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• Bright Spots in Photos

Do you understand the impact of bright spots in photos? They can work for you, to enhance your image, or they can work against you as distractions. Watch this video to make sure you have your bright spots working for you!

 

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Video Transcript

Are you looking for a quick way to polish up your photographs? Hi, I’m Julie from Ultimate Photo Tips, and for today’s Two Minute Photo Tip, I want to talk about bright spots in photos. The way that the human brain is wired means that you’re viewer’s attention is going to go immediately to the brightest thing in your photograph. Now, this can work for you, or it can work against you.

It’s working against you if the brightest thing in the frame is not something that you want your viewer to be looking at. For example, you may inadvertently have a lamp, or even a window, or a blank, white sky, or even a white object that’s not part of your story. If any of those are in your frame, that’s where your viewer is going to look first, so you need to think about recomposing.

© Julie Waterhouse Photography
Your eye is drawn immediately to the bright sky in the top right.

© Julie Waterhouse Photography
Eliminating the bright sky keeps your eye on the trees and path.

Now, it can also work for you, if you arrange things so that your subject is the brightest thing in the frame. That way, your viewer’s attention is immediately going to go just where you want it to.

© Julie Waterhouse Photography
Here, the bright path leads the eye through the image to the lit trees at the end.

Make sure that you’re paying attention, and that you’re in control of where the bright spots in your images are!

That’s your tip about bright spots in photos for today! If you like this video, please like it, tweet it and share it with your friends. For more great tips, be sure to visit ultimate-photo-tips.com and sign up for my newsletter, where I share tips, ideas and inspiration that I don’t share anywhere else!

Happy shooting, and I’ll see you next time.

 

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• Digital Photography Technique
• Shutter Speeds

Choosing the right setting for your shutter doesn’t have to be intimidating! If you’re avoiding manual mode because picking the right speed is a mystery, then this short video will help you take control of your settings to create images that tell your story.

 

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Video Transcript

Are you confused by what shutter speed you should be using? Are you avoiding the issue by avoiding manual mode altogether? Hi, I’m Julie from Ultimate Photo Tips, and today’s Two Minute Tip is all about using your shutter setting for creative control. You can get to the correct exposure through any number of combinations of shutter speed and aperture. If you have a wide aperture, you may only need a fast speed for your shutter. If you have a small aperture, you’re going to need a slow speed for your shutter to get to the same exposure. But, you’ll get there with either combination, so how do you know which one to choose?

It all depends whether you subject is moving If you subject is not moving, then shutter speeds are not going to make any difference. But if your subject is moving, they can make all the difference in the world. Imagine that a person is walking through your frame as you are shooting. If you have a really fast shutter speed, you’ll freeze the motion, and you’ll make them look still in the image. If you have a longer shutter speed, and the person walks through your frame, they’re going to appear as a blur, or maybe a ghostly effect, because they’re actually covering a portion of your frame as you’re exposing.

[Moving] water is a great subject to experiment with when you’re trying out different shutter settings. Let me show you a couple of examples:

© Julie Waterhouse Photography

In this first example (above), I’ve used a very fast shutter speed, and I’ve actually frozen the water droplets in mid-air. You wouldn’t normally see them like that [with your eyes] but that’s the result of a fast shutter.

© Julie Waterhouse Photography

In this next example (above) I’ve used a bit longer shutter speed, and although there’s still a bit of detail in the waves, the water is starting to smooth out.

© Julie Waterhouse Photography

In this final example (above), everything looks very calm, because I’ve used a very long shutter speed — 30 seconds in this case — to give a sort of misty effect. You don’t see any actual detail in the water any more.

So, what is the right speed for your shutter? Well by now, you probably know that there is no right or wrong. It’s all about the story you want to tell. So, grab your camera, find a moving subject, and start experimenting with different shutter speeds.

