Preface
This is my first eTOC. I decided to start with a subject I was passionate about: Photography. And here’s the result.
Even though I could have probably written this eTOC only with a few websites (Darren Rowse’s Digital Photography School website for example), I tried to obtain information from various reliable sources. If you know of a better article for a particular subject, please don’t hesitate to post a comment and I might modify the eTOC.
Also, if there are subjects you would like to be covered in the updated version, feel free to comment as well.
I hope you like it and that you find it easy to use.
Have fun.
Introduction
Glossary – Digital Photography Review
Before we start, here’s a glossary and explanation of all relevant words in Photography. From Aperture to Raw. It might help you understand the content if you read this first.
Helpful Photography Cheat Sheets to Make Your Life Easier
Bill Jones – The PhotoArgus
Various easy-to-use reference sheets such as Portrait Lighting Cheat Sheet Card, Reflector Card Cheat Sheet and The Photographic Cheat Sheet.
Digital Photography Advantages compared to film
dptips-central.com
Explains the advantages and disadvantages of using digital photography over film.
History of Photography Timeline
dptips-central.com
Explains the history of Photography from its beginnings until the present day
Chapter 1 – Basics of photography
Section A – Exposure, aperture, shutter speed and ISO
You need to understand this concept and the relation between all these elements if you want to be able to take any photographs with your DSLR other than on the “Automatic” mode.
Learning about exposure – The exposure triangle
Darren ROWSE – Digital Photography School
Explains the intersection and relationship between ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed to obtain a good image’s exposure.
Introduction to aperture in digital photography
Darren ROWSE – Digital Photography School
Explains that Aperture is ‘the size of the opening in the lens when a picture is taken’, how to have control over it to create more artistic pictures.
Introduction to shutter speed in digital photography
Darren ROWSE – Digital Photography School
Explains that shutter speed is ‘the amount of time that the shutter is open’ and how to use it in different situations.
ISO settings in Digital Photography
Darren ROWSE – Digital Photography School
Explains that ISO measures the sensitivity of the image sensor, when to choose different ISO and its effect.
Seven steps to Better Exposure
dptips-central.com
How to ensure better exposure in your images by following some easy steps.
Section B – Composition
This section applies to all cameras. It is primordial to understand how to frame your pictures.
Rule of thirds
Darren ROWSE – Digital Photography School
Explains how to compose images according to the rules of thirds by breaking down an image in thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts. Shows images examples.
Rules of Composition
dptips-central.com
Explains how to carefully think where to place the main subject within the image frame and to choose the central point after much consideration.
10 Top Photography Composition Rules
Amateur Snapper
Section C – Other relevant articles
How to hold a digital camera
Darren ROWSE – Digital Photography School
Explains how to hold a digital camera in a way that will help eliminate camera shake and obtain clear photographs.
Tutorials: White Balance
Cambridgeincolour.com
White balance (WB) is the process of removing unrealistic color casts, so that objects which appear white in person are rendered white in your photo. This article explains the different functions on your camera.
Choice of Focal Point
dptips-central.com
Helps to direct the viewer’s attention and emphasize the important from the unimportant in a scene.
Benefits of using Manual Mode on your DSLR
DigitalPhotographyTricks.com
Explains in which situation the Manual Mode should be used.
Creative camera controls
dptips-central.com
Understanding the relationship and combined effects of aperture, shutter speed, subject distance and focal length allows for a variety of creative use. Explains in details how to control sharpness and Depth of Field, how to control exposure and white balance and how to control perspective.
Camera adjustments: from Blah to Aha!
Kenrockwell.com
Ken Rockwell explains how to change some of the basics settings on your camera and why you should do it in different situations.
What is EXIF metadata
slrphotographyguide.com
Explains the basics of what is an Exchangeable Image File, how it is useful and how to use a metadata reader.
Chapter 2 – The camera gear
Section A – What camera to buy?
Building a digital SLR system
Philip Greenspun – Photo.net
Explains what is a single-lens reflex (SLR), what are the different kinds of SLRs available, the different lenses and accessories.
Buying a digital SLR
dpreview
Digital SLR buying guide explaining why to buy a digital SLR, what you need, sensor size, speed, size, screens, etc.
Factors to consider when choosing a Digital SLR Camera
Bob Atkins – photo.net
Explains what to consider in choosing and buying a digital SLR camera, what to look for and think about (lens compatibility, price, quality, etc.)
Section B – Which lenses should a photographer buy?
