Photography Basics 1

Is this for you?

Learn by doing

You do not need to memorise every setting before you start. This 24-page booklet breaks photography down into small decisions you can try with the camera you already have.

Read a little, make a photograph and look at what changed. Plain-language explanations, diagrams and short exercises take you from exposure and focus to composition and your first edits.

For beginners who want to understand what their camera is doing, or anyone returning to photography who needs a refresher. Start in Auto and take control of one setting at a time. Light, framing and timing also apply to phones, although many of the camera-setting exercises need manual controls.

What you will learn

1. 01

   Exposure, without the guessing

   Understand aperture, shutter speed and ISO, then balance their trade-offs. Choose a camera mode and learn what to check when a photograph is too bright or too dark.

2. 02

   Focus and background blur

   Put focus where it matters, choose what stays sharp and see how your lens and camera position affect the result.

3. 03

   Light and composition

   Notice shadow edges, light direction and colour. Simplify a background, explore different viewpoints and give the viewer something clear to look at.

4. 04

   From practice to your first edit

   Compare RAW and JPEG, follow a simple editing routine and try four small practice sessions. Finish with troubleshooting advice, a glossary and a field checklist.