• Focusing distance: The closer the subject to the lens, the shallower the depth of field
• Sensor size: The smaller the camera sensor size, the shallower the depth of field (*using the same focal length).

A good way to calculate the depth of field is by using a depth of field app or calculator. It’ll tell you the portion of your frame that will be reasonably sharp according to your camera, lens, and aperture.

The best way to understand this photography concept is through real examples, which you can find in our depth of field photography guide.

 

GUIDE TO DEPTH OF FIELD

 

7. Focal length – photography lens basics

Focal length is related to the photography lens basics.

It’s a vital photography concept to understand for creating your images and choosing the lenses that you’ll need in your gear.

The focal length works by describing each lens in terms of millimeters from the optical center of the lens to the sensor. Depending on how short or long the focal length is, this will have a direct impact on the field of view of your images and in other aspects like the depth of field.

For example, shorter focal lengths like wide-angle lenses will have a wide-angle of view, whereas longer focal lengths like telephotos will have a narrower angle of view. The focal length will also create different effects, like distortion in wide angles of view, and magnification in narrower angles of view.

All these elements are essential for anyone who is beginning in photography since it will affect the final look of your subject and image.

You’ll find this photography concept easily explained following the below basic infographic.

You can also find more info and examples of images taken with different focal lengths in our focal length guide!

 

FOCAL LENGTH GUIDE

 

8. Sensor size – A good photography fundamental to learn

Another photography fundamental for beginners that often goes overlooked is the camera sensor size.

The camera sensor size is truly important. There’s not an absolute best sensor size in photography, but rather different sensor sizes for different photographic needs.

The size used as a reference in digital photography is the classic 35 mm sensor size, also known as Full-Frame. If the sensor is smaller than this size, it’s said to be “cropped”, and if it’s bigger, it’s considered “medium format.“ Knowing the different types of sensors, their qualities, and what they can achieve, is also crucial to taking the pictures that you want.

For example, a basic rule in night photography is to use a sensor with larger pixels, since these are better at capturing light and will allow you to take a better-quality image with less digital noise.

The focal length is also important since smaller sensors will offer more reach and greater magnification for shooting subjects far away like in wildlife or sports.

The depth of field is the last effect of the camera sensors. Using the same field of view, the depth of field will be narrower in cameras with larger sensors and larger in cameras with cropped sensors. An example is portrait photography, where photographers usually shoot with larger sensors to decrease the depth of field and bokeh effect.

As you can see, understanding the sensor size is one of those photography basics that you must pay attention to.

Below you can see a photography basic cheat sheet with the main types of sensors in the market.

If you want to learn more about this and see examples taken with different sensors, check our guide to camera sensor size!

 

CAMERA SENSOR SIZE IN PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE

 

9. Focus – An essential concept to master

Focusing is one of the most common struggles for anyone beginning in photography.

Briefly, focusing consists of adjusting the lens to find the maximum sharpness, contrast, and resolution for a chosen subject.

There are two ways to focus in digital photography:

• Manual focus: Using your hands to tweak the focus ring until you get to the best focus.

• Automatic focus: Using the camera’s and lenses’ internal motors to focus on a given subject.

Using manual focus or autofocus will depend on the type of photography that you do. For instance, in some genres like macro and night photography, it’s better to use manual focus. Yet, in other genres, like wildlife or sports, autofocus is faster and will make things easier.

In some genres like landscape photography, you can focus on a specific distance that will help you achieve the maximum depth of field (or reasonable sharpness). This is called the Hyperfocal distance and it’s one of the best photography basics to learn. There are also more advanced techniques to achieve maximum sharpness like focus stacking that you can apply if you already have some experience. 

Talking about cameras, these are very different in terms of their focusing capabilities. Basic cameras usually have worse focusing capabilities like fewer focus points, and they are less reliable, while advanced cameras have a better focusing capacity even in low-light situations.

Most digital cameras include different focus modes and areas that we’ll cover in the photography basic settings below.

This photography basics infographic breaks down the main differences between Manual Focus vs. Autofocus.

You can learn how to focus and find 10 tips for focusing in our guide to focusing in photography.

 

GUIDE TO FOCUSING

 

10. Sharpness – The vital photography basic for better quality

Sharpness is a basic photography concept that can be more technical than others, but it’s rather easy to understand.

In a nutshell, sharpness is just how clearly detail is captured and processed in an image.

