Hot Photography How-Tos
How To: Shoot effective photographs of the Northern Lights with an XDCAM
The Northern Lights is a beautiful meterological effect, but it can be difficult to capture this beauty on film. This tutorial shows you how to use the Sony XDCAM (because it has a slow shutter) and a time lapse techique to photograh the Aurora Borealis. Shoot effective photographs of the Northern Lights with an XDCAM.
How To: Shoot high key portraits with a Lastolite HiLite background
This is a quick and dirty tutorial that gives you some useful tips when you're trying to shoot simple high key portraits. You can accomplish this with just two lights and a Lastlite HiLite background, and here is how it works!
How To: Take excellent photographs or film during night
This is a video of a lecture, and shows any photographer the best way to set up night shots, starting with equipment (lighting is especially important, for obvious reasons) and then moving on to tips and strategies for framing good night shots.
HowTo: Arduino High Speed Photography Trigger
Photography guru Matt Richardson demonstrates how to build your own arduino high speed flash trigger so you can create awesome work like this. Pick up the project code here.
How To: Photograph a pregnant mom
In this video, we learn how to photograph a pregnant mom. Try taking a shot of the woman outside, this will feature her stomach and show off the glow of her skin as well. Process it after you have taken the photo to edit it further. Drape a sheet around the woman as well, which is a really popular photo technique as well. Take fun shots with your partner, animals, other children, and around the house! The camera can focus on different things to show multiple subjects in the scene. Be creative...
How To: Take better photos by understanding depth of field
In this video from clickherephotography we learn how to take great photos by using depth of field. In a picture of a bird he used an aperture of about 5.6 which increased the shutter speed on a 300mm Canon lens. With depth of field you can blow your background out. If you used a higher aperture, a lot more of the bird would have been in focus and a bit of the background would have been in focus. By using an F-stop and this aperture, you really bring the bird or whatever object is in the foreg...
How To: Do night photography with your kids
In this video, we learn how to do night photography with your kids. Glow sticks. flash lights, and ghost images are great for night time! First, put your camera in the manual mode and then learn how to set the shutter once you're in manual mode. Put the pop up flash on your camera, then get started taking pictures! Use glow sticks to take pictures of the children, giving a cool effect on the photos. Use different shutter speeds on the camera to capture the sparks on the glow sticks and with s...
How To: Make a family photo album from digital photos
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a family photo album from digital photos. iPhoto from Apple has a ton of different options for you to make a great photo album. You can first start out with loading these on your computer and then creating them into a book. After this, you can choose the borders and text that you want to include in this, then drag the pictures in. After this, you can add in captions for each of the photos and then design the layouts of the different pages. After this, yo...
How To: Take better digital pics using color and white balance
In this video, we learn how to take better digital pics using color and white balance. Color is one of the most powerful elements in any photograph. This can be powerful enough to be the subject of any photograph. Consider the colors and see how you can make them be the main object in the photo. Use your white balance on your flash to get the photo to show the color or the lack of color a lot better. The camera has to know what kind of light it's in to reproduce this correctly. Just change th...
How To: Shoot your baby's photos like a professional
In this tutorial, we learn how to shoot your baby's photos like a professional. If you want to take great photos of your baby but don't want to pay a professional, just use these quick tips. First, determine the type of flash you should be using on your camera. Use the manual that comes with your camera to find the right settings for you depending on where you're taking the pictures. You can also edit the pictures on your computer to make the colors stand out and the image more crisp and clea...
How To: Do light graffiti with an ISO-100 camera setting
In this tutorial, we learn how to do light graffiti with an ISO-100 camera setting. First, you will need lights in an array of different colors. After you have all of these lights, you will need to take a picture. Then, grab the lights and write in the air with them. After this, you can turn the camera on and then use the light source from the camera to create light graffiti on your pictures! You can do a ton of different things, there is no limit! This is fun and creative, so get out there a...
How To: Take a good candid photograph
In this video, we learn how to take a good candid photograph. If you've ever noticed that when you have your picture taken by a stranger it just never comes out, this video is for you! When you hare having a candid photo taken, first make sure that your camera is set on the proper setting. This will help make sure the lighting comes out and everyone in the picture is seen. After this, you will want to ask the person to take a picture at an angle, so you get a good side on everyone. After this...
How To: Take better photographs for selling on eBay
In this video, we learn how to take better pictures for eBay. If you're selling something on eBay, you want your item to look good so it will sell quickly. People are more likely to buy from you if you have good pictures which showcase the product you're selling. The first thing you can do is to clean the product thoroughly and then set it on a sheet with a green background and green all around it. From here, take different shots with your camera and then load it onto your computer. After it'...
