Camera basics for beginners
Learning how to use your camera doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you're using a phone, DSLR, or mirrorless system, these articles will give you the foundation you need to take better photos — and understand what’s really happening when you press the shutter.
This series covers the core concepts that affect every shot: how light reaches your sensor, how your camera interprets it, and how you can take control of the process using settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
Articles in the series:
A beginner-friendly series covering the fundamentals of photography — including exposure, camera settings, image quality, and how each part of your camera affects your final photo.
A beginner-friendly guide to aperture, including how it affects light, sharpness, and blur. Mastering aperture is key to better photos.
Learn the differences between common camera modes — including Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual — so you can pick the right one for any situation.
A guide to depth of field in photography — what it means, how aperture and distance affect it, and how to use it creatively.
A beginner’s guide to dynamic range, including how it affects your photos and how to preserve detail in bright or dark areas.
Learn what f-stop means in photography, how it’s related to aperture, and how to use it to control light and depth of field.
A simple guide to focal length — what it means, how it affects photos, and how to choose between wide, standard, and telephoto lenses.
Learn how to read a photo histogram, what it tells you about exposure, and how to use it to avoid blown highlights or muddy shadows.
A beginner-friendly guide to ISO in photography — how it works, when to change it, and how to balance brightness and image quality.
A beginner’s guide to RAW vs JPEG — what each format stores, when to use them, and how they affect image quality, editing, and file size.
A beginner’s guide to shutter speed — how it works, how to use it to freeze or blur motion, and how it fits into the exposure triangle.
Learn how white balance works, why photos sometimes look too yellow or blue, and how to fix it for accurate color in any light.