Everything Else
How To: Take a family portrait
Looking to get your family together somehow? Why not a family portrait? It's both a great keepsake and as an excuse to get everyone together. In this video, learn how to snap a great family portrait.
How To: Make an aerial photo rig with a disposable camera
Get creative with an old disposable camera by setting up an aerial photography rig using akite! Get a new perspective by taking pictures from a bird's eye view.
How To: Color correct your photos
A tutorial from the folks at Loaded Boards, demonstrating color correction tips for your photos. The wrong colors can ruin even the best photos. In this clip, we're introduced to a technique to keep your pictures looking both natural and dynamic
How To: Basic operations for digital SLR cameras
If you're used to more basic cameras, digital SLRs can be intimidating at first. It's a whole new level of technology. What do all those little knobs and buttons mean? In this lengthy tutorial, we'll learn the basic camera operations for digital SLRs.
HowTo: Photograph a Speeding Bullet
In light of our recent post, Art Borne From the Barrel of a Gun, here's a thorough guide to building your own bullet capture system via robotics site Glacial Wanderer.
How To: Look better in photos
Get some great tips on how to look better in pictures. Pose for the camera by leaning in, rather than leaning back. Stand up straight. To look thinner, turn your body slightly, and put your hand on your hips. Elongate your neck, and put your shoulders back. You'll look smashing in all your photos. Don't forget to smile!
How To: Tilt-shift photography to create a miniature effect
Kipkay from Make Magazine shows us how to create a photographic illusion, making things look smaller than they really are with tilt-shift photography. Materials needed include rubber plunger, an oversized lens, a plastic body cap, a single lens (or digital single lens) camera, a hot glue gun, a sanding file, and a disposable object for a plastic backing, such as a VHS tape case. With this great tutorial and a little work, create the illusion of a miniaturized world with this photographic tech...
How To: Clean a camera lens & get rid of smudges
Professional camera cleaning is expensive and usually more than you need. Follow these simple steps to keep your lenses clear and smudge-free.
How To: Make a cyanotype
This lesson is the second of a series exploring alternative process photography. In this lesson, learn how to create a Cyanotype using a digital negative. Step by step instructions are included with samples and illustrations. Follow along with this photo lesson and learn how to recreate this old-fashioned print technique. You'll need a cyanotype kit, a fine bristled paint brush, a watercolor rag, a contact printer, a pair of clamps, a large tray, a UV light source, and a digital negative.
How To: Convert photos to digital
Buying a digital camera doesn't mean your old prints, slides, or negatives are obsolete. You can easily convert them with a scanner to bring them into the 21st century. Watch this video to learn how to convert photos to digital.
How To: Take a picture of an exploding water balloon
Fine tune your photography skills with this video lesson on how to take a picture of an exploding water balloon. You'll see what equipment you'll need, like cameras, lights, flashes, etc. Pixel Catcher shows you how. It's a matter of perfection, so check out this video to see how to take that photo of exploding water balloons. You could apply this principal to any photograph!
How To: Pack a lighting kit for still photography
If you're a professional still photographer, then you probably have a lot of equipment you drag around with you. Check out this video from Dan Carr that shows you how to pack a lighting kit for still photography. He shows you what kind of equipment he uses in his Pelican 1610 case.
How To: Light a fashion shot
The difference between a good fashion shoot and a great one isn’t the model — it’s the lighting. Learn how to expertly light a fashion shot with this how to video.
How To: Develop film with coffee and washing soda
Give a new look to your photographs! Use coffee! This video tutorial will show you how to develop film with coffee and washing soda, along with a little vitamin C.
How To: Take a group portrait
Taking a group portrait can be a pain. Here’s how to make it go as smoothly as possible. Check out this Howcast video tutorial on how to take a group portrait.
How To: Make a pinhole camera
In the age of digital cameras and instant gratification, make the simplest camera ever invented using just a light proof box, a hole, and paper. Check out this Howcast video tutorial on how to make a pinhole camera.
How To: Light a portrait for photography
Portraits come in all shapes and sizes, but follow a few basic guidelines and you'll set the scene for a beautiful and professional shot.
How To: Take a photography portrait
A great photographer is more than a technician, but all great portraits begin with a photographer’s mastery of equipment and technical requirements. Set yourself on the road to greatness by learning the basic components of photographic portraiture. You will need a camera, a telephoto lens, and a subject. Props are optional. Compose your subject by using the rule of thirds, where your subject is either in the left or right third, not the direct middle, for the most intresting pictures.
How To: Take great photographs
Anyone can snap a blurry picture of a friend standing in front of a tourist attraction, but with just a little more effort, you can take great shots. Learn how to take great photographs with this instructional video from Howcast. You will need a camera and a flash (flash optional). Tip: Natural light is always preferable, but if you're indoors or it's cloudy, use a flash to keep your subjects well lit.
How To: Take a woman's portrait
Taking a woman’s portrait isn’t just about photographic skill, it’s about flattery. You will need a single lens reflex camera, a female subject, a backdrop and a hurricane of compliments. Tip: to isolate the subject from the background, use a long telephoto lens at the widest aperture possible, and stand a minimum of 10 to 15 feet in front of the subject making sure she fills the frame.