If you like this video, please like it, tweet it and share it with your friends. For more great tips, be sure to visit ultimate-photo-tips.com and sign up for my newsletter, where I share tips, ideas and inspiration that I don’t share anywhere else!

Happy shooting, and I’ll see you next time.

 

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• Creative Photos

Do you think that creativity is all about having complete freedom? I think it’s just the opposite. Restrictions are what really make us creative photographers. Watch this video to find out more, and get some ideas of restrictions you can impose on yourself to boost your photographic creativity.

 

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Video Transcript

Are you looking for ways to boost your photographic creativity? You came to the right place! I’m Julie, from Ultimate Photo Tips, and today’s Two Minute Photo Tip is all about being creative.

A lot of people believe that creativity is all about complete freedom. I actually believe the opposite. I think it’s about restrictions. Think about this. If I asked you to cook me a dinner, bit I didn’t give you any restrictions, you wouldn’t have to be very creative. You could make your favorite recipe. You could use what you have in the fridge. But what if I added some restrictions? What if I said, "Make me a delicious meal that has avocados, marshmallows, and pasta?" That’s an odd combination, so now you’re going to have to get really creative to make something that tastes good. So actually, the more restrictions you have, the more creative you have to be.

How can you use that in your photography? You can set yourself some exercises where you impose restrictions on yourself. Here are some examples:

1. Go out for a day, and shoot with only one lens, preferably a fixed focal length. That’s going to get you seeing through the perspective of that particular lens.
2. How about going out and shooting photographs from only ground level, to give you a different perspective again?
3. How about photographing only red things? That will make you pay attention to things you might otherwise not notice.
4. You could try photographing a particular subject. maybe something unusual. You could try "feet." Anything that puts you out of your comfort zone.
5. My favorite project is a 365 project; taking a photo every day for a year. That’s a pretty significant restriction!
6. How about taking only self-portraits for a year, every day!

You get the idea! Anything you like that imposes a restriction on you is going to push you to make more creative photos. So get out there and try it! Pick one of my projects, or pick one of your own, and watch your creativity get bumped up a notch.

If you like this video, please like it, tweet it and share it with your friends. For more great tips, be sure to visit ultimate-photo-tips.com and sign up for my newsletter, where I share tips, ideas and inspiration that I don’t share anywhere else!

Happy shooting, and I’ll see you next time.

 

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• Digital Photography Technique
• Tones in Photography

You can use tones in your photographs to convey emotion and mood. Choose tones that are consistent with your message to tell a strong story. Watch below to find out more!

 

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Video Transcript

Are you looking for a way to convey mood and emotion with your images? I have an idea for you! Hi, I’m Julie from Ultimate Photo Tips, and for today’s Two Minute Photo Tip, I want to talk about using tone — how light or dark your image is — to convey mood and emotion.

We do this all the time in our spoken language. I might use words like "She was bright and cheerful, " or "I was feeling light-hearted." "Light" and "bright." In the same way, a high key image with light tones can convey happiness, an uplifting feeling, cheerful.

On the opposite side, I could say I was feeling dark and gloomy. That goes along with a low key image, with darker tones. That can convey a feeling of melancholy, a more subdued image, maybe even a sense of mystery.

Let me show you some examples of tones in photography.

© Julie Waterhouse Photography

In this first image, it’s an image of bubbles. I’ve used a light tone to convey that sense of light and airy bubbles. If I had pumped up the contrast, I could have maybe created a nice graphic, but it wouldn’t have had that sense of lightness to it.

© Julie Waterhouse Photography

In this image, I’ve actually darkened down the sky in my post-processing to make it even more gloomy It’s clear that it’s not a place you really want to go on vacation ;-). I’ve increased that sense of loneliness and isolation.

So, make some conscious choices about the tonality of your image. When you’re shooting high key, or low key, make sure that it goes along with, and reinforces, the story that you’re trying to tell.

That’s it for this week! If you enjoyed this video about tones in photography, please spread the love, and share with with your friends! And I’ll see you next time.

