-=Photography Tips and Tutorials List=-

[CyberDyneSystems]

I can't seem to locate the old master sticky list, so I'm putting together a new one.

The format here is the same as Post Processing Tutorial list.. post a LINK to a thread containing your discussion-tutorial or tips.


The POTN Wildlife Photography Tips Thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42510)

Landscape Tips Thread! (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=198005)

Exposing to the Right. An example (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66836)

A Water Drop Tutorial (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=110)

Photography Basics - Books & Links (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53846)


Please add more links.. or PM me if you would like me to add some to this post.




REMINDER Like all of the "info stickies" on the forum,. this thread is for posting of links to informational threads and tutorials etc.. Any discussion in these "info sticky" threads are subject to editing or deletion.

[gjenkin]

Jodie Coston's Online Photography Course
http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php

[PhotosGuy]

Gray card: Why your meter may be lying to you! (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54281)
I found something that I didn't expect!

(Updated w/pic & info 2/7/05)

Gray Card…White Paper. What’s best? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58677)
What’s best for exposure, Gray cards, white paper, expensive attachments for the lens?
Need an exposure crutch? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=89123)
Don’t have a gray or white card, or hand held meter with you? “Film tricks” can help you out.

Some personal views on sensor cleaning. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=184448)
Maybe just once in a while is enough.

Firebirds! On shooting fireworks... (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=189490)
I hope I didn't forget anything! :D

ShootSmarter Tutorials & Info. (http://www.shootsmarter.com/index.html)
LOTs of good info here! You'll need to sign up (free).
Some subjects covered are:
Facemask Histograms
Suzette Allen PS Tutorials
sRGB vs. AdobeRGB
Digital Exposure Tolerance
Jim Tweedie on Digital Wedding, Portrait, On-Cam Flash + Raw File Converters are not Created Equal
Portrait Patter: look at the psychology employed
Painless Color Management
Monitor Profiling Tips
Flashmeter Comparisons

Notice the background changes when you change the "Shutter and Aperture" settings!
Virtual Camera (http://www.photonhead.com/simcam/)
Sim Cam (http://www.photonhead.com/simcam/shutteraperture.php)

See how an image looks when you change the focus: http://www.lytro.com/living-pictures/277
The lytro (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1058647)

Photoshop Mini-Tutorials (http://www.damiensymonds.com.au/tut_mini.html)
Tip 1: Check your image's profile
Tip 2: A 100% crop
Tip 3: About the Hue slider
Tip 4: Taking colour-managed screenshots (PC)


Way too "cute", but this might be a video to watch if you have patience with "Creative" editing: 101 PS shortcuts in 5 minutes (http://www.deke.com/content/101-photoshop-tips-5-minutes)

How do you set a custom white balance (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=186766)

Actually, it doesn't inside: Auto White Balance - works really well (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=234507)

[gary_hendricks]

I've just created a new tutorial about how to buy a digital camera.

Tutorial: How to Buy a Digital Camera (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=57760)

[Curtis N]

Examples of why you can't trust your camera's meter, regardless of metering mode. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=86497)

Excel-based depth-of-field calculator plus extras
(http://boonecounty.info/photocalc.htm)Use to make your own DOF charts, print customized flash distance guides, plus an exposure equivalent calculator.
96kb Excel file (free download)
Go to this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=94185) to post questions, comments and suggestions.

How NOT to expose to the right (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=93712)
An example of why this technique should be used with caution.

Limitations of Fluorescent Lighting (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=790596#post790596)
Why it's a problem and how to deal with it

[Robert_Lay]

Gray Card fpr Exposure and White Balance
For a better understanding of how the "Gray Card" is used in photography go to my web site for the document GrayCardTutorial in either the html form or as a pdf file:
http://www.zaffora.com/W9DMK/GrayCardTutorial.htm
You will find "How To" information for both exposure control and white balance control.

Elements of Composition
I have placed a document called "Elements of Good Composition" at my Web site. It's a "work in progress", and I expect to update it periodically as I become more organized about the subject. I welcome any suggestions you might have for inclusion in these "elements". These are the criteria that I use in critiquing images, whether they be oil paintings or photographs.
If you are interested, check out the current HTML version here:
http://www.zaffora.com/W9DMK/ElementsGoodComposition.htm

RAW PROCESSING
I have posted a document at my Web Site that explains how Adobe Camera RAW works (version 2.4 plug-in).

If you have never shot in RAW format before and you want to get an idea of what RAW processing is all about, this will interest you.

