—Technique
What practice has taught me
Concrete advice, drawn from the field rather than theory — 42 articles translated so far, with more on the way.
Technical tips & composition
Getting Photo Composition RightThe composition principles that make a photo hold the eye: rule of thirds, leading lines, depth, and the power of empty space.Can You Recreate the Studio Harcourt Look at Home?Studio Harcourt's famous dramatic lighting, decoded: what you can get close to with simple gear, and what will always remain out of reach.The 3 Settings Behind Every Good Photo (Sony, Canon, Nikon)Aperture, shutter speed, ISO: the three settings that control a photograph, explained simply — the same on every brand, whatever the menus say.Photographing Flowers and Plants: Light, Macro and CompositionBetter flower and plant photos: choosing your light, separating the subject from the background, and avoiding the most common composition mistakes.How to Photograph the Moon (Without It Becoming a Blurry White Dot)The camera settings for a genuinely detailed moon photo: exposure, the focal length you actually need, manual focus, and stability.Shooting Into the Light: How to Stop Ruining Backlit PhotosBacklighting, so often dreaded, can become one of the most spectacular effects in a photo — as long as you know how to expose and compose for it.Is Black and White Photography Still Relevant Today? Everything You Need to KnowWhy black and white keeps all its relevance in photography today, and how to recognise the images that genuinely suit it.Photographing Fireworks: The Settings That Change EverythingTripod, long exposure and manual focus: the simple method for successful fireworks photos, right from the first attempt.Why Your Snow Photos Come Out Grey (and How to Fix It)Snow turns out grey in almost every automatic shot: the precise reason why, and the simple setting that fixes the problem every time.How Many Studio Lights for a Portrait or a Group ShotOne, two or three lights: how many light sources you actually need for a studio portrait or group photo, without overloading the setup.The Studio Backlight: The Light That Sculpts the EdgesThe light placed at the back of the set, aimed forward, that draws a fine rim of light along the subject's edges — a discreet but invaluable technique.Macro Photography: The Complete Beginner's GuideGetting started with macro photography: minimal gear, focusing, light and choosing your first subjects, for successful close-up images from the start.Photographing Sport: Freezing the Action Without Missing ItShutter speed, anticipation and continuous autofocus: the settings and reflexes you need for successful action sports photography.How to Shoot a Successful PanoramaShooting, overlap between frames and stitching: the method for a sharp, even panorama with no visible seams.Photographing Well for Social MediaVertical framing, readability at small sizes, consistency across a series: adapting how you shoot when the final destination is Instagram or social media.Photographing the Iris of the Eye in MacroA seemingly still subject that is anything but easy: the gear, lighting and focusing you need for this extreme close-up macro portrait of the iris.
Photographing people
How to Photograph Children Without Boring ThemPhotographing children calls for a different approach than adults: patience, play and discretion rather than instructions and stiff poses.How to Nail a Portrait Every TimeThe fundamentals of a portrait that works, every time: natural light, connection with the subject, focus on the eye and well-controlled background blur.Being a Wedding Photographer, from Start to FinishA wedding day as the photographer lives it: getting ready, ceremonies, cocktail hour, group photos and the evening party — what to anticipate at every stage.
Photographing animals
Photographing Wild Animals at a Wildlife ParkTips for successful animal photos at a wildlife park: patience, focusing on the eye, and dealing with fences and enclosures.Tips and Tricks for Better Safari PhotosPractical advice for photographing wildlife from a safari vehicle: stability, shutter speed, light and patience.Photographing Insects: A Beginner's Guide to MacroBetter insect photos: approach, focusing, light and patience — the fundamentals of macro photography, no expensive gear required.
Events & professional reportage
Being the Photographer at a Conference or Corporate SeminarWhat to anticipate when covering a conference or corporate seminar: scouting the venue, staying discreet, portraits and informal moments.Photographing a Fashion Show: What You Need to KnowCovering a fashion show: positioning, settings for movement under stage lighting, and what sets this assignment apart from other events.Photographing Restaurant Dishes for a ChefWhat a chef or restaurant owner expects from a food photography session: light, styling, timing and editing, for images that make people hungry.
Travel & street photography
Street Photography: How to Observe Without Being SeenBetter street photography: blending into the scenery, anticipating the scene, and embracing the imperfection of a moment caught on the fly.Preparing for a Photo SafariWhat to plan before leaving on a photo safari: gear, clothing, batteries, storage and choosing the right season.Better Photos at the SeasideReflected light, sand, salt spray and backlighting: the pitfalls specific to seaside photography, and how to master them.Better Photos in the MountainsHigh-altitude light, vast landscapes and fast-changing weather: what makes mountain photography different, in winter and summer alike.
Gear & practice
Choosing the Right Lens for What You Actually ShootPortraits, landscapes, wildlife, street: which type of lens suits each subject, and why there is no such thing as a universal lens.Prime or Zoom: Which One Should You Choose?The real advantages of a prime lens like the 50mm over a versatile zoom, and the situations where each one makes sense.How to Choose a Camera BodyDSLR, mirrorless, full-frame or APS-C: the criteria that genuinely matter when choosing your first camera body — and the ones that matter far less than you'd think.The Essential Lenses Every Camera Bag NeedsBeyond the lens that came with your camera, which lenses make up a complete, versatile camera bag — without piling up pointless purchases.Which Photo Editing Software to Choose (Lightroom, Photoshop and Alternatives)Lightroom, Photoshop, or free alternatives: which editing software to choose for the way you actually work, without drowning in the options.How to Store Your Photos and Never Lose Them: The Simple MethodThe simple rule for never losing your photos: where to store your files, how many copies to keep, and the traps to avoid.Choosing an External Flash: What Really MattersGuide number, head rotation, TTL: the essential criteria for picking an external flash that fits how you shoot, without getting lost in the options.Choosing a Tripod: The Criteria That CountWeight, height, head type: how to choose a tripod genuinely suited to your photography, balancing stability against ease of transport.Which Camera Bag to Protect Your Body and LensesBackpack, shoulder bag or messenger: how to choose a camera bag that genuinely protects your gear, suited to how you shoot and how you get around.Lens Filters: Which Ones Are Still Useful in the Digital AgeUV, polarizer, ND: which lens filters still genuinely earn their place today, and which ones digital photography has made obsolete.Cleaning Your Lens and Camera Body Without Damaging ThemHow to properly clean a lens and camera body, from simple everyday habits to sensor cleaning — an operation not to be taken lightly.The Camera Harness: An Answer to Fatigue on Long AssignmentsCarrying several camera bodies on assignment quickly wears out your neck and shoulders — how a camera harness spreads the weight and secures your gear.RAW or JPEG: Which Format Should You Shoot In?RAW or JPEG: the real differences between the two formats, and how to work out which one actually fits the way you shoot.