Photography Tips

Practical photography tips, organized by what you are shooting. Every guide below is free to read – no sign-up, no paywall. Pick a topic and start with the one that matches your next shoot.

Save

Camera basics

The three settings every other tip builds on. Start here if you are new to manual mode.

• Aperture tips
  What f-stops mean, when to use them, and a free aperture chart PDF.
• Shutter speed tips
  Freeze or blur motion on purpose – minimum shutter by subject, with a free chart PDF.
• ISO tips
  A starting ISO for every kind of light, with a free chart PDF.

Shooting by genre

• Portrait photography tips
  The seven things that actually move a portrait forward.
• Wedding photography tips
  Five mistakes you should never make at a wedding.
• Landscape photography tips
  The do’s and don’ts that decide whether a landscape works.
• Food photography tips
  Gear, light and settings for food that looks as good as it tastes.
• Travel photography tips
  Guides for shooting the places you travel to.
• Photography business tips
  The real-world guide to starting a photography business.

Field techniques

Specific subjects, step by step.

• Photograph moving water
  Long exposures, shutter choices, and the gear that keeps frames sharp.
• Photograph lightning
  A six-step guide for beginners – safety, settings, timing.
• Photograph fireworks
  What you need to know before the show starts.
• Photograph the stars
  A step-by-step guide to night sky shots.
• Photograph snowflakes
  The complete guide, start to finish.
• Photograph large structures
  Angles, lenses and light for buildings and monuments.
• Aerial photography for beginners
  Getting started with drone photography.

Gear

Once the technique is clear, the right tool matters. Our buyer’s guides name specific picks with honest pros and cons.

• Photography gear tips
  The complete buyer’s guide library – cameras, lenses, tripods, bags and more, organized by use case.