Photography Features
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: Capture skateboarding moves in photography
There's nothing more exhilirating on a summer day than going out to Venice Beach and watching a skateboarding competition. Whether the skater kids are doing olies or 360s, skateboarding is impressive to watch but almost impossible to photograph.
How To: Take the fairy portrait
Learn how to create up the set and lighting to capture "the fairy potrait."
How To: Make a 35mm plastic camera rewind helper
This photography video shows how to make a rewind helper out of an 35mm film canister. If you use a simple film camera with a small rewind crank, you can use this tool to make a more comfortable grip. Use a 5/32 inch drill bit to make a small hole in a film canister. This can easily slip over the small film crank for quicker film winding.
How To: Make a velcro Holga camera modification
Use this camera modification to secure the Holga back to the camera and to provide a light blocker for the counter window. You will need a small package of velcro with industrial strength adhesive. This photography tutorial provides tips for making your vintage Holga camera easy to use in hectic shooting situations.
How To: Use Your Shutter, ISO and Aperture
Learn the Basics of Shooting in "Manual" Mode on your DSLR In this first installment of Photography Basics, we will be exploring and explaining the basics of shooting with a DSLR in various shooting modes. This first webisode is intended to familiarize the user with the basic understanding and functions of ISO, Aperture and Shutter in order to produce more professional looking images.
How To: Get to know your DSLR camera
This video gives viewers an overview on how to use the manual settings of your DSLR camera. Aside from the Auto setting, your DSLR camera has the P-mode which is the program mode, S-mode which is the shutter priority mode, A-mode which is the aperture priority mode and finally the M-mode which is the complete manual mode. P-mode or program mode is more like the Auto-mode in your camera. You can't control your shutter speed and f-stops (aperture) however; you can manipulate the other settings ...
How To: Photograph a sunrise
Photographer and author Rick Sammon gives you tips and tricks to get a great Sunrise shot. Shot on location in St. Augustine, Florida. Rick demonstrates using a Canon EOS SLR camera.
How To: Take your own social network profile picture with professional tips
We all want to put our best face forwards on our social networking profiles. Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and all the rest are the best places to show great photos of yourself. You never know who might be looking. Employers, potential suitors, ex-high school classmates.. they are all snooping to see what you're doing and how you look these days.
How To: Make a digital pinhole camera on a budget
In this video you learn how to make a digital pinhole camera. The video begins with an introduction addressing the main themes to be dealt with in the video - tight budgets, photography and specialized lenses. In this video, Kai modifies a photo lens cap by poking a large hole in it. After making this large hole, he makes a smaller hole in a thinner material and lines the hole up in the center. He calculates the size of the hole he needs based on the wavelength he will be photographing. He us...
How To: Use a DSLR lens to change the depth of field in photos
This video will help you understand the three main parts of a DSLR lens that can change the depth of field in photographs. We will explain how the aperture, zoom and focus all effect the depth of field in a photo.
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: Use white balance on a camera & Photoshop in filter
In this lesson, learn what white balance is and how to effectively use this function on your digital camera. Also learn how to use the photo filter function in Photoshop to eliminate and correct color casts created by various light sources. Watch this video photography tutorial and learn how to use white balance on a digital camera and how to correct colors with after-effects lens filters in Photoshop.
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.
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: 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: Teach your kids how to use their first digital camera
When your kids start discovering technology, it can be a fantastic learning experience. Check out this tutorial, hosted by a third grader, to help your kiddies get used to handling a digital camera. This video is filled with a ton of tips and lots of advice, tailored just for children.
How To: Use neutral density or ND filters
Photography is a fast growing hobby with the relative drop in prices of high grade equipment. The use of different filters in photography is a very common thing, and different filters have very different uses. The neutral density (ND) filter reduces the amount of light reaching the film or sensor. This allows the photographer to create different effects with the available light, allowing slower shutter speeds and larger apertures. The video helps explain the differences in shutter speeds and ...