If you are a more experience RAW shooter who has had difficulty recovering highlight details from over-exposed images, this paper will not only interest you, it may also give you better insight into what can and cannot be recovered and why, as well as some techniques for getting the most out of given RAW image.

The PDF version of the document may be downloaded from here:
http://www.zaffora.com/W9DMK/RAWProcessing.pdf

Thank you for your interest, and please let me know of your questions or corrections.

Portrait Lighting

I have recently found myself trying to make the same points over and over on one thread after another in regard to Studio Portraiture.

Therefore, in order to get all of the issues relating to setting up a two-light portraiture configuration and adjusting those lights for optimum realism, 3-dimensionality and depth, I decided to put it all together in one document with pictures that show you how to do it and what the results should look like.

If you are interested in Studio portraiture, you will find the HTML version at:

http://www.zaffora.com/W9DMK/PortraitLighting.htm

and the PDF version at:

http://www.zaffora.com/W9DMK/PortraitLighting.pdf

As usual, please let me know of any questions or corrections.

Thank you,

Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Use "Merge to HDR" in PSCS2
[Revised 26 April 2006]

Step-by-step Tutorial on "Merge to HDR"
Now available at the following Web site:
http://www.zaffora.com/W9DMK/UsingHDR.htm
or as a downloadable PDF:
http://www.zaffora.com/W9DMK/UsingHDR.pdf

[Robert_Lay]

Color Management Policies
For users of PSCS versions 8.0 and 9.0, Color Management can be confusing.

In the interests of getting a better understanding of what actually goes on in PS Color Management, we look closely at the "Edit->Color Settings" dialog and ask ourselves the question, "How would I get into a situation where this choice becomes important?", or, in short, "How did I get here?".

Note the three points in the Color Settings Dialog that we have marked as "A", "B", and "C". These three points and the specific configuraion that we have set up as an example, will cover the majority of Color Management situations that can be confusing.

Paragraphs "A", "B", and "C" will describe the circumstances in which the Color Management policies apply.

Please note that this configuration is not a recommendation - it is a reasonable configuration that was put together just for this exercise.

A - Color Management Policies (RGB)

"Working Spaces, RGB" shows your choice of RGB working space.

Any circumstance that raises the issue of how to deal with an image having a different working space (different than sRGB) will bring you to this point.

Examples are:
(1) Opening an image that has an embedded color profile other than sRGB.
(2) Opening an image that has no embedded color profile.

Due to the fact that our chosen policy is to "Preserve Embedded Profiles, case A(1) is resolved by immediately opening the document using its embedded profile.

Due to the fact that the checkbox, "Missing Profiles: |X| Ask When Opening", is checked, case A(2) is resolved by prompting the user to choose beteween 1) open the file without color management, or 2) assign the current RGB working space, or 3) assign an RGB profile from the "pick-list".


B - Color Management Policies (CMYK)

"Working Spaces, CMYK" shows your choice of CMYK working space.

Any circumstance that raises the issue of how to deal with an image having a different working space (different than U.S. Web Coated) will bring you to this point.

Examples are:
(1) Opening an image that has a CMYK embedded color profile other than "U.S. Web Coated".
(2) Opening an image that has no embedded color profile.

Due to the fact that our chosen policy is to "Convert to Working CMYK Working Profile, case B(1) is resolved by immediately opening the document using the CMYK Working Profile (U.S. Web Coated).

Due to the fact that the checkbox, "Missing Profiles: |X| Ask When Opening", is checked, case B(2) is resolved by prompting the user to choose beteween 1) open the file without color management, or 2) assign the current RGB working space, or 3) assign a profile from the "pick-list".

Note that all three options are confined to RGB profiles. So, this is not the place to try to assign a CMYK profile. That should normally be done after working with an image in RGB and then doing the conversion with "Edit->Convert to Profile".

[You may have noticed that the circumstances for getting to either point A or B are very similar.]


C - The checkbox, "Missing Profiles |X| Ask When Opening"

In "A" and "B" above we have already made it quite clear that when the "Missing Profiles" checkbox is checked, it allows the user to correct for the missing profile by assigning an RGB profile, only.

Upon examining the list of profiles in the "pick-list", you will find all the expected RGB profiles, including Epson devices that operate in RGB.

Unfortunately, if the file being opened does not have an embedded profile, there is no way at this point to "assign" or "convert to" a CMYK profile. If that situation arises, it is best to open the image with an assigned RGB profile, do your editing and then convert to CMYK, as was indicated in paragraph "B" above.

Any corrections or suggestion for this tutorial are welcome!