Three lenses every photographer should own
Chris FOLSOM – Digital Photography School
Author explains that every new photographers should primarily have three lenses in its bag. One fast general purpose zoom (18-50 mm), a macro lens and a telephoto zoom (70-200 mm).
Section C – Other photography equipment
Filters and photography
Fredrik Silverglimth – Tutorial9
“Most lenses have the ability to add filters, primarily by screwing them on in front of the lens while some lenses require the filters to be attached at the rear end of the lens.”“Filters can add special effects or abilities to your camera lens. Understanding how filters work will give you an extra arsenal of equipment to create that magical shot you’ve been looking for.”
Guide to using a hand held light meter
ephotozine.com
“Guide to using a hand-held light meter – A hand held light meter will help you get better exposures, even if you are using a digital camera.”
Section D – Useful links
If you’re thinking of buying any camera, lens or accessory, I would strongly recommend that you visit the Digital Photography Review first as they review almost all camera gear and provide an impartial review. Digital Photography Review
Chapter 3 – Flash
Section A – On-Camera Flash
Flash 101: On-Camera Flash
Jeff – BeyondMegapixels
Pros and Cons of using on-camera flash.
Using Fill Flash
Dan Heller Photography
When and why you should use the fill-in flash in your photographs.
Section B – Use of the off-camera flash
Almost all the questions you could ever have regarding the use of off-camera flash with dSLR could be answered on Strobist.
Lightning 101
Strobist
Explains the basic elements of off-camera flash and how it works.
Flash 101: Off-Camera Flash
Jeff – BeyondMegapixels
Pros and Cons of using off-camera flash.
The Nuts and Bolts of off-camera flash – Part 1, Basics - Part 2, Manual Flash - Part 3, TTL Wireless - Part 4, miscellaneous topics
Ed Zawadzki
The author breaks down, step-by-step the various hardware and methods needed to get your flash off camera and firing properly.
Lightning 102 – Position – Review
Strobist
Explains lighting position and gives you the important things to consider.
Chapter 4 – Portrait photography
People and Portrait Photography Quick Tips
Robert Caputo – National Geographic
Great tips in bullet points from National Geographic including angles, travel photography, wide-angle lens and anticipation.
People and Portrait Photography Tips – Part II
Robert Caputo – National Geographic
The author goes into more detail in this post exploring the distance with the subject, the different settings, candids and how to engage your subject.
Photography poses – The missing ingredient
Robert Bezman – Picturecorrect
Gives general tips on how to take professional portrait poses. Explains good planning advice for photography poses and location advices.
16 Inspirational Portrait Photography Techniques
Brian Auer – Epic Edits
Great techniques with examples including, texture, over-exposition, back light, posing, etc.
How to take excellent Portrait Photos
Webdesignerdepot
If only to look at the amazing portrait for your inspiration, you should look at this site. It gives the author’s tips for great portrait photography but also adds some fantastic images.
Portrait Photography Lighting Techniques
Jennifer Gibbons – ehow.com
Explains the different types of lightning techniques and setups such as natural light, studio lighting.
Portrait Photography – Posing the Subject
John Burton – articlesbase.com
Explains in details how a subject should be positioned. Everything is covered, shoulders, head, eyes, smiles, hands, camera height, arms as well as multiple subjects.
Asking permission to Photograph People
Darren ROWSE – Digital Photography School
Author shares his approach to asking permission to photograph people, especially in a foreign country. He explains more than just saying to ask permission.
100+ Portraits of Iconic People of All Time
Webdesignerdepot
Brings a collection of portraits of the most iconic people throughout history from Jim Morrisson to Muhammad Ali passing by John Lennon and the great picture of this Afghan girl.
Chapter 5 – Flowers Photography
Tips for photographing flowers
Wayne Turner – Picturecorrect
General tips on flower photography including weather, the right flower, background and composition.
13 Alternative Flower Photography Tips
Brian Auer – Epic Edits
Gives some inspiration and a different perspective on flower photography by exploring exposure, color, foreground and reflection.
Chapter 6 – Macro Photography
Macro photography 101 – Part 1 / Part 2
Jeff – Beyond Megapixels
Explains magnification, reproduction ratio, depth of field, lighting, lenses and close-up filters.
Explore still life, nature and insects close up with Digital Macro Photography
DigitalPhotographyTricks.com
Explains how to get close to subjects, controloong the depth of field and focus, lighting and flash.
25 Beautiful Macro Photography Shots
Smashing Magazine
“Round-up of some truly revealing and inspiring macro photographs which are sure to have you marveling at the world around you.”