There are many factors affecting the sharpness of an image, like the sensor resolution, the lens, and even some photography basics that we already covered like the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

The editing basics and post-processing techniques are also important to achieve more sharpness. Images usually lack detail when they are taken straight out of camera (something called “softness” in photography), and you can correct this by using some sharpening software.

Lastly, the viewing distance is another important factor affecting sharpness. By definition, the perception of sharpness increases as the viewing distance of the image grows. That’s why billboards have a very small resolution when looked at closely.

“Soft” vs sharpened image

I highly encourage you to dive more into this photography concept by following our sharpening article and our guide with 30 tips to take sharper photos.

 

SHARPNESS GUIDE

 

11. Camera Settings – Basic photography settings

Once you understand the basic photography concepts, it’s time to put them into practice using the main photography settings on camera!

In short, these are the best camera settings for anyone starting in photography:

1. Aperture: f/1.8-f/5.6 in low light or for a narrower depth of field, and f/8-f/16 for a wider DoF
2. Shutter Speed: From 30 seconds to 1/4000^thof a second depending on the scene
3. ISO: 100-3200 in entry-level cameras, and 100-6400 in more advanced cameras
4. Camera Mode: Manual camera mode or Aperture-priority mode
5. Metering Mode: Matrix/Multi/Evaluative depending on your camera model
6. Focus Mode: AF-S for stills and AF-C for moving subjects
7. Focus Area: Single-point for stills and Dynamic/Zone for moving subjects
8. White Balance: Automatic WB
9. File Format: Raw File (or JPEG if you don’t want to edit your pictures)
10. Drive Mode: Single shooting for stills and continuous for moving subjects
11. Long exposure noise reduction: Off
12. High ISO noise reduction: Off
13. Color Space: sRGB
14. Image stabilization: On when shooting handheld and Off when shooting from a tripod
15. HDR/DRO: Off

We have a dedicated guide to basic camera settings for beginners where you can learn all the above buttons, dials, and functions on your camera.

 

CAMERA SETTINGS AND BUTTONS GUIDE

 

12. Camera Modes – The basics to make the most of your camera

Understanding camera modes is one of the basics in photography to help you familiarize yourself with your camera and improve as a photographer.

To put it simply, camera modes are the camera controls that allow the photographer to choose the main exposure settings for aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

They’re also called “shooting modes,“ and these are the main modes available in most digital cameras:

• Program Camera mode (“P Mode”): Using this mode, the camera automatically sets the shutter speed and aperture.

• Shutter Priority Mode (“Tv/S Mode”): You set the shutter speed and the camera selects the aperture.

• Aperture Priority Mode (“Av/A Mode”): You set the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed.

• Manual Camera Mode (“M Mode”): You set all the main settings on camera.

Using each mode will depend on your subject and your photographic skills, but generally, learning when to use the different camera modes is basic photography knowledge.

You can find more information and examples in our camera modes guide for beginners.

 

GUIDE TO CAMERA MODES

 

13. Metering Modes – The fundamental lighting concepts

Another photography fundamental for starters is the metering modes.

In short, metering modes are simply the way your camera calculates the available light of the scene. In photography, this can be done using the built-in exposure meter in camera or a handheld device.

Understanding how light works in photography is a basic concept that any photographer must know, and it’s the first step in learning the different ways your camera can calculate the light of the scene.

These are the basic metering modes to calculate the light in most digital cameras:

• Multi/Matrix metering: This mode evaluates the light of the entire scene by dividing the frame into different zones.

• Center-weighted metering: This mode uses the center of the frame to measure the light of the scene.

• Spot metering: Using this mode, the camera uses a single focus point to read the light.

By default, one of the basic photography techniques in any DSLR or mirrorless camera is to use Multi/Matrix metering, which will be accurate in most situations. However, in some particular scenarios, you might benefit from using either Center or Spot metering.

You can check out some examples in the below photography basics infographic related to the main camera metering modes.

If you want to dive into each specific mode and more examples, check out our dedicated guide to metering modes!

 

GUIDE TO METERING MODES

 

14. Focus Modes & Areas – Photography basics for any genre

You can’t learn the photography basics without understanding how the focus modes and areas work.

The focus modes help you decide whether you want the camera to lock the focus on a subject or to keep adjusting the focus as the subject moves across the frame.

The two main focus modes are:

• Single Autofocus Mode (AF-S/One-shot AF): The camera locks the focus on a subject and, if the subject moves, you’ll have to press the focus button again and repeat the process.➜ Best for stills, landscape, macro, astro, etc.