 

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• Photography Composition
• Photography Rule of Thirds

You want to break the rules? Well, you need to master them first. Here we explain the famous photography rule of thirds.

The rule of thirds is probably the most often referenced photography rule of composition.  It is all about subject placement within the frame.

First of all, imagine that your picture space is divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically, like a tic tac toe grid.

Grid for the rule of thirds.
© Julie Waterhouse Photography

The photography rule of thirds tells us to align our subject with one of the points where those lines cross. That means our subject is one third of the way “into” the picture space – from either the top or bottom, and from either the left or right. And that means it’s not in the middle.

It is interesting to note that we refer to the most significant element of our image as the “center of interest.” The word "central” is a synonym for “important.” It comes as no surprise, then, that we instinctively place the subject of our image in the center of the frame. Bullseye! It’s only natural to line up the camera with what we are paying most attention to.

It takes some conscious thought and careful composition to place your center of interest off-center. However, the result is much more pleasing to the eye. Placing it at the intersection of the tic tac toe lines (also known as the thirds position) produces a nicely balanced image.

The turtle’s eye is in the thirds position.
© Julie Waterhouse Photography

Central placement of objects is static. If an object is an equal distance from all sides, there is no implied need to move. The object is balanced, and therefore at rest. There’s no tension, no tug in either direction. Now, this is where the photography rule of thirds becomes a guideline. If balance is what you are trying to express, then central placement of your subject may be just the way to go!

Many amateurs place flowers right in the middle.
© Peter Ainley

An off-center composition with a diagonal element is more pleasing.
© Peter Ainley

Central placement of the flower is predictable and static.
© Julie Waterhouse Photography

Off-center placement is more appealing.
© Julie Waterhouse Photography

In general, the idea is to divide up the picture space into areas in a 1:2 ratio (one third and two thirds), rather than equal halves. The imbalance results in a more dynamic image. Following is another example where the picture space is divided horizontally into a one-third and two-thirds ratio:

Two thirds green trees, one third sequoia.
© Julie Waterhouse Photography

 

Counterpoint

You can enhance the picture composition even more by creating a counterpoint. If you place your primary focal point at the thirds position, you can place a secondary focal point at the diagonally opposite thirds position, as in the following images.

Main and secondary focal points at diagonally-opposite thirds positions. © Peter Ainley

Main and secondary focal points at diagonally-opposite thirds positions. © Peter Ainley

 

Horizons

A natural extension to the photography rule of thirds is to place your horizon line along the one-third or two-third line of the tic tac toe grid, rather than in the middle. Once again, fight your natural tendency! Without being taught otherwise, most amateur photographers will place their horizon in the middle. This ends up looking dull and uninteresting.

Two thirds land, one third sky.
© Julie Waterhouse Photography

Whether you place the horizon closer to the top or closer to the bottom of the picture space depends on which you want to emphasize more: the land or the sky. If you have a dramatic sky, by all means, give it two thirds of the picture space!

One third land, two thirds sky.
© Julie Waterhouse Photography

You can “stretch” the photography rule of thirds for a more dramatic effect by placing your horizon (or your main subject) even closer to the edge of the frame, as in the above example. See the section on visual weight to understand the effect of doing this.

 

The Golden Mean

Why does the photography rule of thirds work? Some people believe that it’s because it’s a rough approximation of the Golden Mean (also known as the Golden Ratio or Divine Ratio). The Golden Mean defines a spiral pattern that shows up repeatedly in Nature, in everything from a nautilus sea shell to a sunflower, to the spiral form of the galaxy itself; it occurs in more natural subjects than you could imagine, making it no coincidence. Since there’s obviously something special in Nature about this form, it makes sense that humans would be naturally attracted to it – after all we’re part of nature too!

The Golden Mean and the photography Rule of Thirds don’t quite line up, but they’re close. So you can avoid taxing your brain with all that math, and take the lazy route! Just follow the rule of thirds ;-).