How To: Take pictures right after sunset
In this tutorial, we learn how to take pictures right after sunset. To get the optimal setting for pictures after sunset, you will first want to place your camera on a tripod. You want to get a view of both the sky and the tops of buildings that have just turned their lights on. After sunset, set your flash to a setting for outside and then take a picture of the sky with the clouds showing lightly in the air. Make sure to take a wide angled shot so you can see a clear view of the surrounding ...
How To: Take photographs using bulb photography
In this tutorial we learn how to take photographs using bulb photography. First, set your mode to manual and then you can adjust your shutter speed to thirty seconds. Once you go down this far, you an go into bold mode. When you hold down the shutter in this, it will constantly take this picture until you remove your finger. But, you don't want to do this for an entire 20 minutes. The easiest way to do this is to buy a remote control for the camera. This will allow you to press the shutter on...
How To: Set up a home made ring light in your photography studio
This tutorial is for photographers who may not have the interest or resources to invest heavily in lights. You can make a homemade ring light right at home, and this tutorial shows you how you can make your own with a soft box.
How To: Get rid of red eyes during nighttime digital shooting
Red eye can be a pervasive and annoying problem for photographers. You can edit it out during retouching, but it's always better to not need it. You can use the red eye reducer on your camera if it has that function, but here are some other tips to reduce red eye when shooting pictures at night.
How To: Properly Capture Images of Fireworks on Your Digital Camera
Fireworks are beautiful, but they can be extremely difficult to capture on digital cameras. This tutorial for digital photographers shows you how to optimize your DSLR camera's settings and use just the right techniques so you can get the most out of your next fireworks shoot.
How To: Use long exposure speeds to capture motion in digital photography
A long exposure setting can create some interesting effects, especially when you're photographing a moving light source at night. This tutorial shows you how to set up your camera and maximize your surroundings so you can take the absolute best and most dramatic photographs possible.
How To: Take dramatic digital photographs of stars and meteor showers
Being a light source themselves, as well as far away, and sometimes even moving, and only visible at night on top of all that... well, it's understandable why some digital photographers are intimidated at the thought of taking pictures of stars or meteor showers. However, this tutorial shows you some useful techniques to capture the night sky in brilliant detail.
How To: Use extension tubes in place of a macro lens
In this video, we learn how to use extension tubes in place of a macro lens. First you will need to have your camera and a tube insert that will attach to your lens. Once you have this, you can attach it to the lens by screwing it on with your hands. Then, you can focus extremely close, much more than you would be able to do with a regular lens. After you have attached this, look through the camera and start taking shots close-up. Then, you will be able to see a better picture than you had be...
How To: Isolate your subject to get better photos
In this tutorial, we learn how to isolate your subject to get better photos. If you are taking a picture in an area with a lot of people or surroundings in the background, have your subject stand up on something. After you do this, you can take the shot and have nothing in the picture with your subject but the background. You can also have a child go on a playground and zoom in on them if you are taking a picture of a child. On the playground, you can find tons of spots where the child can be...
How To: Get sharp images in low light w/ a digital camera
In this tutorial, we learn how to get sharp images in low light w/ a digital camera. If you are wanting to take quality pictures indoors but don't have great lighting, there is still a way to make your pictures turn out great. First, you will need to take a camera with a long lens and zoom in on your subject. After you do this, hold the camera steady and take the shot. When you look at the picture you just took, the picture should be brighter than it would be if you took a wider shot and it w...
How To: Make a homemade pinhole camera
Want to create your own camera? The simplest one that you can create is a pinhole camera which can be constructed from everyday household items.
How To: Gel your flash to blend it with ambient light
In this tutorial, we learn how to gel your flash to blend it with ambient light. First, you will need to be indoors with lights on and grab your camera. Make sure you have a separate flash on the camera, then take an amber colored film strip and place it over the flash. Next have your subject sit down and start taking pictures. Use different shades of amber and when you see the pictures it will have the background light more dim than the subject in the picture. When finished, you will have a ...
How To: Make a DIY three dollar camera speed strap
In this tutorial, we learn how to make your own DIY camera speed strap. It can save you a lot of money to make your own camera strap, all you need are some thick rubber bands. First, wrap some thick rubber bands around the lens of the camera. Then, take a strap with holes in it, and wrap it over the top of the rubber bands. Tighten this up, then you will be able to use it for all of the different lenses that you want to use! If you have a certain cover, this will keep it in place and help spe...
