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Photography Tutorials

The most important pages of the site are the tutorials. These can be read separately, in any order, as each is a self-contained piece. Each piece, of course, forms part of the whole and I have tried to assemble them in some sort of logical order.

As with any subject, the topics overlap and interlink, so there are a lot of links in the texts that will skip you from topic to topic. If you are in the middle of an article and have skipped to another page, you may need to use the back button in your browser to get back to where you were.

The table below lists all the tutorials on the site and attempts to grade them as to who they were intended for.

Don't take too much notice of the grading, you will be able to understand most of it even as a beginner and even advanced photographers will find there are some gaps in their knowledge. I know I still have plenty to learn. The 'three camera' tutorials however, are for the more adventurous seekers of knowledge and definitely should be left till last by newcomers.

Tutorial Description Level
Equipment
Cameras A short introduction to the types of cameras available and a discussion on what you need to look out for when buying a camera.
Tripods More of a 'why you need a tripod' than a buyers guide, but it does include some tips on buying and using a tripod.
Basic Photography
Selection A short piece of advice on showing your pictures to others.
Composition An introduction to composition, explaining the 'rule of thirds' and the use of diagonals.
Cropping How to fill your frame with your subject.
Viewpoint Another important aspect of composition.
Exposure Getting away from the auto settings.
Shutter Speed & Apertures An explanation of the mechanics of exposure and the side effects of choosing different aperture/shutter speed combinations.
ISO Speed Another piece of the exposure puzzle.
Reciprocity Failure An explanation, strictly for the jargon heads.
Lighting
Lighting Introduction page
Available Light Getting the best out of the sun.
Flash Break away from the in-camera flash.
Inverse Square Law A bit of Physics for those who feel the need.
Working with different subjects
Close-Ups What you need and what to watch out for.
Extended Depth of Field For perfectionists.
Animals A few tips for the budding wildlife photographer.
Buildings Lighting and perspective.
Fireworks All the settings you need.
Portraits Techniques to help you capture those golden moments.
Working with Models Bribing people to sit for you.
Sports & Action Tips on how to capture fast action.
Photo Editing
Photo Editing Introduction page
Size Scaling your files.
Contrast Balancing those pixels.
Colour Dealing with colour casts.
Processing RAW Files

An introduction to Adobe Camera Raw.*

Processing RAW Files using HSL Advanced use of ACR.*
Sharpening Using the unsharp mask.
Using the Quick Mask Masking parts of your picture to edit certain areas.
Adjustment Layer Masks How to build accurate layer masks.*
Straightening Horizons A must for landscape and building photographers.
Replacing Boring Skies Using layers in Photoshop.
Videos on Compositing Video tutorials on using layers.
Using the Channel Mixer How to make a better job of changing images from colour to black & white.
Using Curves on Adjustment Layers laying with contrast and tones to give a more dramatic effect.
High Dynamic Range How to shoot and process HDR pictures with Photomatix Pro software.
What to do with your Photos
Printing Printing your own and sending them out.
What Now? What to do with your masterpieces.
Selling your Photographs The world of microstock

Tutorials maked with an * were written by professional photographer and author Dan Moughamian. A native of Chicago and an Adobe Certified Expert, Dan has spent considerable time as a member of Adobe's application testing programs, and has been using Photoshop and other Adobe applications since 1993.

His book Real World Compositing with Adobe Photoshop CS4, takes a holistic look at the entire creative process, from brainstorming to raw image optimization to the blending of images into a single scene. Dan also is the author for two Photoshop training videos: Digital Photography Workflow with Photoshop CS4, and Core Lightroom 2. For 2009, Dan is planning articles that touch on not only the technical side of digital photography but also the creative side.

In an effort to cater for different readers I have divided the knowledge into three distinct levels.

  • Tips - appear in yellow text and are designed as the 'quick fix' department if you want to improve your photography quickly, with the minimum of reading and are prepared to take my word for the details, you could do worse than just follow all the tips. With such readers in mind I have introduced the 'top ten photography tips' page.
  • The main body of the text contains more detailed explanations and examples. This is the level at which you will get much more of the whys and wherefores to help the knowledge stick in your mind. I, personally, find it very difficult to retain a new concept if I do not understand why.
  • Anything labeled 'Technical Stuff' is for the ultra curious and those with a certain scientific bent. They are there for completeness. Don't worry at all if you get lost in these bits or don't fully understand. Skipping these bits will not make you any less successful as a photographer.

Enjoy your reading - Geoff.

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If you have a question about photography or a request for a tutorial on a subject not covered please visit the Community Forum where you can post your questions and requests and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

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