How To: Rasterbate rasterized images from any picture
Empty walls? This is the perfect solution. The Rasterbator creates huge, rasterized images from any picture. Upload an image, print the resulting multi-page pdf file and assemble the pages into extremely cool looking poster up to 20 meters in size. Rasterbating is when you make a photo out of several photos.
How To: Use gobos in photography
Here is a Harper Point Photography video on gobos for fashion photography. Nathan gives a simple but effective photo tip for creating dynamic light with a cardboard 'go-bo.' The gobo is a lighting element that texturizes lighting by blocking in strategically. Apply these directly to a light to shine texture or to light with words as a projector would.
How To: Make a DIY photography bokeh for a camera
How to make that cardboard hood to assist you in making your own custom bokeh when shooting images.
How To: Take pictures of wild animals
If you’re going on safari and your idea of shooting wild animals involves a camera and some pictures, we can help. You will need a camera, a telephoto lens, a 2x teleconvertor, a tripod and a backup camera body.
How To: Create make shift tripods when you don't have one
Ok, shutterbug, you need to keep your camera from shaking, but there’s no tripod in sight. Relax--you can still get the perfect shot. Here a couple easy tricks to help you get a steady shot without a tripod.
How To: Photograph a white product with a white background
Need to shoot a product with a white background? Well, taking photos with a white backdrop can be tricky if your subject is white also. Watch this behind the scenes photography video to see how to photograph a white product with a white background. This style of shoot is quite standard for eshops which need product photos with a white background. It takes a couple flashes and a goo camera to get it down, just watch and see for yourself.
How To: Take a fashion portrait photograph
A fashion portrait should convey emotion and follow a story line. Delightfully, besides these two rules, it doesn’t have to make sense. Art photography can be dramatic or goofy. Make sure you don't just leave it all for Photoshop. Make an effort to get the right lighting before you start flashing away for your beauty shot or headshot.
How To: Make a mini tripod for your camera with a tennis ball
Turn an old tennis ball into a nifty camera tripod in just minutes. Inspired by an Instructables.com project: http://www.instructables.com/id/SDMK5MWFDO29GEZ/
How To: Choose the right speed film for cameras
When choosing camera film, use slow film for bright day light, medium speed film for a cloudy day and high speed film for low light conditions. Choose the right speed of film for a particular camera with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. The speed of the film is essential in determining what type of environment you will be taking pictures, so listen up!
How To: Load film into a camera correctly
When loading film into a camera, never touch the blades of the shutter and make sure to advance the film a couple of times in a manual camera. Load film in a camera with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. Loading film is an important first step for new photographers.
How To: Develop film for a black-and-white photo
When developing film for a black-and-white photo, first extract the leader of the film from the film canister and then pull out the rest of the film in total darkness. Develop a black and white photograph with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. Good information for black and white photography students.
How To: Set the shutter speed and aperture of a camera
When setting the shutter speed and aperture of a camera, use a light meter to take a reading, then set the aperture or shutter speed, depending on which is more important for the photograph. Set the shutter speed and aperture of a camera with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. For novice photographers, setting the shutter speed and aperture is an important first step in mastering the art of photography.
How To: Choose the right camera lens
When choosing a camera lens, use a telephoto lens for a zoom or a wide-angle lens for a broader view, which allows photographers to fit more of a subject into a photo. Choose the right lens for a specific photo with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. Lens are very expensive, so make sure you are educated before you buy a new camera lens.
How To: Clean an SLR camera
When cleaning an SLR camera, use a stiff brush to remove dirt and a lint-free cloth to remove grease marks. Clean an SLR camera with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. Clean your SLR camera like a pro.
How To: Set up your own photography studio
Start with a large room when setting up a photography studio and add a background and studio lighting with umbrellas to reflect the lights. Set up a photo studio with the tips in this free video on photography tips from a professional photographer.
How To: Read a hand-held light meter
When reading a hand-held light meter, make sure the ISO setting is correct and point the cone of the meter toward the subject to get an accurate reading. Learn how to read a hand held light meter with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. After learning about the light meter, you won't make any aperature mistakes in the future.
How To: Avoid red eye when taking a photograph
In order to avoid red eye when taking a photo, use a flash gun to increase distance between the subject of the photograph and the flash. Avoid red eye in photographs with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer.
How To: Take good candid photos
To take good candid photos, choose an interesting setting, get close to the subject and take lots of frames. Take better candid photos with the tips in this free video on photography tips from a professional photographer.
How To: Buy a camera flash
When buying a camera flash, make sure it is compatible with the camera and can act as a fill flash for daylight photographs. Purchase a camera flash with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. Now you will know what to do when you are hunting for a camera flash.
How To: Clean a camera lens
When cleaning a camera lens, use stiff brush to remove the dirt, then wipe lens with a lint-free cloth. Clean camera lenses with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. Be sure to be sage and avoid scratching the camera lens.