Photography Features
News: Turn a juice box into a camera
Look left. Can your garbage take photos like that? With a few tweaks it will! The pinhole camera is photography in its most basic form. Using a light-proof container, the 35mm will capture the image when the pinhole is opened. The resulting photographs have a distinctly démodé look, like this shot from Kodak's archive.
How To: Develop your own film
Whatever your particular bent on the art of photography may be, learn how to use the darkroom as one of your tools for developing and printing beautiful pictures. Our expert will walk you through the step-by-step process for developing film, including removing the film from the cassette, loading it on a spool, using the proper agitation method, prewetting, and the push-pull process.
How To: Use the TV mode on your dSLR
This video is an introduction to making the most of Shutter Priority mode (Tv Mode) on your SLR.
How To: Keep Track of Your Disappearing Camera Lens Cap Using LEGOs!
Lens caps are one of those necessary evils that serve a very useful purpose while still creating tons of headaches for users—who hasn't lost at least a few? Sure, you can always buy a holder for it, or just shove it in your pocket, but if you have some LEGOs lying around from your distant youth, you can make your own in just a few minutes.
News: High as a Kite - Stunning Aerial Photos
Make Magazine presents UC Berkeley's professor of architecture, Cris Benton.
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: Use lighting to your advantage in photography
In photography, good lighting can mean the difference between an amateur shot and a professional quality portrait. Whether you're taking photographs outdoors or in, using lighting to your advantage creates an artistic, flattering effect.
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: Set up the Canon 1D MKIII camera
Setting up the menu's and Custom Functions of the Canon 1D MKIII camera. Highly technical and boring except for owners of the Canon 1D MKIII who want some insight to setting up this camera.
How To: Convert a matchbox into a camera
In this tutorial, we learn how to covert a matchbox into a camera. First, take your matchbox and cut out the bottom, then cut out a square piece. After this, paint the inside of it black with a marker. Next, cut a small hole in the top of the box. After this, cut a small square out of a soda can and hammer a small hole in the metal square. Now, tape the metal to the match top box, then cut the excess tape off. After this, take the bottom off of the top and place it over the metal hole in the ...
How To: Properly clean glass camera filters
Dirty filters ruining your shots? Glass filters, as useful as they may be for protecting your SLR or DSLR lenses from external damage, can grow dirty over time, reducing image quality. Learn how to properly clean your single-reflex camera's glass lens filters with this free photographer's guide.
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: 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: 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: Customize white balance settings on a Canon EOS camera
David Newton, professional photographer and technical editor at Canon Professional Network, teaches you how to customize white balance settings on a Canon EOS camera. The EOS camera have 7 presets plus an auto and a custom white balance setting. You will be using the custom setting. The custom white balance will create a compromise between different types of natural or artificial light existent in the scene. You will need a white piece of paper or a paper with 18% grey color. The last one can...
How To: Properly clean the sensor on your digital SLR camera
If there's a tiny piece of dirt or hair that's ruining your shots, it's time to clean the sensor on your DSLR camera. This tutorial shows you the right equipment and technique to effectively and safely clean the sensor on your camera.
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: Make a pinhole body cap
A step by step video on making a pinhole body cap for any SLR camera.
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: Shoot in the forest
Learn about the type of shots and light you need to take nice pictures in the forest.
How To: Take better indoor portraits
James Barry teaches us how to take better indoor portraits. When you are taking these, you want to make sure you have the lighting that is directly onto the subject and the subject's face can be seen. You will have to work with the light and often you will have to add in several lights to get the facial features to all show. Work with your camera to see what it sees and how the light looks through the camera. It will take several minutes to get the portrait to come out correctly. Place the li...
How To: Chroma key green screen video
This video tutorial is in the Fine Art category in which you will learn how to chroma key green screen video. Chroma key is the magical process of making images where the background or any object in your scene can be made transparent so that you can replace it with a different image. First shoot some footage in front of your Chroma key backdrop. Then shoot the background footage. Next put the 1st video track over the background track in the editing time line. With Chroma key you can have some...
