Most of today’s camera sensors are based on a single design. But besides its benefits, that design also has its negatives, which can end up reflected in your photos. Because of this, manufacturers are always seeking better, more functional alternatives that can cut back on the drawbacks. Read on to find out how their various solutions differ and what you can expect from your sensor.

Zoom burst is an impressive photographic technique, and it’s also one you may have encountered before. It leads to an impactful picture that gives an impression of staggering speed and produces attractive optical effects. We’ll show you how to master this technique.

Diffraction, that is, the bending of light, is a problem that’s encountered by many photographers. But they often don’t even realize it. Meanwhile, diffraction can make your photos lose sharpness. And that’s something that most photographers want to avoid. So it’s good to know what causes diffraction and how to avoid it—and also how to take advantage of it.

Dust and grit can really make life hard for your camera. Fortunately there are several tools and techniques you can use to clean its lens and sensor yourself, to remove the grit without having to head in to a shop. We’ll show you what to do.

Mobile phone cameras—they’re always there for you, and they often give you as much quality as a real camera would. Mobile photography has real advantages. And so you see these kinds of pictures more and more often. But even phone photography has its rules that you need to follow to get the best photos possible. Get to know them.

The phrase “crop factor” (also called “focal length multiplier” or “focal length magnification”) defines a sensor’s size relative to a frame of analog film. But do you know how it influences the way that photos from phones, compacts, and APS-C DSLR cameras look compared to photos from a full-frame camera? There are big differences in the focal length, lens speed, and sharpness.

The dot tune method can help you to adjust focus when your camera has been focusing a little in front of or behind your selected subject. You just need some basic photo equipment and the right distance and angle between the camera and a block of text you’ll focus on.

Quick and precise focusing even in difficult light. That’s one of the main advantages of DSLRs. They also offer photographers several focusing modes that make it easier to photograph every kind of scene, from static to action-packed. But it can be hard at first to understand them all. So join us for a look at which mode means what and when to use them.

You’ve just acquired your first DSLR, and you’re ready to head out on your first photo expedition. In order to get the most out of it, you need to learn its controls. Take a look at what you should keep in mind when you’re shooting with a DSLR.

Shutter Priority and Aperture Priority. Take a look at which mode to use when, how to work with them, and when it pays to choose manual mode.