• Continuous Autofocus Mode (AF-C/AI-Servo): After focusing, the camera will track the subject when it moves within the frame. ➜ Best for action, wildlife, sports, street, etc.

Moving into the focus areas, these will help you set where the camera seeks to focus within a scene.

To do this, your camera uses different focus points and AI technology. In some genres, using a specific focus area is fundamental. That’s why the focus areas are one of the wildlife photography basics and it’s also vital in other genres like sport or street photography.

In a nutshell, these are the main focus areas in photography:

• Single Point Area Mode: You can select a single focus point. ➜ Best for landscape, still portraits, macro, and architecture.

• Dynamic Area Mode: If your subject moves, your camera will use several focus points to track it. ➜ Best for wildlife, sports, and street.

• Auto Area Mode: The camera automatically decides the best focus points. ➜ Best for scenes where you need to focus on something easy and close to the camera.

This camera basics infographic will give you a better understanding of the different focus areas.

The best way to learn this photography basic is by seeing real examples. You can see plenty in our Focus Modes & Areas article!

 

GUIDE TO FOCUS MODES & AREAS

 

15. White Balance – A must in any photography guide

White balance is one of those easy to understand photography basics.

Briefly, white balance is a photography concept aimed at capturing accurate colors in your image without being affected by the color of the light source. White Balance is related to color temperature, which is measured in “Kelvins” or “K”. The higher the K number, the cooler the color will be.

In your camera, you’ll have several white balance options:

• Automatic white balance (AWB): The camera automatically adjusts the best WB camera setting.

• White balance Presets (Semi-Automatic White Balance): The camera includes different preset modes related to different color temperatures.

• White balance manual camera setting (Custom white balance mode): You can manually adjust the white balance by either creating a custom white balance or setting a specific Kelvin number.

One of the best photography basic tips is to set the white balance to automatic. Thankfully, the white balance is a setting that you can change in post-processing without affecting the quality of the image, as long as you shoot in Raw.

I hope this photography basics cheat sheet helps you learn when to use the different white balance adjustments.

You can find more info & examples in our basic guide to white balance!

 

WHITE BALANCE GUIDE

 

16. Histogram – Understand the exposure basics

The histogram is a photography concept that most people beginning in photography find daunting. It looks like complex mathematics but, believe me, it’s very easy to understand and one of the most useful tools in your camera.

In a few words, the histogram is just a graphic representation of the exposure levels within an image. Using the histogram, you’ll be able to see a more accurate representation of the highlights and shadows of your image.

Reading the histogram is one of the basics in digital photography and will help you see if your image is correctly exposed or under/overexposed.

This photography basics infographic will help you understand how to read the histogram.

I also created a specific article where I talk about the best histogram and show real examples of histograms in photography. You can check it out below.

 

HISTOGRAM IN PHOTOGRAPHY

 

17. Composition – An indispensable photography basic

Beyond photography settings, gear, and other technical aspects, if you want your pictures to speak for themselves, one of the photography basics to master is the composition.

Composition is the language of photography, and using different compositional elements and rules, you’ll be able to capture and shape your visual message. When you compose your image, you have to arrange the elements of the scene to make them attractive to the viewer. This will also help you represent your visual message in the most harmonious and impactful way.

Composition can be broken down into different parts:

• Rules: Like the photography basic rule of thirds, the golden triangle, the rule of space, the golden spiral, the rule of odds, etc.

• Elements: Like leading lines, curves, geometric shapes, colors, etc.

• Techniques: Like symmetry, balance, repetition, patterns, scale, etc.

All these fundamentals are basic photography knowledge that you must learn if you want to capture the best possible images according to your vision.

The best way to learn composition is by studying basic photography books on composition and studying another good photographer’s or artist’s work.

You can start by checking our guide with the 25 photography composition basics.

 

THE 25 BEST COMPOSITIONAL ELEMENTS IN PHOTOGRAPHY

 

18. Photography gear – Camera and lens basics

Just as a carpenter uses a hammer, the camera, lenses, and other gear are your main tools to create images.

Basic photography gear includes the following elements:

• Digital cameras: The basic is a digital camera, and preferably it’s a DSLR or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. (You can see the different types in our DSLR vs. mirrorless guide).

When you shoot in low-light, like when photographing the Milky Way, certain camera models will help you get better results. You can see different models in our guide to cameras for Milky way photography.

• Lenses: They are as equally important as cameras to shoot quality images.

The photography lens basics include a wide range from fish-eye lenses of 7-8 mm to super-telephoto lenses like 600-800 mm.

