Free online digital photography tutorials
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you take better photos!
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will give you a critique.
It will help you to learn how to improve your photography even further
- everyone learns more!
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Every snapper can produce top notch photographs. It doesn’t matter how
much your camera costs, or how large it is.
And don’t believe anyone who tells you “all
you need to do to get better photos is to just take hundreds of
pictures. Some of them will be OK. That’s what the professionals do.”
No. They don’t. Ever. Trust me. (I hope my Dad is reading this - he's
the worst culprit I know!)
The thing that makes the biggest difference
to the quality of digital photography is the person behind the camera.
And that’s you!
This whole site grew out of this philosophy. If you are looking for
some digital photography instruction and want to take better photos -
you have come to the right place!
A quick example
As a quick example of the difference a bit of simple digital
photography instruction makes, look at the photo below. It’s a piece of
art-work in Prague. Roll your mouse over it to see the “before” and
“after”.
The camera was the same. The time of day was the same. The subject was
the same. The difference? The photographer!
My wife (love her to bits!) took the “before”. I looked at it on the
camera screen (isn’t digital photography wonderful?) and didn’t think
we were doing the art-work the justice it deserved.
So, I just re-framed the photo – and the “after” is the result.
A little guidance is all that's needed
This is not
difficult to achieve! And it is really easy to learn – you
just need some simple tips and tricks to help you out. That’s why
you’re here, right?
The links below will take you to pages
that cover more specific digital photography instruction. Tips
and tricks that I guarantee will improve your photography!
Digital Photography Tutorials
Have a photo you would like us to "critique"?
Do you have a photo that you would like to offer up to be critique-d?
Share your photo; tell us a little about it (how you took it, effects you were looking for, that sort of thing) and "Ed", and others, can offer suggestions as to how it might be improved.
It's a great way for everyone to learn how to take better photos!
What Other Visitors Have Submitted
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
sunset at the lake
I went to the lake just to capture a good picture of the sun setting.
I'm into photography now and I'm only an amateur. I would like to practice more ...
A river bend
It is shot around 12:00 noon with a compact digital 2MP camera.
I like to capture the bend of a river passing through a village in Bengal (India).
The ...
Christmas going to church
I took my grandson downtown Monroe, LA to do a photo shoot. It was late in the afternoon and I really wanted to do it a lot earlier in the day, but it ...
party watcher
This was a shot taken at my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. The girl on the fire escape is a second cousin, Sophie. I was actually shooting with my ...
Spring Sunrise East Coast
Could not resist snapping this.
I was going to my letterbox to pick up my morning paper but rushed back into the house and grabbed my camera.
A ...
And Death Will Come
This is a Halloween photo I took of my best friend at my parents ranch in Wyoming.
It was originally full sized but I cropped it for effect. I turned ...
the dayz
This photo is an expression of my feelings.
(For convenience, all links below open in new windows)
A very interesting photo!
When I first ...
Morning Walk
I basically like this photo, it has lots of sensations of a morning walk. The colors are nice, yet somehow, maybe I am just being hard on myself . . . what ...
help me
Please tell me how to get more depth from this picture.
I use Picasa and can only get it here
(For convenience, all links below open in new windows)...
rain columns
just thought it was interesting camera is a Casio 4 meg compact just got my new Sony a300 can't wait to test it out.
(For convenience, all links below ...
Starrett Lake at Dawn
Stepping out of the camping tent first thing in the morning to the edge of the family's favorite lake, to catch a sliver of beauty enjoyed for decades ...
A DIFFERENT VIEW
I have taken a normal everyday dandelion and negated the colors to opposite in a B&W setting. It gives the dandelion a whole new way of looking at this ...
Sunset in San Diego
I wanted to capture the reflection of the sun in the hotel and the reflection of the hotel in the water.
(For convenience, all links below open in ...
wedding1
Just a little bit of whimsy...
(For convenience, all links below open in new windows)
Dan doesn't say if he was the official photographer ...
Wise Old bird
Taken on a recent visit to Edinburgh Zoo. The bird was being used in a display, so was flying constantly and I only got seconds to get a shot.
I would ...
Another Lake Nippissing Sunset
As the sun was going down behind a bank of clouds it was reflecting in the lake. I also liked the way the sun lit up the clouds above it.
(For convenience,...
Cook Islands
This photo is looking back at the main island and the photo is half under water and half out.
(For convenience, all links below open in new windows)...
Switzerland Winter
I am a student and novice in digital photography. I took this photo with Canon a480 small digital camera 7.1Mp. The camera was kept on Snow mode.
This ...
Becca
I was trying to create a portrait of my daughter that had some drama to it without going over the edge. I am still working with learning how to effectively ...
