Photography Basics

These articles explain the fundamental concepts behind taking photographs with any camera. Topics include exposure, focusing, film speeds, lens selection and different camera types.

Choosing Lenses

Your lens choice matters more than your camera body, and picking the right one depends on brand compatibility and whether you need fixed or zoom focal lengths.

Dealing with Light

Light is the foundation of photography, but mastering how it works in different environments takes practise and the right techniques.

Early Photography

How photography started from an eight-hour exposure on a pewter plate in the 1820s to become central to modern life.

Film Speed

Film speed measures how sensitive film is to light using the ISO scale, affecting exposure time and image quality.

Focusing Basics

Master focus and depth of field to control what's sharp in your photos and create the visual impact you want.

Great Photos with Cheap Cameras

You don't need expensive gear to take great photos—cheap cameras work fine when you know what to look for.

How Does a Camera Work?

Light bends through a lens, chemicals capture the image, and mechanics make it all work, here's how cameras actually function.

Photography Copyright Law

How photographers can protect their work from copyright abuse in the digital age.

Understanding Metering and Exposure

Getting the hang of shutter speed, aperture and ISO helps you control how bright or dark your photos turn out.

What Is a Range-Finder?

Rangefinder cameras use a focusing mechanism where photographers align two images to achieve sharp focus, a technique favored by classic documentary photographers.

What Is a Single Lens Reflex?

SLR cameras let you see exactly what you'll photograph through the lens, making them the go-to choice for most photographers today.