The type of lens and focal length will depend entirely on the type of photography that you’re doing. In most scenarios, your images will be in the range from 14-400 mm.

The brightness of the lens is also crucial. Lenses with a large aperture, like f/1.8 or f/2.8, are usually aimed at shooting portraits and low-light photography like astrophotography. These are called “fast lenses”. You can see some of these in our article on the best lenses for night photography.

• Tripods: A sturdy tripod is essential in some genres like long-exposure photography, Milky Way photography, Northern Lights photography, and other photographic situations.

• Lens filters: These types of filters will allow you to create long exposures and to achieve creative effects in your images. There are many different types and models that you can take a look at in our guide to camera lens filters.

• Others: There are many other pieces of gear like camera bags, SD cards, batteries, etc., and others that you might need depending on your shooting, like flashesand external lights, photography gloves, star trackers, etc.

This basic photography concept deserves its own article, which you can find below.

 

GUIDE TO TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY CAMERA GEAR

 

19. Editing – Photography editing basics

One of the last photography basics consists of the final editing and processing of our images.

The photography editing basics are about striking a balance in the exposure between the highlights and the shadows, sharpening the image, managing the color, and generally fine-tuning the final image.

Some photographers also use post-processing to create artistic effects that can represent their vision. This, of course, depends on your personal taste, but editing and processing are photography fundamentals that you need to know to have well-rounded images.

For anyone beginning in photography, I always recommend checking editing video tutorials online from photographers they like and admire. It’s one of the best ways to be engaged in learning the editing basics.

Editing and processing is a fundamental step to make the most of your image

20. Photography tips for beginners – The ultimate tips for beginning in photography

We couldn’t finish this photography concepts guide without a few photography basics tips and tricks for beginners.

1. Understand how light in photography works
2. Get started in photography by shooting in Raw
3. Don’t be afraid of the camera’s manual mode
4. Learn how to properly hold your camera
5. Be aware of the importance of a tripod when you start in photography
6. Take your time to zoom in on your images to find mistakes
7. Study and look at as many photographs as possible
8. Ask for feedback from other photographers
9. Take your camera with you as much as you can
10. Focus on the process, not the results

I explain these and 15 more photography basic tips in our article on the best 25 tips for beginners!

 

THE 25 BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

 

Conclusion

Learning the photography basics can look like an uphill task. There are too many photography concepts to understand, and so much information can be overwhelming at first.

However, I’m sure that using this beginner’s photography guide will make the process easier for you. My advice is to learn the main photography fundamentals one by one. Understand the theory, check the examples, and most importantly, try to put them into practice!

I hope that this photography basics tutorial along with all the infographics and specific articles will help you along the way. Remember that you can also download our photography basics PDF guide so you can check it out anywhere in the future 😉

My last tip for anyone beginning in photography is not to be shy, so if you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments!

online photography training - Skillbox

Participates in the Christmas sale Discounts up to 55% 0 days 00:00:00

Course

Learn how to shoot in different genres, retouch photos, do color correction and set the light. Gather a portfolio and be able to earn money doing what you love.

• 4-month photography basics
• Work in different genres and styles
• Shooting with models and stylists
• Can be accessed from a mobile phone

About the profession

The popularity of photography is growing every year. Customers are looking for specialists for individual photo shoots, fashion and advertising shoots, reports from holidays and events.

Most photographers work as freelancers, so they can choose interesting orders and plan downloads themselves. nine0009

Who this course is for

• Beginners in photography

  You will learn how to frame a frame, take professional shots in different genres and process photos. You can take cool pictures for yourself or start a creative career.

• For amateur photographers

  Improve your photography skills. You will be able to develop filming concepts, work in a team and communicate with customers. Take it to the next level and turn your hobby into a business. nine0009

• For those who need photography for work

  Learn how to take cool pictures even with your phone. Master subject, portrait and reportage photography. Learn how to create visuals for websites, catalogs and social networks on your own.

What you will learn

1. Working with photography

   Learn the basics of photography. You can manually adjust camera settings: white balance, shutter speed, exposure, and focus. nine0009

2. Capture eye-catching shots

   Come up with original concepts, use professional techniques and play with trends in your own way.

3. Composition

   Learn how to choose the perfect angle and correctly distribute accents. Learn the rules of composition and understand how to break them beautifully.

4. Set the Light

   Learn how lighting helps the photographer highlight a model or subject. Learn to work with different light sources. nine0009

5. Edit images

   Learn how to retouch and color correct in popular photo editors. You can make your photos even better.

