Understanding My DSLR Camera

Understanding your DSLR and how its unique properties produce images can go a long way in getting your photos just right. This short series of video tutorials will teach you everything you need to know to put you on the fast track to handling your DSLR like a pro. Our videos introduce you to everything from basic concepts in photography to all you need to know about lenses and automatic camera modes. Go ahead, take advantage of this video series and make your DSLR the most powerful tool in your photography arsenal.

Getting started with DSLR photography

This video is an introduction to the Photography course, including topics: Camera Settings, Exposure and Focus, Composition, and Color and Light.

What is a DSLR?

In this video, photographer Robert Patterson explains the different parts of a DSLR camera and how they work together to produce photographs.

How do camera lenses work?

This tutorial has all of the basic information you need to know about how lenses work, and how the lens of a DSLR Camera is structured.

Using automatic camera modes

Understanding your camera’s automatic settings is helpful; it saves you work, and allows you to make the most of your hardware.

Drive settings

Learn about different drive settings such as One Shot mode, Continuous or Burst mode, and Timed Functions, and when to use them.

RAW or JPEG?

RAW and JPEG are two file formats that digital cameras can store images in. In this tutorial you will learn which setting is best for which situations.
Camera Focus and Settings

This series of short video tutorials, concentrating on camera focus and settings, is designed to help you understand how to make your camera work to your advantage in every possible scenario. An understanding of both your camera’s focus and it’s settings is essential to achieving the best possible photograph. Whether you are trying to capture the magnificence of the night sky beyond the city, or your little one’s beaming face as he greets the new family pet for the first time, knowing just how to focus your camera and choosing the right settings will go a long way in capturing your moment. This series of short video tutorials, concentrating on camera focus and settings, is designed to help you understand how to make your camera work to your advantage in every possible scenario. Expert photographer, Rob Patterson, guides you through everything you need to know from how to achieve proper exposure to how white balance affects your photographs. This series is also loaded with proven tips and tricks, making choosing the right camera focus and settings a total breeze.

White balance

In this tutorial you will learn how to properly adjust the white balance setting depending on the lighting situation.

Light metering

Light Metering is another word for the different ways you camera can ‘look at’ a scene and determine exposure. In order that a camera get a proper exposure for different types of lighting situations, it is possible to select different ways for the camera to look at, or meter the scene you are photographing and judge…

What is ISO?

ISO (International Standards Organization) refers to the sensitivity of the cameras sensor to light. This is an industry wide standardized scale that was originally designed to measure film sensitivity to light but when adapted to digital cameras, takes on the exact same role. At low values, 100 to 400 ISO, a cameras sensor is less sensitive…

Camera focus tips

Learning how to use different focus settings on your camera will help you capture difficult shots, like animals on the move.

Achieving sharp focus

This is a lesson on understanding how your camera and lens affect the sharpness of the subject in your picture.

Achieving proper exposure

In this tutorial, you will learn how to achieve proper exposure by using ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed values with your DSLR camera.
Photography Composition

This series of short video tutorials, concentrating on camera focus and settings, is designed to help you understand how to make your camera work to your advantage in every possible scenario. An understanding of both your camera’s focus and it’s settings is essential to achieving the best possible photograph. Whether you are trying to capture the magnificence of the night sky beyond the city, or your little one’s beaming face as he greets the new family pet for the first time, knowing just how to focus your camera and choosing the right settings will go a long way in capturing your moment. This series of short video tutorials, concentrating on camera focus and settings, is designed to help you understand how to make your camera work to your advantage in every possible scenario. Expert photographer, Rob Patterson, guides you through everything you need to know from how to achieve proper exposure to how white balance affects your photographs. This series is also loaded with proven tips and tricks, making choosing the right camera focus and settings a total breeze.

What is depth of field?

Professional photographer Rob Patterson explains how capture shallow or long depth of field so that your subject is properly focused while blurring the background

Compositional elements to look for in a photo

This tutorial addresses three of the most common elements for taking great photos: Repettion, Contrast and Framing.

Using negative space in photography

Learn how to use the concept of “negative space” to properly position subjects in your photos and add a sense of direction.

How to use lines in photo composition

Using lines – straight, diagonal or curved – in your photography composition can add a sense of depth, motion and symmetry.

Golden Mean and the Rule of Thirds

Understanding how to use the Golden Mean and the Rule of Thirds is essential to composing great photographs. This tutorial will introduce you to these two foundational concepts.

Quick tips on how to take better photos

Professional photographer Rob Patterson gives you some handy tips to avoid common photography mistakes so your photos will shine!
Color and Light in Photography

This series of short video tutorials, concentrating on camera focus and settings, is designed to help you understand how to make your camera work to your advantage in every possible scenario. An understanding of both your camera’s focus and it’s settings is essential to achieving the best possible photograph. Whether you are trying to capture the magnificence of the night sky beyond the city, or your little one’s beaming face as he greets the new family pet for the first time, knowing just how to focus your camera and choosing the right settings will go a long way in capturing your moment. This series of short video tutorials, concentrating on camera focus and settings, is designed to help you understand how to make your camera work to your advantage in every possible scenario. Expert photographer, Rob Patterson, guides you through everything you need to know from how to achieve proper exposure to how white balance affects your photographs. This series is also loaded with proven tips and tricks, making choosing the right camera focus and settings a total breeze.

How to set up lighting for photography

Learn about different types of lighting and how various lighting set-ups can produce different and dramatic effects for your photography.

Black and white photography tips

Want to improve your black and white photography skills? Photographer Rob Patterson shares his tips for choosing the right shots and camera settings.

Quality of light

Learn about different types and sources of light (hard vs. soft) and how each can be used to convey mood and atmosphere in your photos.

