Hot Photography How-Tos

How To: Use digital cameras

Buying a digital camera takes research so find a digital camera with the megapixels, noise level, and features that fit your uses. Learn all about digital consumer, prosumer and SLR cameras in this free photography video.

How To: Use a photographic enlarger

A photographic enlarger is a piece of equipment used to produce photographic prints from film or glass negatives. Learn more about photographic enlargers and how to use them from a professional photographer in this free video. Use a photographic enlarger - Part 1 of 26.

How To: Set up a big white infinity sweep for photo studio

This instructional photography video shows how to setup large white infinity backgrounds in the photo studio. The key components to this setup is include this six foot octobox softbox light, which requires quite a bit of power; a framed aluminum reflector; the background itself is vinyl floor painted white; and a black baffle to shield the camera from lens flare. Set up professional looking shoots and take great portraits with this tutorial.

How To: Use a light meter for your photo camera

This cinematography tutorial video provides the basics of working with a photographic light meter as well as how to read the meter. A light and flash meter is nothing expensive. All you need is something that will measure the light and your flash. Most light meters are relatively the same. Metering is a relatively simple process. Just key in the ISO, key in the shuttle speed, push the button, and it gives you the f-stop to use on your professional photo camera.

How To: Use Nikon's metering system for photo cameras

This instructional photography video explains the basics on how to use all three different types of metering systems on Nikon D-SLR photo cameras: 3D Matrix Metering, Center-Weight Metering, and Spot Metering. Watch this tutorial and start taking better, more professional photographs now that you understand how to use the metering system.

How To: Use active D-Lighting for your photo shoots

This instructional photography video explains step-by-step the features of active D-Lighting: what it can do and how it affects your images. Active D-Lighting allows you to photograph in various lighting situations for more neutral contrast results. Here is a basic explanation of the settings on a professional Nikon photo camera:

How To: Understand focal length on your photo camera

This instructional photography video explains and shows the difference in zoom lenses' focal lengths. This basic demonstration uses a Nikon professional photo camera to exhibit the various zoom lenses, and provides examples of its photographic capabilities. Watch this video and improve your photography skills.

How To: Build a useful inexpensive Tripod for your camera

Watch this instructional photography video that shows how to build a useful, inexpensive tripod for the amateur photographer on a budget. This tripod will be more useful than most commercial tripods with only a plastic bag full of beans. The result is a stable, useful extension with minimal photographic inhibitions that works on any surface. A great how to video for the amatuer photographer.

How To: Prepare a photography portfolio presentation

Putting together a print portfolio for your photography? This instructional photography video provides some suggestions on photographic portfolios and how to assemble a portfolio. It is very important to have a good online presence, a nice gallery of your work to show. But there are advantages to having a print portfolio as well.

How To: Learn studio product photography tricks

This instructional photography video with Jim Talkington explores various studio photography tricks. Whether shooting products or people, the whole reason for studio lighting is to be able to define the things you want to define and to minimize the things you don't want to see in the photograph. Practice these tips and improve your photography skills.

How To: Problem solve small product photography techniques

This instructional photography video explains how to problem solve small product issues. Two ways to tackle a particular challenge is through pre-production and the other in post-production. There are many different ways a photographer can approach and deal with a challenge. The more knowledge you have about different methodologies about photography, the better and easier you will be able to solve those problems when they occur.

How To: Learn extreme macro photography tricks

Watch this quick instructional photography video and discover how to do extreme macro photography without having any real specialized macro photo equipment. Use a couple of your existing lenses to create a super macro lens. Practice these tips and improve your photography skills.

How To: Light a '57 Chevy in the photo studio

Watch this instructional photography video with Jim Talkington and learn how to light a '57 Chevy in a photo studio. This is a beautiful car, but it prevents some challenges in photographing the shiny paint and chrome surface. In this tutorial, experiment how to set up the lighting. This video is great for car aficionados. Practice these tips and improve your photography skills.

How To: Learn tabletop studio photography with mirrors

This instructional photography video with Jim Talkington explores tabletop studio photography done with mirrors. Use just one light and several mirrors to light your subject. You can also use silver poster board or white poster board to reflect the light from the strobe. Mirrors are the best way to reflect most of the light in your shoot. Practice these tips and improve your photography skills.

How To: Master the classic three light studio portrait

Watch this instructional photography video with Jim Talkington and learn how to light a studio portrait using three lights. This is the classic three light portrait technique using a main light, fill card, hair light and background light in the photo studio. Adding additional lights should bring out texture, extra detail, and three dimensionality. Practice these tips and improve your photography skills.

How To: Take photographs like Gregory Crewdson

In this Ovation TV original special, acclaimed photographer Gregory Crewdson shares with us his insight into his photographic techniques. Like a film, he uses a lot of production, a lot of lighting, a lot of set design. He is an American photographer best known for elaborately staged, surreal scenes of American homes and neighborhoods. Learn how to take pictures like this master artist.

How To: Clean a DSLR camera

In this video segment, Veronica Belmont of Ask Mahalo shows how to clean a digital SLR camera. Follow the simple steps to get better quality photographs. Watch this video photography tutorial and learn how to clean a digital SLR camera and get crystal clear pictures.

How To: Process black and white film photographs

Ruth from Stuff.tv goes retro to show us how to process a black and white photographic film. Film isn't dead, maybe because there's nothing quite as satisfying as printing out a set of negatives to make photographs. Watch this video photography tutorial and learn how to process pictures from black and white film.

How To: Make a helmet headcam

This video tutorial shows how to make your own rough and ready headcam/helmet camera for shooting videos or taking photographs at work. To do this project, you will need a helmet, mounting plate, and a video camera. Start taking pictures and footage hands-free. Watch and learn how to make this simple headcam.

How To: Varnish wet plate Collodion images

This video shows the process of varnishing a black glass Ambrotype. Not a high "wow-factor" here, but some practical knowledge needed in the process. It's very important to varnish wet plate images as they damage and tarnish easily. Learn how to varnish Collodion pictures by watching this video photography tutorial.