The Fibonacci spiral in black, and the rule of thirds in pink. Close!

The Fibonacci spiral in action.
© Julie Waterhouse Photography

Now, don’t get too hung up on following this spiral pattern in your compositions. The rule of thirds is a good approximation, and over time you will develop an instinct for what works. You will find that you naturally gravitate to this pattern for some of your compositions without going hunting for spirals! And do note that I said "some!" Not all compositions should or will follow this pattern.

 

I recommend you read the next of the photography rules of composition: positioning your subject.

 

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• Photo Challenges
• November 2012

Photo Challenges:
November 2012

"One Is The Loneliest Number"

Last month, I gave you a challenge to start with a title first, and then create an image to go along with it. I gave you a relatively easy title of "Serenity." This month, I’m upping the ante, and doing another, more difficult (I think!) "title first" challenge. I’m using the song title "One Is the Loneliest Number" as your challenge topic.

"One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do
One is the loneliest number, much much worse than two"

It’s relatively easy to come up with a photo that contains just one of something. However, this title has another element that you need to capture: a sense of loneliness. That means thinking about the other elements of the photo that contribute to the mood, like color and tone, and amount of space around the subject.

Telling a story using these tricks of visual design is one of my favorite topics! In fact, I’ve written an e-book on this very subject, so I’m going to give it a little plug right here :-). Check it out now! It could help you with this month’s challenge.

Here’s a quick example of what I mean. In the first photo below, there is only one figure in the image, however, it doesn’t capture a sense of loneliness, and would not be a great candidate for this month’s photo challenge. Why not? The gesture of the girl is too happy and carefree, the sun peeking above the clouds is uplifting, and the colors in the image are warm and inviting.

© Julie Waterhouse

On the other hand, the image below does give a sense of loneliness. The tree is small within the frame, making it seem isolated; the sky is dark in tone, making it more ominous and foreboding; and the colors are subdued, rather than vibrant.

© Julie Waterhouse

 

Read the rules. One entry only each month per person, please!

Enter your super-amazing photos in our photo contests. The winning image will be featured on the Ultimate Photo Tips homepage for all of the following month.

Submit your image.

See what other people are submitting, and vote for your favorite:
View other entries.

 

My Lonely Onlies

Do these photos give you a sense of loneliness? Think about why or why not.

© Julie Waterhouse

 

© Julie Waterhouse

 

© Julie Waterhouse

 

© Julie Waterhouse

 

© Julie Waterhouse

 

 

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• Home
• Digital Photography Technique
• Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is the most often quoted rule in photography, so is it ever okay to break it? In this video, I say yes, explain the rule, and illustrate with examples.

 

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Video Transcript

Hi, I’m Julie from Ultimate Photo Tips, and if you’ve ever wondered whether you should you always follow this often-quoted rule, or if it’s okay to break it sometimes, then today’s tip is for you.

First of all, what is the rule all about? Here’s an example of it:

© Julie Waterhouse Photography

If you were to draw a tic-tac-toe grid over your image, the photography rule of thirds suggests that you place your subject at the intersection of the grid lines. For this photo, the key point of interest is the bird’s eye, and it’s at the thirds position.

Before we start talking about breaking this rule, I think it’s a good idea to understand why the rule exists in the first place.

In English, the word "important" is a synonym for "central." Our human instinct is always to place our subject — what’s important to us — in the center. The problem is that central placement of the subject can look "static" because it puts the image perfectly in balance, with no pull toward any one edge of the frame more than another.

By following the rule of thirds, we push our subject off-center, and therefore make the image a little bit off-balance. This can be a good thing because it gives some energy to the image, and moves the viewer’s eye around more.

So, back to our original question: should you always follow the rule? I say "no." I’m always an advocate of designing your images so that they best tell your story. What if stability is your story? Take a look at the next image:

© Julie Waterhouse Photography
Breaking the Rule!

