Depth of field is one of those terms that photographers use all the time—yet it represents much more than just a “blurred background.” Working with depth of field directly affects image clarity, the viewer’s attention, and the overall feel of a photograph. Let’s look at depth of field in a way that goes beyond tables and formulas.  

Beginner photographers often adopt long-standing rules and clichés without questioning them. They accept them as facts—“this is not done” and “this is the right way.” Let’s look at five common photography myths and why they no longer apply.

At first glance, a snowless winter city can look dull and dreary, especially with overcast skies and cold, rainy weather. But winter is actually one of the best times to take compelling photos. You just need attention and creativity to learn how to spot them among the gray streets.

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.  

Car light trails are one of the most popular subjects for long exposure photography. They can transform an ordinary road into a dynamic image filled with lines and movement. In this article, we explore where and when to photograph cars, how to work with composition and shooting height, and how to simplify the shooting process using the right camera settings. Finally, we look at tips for post-processing using photo editing software. 

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.  

An external flash is a practical tool that many photographers buy early in their photography journey. It helps in situations where even the best lenses fall short and can save your shot when lighting conditions are poor. Let’s look at common uses for external flash and the best ways to set it up.  

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 how to set up your camera for landscape photography. Master f-numbers, ISO, RAW, and exposure settings to capture sharp, perfectly exposed shots.