Chapter 7 – Travel photography
Travel Photography Quick Tips
Robert Caputo – National Geographic
Great tips in bullet points from National Geographic including meeting new people, carrying a notebook, which gear to bring, etc.
The A-B-C-D-E of Travel Photography
Lola Akinmade – Travelers Notebook
Presents a few primer concepts that will guarantee better travel shots from even a simple point-and-shoot camera.
How-to-take-better-photographs-when-on-your-travels
David Taylor – ephotozine.com
Gives some tips on how to take good travel photos.
Chapter 8 – Landscape photography
Beginners-guide-to-Landscape-Photography
Peter Bargh – ephotozine.com
“Peter Bargh will provide you with a few tips on general landscape photography, looking at finding the right spot, focusing techniques, exposure control and composition.”
Landscape Photography Quick Tips
Robert Caputo – National Geographic
Great tips in bullet points from National Geographic including visualization of your photograph, the timing of the day to take pictures, how to place the elements in your picture.
How to shoot Panoramic Landscapes
Greg Miller – popphoto.com
Step by Step guide to shoot panoramic landscapes.
What is the best lens for landscape photography
slrphotographyguide.com
Explains the important considerations for choosing a landscape lens.
Chapter 9 – Black and White photography
An introduction to Black and White Photography
Northlight Images
Gives you the basics of producing high quality black and white images from your digital camera including how to convert color images to Black and White, the filters to use and the layers.
Black and White Landscape Photography Tips
slrphotographyguide.com
Gives some good tips on how to shoot black and white pictures, including the settings and the filters you should use.
The Top 5 Black and White Photography Tips
Brian Auer – Epic Tips
Author gives his tips on to get you going in taking some good Black and White photographs such on what to focus and how to take the pictures.
Beautiful Black and White Photography
Vitaly Friedman
This post presents some truly excellent examples of beautiful black and white photography.
Chapter 10 – Night Photography
60 Beautiful Examples of Night Photography
Andrew Gibson – Smashing Magazine
Long Exposure Night Photography – Step by Step Guide
Adam Currie – Adcuz.co.uk
Explains the basics to take some good night shots, what equipment you need, how to set up your shot and setting the correct exposure.
Night Landscape Photography
tutorial.jcwcn.com
Good suggestions to take great night landscape photography including in which format to shoot, how to compose, how to focus and the exposure.
Chapter 11 – What to do with all the pictures I make?
Section A – Photography Contest
About.com – Photography assignment
Twice a month, About.com post assignments.
dpreview.com – Challenges
Challenges are photographic mini-competition (with no prize other than glory) open to dpreview members and judged by popular vote.
The AOP Awards – Call for entries
Photo Competitions
Discover the latest amateur and professional photography competitions, contest and awards in this list updated frequently.
Section B – Selling stock photo
How to Sell Stock Photos – Part 1 / Part 2
webdesignerdepot.com
Part 1 explains the basics of stock photography, the different license types, what to submit and how to make money. Part 2 explains the technical and design aspect of stock photography, photo composition, file formats and post processing as well as a short list of insider tips.
Discover these tips for selling stock photos online through a photo agency
DigitalPhotographyTricks.com
Selling Photos Online
dphotojournal
Explains what are good stock photographs, choosing the right agency, categorizing and keywordiing.
Keywording tool for choosing additional keywords
Yuri Arcurs Production
This free website will serves as a tool for photographers and illustrators in tagging and keywording their images by looking at similar pictures on Stock websites.
Your rights as a Photographer
Fredrik Silverglimth
Explains where and what you can photograph, what to do when people question you, how and where you can use and publish your photographs and model releases.
Download Model Release Template
dphotojournal
You can find a free general model release form for models 18 years or older.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this guide. I’m already working with a Volume 2 that should include wedding photography, group photography, action and adventure photography as well as sports, pets and architecture photography.
Please don’t hesitate to post any comments, they are always welcome and I’d like to have some insight on how you think it could be improved.
Before you leave, here two very good articles to improve your skills:
The Secret: What Makes a Great Photo
Kenrockwell.com
Ken Rockwell explains the elements that make up a great photograph
An introduction to Digital Photography: Ten ways to improve your skills
Steve Paxton – Paxton Prints
Gives you some tips to improve your photography skills.
Also, one of the best way to improve your skills is to look at other photographers work and analyze their pictures, what you like and what you don’t. The best place to do that is certainly on Flickr. It’s free to sign up.
See you soon.