[Robert_Lay]

Another good one, Robert. Maybe you could put that in a Post Processing sticky?
Since most people here won't be doing commercial CMYK printing, is there any reason to choose that working space?
EDOT: Oh, wait! This IS one, isn't it? :D

Not sure what you wanted me to do, so I put another one under Post Processing :D

In regard to CMYK, I only put an entry there for completeness. In this context, I am only trying to present a simpler view of the overall Color Management concept than what I usually find in the expensive books.

[BBC]

Thanks all for the these valuable materials.

[nevilleb]

Just posted an article on photographing sunsets and sunrises here:

I've just posted an article on how to make photos of sunsets and sunrises on photosig. I'm sured it's nothing new to the gurus out here, but may make interesting reading nevertheless.

The link is : http://www.photosig.com/articles/1538/article

nevilleb

[cbc]

Here is a video tutorial on how to read the histogram - makes it very easy to understand!

the link: http://colorbalancecoach.blogspot.com/

[fWord]

Night Photography Tutorial: Basics and Minutiae (http://liquidkiwi.blogspot.com/)

[rammy]

Lee Graduated and Neutral Density Filters (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=315987)
- A demo of the .3 (1 stop), .6 (2 stop) and .9 (3 stop) HARD and SOFT grad filters.
- Also includes the .3, .6 and .9 ND Filters.
- Some discussion on Cokin vs. Lee filters.

Ansel Adams type of Mountains (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=318951)
- Steps on how to get shadow and contrast impact in your B&W images.

Setup and taking Panorama Images (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=4387342&postcount=3)
- Setup your camera and take pano pics. Read full thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=412143) here.

Step by step guide on taking panorama images, with examples. (http://ramyad-photo.blogspot.com/2009/04/panorama-pictures.html)
- Things to remember and avoid when taking a panorama picture for stitching. Includes technique and camera settings. Examples included.

Night time photography technique, with examples. (http://ramyad-photo.blogspot.com/2009/04/photos-at-night.html)
- Includes technique and camera settings. Examples included, as well a sequence of photos as it gets darker.

[myonlyphoto]

I have small instructions for
How To Take Photos of the Moon (http://myonlyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-to-take-photo-of-moon.html)

EDIT by PhotosGuy: Another thread: Shooting the moon (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=368034)

Manila Moon at 1120 mm (large pic)
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=119572

Moon shot with 350D & standard kit
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=129558

[Kadath]

Found a great new photo tutorial site, I like the way this guy works:
http://www.tutorial9.net/photography/depth-of-field-in-photography/

Here's all his photo tuts so far:
http://www.tutorial9.net/category/photography/

And ones on photoshop:
http://www.tutorial9.net/category/photoshop/

[dave sparks]

Photoflex has a great online school with quite a few free online lessons. (http://www.photoflexlightingschool.com/) Of course it's biased to their equipment but some neat stuff anyways. Try photoflexlightingschool.com. Even their sales sight has links on how to use their wares.
Sparky

[1downfall]

Found a great new photo tutorial site, I like the way this guy works:
http://www.tutorial9.net/photography/depth-of-field-in-photography/

Here's all his photo tuts so far:
http://www.tutorial9.net/category/photography/

And ones on photoshop:
http://www.tutorial9.net/category/photoshop/
some good stuff on these links...ty!

[theveed]

Can I put mine? They're aimed for the layman...

Subscribe to my Articles via email (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?page_id=275)

Articles

Flash Photography Articles

* Flash - Get a Flash First to Improve Your Photos (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=105)
* Flash - Shedding Light on Flash - Part 1 (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=131)
* Flash - Shedding Light on Flash - Part 2 (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=153)
* Flash - Color Correction Using Color Gel Filters (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=166)
* Flash - Controlling the Direction of your Light (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=170)
* Flash - DIY Bounce Cards and Flags (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=210)

General Photography Articles

* Point and Shoot Camera Photography Tips (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=107)
* All Hail the Prime! Celebrate Simplicity (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=238)
* Exposure - Relation Between Shutter Speed and Aperture Value (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=255)
* Compensate! Compensate! Exposure Compensation (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=268)
* A Beginner’s Guide on Safekeeping Digital Photos (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=290)
* What is Metering and How Do I Meter? (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=324)
* Simple Tips to Improve Outdoor Portraits (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=376)

Post-Processing Articles

* Photoshop - Improving Specific Colors (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=223)

[srsuser]

anyone have anything on how to correctly hold a camera?

[theveed]

The tutorial 9 links has an article about that.