How To: Photograph Christmas lights
Capture the magic of the holidays with these tips on how to properly snap pictures of holiday lights with a digital camera.
How To: Photograph a Fireworks Show
As Fourth of July nears, you might be considering a fireworks show or two. Capturing the beauty of a firework spectacular on camera can be a tricky feat but luckily, there's help out in the world. In this Cameras Brookwood tutorial, learn how to photograph a fireworks show the right way.
How To: Understand camera meters and histograms
Get better exposures by understanding how your camera's light meter sees a scene, and how this relates to histograms.
How To: Light with diffusers in photo shoots
Learn how to use some simple lighting with a Gary Fong Whaletail flash diffuser, the sun, and finally with a second diffuser, the Gary Fong Origami.
How To: Take and make 3D photos using a basic camera
This tutorial video will teach you to make photos into 3d masterpieces using simple software and a regular camera. Pretty soon, you'll have eye-popping results that will amaze all of your friends.
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.
How To: Choose the right sensor for your DSLR camera
There are a variety of sensors on the market for your digital SLR camera - but which one is the right for you? This tutorial gives you a good run down of each sensor with their strengths and weaknesses so you can easily pick the best one for you.
How To: Develop film
Save money and become a more complete photographer. Learn how to develop your own film in this free darkroom tutorial from a professional photographer.
How To: Clean camera lenses safely
Cleaning your lens will help your lens performing at its best, and this tutorial shows us how to do it properly. You will need: lens cleaning fluid, soft cloth, blower ball, and pencil. Start off by blowing air onto the lens and then dropping the cleaning solution onto the cloth. Rub the cloth into circles and start rubbing the lens gently. Now, take your pencil eraser and rub the contacts to remove any grease, then use the blower ball to remove any particles you see around the lens. Do this ...
How To: Use snow shoes for your camera's tripod
This video teaches how to increase the surface area of the support under your tripod by using snow shoes. You can get snow shoes from various manufacturers. The bottom of the snow shoe has a very wide surface area. You can compare this with the width of the tripod base. The snow shoe makes the tripod more stable on the ground when you are using it on mud or snow or on sand. The snow shoe stops your tripod from sinking into the ground. On top of the snow shoe, you have a little rubber strap an...
How To: Load a 35mm camera
Don't risk exposing your first rolls of film. Watch this instructional photography video to load a 35mm manual camera. This camera is a Nikon FM2. This is a simple process, but it takes some practice to load film into a camera fluidly.
How To: Use studio flashes and modifiers for photography
The appropriate lighting in photography can make the difference between an average photograph and a great photograph. Get a better understanding of how to create the perfect lighting for your photograph from a professional photographer in this free photography video series.
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: Do a Nighttime Halloween Photoshoot
Eric Levin is back! Check out his latest photography how-to video. It's basically a cool nighttime photoshoot session in the middle on New England forest, obviously featuring... Ice Nine Kills!
How To: Improve your photographs by using the Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds has you divide your shot into three seconds, both horizontal and vertical, so you can add the emphasis where you want it. Here is how you can use this rule to improve the composition of your own photographs.
How To: Properly use a light meter
If you want to get a good exposure on a shot, there's nothing so useful as a good light meter. But, as useful as a light meter can be, it won't do you any good unless you know how to use it properly. Learn how with this free video photography lesson from Kerry Garrison of CameraDojo, which will walk you through the fundamentals of using the device.
How To: Understand flash versus continuous lighting
In this video segment learn the differences between flash and continuous lighting. Also learn about strobe lighting and the modeling bulb.
How To: Do basic photography lighting setups
Lighting is very important to photography. The proper lighting can make your subject or scene appear in a totally new way. Whether you are adding, or eliminating shadow, using light to manipulate the way something looks, or just setting up for a flattering portrait, you will need to know some light basics. In this tutorial, Mark will show you how to set up lighting for a fantastic picture. You will learn seven different setups to make sure you have the right arrangement for your particular ne...