Me
Intensity
(For convenience, all links below open in new windows)
This looks a little like one of those 'caught in the headlights' moments. I'm ...
Beach Bum
This shot was taken on a beach in Crete in June 07 using a Pentax Optio S7 Digital.
The shot was a colour shot then converted to B+W.
(For convenience,...
Snow Day
I wanted to capture the feeling you get, when it first snows and you are looking at a winter wonderland.
(For convenience, all links below open in ...
Pink Flower with droplet
This photo was captured in my garden after a quick rain. The water was forming a large droplet on the petal and I liked the way the flower stems in the ...
Alappuzha(Kerala , India)
I was mesmerized by the beauty and the greenery of the place. The greenery refreshed my mind. I was travelling in a boat through the backwaters of the ...
tree
I was hoping to capture the mood of the place
When I first glanced this submission I was attracted by the strong colours and the silhouette.
At ...
Wifes left foot
This shot was taken in Crete as part of a group of body parts.
I love the B + W effect.
(For convenience, all links below open in new windows)...
Graceful Swan
I was hoping to capture some exciting moments while the swans were swimming in a pond, and I think I got a great outcome.
Wildlife photography can ...
my bees
These are Egyptian bees nearby National Museum.
Having some free minutes before getting in I tried to capture something. Being in a hurry that was ...
Patience (In Color)
Thought I would send you the colour version of "Patience" too. So people could see the difference!
Jennifer’s “Patience” was a photo submission ...
It's A Long Way Home....
I am just now getting into photography in the last month and wanted to learn my camera, which I have had for a little over a year. The camera I used was ...
Dead Tree
What do you guys think of this? I believe it's my best work yet.
If there were an art competition, I would enter this shot. What are your thoughts on ...
Sunset
Photo taken from atop a mountain in the holy city of Haridwar in India.
Sunsets are beautiful. The rich deep colours, the peacefulness of the ...
Spring Treasure
I came upon a patch of these Siberian squill while on a walk with my daughter.
They're very pretty, but much more so when you look at them from underneath....
Ugly Pole
I think that poles that are used in distribution of energy are among the ugliest things man has ever made. I've already seen some poles with hundreds of ...
Surfer on Wave
Captured the surfer going along the wave.
This is one of those puzzling photos – was it framed to make it look like the surfer was surfing along ...
Horses and a Car
I just saw this unusual scene and took a picture of it. At home, however, I "tortured" Photoshop until it looked like as I wanted.
The original version ...
Curve road P1
I was chatting to my wife at Mile-End Park in London, suddenly I saw this road behind my wife and then I took the picture.
(For convenience, all ...
Night time in Florida
Sea Towers condos - Madeira Bch, FL
Nikon D40
2008/02/15 19:11:32.6
JPEG (8-bit) Normal
Image Size: Large (3008 x 2000)
Color
Lens: 18-55mm F/3....
Busy Bee
I was sitting in our garden and I heard lots and lots of buzzing.
I eventually found the source - lots and lots of bees had found our honeysuckle and ...
Kashmir
I was trying to capture the beauty of the Kashmir just after rains.
(for convenience links below open in new windows)
There are so ...
sunset on a perfect day at the lake
I took this photo when we were on holidays at Babine Lake, British Columbia.
We were camping and had spent the day on the house boat in the picture....
Broken Dream
Patio shooting. A broken clay pot, pretending like creature, all is well.
(For convenience, all links below open in new windows)
This strikes ...
Rose leaf drops
I love to take pictures of flowers and such after a good rainstorm… this is some rose leaves… do you think it has a nice effect?
(For convenience,...
Evening by the River Thames
This is a picture taken by the River Thames early evening. I wanted to create an evening atmosphere
The Thames makes for great subject matter, especially ...
Gulls at the Beach - Silhouette
Not rated yet
body {background-color: white} h1 {color: #414141} h2 {text-align: center; font size:18px; color: #6F1540; font-family:'Verdana'; font-weight:bold; font-...
Yellow Hibiscus
Not rated yet
body {background-color: white}
h1 {color: #414141}
h2 {text-align: center; font size:18px; color: #6F1540; font-family:'Verdana'; font-weight:bold;...
Spring Tulip
Not rated yet
With this shot I was actually just playing around with the camera (Nikon D40) I thought the colours on the petals were really pretty and wanted to try ...
St Marys Glow
Not rated yet
I took this photo at a friend's engagement party in Sydney just after it stopped raining.
The air was super clear and the Cathedral just stood out ...