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: Build a Bulldog 5x4 large format camera
First of all open the box and take out the kit, different parts and the instruction manual. You also need glue, epoxy adhesives, sand paper, 2 mm drill and a 4 mm drill. Start with assembling the outer frame of the camera by fixing in the slots. Use a screw driver to screw the bolts. Now use the glue and fix the inner parts of the camera. Now make the front portion of the camera. Fix it exactly as shown in the instruction Manual. Now drill in the holes on the sides of the camera's outer frame...
How To: Get started with flash (strobe) photography
New to photography and looking to learn the fundamentals in a flash? This free photographer's guide, which discusses flash photography and its terminology, will help you to accomplish just that. To get started learning the flash/strobe/speedlight basics (as well as to get a basic handle on the jargon), watch this free video tutorial.
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.
News: Barf to Beauty
Ok, the word "barf" may be a little strong... but, c'mon, would you put a dead rat on your scanner bed?
How To: Use Gary Fong Whaletail on location
Learn how to get ready to go on a location shoot with the Gary Fong Whaletale flash diffuser and how to actually use the equipment on the shoot.
How To: Use the AV mode on your dSLR
Watch to understand the AV (aperture priority) mode on your digital SLR and how to use it.
How To: Use & adjust shutter speed
Have a passion for photography but know nothing about the basics? This video might be a great place to start on the topic of shutter speed. Shutter speed is the amount of time that the film, or your digital sensor, is exposed to the light. Whether it be outdoors, at night, or low indoor light, the shutter speed allows your camera to take a photograph with the correct amount of exposure in reference to how much light is readily available in your setting.
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: Properly set and light a green screen backdrop
Setting up a chroma key backdrop contains various steps/ the support system and muslin consists of various parts like the support stands, shrink lamps and the muslin. Place the two stands 12 feet apart and attach 4 clamps to vertical section of each stand. Snap the crossbars together in a proper way and insert the muslin into the respective end of the crossbar and put the crossbar on the stands with the green end of the muslin facing out. The muslin should be attached using the clamp. And ens...
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 the green screen in photography
Sometimes the background you're using in a photograph doesn't quite match up with your subject and you want something different to highlight whatever you're photographing. There's where Photoshop and/or green screens come in.
How To: Set up your camera to take beautiful pictures at night
Taking pictures at night is very different than taking them during the day. This video tells you the right way to set up your camera to take beautiful night time shots. Set up your correct exposure and ajust the camera lens to make use of light and setting for your photographs.
How To: Take a timelapse photograph
Timelapse photography needn't be complicated, for advanced photographers only. This video photography tutorial helps explain how to take a timelapse picture, even if you're a complete beginner. Learn the process of taking a timelapse photo with a web, video, and digital camera. Watch, learn, and start practicing your shutter skills.
How To: Sharpen images in Photoshop CS3
There are many different approaches to sharpening images in Photoshop. This tutorial demonstrates multiple options in order to optimize the final presentation of your photographs.
How To: Tone photographs with sepia and coffee
Sepia toning can make your photos look like antiques. Learn more about sepia toning and toning photographs with coffee in this free black and white photography lesson from a professional photographer.
How To: Choose the aperture setting on your camera
This video shows you step by step how to choose the aperture to produce drastically different effects. The is the opening by which light enters your camera.
News: Astronauts In Training
This truly spectacular collection of astronaut imagery is the work of French photographer Vincent Fournier.
How To: Equip your photo studio
This is a practical introduction to the photo equipment used in professional photography studios. Part 1 of 2 - How to Equip your photo studio.
How To: Discover if your camera the correct size for your trip
This video is about determining the right camera for the tripod.The video begins by explaining the ways of doing this, that is by ensuring that the camera is neither too large nor too small for the tripod and also by ensuring that the tripod is able to withstand the weight of the camera.When the camera is placed on the tripod it should be a right match for the base ply of the tripod and should not be lager or smaller than the base ply.This video is excellent for those who want to select the r...
How To: Make a velcro modification for a Diana camera
Here's a simple modification for your vintage Diana or Lomography Diana+. Watch this instructional photography video to make a velcro film counter cover. You can also use black masking tape to cover the film counter for subtle camera work.
How To: Digitally photograph lightning
How to take pictures with your digital camera of lightning. What settings must be used on your camera to avoid noise. Also if you have noisy long exposures how to remove the junk in Photoshop.