How To: Use AV mode & High Speed Sync (flash)
In this tutorial, we learn how to use AV mode & High Speed Sync (flash). First, go to AV mode and change the settings to 2.8. When you do this, your shutter speed will blink at 250. To fix this, hit the lightning bolt with the "h" and change it to the high speed setting. Now, your camera will be able to use the high speed shutter with the flash as well. Now, take some shots of your subject in the sun and you should be able to see a huge difference. The background should come in crystal clear ...
How To: Make your own Variable-ND filter with cheap circular polarization filters
Looking for a Variable-ND filter without having to spend $300? There's a way that you can actually make your own for as little as $10-$20 using some cheap circular polarization filters! Instead of getting a picture tutorial, in this video, you will get a fully commentated walkthrough of the process that he uses to remove the lenses and more to create his own filter!
How To: Use fill flash to get blue skies
In this tutorial, we learn how to use fill flash to get blue skies. If you take a picture of someone in front of a blue sky, they will most likely have shadows on their face, making the sky look good and them look bad. If you change your flash, the sky will look pure white and the person will look good. To change this, put a flash onto the camera, then use the exposure compensation to -1. Then, adjust your flash exposure to 2 2/3 and take the picture of the subject again. Now, you will have a...
How To: Use a DSLR camera to shoot wedding photography stills and videos
If you're about to shoot your first wedding, don't be unprepared. A wedding is a very important and special time for those soon-to-be mates, and you don't want to be responsible for ruining that precious memory. So, know you're stuff before jumping into wedding photography. This video gives a lot of advice for newbie wedding photographers who want to start shooting pictures and videos using a DSLR (digital SLR camera). This is a crash course with tons of information.
HowTo: Photograph an Atomic Bomb
George Yoshitake is one of the remaining living cameramen to have photographed the nuclear bomb. His documentation of the military detonation of hundreds of atom bombs from 1956 to 1962 reveals the truly chilling effect of the weapon. Below, images and explanatory captions via the New York Times. Don't miss the melting school bus. Creepy.
How To: Take excellent photographs in low light situations without relying on a flash
You need a flash to add light to dark photography settings, but a flash might make your picture look blown out or overexposed. Here are some good tips, like adjusting your aperture or manual ISO to maximize your available light. A tripod will also help you by allowing a longer shutter speed. Or, use a diffuser made over an old, translucent film canister!
How To: Make picture frames out of cardboard boxes
Take a few old cardboard boxes or packing boxes and recycle them into snazzy and cool photograph frames. All you need, apart from the boxes is some tape, string, a little wrapping paper for decoration - and, of course, some scissors and the photograph you want to frame.
How To: Correctly expose your digital photographs and avoid burred images
There are four variables a digital photographer must keep in mind when shooting pictures to ensure correct exposure: ambient light, shutter speed, f-stop and ISO. Also, keep all your images crisp and sharp, even if you're shooting in a low-light setting.
How To: Build a DIY digital SLR (DSLR) camera cage for smooth and steady video
A DSLR cage from a professional photographer supply store will cost at least a few hundred dollars, but you can build one yourself for around 50 bucks. This tutorial shows you how to use a few pipes, metal struts and a few pieces of hardware and tools to make your own digital SLR cage for shooting steady videos on your digital camera.
How To: Use panning to capture great action shots with movement
When shooting action shots such as runners, bikers, cars, or sports shots, a cool effect that you will see in a lot of professional photography where the person is nice and clear, but the background is blurred to give the intention of being in motion and having a lot of speed. A slow shutter speed is a part of it to capture the image while still showing motion in the photo. In this video you will get tips on how to create the panning effect that will create the desired effect.
How To: Understand aperture values in photography
If you're just getting started in photography or if you're looking to learn a little bit more about your camera, then you may have run into the term "Aperture" or "Aperture Values", or those weird number numbers. Aperture is in the lens of your camera and determines how much light enters into the lens itself and helps to determine your focal length. In this video you will get a small lesson on what Aperture is, and how to calculate focal length and aperture values.
How To: Create a more powerful photo with depth of field
Creating extremely impactful pictures can all be up to Depth of Field. You can either put more or less focus on your subject with various techniques. In this video you will learn how to determine distance with aperture, focal length, and distance from subject techniques.
How To: Take good self-portraits with a digital camera
Self portraits once required a big mirror and hours of introspection. Now, with digital cameras, you can take a great one in only a few minutes! Watch this video for tips on taking a really appealing self portrait with only some simple equipment.
How To: Take photographs of fireworks with a DSLR camera in manual mode
If you want to take awesome photographs with your DSLR camera, all you really need is a tripod and a good location. This tutorial shows you how to adjust the manual settings on your camera to make them ideal for photographing your next fireworks show.