The Wasatch Front, Utah
Not rated yet
This shows the east mountains of Salt Lake Valley, from North Salt Lake all the way to the point of the South mountain (which goes into the Utah Valley,...
Trail at night
Not rated yet
I took this picture down river from the city,I had it set on night setting and I used a tripod.
My camera is a Fuji s8100
(for convenience ...
Rail Roads
Not rated yet
This is almost exactly what I wanted to capture except those stains on the glass.
I took the photo while sitting in a train moving at the speed of ...
Highway Man
Not rated yet
Well I took this picture in Delhi over the bridge of highway around evening, was trying to capture some great picture of highway motion blur and I put ...
Rain Rain Go Away
Not rated yet
This is my daughter patiently waiting for the rain to calm so she could go back to enjoying the local state fair.
I was hoping to capture the way she ...
Old vs New
Not rated yet
I loved the contrast between the steel battleship and the wooden clipper type sailboat. I thought the contrast between the two ships was really cool and ...
Crystal clear
Not rated yet
I took this picture using my new Nikon D40.
I love experimenting with focusing on certain areas of a picture so that other things are blurry. I like ...
Seal on Beach
Not rated yet
The seal might look a little sleepy but boy oh boy I can assure you it was not.
I was walking around the foreshore and was taken totally by surprise ...
Red Balloon
Not rated yet
I shot it on an automatic outside setting.
I went around Tetouan, Morocco with balloons. I actually made a short series with the old car in an area ...
Alaska Winter Sunrise
Not rated yet
I shot this with a Sony A350 with a wide angle lens.
This was my first stab at photographing a sunrise. I was trying to get a winter wonderland effect....
Keys
Not rated yet
Picture was taking fairly quick.
I think I need better lighting; I need to make something I can take photos of small objects in.
(for ...
Williamsburg Steeple & Lamp post
Not rated yet
While touring colonial Williamsburg, VA with my family, I noticed this steeple against the brilliant blue sky.
At first the lamp post was not in my ...
An Invitation to Autumn
Not rated yet
I took this photo one day in October while walking through a state park. I came upon this opening in the trees and stopped to capture the image.
I ...
Senior Project
Not rated yet
I'm a high school senior and we have this "senior project" which we have to complete in order to graduate; we get to choose our own topic, so I chose digital ...
Parade of Lights
Not rated yet
I shot this photo last night at the local Holiday Parade of Lights.
I wanted all my photos to be clear and sharp with brilliant colors. I wanted the ...
Peekaboo
Not rated yet
It was my first time shooting to get details and just to get a good photograph.
I normally shoot to just capture a moment. This was done with my phone ...
Sunrise revisited
Not rated yet
I followed your advice and came up with this . . . Far more striking than my original post.
It's always nice to see a before and after!
I definitely ...
Gentle Waterfall
Not rated yet
This was the last day to take any color photos from the fall weather, as the next day it snowed and got cold,. I like it. I like the water depth in the ...
caterpillar
Not rated yet
I was hoping to get more color out of the caterpillar. It makes the photo rather dull (it didn't have much color to begin with).
I tried different steps ...
Lookin Through to?
Not rated yet
I took my class to Peace Valley Park in Bucks County, PA to shoot the autumn colors.
I wanted to teach them to "see" things they wouldn't think of as ...
Beyond the Horizon
Not rated yet
I was trying to capture in panoramic view the sunset with the stars above and the serene water below as wide as I can get from the water breaker where ...
Sydney Harbor Bridge
Not rated yet
I was tired of the cliché photos of this bridge. I wanted something that captured the essence of the bridge and that was different.
Something that ...
Reflective fall colors
Not rated yet
I took this over a year ago, and I really like it, mostly because I like the colors, and the water to me looks inviting… I am sure there is something valuable ...
the sky is burning
Not rated yet
Took a walk w/ my new A300 taking pics of everything I see and like.
Did some editing w/ Picasa. How much further can I go with Photoshop?
(For ...
Waterrock Knob
Not rated yet
I was trying to capture the beauty of the view from the mountain. I don't know if this does it justice though.
(For convenience, all links below ...
Lone Shroom!
Not rated yet
Well, I was hiking and found this mushroom growing all alone at the base of a tree.
I was trying to capture the loneliness of the mushroom, as well ...
Sea Gull Landing
Not rated yet
The beauty and grace of the bird as it soared through the air was like "poetry in motion", and this is what I was attempting to capture when I took the ...
The Storm
Not rated yet
The colors and clouds detail.
(For convenience, all links below open in new windows) That's one impressive cloud!
Nature is incredible in many ...
Grasshopper
Not rated yet
I liked the lines of this photo. I liked the graphic nature of the diagonal lines.