Color temperature

This tutorial by professional photographer Rob Patterson will teach you about color temperature and how it affects the mood of a photo.

Color theory

Professional photographer Rob Patterson gives you the basics of color theory and how it can be used to maximize your shots.
Natural Light in Photography

This series of short video tutorials, concentrating on camera focus and settings, is designed to help you understand how to make your camera work to your advantage in every possible scenario. An understanding of both your camera’s focus and it’s settings is essential to achieving the best possible photograph. Whether you are trying to capture the magnificence of the night sky beyond the city, or your little one’s beaming face as he greets the new family pet for the first time, knowing just how to focus your camera and choosing the right settings will go a long way in capturing your moment. This series of short video tutorials, concentrating on camera focus and settings, is designed to help you understand how to make your camera work to your advantage in every possible scenario. Expert photographer, Rob Patterson, guides you through everything you need to know from how to achieve proper exposure to how white balance affects your photographs. This series is also loaded with proven tips and tricks, making choosing the right camera focus and settings a total breeze.

Introduction to natural lighting in photography

In this tutorial you will learn the basic fundamentals of different types of natural lighting, including golden light, open shade and full sun.

Using natural light for family photography

Learn about 3 types of natural light, when and where to find them, and how to use them to make your family photos spectacular!

Using natural light for portrait photography

Learn how to make your friends and family look spectacular with this tutorial on portrait photography using natural light.

Using natural light for night photography

Get some helpful tips for capturing great nighttime photos, like finding the right light source and adjusting your camera settings.

Using natural light for still photography

See how to improve your still life photos with these tips from professional photographer Julie Hearty on using natural lighting.
Photography Quick Tips

This series of short video tutorials, concentrating on camera focus and settings, is designed to help you understand how to make your camera work to your advantage in every possible scenario. An understanding of both your camera’s focus and it’s settings is essential to achieving the best possible photograph. Whether you are trying to capture the magnificence of the night sky beyond the city, or your little one’s beaming face as he greets the new family pet for the first time, knowing just how to focus your camera and choosing the right settings will go a long way in capturing your moment. This series of short video tutorials, concentrating on camera focus and settings, is designed to help you understand how to make your camera work to your advantage in every possible scenario. Expert photographer, Rob Patterson, guides you through everything you need to know from how to achieve proper exposure to how white balance affects your photographs. This series is also loaded with proven tips and tricks, making choosing the right camera focus and settings a total breeze.

Sunset photography tips

When taking photos of sunsets or sunrises, these 5 simple photography tips will help help you capture stunning shots with plenty of WOW factor.

Smartphone photography tips

Here are some helpful tips and tricks to keep in mind to capture great-looking photos when shooting with your smartphone.

Rain photography tips

A unique world of color, light, and atmosphere comes to life during a rain storm. Check out these 5 quick tips for taking photos of rain.

Pet photography tips

Follow these 5 simple photography tips and tricks and you’ll be well on your way to taking great photos of your furry friends.

Night photography tips

Night photography is easier than you think! In this tutorial you will learn 5 quick night photography tips to shine a light on shooting photos in the dark.

Nature photography tips

Capturing the beauty of nature isn’t as easy as it sounds! Here are 5 quick tips to help you take better photos of the great outdoors.

Macro photography tips

Macro photography is about getting close-up to your subject and focusing on all of the tiny details you would otherwise miss.

Food photography tips

If you love sharing pictures of your food on social media, check out this quick tutorial with 5 simple tips for taking mouthwatering food photos.

Family photography tips

Say goodbye to stiff and formal photos. In this tutorial you will learn 5 tips on how to capture a beautiful portrait of your family.
iPhoneography Lessons with Blair Gable
The potential for capturing stunning photos exists everywhere and can strike at any time. Your iPhone camera is a powerful tool for seizing that potential at any moment, wherever you may be. In this series of short easy-to-follow video tutorials, iPhoneography enthusiast and professional photojournalist, Blair Gable, shows you how to take advantage of your iPhone camera’s powerful features to help you capture stunning photographs no matter what your environment. Gable shows you how to make your iPhone camera work for you in a range of scenarios, sharing some great tips and techniques for landscape photography, beach photography, macro photography, and more. Join Gable in these carefully crafted tutorial sessions and discover just how far you can take your iPhoneography.

Take great macro photos with an iPhone camera lens

Learn how to choose a macro lens, plus tips for stable shooting when taking macro photos with your iPhone.

Snow photography with your iPhone

Here are 3 simple tips from professional photographer Blair Gable to capture some great winter sports actions shots with your iPhone.

Underwater photography with your iPhone

With a waterproof housing for your camera, and these lighting tips, taking amazing underwater photos with your iPhone is easier than you think!

Landscape photography with your iPhone

Get some professional tips on how to give your landscape photography that extra edge with nothing other than your iPhone camera.

Beach photography with your iPhone

Professional photographer Blair Gable gives you some tips for capturing impressive beach photos on your smartphone.
iPhone Photography Tips
Take moment to get to know your iPhone camera’s functions and settings before you dive into some serious photography. In this quick course you will learn how to use some of the functions available to you such as panoramic and HDR photos, as well as some tricks for managing exposure.

Square shots with your iPhone

Learn how to capture some unique shots with your iPhone camera by simply switching your default frame to a square frame.

Achieving correct exposure with your iPhone

In this tutorial, iPhoneography enthusiast Daniel shares some useful tips for achieving proper exposure with your iPhone camera.

Taking panorama shots with your iPhone

In this video, iPhoneography enthusiast Daniel shows you how to take incredible panorama shots using your iPhone.

HDR photography with your iPhone

Not sure how to take HDR photos on your iPhone? Learn everything you need to know about about how and when to use the HDR feature.