A starting place for people new to photography
Photography opens a whole new world in your approach to things that are around you, not just day to day, but also on those more exotic adventures that you make take.
It can seem very confusing when you consider all the settings on your camera, but also what you can do with computer software for any post image processing.
The first thing to consider is downloading your camera manual onto your mobile phone or suitable portable device. This will ensure that you have something to consult with when you are stuck with what options to take in the camera settings when you are out there in the middle of your photographic adventure. Reviewing online videos relating to you actual camera type is also a great way of seeing it’s functions in action.
The links below are helpful resources, not endorsed or owned by the Warrington Photographic Society, but regarded as useful tools for taking your photography forwards in an ever improving manner.
The links are split into Camera Techniques, and some Post Processing Techniques using computer software. Back to Useful Links
| Camera Helpful Links ISO, Aperture Control and Shutter Speed (Exposure Triangle) |
ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture Explained | Exposure Basics for Beginners Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO/ The Exposure Triangle Made Easy! |
| Camera ISO | Camera ISO |
| Camera Aperture | Camera Aperture |
| Camera Shutter Speed | Camera Shutter Speed |
| RAW versus JPEG File Types | RAW versus JPEG File Types |
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Composition Composition: Overview centred around Dog Photography by Christine Johnson |
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| Histograms |
Post Image Editing (using Computer Software) Helpful Links
It is fair to say, that there are many Photo Editing Software Products available, on several different operating systems, with Windows, Apple Mac and Google ChromeOS being very popular OS’s.
Some Editing Software products are available on subscription, by direct purchase, and some are completely free, so it is highly recommended to your research before jumping in with both feet, thus ensuring you get a product that suits your needs.
You will also find some Software products will handle both RAW and JPEG files and others being RAW only, where the output file then needs to be exported to another Editor for final processing into a JPEG or another file type.
An example of this would be Adobe Photoshop, accepting processed RAW images from Adobe Camera Raw OR Lightroom, whereas products like Affinity Photo or ON1 Photo Raw can handle both within the same software.
The links below may be based on one specific editing product used by the author, but the approach can be adapted to other similar Editing Software.
| General Photo Editing Tips | General Photo Editing Tips |
| Layers | Layers |
| Masks on Layers (Layer Mask) | Masks on Layers (Layer Mask) |
Other techniques worth investigating, but not exhaustive, are Image Sharpening, Cloning, Dodging and Burning and use of Brushes.
Clearly, the above techniques form a small proportion of what most Post Image Software can actually do, but at least it gets you started.
The members of Warrington Photographic Society are more than willing to help our newer photographers/members to overcome their doubts or problems, so please do not be afraid to ask, as there is a significant resource out there within their experience.