Here, my story is about stability amidst chaos. By breaking the photography rule of thirds, and placing the tree stump centrally, I have actually strengthened my message.

Another example of when breaking the rule might work to strengthen your story is placing your horizon in the centre of the frame when you have a perfect reflection. That will make your scene look tranquil, and emphasize the balance in the image.

So, next time you go to take a photograph, think about what you want your story to be. If it’s all about stability or calm, then try placing your subject in the center. If you want to have a more dynamic image, then follow the rule of thirds. And if you want to throw your viewer even more off balance, place your subject even closer to the edge of the frame, which creates more tension.

For more great photo tips, come on over to ultimate-photo-tips.com, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter where I give you tips and tidbits you won’t get anywhere else.

Happy shooting, and I’ll see you next time!

 

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• Leading Lines

Do you want to learn how to use lines in your photographs to create stronger compositions? In this short video, learn how leading lines can guide your viewer’s eyes through your image.

 

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Video Transcript

Do you want to learn how to use lines in your photographs to create stronger compositions? Hi, I’m Julie from Ultimate Photo Tips, and today’s Two Minute Photo Tips is all about using lading lines.

The first thing you need to know is that the human brain is hard-wired so that our eyes follow lines in whatever we look at. You’re doing it subconsciously. You don’t even know it’s happening, but your eyes are always following lines. As a photographer, you can use that to your advantage because you know that when someone’s looking at your photograph, their eyes are following the lines. That means that if you place your subject at the end of a line, you can lead your viewer’s eye to the subject. That’s why they’re called "leading lines."

If you have a winding road, or a curved plants stem, you know that your viewer’s eye is going to track, probably slowly, throughout the whole image. If you want higher impact, place your subject at the end of a straight line, and your viewer’s eye will go directly to it.

Leading Lines
The red edge of the cactus leads your eye through the image in an S-curve.
© Julie Waterhouse Photography

On the flip side, make sure that you don’t have any lines that don’t lead anywhere. Your viewer will be disappointed if they get to the end of a line, and it’s a bit of a let down because there’s nothing there.

The fence leads you up and out of the image.
You may find that this image does not hold your
attention very long.
© Julie Waterhouse Photography

You also want to avoid having a line that leads straight out of the frame. Your viewer’s eye is going to follow it, and be straight out of the frame, and not looking at your photograph any more.

Use lines very strategically in your images to get your viewer to look wherever you want them to.

If you like this video, please like it, tweet it and share it with your friends. For more great tips, be sure to visit ultimate-photo-tips.com and sign up for my newsletter, where I share tips, ideas and inspiration that I don’t share anywhere else!

Here are a few more examples:

Leading Lines, © Julie Waterhouse Photography
The pink cloud leads your eye in to the trees, and then the line of the trees leads you
to the horizon.

Leading Lines, © Julie Waterhouse Photography
The road leads you throgh the image to the bright area, but the
trees at the end of the road keep your eye in the image.

We connect the dots of the lights to form a line.
© Julie Waterhouse Photography

 

One other trick to note is that our brains are able to mentally “connect the dots” to form lines, as in this example on the right.

Happy shooting, and I’ll see you next time.

 

 

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• Digital Photography Technique

Digital Photography Technique:
Quick & Helpful Video Tips

Welcome to the home of the Two Minute Photo Tips video series!
This is a brand new feature on Ultimate Photo Tips where I’ll be sharing some great digital photography technique via a series of short videos. I hope you enjoy them! So that you can see what’s planned for the future, I’ve listed all the anticipated categories and topics below. Come back and visit often, as I’ll be adding a new video each week. Enjoy!

Two Minute Photo Tips: Photography Video Tutorials

Contents:

Camera Settings Exposure New video! Composition Technique

Story-Telling Creativity Gear

 

Camera Settings

Before you can practice your digital photography technique, you need to get a grasp on the basic camera settings. Here are a few videos to help.