This is a interesting shot.
Not only is this a nice close ...
Garden of Eden
Not rated yet
I took this photo on a recent trip to Maui. I was trying to capture all of the colors in the scene along with the feeling of looking down a pathway to ...
Santan
Not rated yet
I just want to capture in still one of the most common flowers here in the Philippines and try to bring out the beauty of it in its simplicity.
(For ...
Summertime View
Not rated yet
This was taken, and when I downloaded it onto my computer, I was pleasantly surprised at how well I thought it turned out. It was not taken with a tri-...
Sneakin' Up
Not rated yet
This is my beautiful pup, Tonka Toy, a purebred Chow Chow. He is my everything ! (even a good model).
I was trying to get in close to show his facial ...
lonely duck
Not rated yet
I have just started photography and struggle to tell what issues make a picture good, brilliant or indifferent.
Looking forward to some comments so ...
The Pitch
Not rated yet
Karin Baker
This is a picture of my son pitching at a Legion baseball game. I was
sitting behind the backstop net in the bleachers.
The photo has ...
Sunset up north
Not rated yet
Got this pic when I was way up at Turnor Lake, Sk, last X-Mass...
Think it looks good.. Saskatchewan usually has some awesome sunsets.. This was one ...
When my guitar gently leaps !
Not rated yet
Was trying out different angles and diff settings on my new canon 40d... this is one of my fav pics..
How may I have improved it ?...
Thanks
(For ...
Bright Pink
Not rated yet
Came across this pot of bright pink flowers, while walking along a street in Calgary.
My Canon 40d came in quite handy.. The light in the area was ...
Circular
Not rated yet
A photography experiment, this is the capture of water movement, Colored Glass and light.
I think the outcome is unique for sure... It has a lot to ...
In Greece
Not rated yet
Standing on a mountain among ruins. I just wanted to capture the two things together.
(For convenience, all links below open in new windows)
Ancient ...
baton rouge at night
Not rated yet
I was playing with my Christmas present at work one night and took this.
I like the streak of the car lights, but was pleased with the whole picture....
Bw Tree
Not rated yet
New to this and was trying to get a grainy feel to an old dead tree.
Did it in B& W because it was in the middle of the afternoon and the light was ...
Frost creek
Not rated yet
I am new to photography and would like some advice.
I was looking for a soft very relaxing picture. I shot it at 12 noon bright sunny day, the light ...
Mount Annapurna
Not rated yet
This photo was taken on the way trekking to the Annapurna Base Camp.
I liked the crow on the trees branch with Annapurna at back drop. The clear view ...
The beauty of wet light
Not rated yet
I was hoping to capture the rainbow but the shed also at a creative angle.
(For convenience, all links below open in new windows)
Interesting ...
Lone Saguaro
Not rated yet
I wanted to capture drama in the sky and contrast it against the silhouette of the lone Saguaro.
(For convenience, all links below open in new windows)...
Leaf
Not rated yet
I sat the camera on the bench in front of the leaf and really liked the outcome.
What do you all think?
Using my optio s7 Digital
(For convenience,...
Natural Arch Hays, MT
Not rated yet
I was visiting the natural arch at Hays, MT looking up and out was this tree growing from the rock. I think it looks like an OK photo.
(For convenience,...
the long trip home..
Not rated yet
I was hoping to capture the dichotomy of motion and tranquillity of the highway at night.
(For convenience, all links below open in new windows)
Lauren'...
Secret Garden
Not rated yet
I wanted to capture the interest of the reader absorbed in her book as well as reveal the title of the novel.
(For convenience, all links below open ...
Blazing Glory
Not rated yet
I love shooting at the Great Salt Lake, I am sure you have already noticed this by my submissions.
My last shoot was two weeks ago, and this is one ...
Green Leaf
Not rated yet
Taken in our garden using the macro setting on my Optio S7 Pentax digital camera
(For convenience, all links below open in new windows)
I do like ...
more pansies
Not rated yet
Walking the dog about 9:15 at night I passed a planter with pansies in it not much larger than a quarter.
I set my little Fuji on macro & used the ...
Beautiful!!
Not rated yet
My mom took this picture and I am so proud of her, she wants to make a career in photography and I just want to see what’s missing or something she could ...
Zortman Chapel
Not rated yet
I went to Zortman, MT to take a picture of this chapel.
Every where I went either had lots of wires, or a less than exciting view.
I had taken ...
Montana Mountain
Not rated yet
I was driving through Montana last Aug. with my point and shoot camera in tow.
It was an over cast day and this view caught my eye. I liked the way ...
Free me
Not rated yet
We were asked to take a shot of this monkey looking straight towards the camera.
