There’s often movement in photos—people walking, animals jumping, things falling, water splashing. Yet motion is also one of the things that causes photographers the most trouble. In this article, I show you how to recognize and capture the moments that make viewers stop and say, “Wow, that’s it!” 

Hard and soft light are a constant topic of discussion in photography. Yet despite how often they’re talked about, there’s still a lot of confusion around them. You’ll often hear that one type of light is “right” and the other is “wrong.” In this article, we’ll look at how hard and soft light really differ and how to use each one in practice. We’ll also debunk a few common myths along the way.  

We’re always learning as photographers. First, we master the basics. Then we add more techniques. And eventually, we’re able to deliver high-quality results in almost any conditions without overthinking it. That’s what this article is about—how to take flattering portraits of your client, even if they have no posing experience but still want to look good in the final photos.

UV, or black light, sits at the far end of the visible light spectrum. In the dark, it makes objects and materials that reflect this part of the spectrum glow. Whites react the strongest, but they’re far from the only ones. UV light is used in many fields, so why not use it for photography and create striking portraits? 

Every photo lives and dies by light. You can have the perfect lens, the perfect expression, and the perfect pose, but if the light doesn’t match your intent, the photo will never have depth or atmosphere. In this article, we don’t discuss the quantity or quality of light, but rather its direction. And in portraits, where it falls on the face.  

Lens speed made simple: Learn what lens aperture means, how it affects your photos, and when it is—or isn’t—worth investing in fast glass.

Meta description: Get your camera’s built-in flash under control. Learn how to soften harsh light, bounce it off walls, and get natural-looking photos—easily and affordably, even without an external flash.

Taking photos in the city on a bright day? Learn how to work with hard and soft light, find the best backgrounds, and master photography even in harsh midday sun.

Learn what lens focal length is, how zoom works, and when to use a wide-angle, portrait, or telephoto lens.

Do you have a camera with a basic lens (like an 18–55 mm), love taking portraits, but still can’t seem to get that beautiful blurry background you see in other portraits? Let’s be honest—a portrait with a nicely blurred background just looks more professional than one where everything is in sharp focus. Don’t worry, you don’t need to rush out and buy an expensive lens. To start with, you can work with the gear you already have.