Aperture Priority

What is aperture priority? In this video, Julie explains how you use it, how it works, and why you would choose this camera mode.

Watch the video on aperture priority

Bulb Mode

What is bulb mode? In this video, Julie explains how you use it, how it works, and why you would choose this camera mode.

Watch the video on bulb mode.

RAW vs JPEG

Are you wondering whether to shoot in RAW or JPEG? Not sure exactly what the difference is? Julie compares these two file formats in a short video, and recommends which you should be using.

Watch the video on RAW versus JPEG.

 

Future Topics:

1. shutter priority
2. exposure compensation
3. what ISO to choose
4. white balance

Exposure

Exposure and composition are the nuts and bolts of digital photography technique. I’ll start with a few videos to help you get a handle on exposure.

Histograms Part 1

In the first video of this three part series, I explain how to understand and interpret the data in your camera’s histogram display.

Watch the video on the photo histogram.

 

Histograms Part 2

New video!

In the second video of this three part series, I explain how to use the data in your camera’s histogram display to correct your exposure.

Watch the video on the photo histogram.

 

Future Topics:

1. exposure = aperture + shutter speed + ISO (+ light!)
2. shutter priority
3. exposure compensation
4. what ISO to choose

 

Composition

Digital photography technique doesn’t stop at exposure. Composition is key to a great photograph. Here, I share a few thoughts on some of the dos and don’ts to help you tell the story you want.

Subject Placement

Are you ready to go beyond the rule of thirds with your subject placement? Learn how the position of your subject relative to the frame relates to the story you want to tell with your photograph.

Watch the video on subject placement.

 

Leading Lines

Direct your viewer to your subject; use lines in your photographs to lead your viewer’s eye exactly where you want it to go.

Watch the video on leading lines.

Bright Spots

Used deliberately, bright spots in photos can draw your viewer’s attention to your subject. Included accidentally, bright spots can be distracting. Make sure you get it right!

Watch the video on bright spots in photos.

Background is an Integral Part of the Image

Never under-estimate the importance of the background in your photograph. It can make or break your image. All too often, we pay too much attention to our subject, and not what surrounds it.

Watch the video on background in photography.

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is one of the most touted rules in photography, so is it ever okay to break it? Find out my thoughts, and see some examples.

Watch the video on the rule of thirds.

 

Future Topics:

1. the KISS Principle
2. diptychs and triptychs

Technique

This section holds a collection of videos on all kinds of digital photography techniques, from how to hold your camera, to photographing holiday lights, to capturing star points.

Live View for Focusing

Do you ever struggle to get accurate focus? Whether you have trouble trying to focus close up, or in low light, or just because of poor vision, this technique with live view can improve your focusing.

 

How to Hold Your Camera

Are you making this common mistake when you hold your camera. It could cause blur in your photos! Find out how to hold your camera correctly.

Watch the video on how to hold a camera.

 

 

Digital Night Photography

Have you ever wondered what shutter speed to use to capture star points, and not star trails? In this short video on digital night photography, Julie reveals the formula to use to calculate the maximum shutter speed you can use to keep those stars looking like points.

 

Future Topics:

1. backlight
2. grey cards
3. photographing snow
4. photographing holiday lights
5. star trails: how to get lines vs. curves, vs. circles
6. bracketing
7. tip to catch out of focus foreground material
8. shooting in cold weather
9. get it right in camera
10. photograph children/pets from their eye level
11. photograph people from slightly above (no nostrils!)
12. find your light first, then the right subject
13. look behind you!

 

Story-Telling

I believe that photography is all about story-telling. In these videos, I share some tips so that you can better translate the vision in your head into a final image for your viewers.

Convey Emotion and Mood Using Color

Color in photography can be used to convey emotion and mood. Choose colors that are consistent with your message to tell a strong story.

