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.

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.  

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

Fast-moving subjects mean different things to different people. Some people think of sports, others flying birds, a race car, or an airplane. But they all have one thing in common—everything takes place in a fraction of a second and the photographer has to be ready. Besides quick reflexes, the right camera settings also play a key role. Let’s take a look at what to focus on when shooting fast-moving subjects. 

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.  

Portraits are one of the most common genres. What photographer hasn’t taken pictures of friends, family, or themselves while traveling or at a party? But to take your photos to the next level, it’s important to understand how to find and work with the perfect lighting. In this article, I focus on working with light outdoors, look at specific real-world situations, and share my tips for getting the best possible light from the scene.  

Blowouts, also called blown highlights, are overexposed areas in a photo where detail is completely lost. They can easily ruin an otherwise great shot. Learn how to avoid blowouts both while shooting and during editing. 

It’s happened to many of us: you want to capture the cozy mood of a candlelit apartment in the evening, but your camera’s automatic mode brightens the image and ruins the atmosphere. Or maybe you’re trying to photograph children playing, but a slow shutter speed leaves you with a blurry shot. This is where manual mode comes in.