As you might already know, photography is a fascinating art form that allows us to capture and preserve moments beyond imagination in time. However, for beginners, getting started with photography can be intimidating, especially when it comes to choosing and using the equipment.
Thus, we have provided this master article – Photography 101, to guide all beginners into mastering the basics of capturing moments beyond imagination. Whether you want to start taking better photos with your smartphone or invest in a high-level camera, this guide will provide the foundational knowledge and skills you will need to click and produce stunning pictures.
Introduction
Understanding the basics of photography is crucial and a prerequisite for anyone who wants to learn or improve their shooting and editing skills. A strong understanding or grasp of the basics will help you capture better images, experiment with different techniques, and ultimately express your creativity through your work.
Photography basics include concepts such as composition, exposure, shutter speed, ISO, aperture, lighting, editing, etc. You may struggle to create your desired or envisioned images without a solid understanding of these fundamental principles.
By learning these basics, you can take control of your camera and other equipment and make intentional choices and settings that will result in better images. Additionally, you will be able to troubleshoot some problems and adjust your camera and lighting settings to adapt to different shooting situations.
Furthermore, mastering the basics of photography is one of the most important steps in developing your style as a photographer. Once you have mastered the foundational skills, you can build upon them and start creating unique images.
Who is this guide for?
We have designed this course solely for those interested in photography and ready to learn the basics. It is particularly built to aid beginners starting with photography and may be feeling overwhelmed by the technical jargon and concepts.
Thus, regardless of your equipment (whether a good smartphone or a mid-range mirrorless or DSLR camera), this guide will help you improve your skills. It is also designed and suitable for those with some experience in photography but still want to brush up on their skills and knowledge.
Understanding the basics is essential whether you want to pursue photography as a hobby or a profession. This guide will help you develop a strong foundation in photography and give you the confidence to start experimenting with new techniques and styles.
Camera Types
Before we dive into talking about camera settings, framing, and light setting, let us have a glance at the different types of digital cameras available today.
There are several types of cameras, each with its specific characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. But the most commonly used ones include-
1. Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras:
A DSLR camera is a camera with a fixed digital sensor. It uses a mirror to reflect light from the lens to the viewfinder (VF), which allows the photographer to see the images that will be captured. When a photographer presses the shutter, the mirror swings up, and the light enters the digital imaging sensor to capture and save the photo on an SD card.
DSLR cameras are ideal and commonly used for professional photography. They are great for both pros and entry-level photographers. Examples include:
Advantages
They offer several advantages, including:
- Interchangeable lenses –
DSLRs allow photographers to swap lenses depending on the situation, giving them more creative control over the final image.
- Manual controls-
These cameras offer users advanced manual controls over settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, allowing them to fine-tune the exposure and achieve the desired effect.
- High image quality-
DSLRs typically have larger image sensors, which results in better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.
- Durability-
They are built to withstand heavy use, with rugged construction and weather-sealing to protect against dust and moisture.
- Speed-
DSLRs have fast autofocus systems and can capture images quickly, making them ideal for capturing action and sports photography.
Disadvantages
Below are a few disadvantages of DSLRs
- Larger size and weight –
DSLRs are larger and heavier than other cameras. Thus, they are more difficult to carry around and use for extended periods.
- Complexity-
They are technically complex, and learning to use them as a beginner can be daunting.
- Cost and maintenance-
DSLRs are expensive and require more maintenance than other types of cameras, such as regular sensor cleaning and lens calibration.
You can learn more about the features of Digital Single-lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras in the article below:
All Camera Features You Should Know In Your DSLR Camera.
2. