The Learn Series · 8 lessons · Fact-checked
Learn the
Craft.
A free, professionally written resource on lighting, lenses, every camera format ever made, exposure, composition and the working life of a photographer. Every lesson is sourced, fact-checked and written from paid jobs — not from theory.
2 lessons
Lighting
Natural, continuous and strobe. Modifiers, ratios, colour temperature.
1 lesson
Lenses & Zoom
Focal length, aperture, prime vs zoom, image stabilisation.
2 lessons
Cameras
Every format ever made: 35mm, medium format, mirrorless, DSLR, large format.
1 lesson
Exposure
ISO, shutter speed, aperture. Histograms, dynamic range, metering.
1 lesson
Composition
Framing, rule of thirds, leading lines, negative space.
1 lesson
Film & Workflow
Colour management, RAW, tethering, archiving.
The Exposure Triangle, Properly Explained
Aperture, shutter speed and ISO are the three controls that decide every photograph. Here is how they actually interact — without the mythology.
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Understanding Lenses: Focal Length, Aperture, and What Actually Matters
A 50mm prime is not a magic lens. A 70-200mm is not always the right zoom. Here is what the numbers on a lens barrel really mean.
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Natural Light vs Strobe: When to Use Each
Window light is free and beautiful. Strobes give you control. Knowing when to switch is the difference between a hobbyist and a working photographer.
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Every Camera Format Ever Made — and Which Still Matters
From 8x10 large format to Micro Four Thirds. A working photographer's guide to what each format does well, and what it is bad at.
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Composition: The Rules Worth Learning
Rule of thirds, leading lines, negative space, the golden ratio. What each is actually for, and when to break it.
Read lesson →RAW vs JPEG and Why Colour Management Matters
If you shoot JPEG, the camera decides the look. If you shoot RAW, you do. Here is the case for RAW, calibrated monitors, and a sane working colour space.
Read lesson →Lighting a Wedding Ceremony in a Scottish Church
Dim interiors, stained glass colour casts, no flash policies, mixed tungsten and daylight. A field guide built from 200+ Edinburgh and Glasgow ceremonies.
Read lesson →Studying Photography at University in Scotland: What I Wish I Knew
Edinburgh College of Art, Glasgow School of Art, Napier, RGU. Course honest pros and cons, portfolio expectations, and what you actually learn.
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