We’ve all been there. Sitting in a dark, corner table of a fantastic restaurant, wishing that we had more light, so we didn’t have to use that terrible built-in flash. Perhaps the meal was one of the best we’ve ever eaten and the one thing that would have made it better is gorgeous photos to post to our website, Facebook page, or blog.

When we get home the results are less than spectacular. Usually, the flash creates hot-spots on anything reflective on the table. Including, stemware, cutlery and crockery. The grain from the high ISO used also is a very annoying factor in low-light, restaurant photography. There are some easy solutions to this.

submitted: 5 years and 3162 days ago

Sometimes when you’re taking a photo, you can be concentrating so much on your subject that you forget about the background. But have you ever really considered just how important getting a good background is to making great photos?

What is a background for? The background enhances the subject by setting the scene, creating atmosphere or providing environmental information. A poor background distracts from your subject and will ruin the photo.

A good background does the opposite. It works with the subject to make a great photo. If you do it well, the background can help add mood and atmosphere to the photo. It can help you capture the feeling or impression that you have of a place. Backgrounds help you be a more creative and expressive photographer by adding visual elements that enhance the subject.

submitted: 5 years and 3162 days ago

The biggest problem photographers have when shooting is overcoming or utilizing typically horrible light. Keep in mind that photography is all about light. So when you decide to shoot concerts, the very first thing you need to assess is the light. Pay close attention to color, quality, and direction of the light. Choose your approach to shooting based on what light is available to work with.

submitted: 5 years and 3165 days ago

Street photography emerged in the late 20th Century as a means for capturing everyday life, for documenting social activity, and to “hold a mirror up to society”.

Hopefully this tutorial will provide some useful advice for street photography as well as highlighting some of the ethical and practical issues that will help you get started on you quest to document life on the streets!

submitted: 5 years and 3165 days ago

Where else can you go and spend a day photographing wild and exotic animals for just a few dollar admittance fee? The zoo, of course!

You can take your time to get the perfect shots in a relatively safe environment. Keep in mind you are dealing with wild animals. And, if you choose to take the opportunity to get up close for that terrific shot of the llama, don’t be surprised if she spits at you.

submitted: 5 years and 3165 days ago

One of the things that makes photography a successful art form is that it can show a viewer things in a different way. As photographers, we notice small details, weird juxtapositions and the small oddities of daily life. We use many tools to capture our subject matter in a different way: a variety of lenses, changing our camera angle, using long exposures, or very fast ones.

But this tutorial is going to focus on the technique of the detail shot. By getting up close and personal with our subjects, we can show our audience things they rarely experience.

submitted: 5 years and 3165 days ago

A new year is in the loom and throughout the world people are deciding what they want to change for the year ahead. So what should us photographers aim to change?

Here are 10 resolutions that can help us all become better photographers in 2011.

submitted: 5 years and 3171 days ago

Using your flash can either make or break your photos so using it correctly will always give you great images.

Don’t feel intimidated by your flash, it’s there to help you shoot great images in low light situations. Here are some great tips to help you shoot better images.

submitted: 5 years and 3171 days ago

An in-depth article on depth of field for hobbyist and amateur photographers, and 10 things one should know about it which can significantly improve skills.

submitted: 5 years and 3171 days ago

Family gatherings are a wonderful time to experience the joy and fun of those you love. And as a photographer (if you are reading this, you are probably a photographer) your internal mission is often to capture the best photos of all the activity as it unfolds.

Maybe relatives are making a special trip across the country or across the world for the gathering. Or perhaps it is an annual tradition. No matter which, these tips will help give you the advantage you need to capture some truly memorable photos at your own family gathering!

submitted: 5 years and 3171 days ago