[theveed]

http://www.davidleetong.com/images/articles/dof/2767362455_d7bd80e5f7_m.jpg
by David Tong


This article is for beginners or for those who haven't bought an expensive telephoto lens or wide aperture lens, but wish to take photographs where the subject is pin sharp, yet the background is blurred to oblivion.

continue reading here (http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=556)

[Mrizzle84]

Lots of good info... lots to read though haha.

[creature_]

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

Not sure if it was mentioned, didn't see it...but it's a Very Good source of info for off camera lighting. At least watch the video introduction, clear, concise, with a dry sense of humor.

[fotofun]

Here you can find a lot of different photography tips and tutorials (http://www.shotaddict.com/tips/category_10.html). Also you may choose different categories (to the left) to read.

[Robert_Lay]

Introducing a Brief Article on the "Quality of Light"

"Quality of Light" is a brief (4 pages) article targeted to those who want a better understanding of light and the effect it has on the image. Topics are as follows:

1.0 Introduction
2.0 Outdoor Scenes (Natural Light/Sunlight)
2.1 Relationship between Light Source, Shadows, and Scene Contrast
2.2 Open Shade
2.3 Guidelines for Outdoor Portraits
3.0 Indoor Scenes (Artificial light/Sunlight)
3.1 How are Indoor Scenes Different from Outdoor Scenes?
3.2 Guidelines for Indoor Portraits
End Notes
Index of Other Documents by the Author Available for Download from the WEB

Click Here to View the Article (http://www.zaffora.com/W9DMK/QualityOfLight.mht)

Click Here to Download the PDF Version (http://www.zaffora.com/W9DMK/QualityOfLight.pdf)

[joey3000]

wow, this site is amazing.

[RifRaf331]

What a great thread, thx to everyone for sharing your expertice!

[G. Mann]

Great stuff. Learning much here.

Cheers,
G

[mikestarr]

subbed...newb trying to learn. Great stuff here

[Cody21]

you guys have gone ABOVE & BEYOND with this thread ... very valuable stuff. !! Thanks

[Chris Weller]

Hello all,

Below is a link to a “how to” article I authored on creating better motorsports pan shots. I hope you find it useful.

http://www.thephotoargus.com/tips/an-introduction-to-panning-in-motorsports/

Chris

[markpogi]

Whoa! there are lots and lots of tutorials here.

tfs. bw!

[photofreak99]

Since I've had requests for "More flash videos" here is a general "Flash Photography Tips" video covering all kinds of cameras from little point-and-shoot up to digital SLR and hot-shoe flash.

Flash Photography Tips (YouTube, 11 min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRoZwkTj74k

Hope you find it helpful!

[nepali]

Great thread...thank you! :)

[fr0sty]

Well; im just a newbie in a bunch of pro's..

But the best tip I found (Came out of Multimedia Workshop book)

Going Forward
At it's core, photography is about experimentation. Without it, a photographer never learns to press beyond their comfort level (Or auto mode) and explore new techniques that will add dimension to their work.
It is through trial and error that almost all parts of the photographic process are learned, so don't be afraid to go out and fail.
You don't have to share your work with anyone until you've got images you're proud of.
And the best thing about digital photography is you can shoot 10 pictures or 10,000 and it will cost you the same amount; nothing!.
So go out and change you aperture, white balance, and ISO settings and see what happens.
And most important... Have fun!!!

[thruthelens]

Fantastic thread, thanks very much

[PhotoImposter2]

Hello all,

Below is a link to a “how to” article I authored on creating better motorsports pan shots. I hope you find it useful.

http://www.thephotoargus.com/tips/an-introduction-to-panning-in-motorsports/

Chris

This should be useful when I attend F1 in Montreal. Thanks:lol::lol:

[JOSX2]

i tried to put them 'in order' of some sorts to help explain things starting from bare basics & working up to what RAW is. I like adorama's site...lots of useful info in their learning center (www.adorama.com/alc)

Geting to know your DSLR: http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/Getting-to-know-your-DSLR-AdoramaTV

Exposure Triangle: http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/Exposure-Adorama-Photography-TV

Aperture Values: http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/Aperture-Values-Adorama-Photography-TV

Understanding stops: http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/Understanding-Stops-AdoramaTV

metering & exp. compensation: http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/Metering-Part-2-Exposure-Compensation-AdoramaTV

Depth of Field (DoF): http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/Depth-of-Field-AdoramaTV

White balance: http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/White-Balance-AdoramaTV

Freezing motion with shutter speed: http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/Freezing-Motion-with-Shutter-AdoramaTV

this one talks about the use of an external flash (referred to as 'on camera flash'):
http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/On-Camera-Flash-Basics-AdoramaTV

This is more of an FYI if you've wondered what RAW is:
http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/RAW-vs-JPEG-AdoramaTV

[FlashThat]

awesome! thanks for sharing all of these tutorial sites. This will help me learn more about photography.