6. Work with clients and the team

   Learn how to find customers and turn them into regular customers. Learn to work correctly with models and film crew.

About Skillbox

Skillbox

No. 1 in the quality of training organization among EdTech companies in the CPE segment. Rating from Smart Ranking. nine0009

for the quality of education. All theory is recorded with top market experts, and practice is as close as possible to real work tasks. Hear what those who have already achieved their goals with Skillbox have to say.

Works of course participants

In the course, users create their own photo projects even if they have not shot professionally before. And you can do it too!

How to learn on the platform

• Registration

  Get to know the platform

  The Skillbox platform is our own development, which we are constantly improving. Videos, practical tasks and communication with curators are waiting for you. Access to the materials will open immediately after the purchase of the course.

• Theory

  Gain knowledge

  Courses consist of thematic videos of different duration. Watch them anytime, anywhere. Access is perpetual, so you can always come back and repeat the theory. nine0009

• Practice

  Complete tasks

  We believe that skills can only be developed through practice. Therefore, after the theory, practical work or a test awaits you. All tasks are close to real - they can be proudly put in the portfolio.

• Feedback

  Working with a supervisor

  Tasks are checked by curators. These are experts on the topic of the course. They will help with difficult tasks and suggest how to improve your projects. You can communicate with checking curators directly on the platform. nine0009

Photography from scratch

You will learn how to take pictures with any camera and process images. Learn how to work with light and color at a basic level.

1. Introduction to photography

   Meet the speaker and learn how to overcome fears and start shooting.

2. Mobile photography

   Learn how to choose the mode and angle when shooting with a mobile phone. Learn how to compose a shot and shoot in different lighting conditions. Check out the best photo editing apps. nine0009

3. How to choose a camera

   Learn the pros and cons of different camera types and see which one suits you best. You can choose the perfect camera and optics.

4. Shutter speed

   Find out what role shutter speed settings play. You will understand how to avoid unnecessary blurring of frames or, on the contrary, show dynamics in the photo.

5. Aperture

   Learn how to adjust aperture and depth of field. Learn how to create a bokeh effect in a photo and how optics affect depth of field. nine0009

6. Exposure

   Familiarize yourself with the exposure triangle and understand the relationship between ISO, shutter speed and depth of field. Explore different shooting modes.

7. Focusing and Metering

   Learn the features of manual and auto focus, and learn about different metering modes.

8. White balance and temperature

   Learn about color temperature and white balance. Get to know the RAW format of photos and its advantages over others. You will understand the nuances of working with white balance on a film camera. nine0009

9. Light

   Explore different types of light: natural and artificial, continuous and pulsed. Learn how to combine different types of lighting in one shot. Familiarize yourself with light sources and types of light shaping attachments. Learn how to use flash and take several photos in different lighting.

10. Color

    Get to know the basic characteristics of color and learn to understand the color wheel. Learn more about the perception of shades, the language of color and working with contrasts. nine0009

11. Composition

    Learn the basics of composition and use them in your shots - or break the classic rules to grab the viewer's attention. Learn how to create a frame with a catchy composition.

12. Processing

    Get to know the most popular photo editing programs and explore their possibilities. Learn the basic processing techniques that will make your photos even better. nine0009

13. Photo inspiration

    Learn how to work with mood boards and references. You will understand where the line is between inspiration and copying someone else's work. You can earn on personal projects.

14. Bonus module. Film photography

    Learn how to choose the right film. Learn the different types of cameras and understand the difference between film and digital.

15. Working with finished photos

    Get to know the basic requirements for photography technique. Learn how to work with the archive of photos.

16. Genres of photography

    Learn about the specifics of Fashion, subject, portrait, wedding and other types of photography. Understand what genre you want to develop.

Photography PRO

You will try yourself in different genres of photography. You will understand how to arrange a portfolio, learn how to communicate with customers and models. nine0009

1. Introduction to the profession

   Understand how the ability to see and analyze what is happening around helps the photographer in his work.

2. What's going on behind the scenes

   Find out what steps the preparation for shooting consists of. Practice collecting references and preparing moodboards.

3. Bonus module. Basic work kit

   Prepare the perfect kit for street and portrait photography. nine0009

4. PRO exposition

   Find out how the exposition helps to solve creative problems. Learn about multiple exposure and bracketing.

5. Working with a model

   You will learn the nuances of working with a professional and non-professional model. You can help anyone get rid of awkwardness and tune in to the shooting. Learn the basics of posing and be able to tell the model which position is best for her to take.