It was difficult to that because the monkeys would often shy away ...
Orange Reflections
Not rated yet
I like this photo, and being as that you say you are so picky...well, I find that a good thing!
I can take constructive criticism. That is why I am ...
Winter Scene
Not rated yet
This is a photo I am proud of! It has won an award in framing.
You are professionals though; just want to know what you think about it as well.
Photography ...
Glacier Lillies
Not rated yet
As I was driving I saw these beautiful flowers.
I shot them using the macro feature on my Kodak Z812 IS.
Then In Picasa I cropped them a little ...
Illuminated Reflections
Not rated yet
This is a sunset taken over the Great Salt Lake.
For some reason, it is missing the spark that capture people's eye in my opinion.
I like it, just ...
Reflection at Twin Lakes
Not rated yet
I had read about reflections and framing. I saw these two trees close together so I lined up the shot.
Then at the computer I darkened it a little ...
Mystery
Not rated yet
I am 16 Years old and this is a picture that I took of my younger sister at sunset.
This is a great photo with instant impact. It looks like it could ...
A sure sign of spring
Not rated yet
This was taken on a fairly sunny morning in early April of this year. The bee was still somewhat "dozy", from its long winter nap allowing me to get in ...
Manila at Night
Not rated yet
I took this during a photo shoot session for our models (we have an agency in Manila).
After reading your piece regarding BW photography - I gave the ...
The Sunset
Not rated yet
Everyday I pick-up my fiancé from work and I am always mesmerised by the beautiful sunsets.
On this day I decided to bring my camera. I took this picture ...
Duality
Not rated yet
Taken looking east from my front door... this is a small part of the Pudget Sound WA. Olympic Mountain range. I was surprized by the storm clouds so dark,...
First spring flower
Not rated yet
For this shot I was attempting to get a good close sharp image of the subject matter, using my Pentax Optio s7 with the flower icon.
I think this mode ...
Howdy Pardner!
Not rated yet
Some old cabins for sale not far from me & I took this shot of the post just outside the front entrance.
I just like the look of the little figure ...
Inner Thoughts
Not rated yet
I was hoping to inspire intrigue by using lighting to accent my expression.
This is a good attempt at a self portrait.
Things that elevate this ...
Just me
Not rated yet
Well I hate taking myspace pictures but finally I took some and they never come out good.
Just tell me what you think.
(For convenience, all ...
iPhone Headphones
Not rated yet
This is a picture of my iPhone headphones. I don't really know what I was hoping to capture, and I want you guys to give me advice on how I can make it ...
Lizard
Not rated yet
I was trying to achieve good DOF while focusing on the eye. I took this with a Canon Rebel Xt, with a 18-55mm (kit lens)
(For convenience, all links ...
Flower n' Bee
Not rated yet
I was in a rose garden and happened to see a bee flying around a beautiful pink flower (not sure if it's a rose).
Then I took out a camera and randomly ...
St Abbs Bollard
Not rated yet
This shot of a bollard was taken at a little harbour called St Abbs (on the English/Scottish border) on a cold Sunday afternoon. I liked the rusty ancient ...
Yellow flower
Not rated yet
Just wanted to capture a beautiful flower.
(For convenience, links below open in new windows)
Flowers remain one of the more popular photography ...
model in beach
Not rated yet
I want this photo to be fashionable picture.
I know the feeling . . . you're on holiday, the scenery is stunning, and you want a photograph to record ...
Summer Flowers
Not rated yet
I like to walk around my backyard and take photos of the flowers in my gardens and I thought this single one had something special to it.
This is ...
The forgotten coal wagon
Not rated yet
The neglect of long ago at my most favourite place.
Michael’s composition here is one of those classic photography studies – the old, rusty and decaying ...
Tuscany in Autumn
Not rated yet
This was a beautiful vista,
I wanted to get the idea of the hayfield against the backdrop of the mountain range.
Tony has spotted a wonderful ...
Sao Gonçalo Shopping Rio
Not rated yet
That's the shopping mall of Sao Gonçalo, RJ, where I live.
I haven't planned to take a picture of it, but when I was coming back to the car in the ...
a girl
Not rated yet
It was the play yard at the hotel, and I was watching her playing and trying to catch best moments.
I like the way she looks.
Children playing ...
Here are
Ed's top three contributions from last month (in no particular order)
- Going to Church
by Tanua Riley.
Ed liked the time and effort taken to create this scene.
- Party Watcher
by Ivan Huckerby.
A nice take on 'people photography'
- It's A Long Way Home...
by Lynn B.
Lots of post processing here - which helps make such a likeable shot!
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more photography tips and
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