[theveed]

I'd like to contribute another one...

5 Tips in Choosing the Best DSLR camera for Beginners (http://networkedblogs.com/jRWtc) |

5 tips in choosing your first DSLR camera for beginners.

Define your budget
Identify your requirements
Check availability of lenses and accessories
Find out what your close friends and family are using
Buy and forget

Please re-share if you find it useful

[aponi06]

Not sure if this is the right place to post but where can I find beginner friendly PS tutorials for editing photos? :)

[JOSX2]

I've recently come across psdtus+ and am extremely impressed with their videos. I've learned a ton about PS just by watching the vids in the past couple weeks, and I've never taken a PS course before.

These are what I've been watching: Photoshop Basix - http://psd.tutsplus.com/sessions/photoshop-basix/

it's 29 vids, about 15-20 mins each. but well worth the watch!

[akmcpa]

Just posted an article on photographing sunsets and sunrises here:

I've just posted an article on how to make photos of sunsets and sunrises on photosig. I'm sured it's nothing new to the gurus out here, but may make interesting reading nevertheless.

The link is : http://www.photosig.com/articles/1538/article

nevilleb


Hi...Great share. The information is very useful especially to me... just starting. Thank you so much for this.

[ShowMeADeal]

Some great tutorials listed in this thread. Thanks for sharing.

[sweetpea44]

Thanks for posting these!

[frugivore]

I have found the stickies on POTN immensely useful, but I somehow missed this one.

I don't see this tutorial link around, but it has been my bible for learning portrait photography:

Chuck Gardner's Photography and Lighting Tutorials (http://super.nova.org/DPR/)

Now it's time for me to go through the rest of the links in this thread and find some hidden knowledge!

[photogdesign]

Hi!
I just recently came across this e-book filled with good tricks and tutorials. It has changed my point of view on making special camera effects.

Look at my blog page of this e-book on the link in my signature.

[Stockimage]

Thanks for all ,
This is great information for me.....

[jadahcorb]

This is like heaven to me! Thanks so much for sharing these tutorial links!

[zeorgehenry]

Hi Guys,
I am new in this professional and I am searching for this type of tips. I read all post and it will me very helpful to me and its improve ma photography skills. Thanks for sharing.

[cacique]

Thanks for all the information on here

[JohnKokWithAdSLR]

http://famecherry.com/wp-content/graphics/2012/05/IMG_6759-2_thumb.jpg (http://famecherry.com/models/posing-mastery-v1-0/)


Dear Friends



I has just completed a guide to mastering posing when it comes to portrait modeling

Fundamentals aside, in my work the complexities of a modeling pose have been broken down into 3 distinctive parts with supporting influences taken into consideration.

The reason of this is to package it for ease of understanding, application and eventual mastery =)




The Anatomy Of Any Pose Is As Follows

A) Body - The body is the base of any pose, it provides the foundation for the pose.

B) Facial expression - The face gives emotion to the pose, it provides the soul for the pose

C) Body Language - Hands are an essential part of body language, hand posing provides sophistication and flair to the pose




Fundamentals Aside, The Supporting Influence On Posing Is As Follows

Visualization - You will not be able to pose well if you have no mental image of how your pose will look like. Familiarization on how you look when you do the pose in order to “see it” in your mind.

Experience - Knowing what pose to use in the given situation

Camera Charm - Camera Charm is the single element which distinguishes each and every portrait model to be unique not only by looks, it is the factor which reaches out to the audience of the photograph and grabs them by the collar and make them pay attention.




The fundamentals of posing and each of the points above is elaborated in detail with the aid of illustrations at http://famecherry.com/models/posing-mastery-v1-0 (http://famecherry.com/models/posing-mastery-v1-0)





In my effort to better understand the human condition, I have spent the past 12 months gathering raw data in a standardized manner. The creation of this guide is one of the practical applications based on the analytical results from the data that I have collected. Although I would admit that my work is still in its infancy, I hope that my guide would be helpful for you.

Should you have any feedback on my work please let me know, it would mean a lot to me and it will aid countless models and photographers who have an interest in portraiture.

Thank you very much

[Jeremy Bryant]

Oh nice! thank you guys for putting this thread up. I've actually been wondering why we haven't started it yet. A one stop place for everything photography. :)