6. Product and interior photography

   Learn the basic principles of product and interior photography. Learn how to arrange light for shooting subjects and create interesting compositions from objects in the frame.

7. Flash light

   Get to know the characteristics of flash light. Learn to adjust the contrast and hardness of the light, as well as work with light shaping attachments. Learn the principles of building lighting schemes. nine0009

8. Permanent light

   Learn how to control permanent light with frames, reflectors and grids. You can use special effects. You will understand how to work with LED lighting and combine different types of light on the site.

9. Mixed color

   You can combine flash light with daylight, color or long exposure light.

10. Reportage

    Learn to capture great moments and capture live footage outdoors and indoors.

11. Processing PRO

    Learn how to process photos in Photoshop using overlays, masks and selections.

12. Painting with light

    Understand how the process of painting with light works. Learn how to use light brush and freezelight techniques.

13. Creating a portfolio

    Learn how to create a portfolio that will attract the attention of customers, and on what platforms it can be placed. nine0009

14. Legal

    Find out what you can and can't take pictures of, where you can't take pictures without special permission, and in which cases you have no right to publish pictures. Learn the legal nuances of commercial and non-commercial filming. Learn how to properly conclude a contract with a customer.

15. Bonus module. Careers in Photography

    Get an idea of ​​careers that involve photography. Learn about photo editors, art directors, videographers, retouchers, collagists, and stock photographers. You will understand how else you can develop in the photography industry if you want to do more than just shoot. nine0009

16. Psychology and photography

    Learn to work in a team, communicate with clients and models, set career goals.

Get a presentation of the course and a specialist consultation

Your application successfully sent

Our manager will contact you in the near future

The final project

• photos for Portfolio

  You will take a series of pictures in your favorite genre. Develop a concept, find a location, set the light and process the photo. These pictures will be included in your portfolio. nine0028 Photographer

  Anna
  Radchenko Director, founder of the Academy for Promotion for Creative People CTRL+ALT

  Anastasia
  VEYDIKOTOVA Lawyer

  SPILOV

  Pale

Free Year of English

Skillbox launched an online platform for learning English. Sign up for the course and get one year free access to project materials.

Offer valid for users who have purchased any course since December 22, 2021.

Waiting for you:

• method of accelerated memorization of words and grammar;
• personal language learning program to help you start speaking from scratch; nine0016
• the possibility of individual sessions with curators.

FAQ

• I have never photographed. Will I succeed?

  Of course! You will succeed even without special knowledge just pay more attention to practice and read additional literature. The rest will be helped by experienced curators who will accompany you throughout the course.

• Do I need a professional camera? nine0028

  A mobile phone is enough to complete the first modules. But then it will be easier to implement your ideas and get truly spectacular shots by working with advanced photographic equipment. An amateur level DSLR or mirrorless camera or higher will do.

• What programs will be needed for classes?

  You will work in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom.

  The free subscription period lasts 7 days. Further, the cost of the subscription will depend on the chosen tariff. nine0009

  Both programs can be downloaded from the official website.

• What is the training schedule on the platform? Can you combine it with work?

  You can study the course materials in a mode convenient for you, combine learning on the platform with work and personal life. Moreover, all videos will be available at the end of the course, so you can brush up on your knowledge at any time.

• How many hours per week will I need to devote to classes? nine0028

  It all depends on you. On average, platform users work from 3 to 5 hours a week.

• Who will help me learn on the platform?

  You will have curators on the platform and in the course's Telegram chat. They will comment on practical work, give useful advice and answer any questions. You can adopt their experience, professional knowledge and life hacks.

• Are there any installment plans? nine0016
• Novosibirsk
• Omsk
• Perm
• Rostov-on-Don
• Ufa
• Chelyabinsk

18 photography lessons for beginners

Lessons
• 1 min to read
• 31508

Arseniy Mikhalchenko explains the basics of photography in a simple and understandable way.

From these lessons you will learn about the device of the camera, what is the difference between a SLR and a film camera, how to set the aperture and exposure to get the best result, as well as a lot of useful theoretical and practical information.

---

Learn more

• 
  Cute color backgrounds
• 
  Event capture photography
• 
  Best recording cameras
• 
  Print photo onto fabric
• 
  Nikon polarizer filter
• 
  Gifts for a photographer friend
• 
  Sexy maternity shoot ideas
• 
  Unity definition photography
• 
  List the principles of art
• 
  How much do models get paid per shoot
• 
  Urban picture quotes