Watch the video on color in photography

Include People in Your Nature & Landscape Shots

Do you always avoid including people in your nature and landscape photos? Find out two good reasons to include people in your shots.

Watch the video on people in nature photography

Light and Dark Tones in Photography

Light and dark tones can convey emotion in your photographs. Make sure you understand how to use high or low key exposures to reinforce the story you want to tell.

Watch the video on tones in photography

 

Future Topics:

1. less is more!

 

Creativity

Creativity is the secret sauce that makes your image stand out from the crowd. Here are a few videos with digital photography technique to get you thinking outside the box.

Restrictions Breed Creativity

If you think that creative photos are all about having complete freedom, think again! I think it’s actually about imposing restrictions. See if you agree.

Watch the video on creative photos.

Creative Use of Shutter Speed

Are you confused by what shutter speed you should be using? Are you avoiding the issue by avoiding manual mode altogether? Learn to choose a shutter speed that tells your story.

Watch the video on the creative use of shutter speeds.

Future Topics:

1. creative use of aperture
2. it’s all about attitude!
3. communicating how you feel

 

Gear

We photographers do love our gear! Here are a handful of videos that talk about the toys.

The Virtues of a Camera Tripod

Is your tripod feeling lonely and neglected? It’s time to take it out with you again! Find out two good reasons why.

Watch the video on using a camera tripod.

Using Your Wide Angle Lens

Do you want to draw your viewer into the image? Here are 7 hot tips for using your wide angle lens effectively.

Watch the video on the wide angle lens.

 

Camera Protection

A shower cap? Really?

Check out this video for two ways that you can use a shower cap as camera protection from the dust and rain.

 

 

Future Topics:

 

Next, you may want to watch a video on using aperture priority mode on your camera.

Ultimate Photo Tips provides friendly education and encouragement for photo enthusiasts around the world, presented in a way that’s clear, organized, and easy to understand. We have hints and tips to hone your skills and boost your creativity, whether you’re looking for the answer to a specific question, or just want to explore and learn.

Video Tip of the Week

Histograms: Part 2 of 3

Are you confused, or maybe even a little intimidated by your camera’s histogram display? This week, I’m bringing you part two of a three part mini-seres all about the photo histogram. It’s time to demystify this super-useful tool!

Visit the video index of all the photo tips on digital photography technique.

How We Can Help You

Check out our extensive photography ideas section for interviews and articles on creativity, as well as loads of creative photography projects by subject and technique.

© Julie Waterhouse Photography

New to photography? Looking for photography techniques that will take your pictures from snapshots to images worthy of hanging on your wall? In this site, I’ve tried to include all the information I wish I had known when I was just starting out, and the things I had to learn "the hard way!" If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all that there is to learn — stop! Take a deep breath, and relax. Just take it one step at a time. Practice each new thing you learn as often as you can, and soon it will become second nature. Then, when you’re ready for your next photo tips, drop by this site for another visit.

You may want to start by checking out Beginning Photography Tips. Here, you’ll find basic photography information that will give you a thorough understanding of exposure, aperture, shutter speed, composition and more; it has everything you need to learn how to take better pictures.

Experienced photographer? If you’re a professional photographer or serious hobbyist, you’ve already discovered that photography is a journey of life-long learning. Within these pages, I hope you’ll find some useful nuggets to add to your knowledge. If you’re looking to build skills in a particular area, you may be interested in topic-specific sections such as Portrait Photography Tips or Wedding Photography Tips.

Something for everyone. Check out the extensive Tips for Taking Digital Photography, including information about photo editing, sharpening, pixels, histograms, sensor dust, and much, much more!

© Julie Waterhouse Photography

Photography is my passion. If you’re visiting this site, then there’s a good chance that it’s one of yours too! Welcome, kindred spirit! 🙂 I hope you enjoy the photo tips on this site, and that they are helpful to you in improving your photography. Happy shooting!

 

 

What’s Inside?

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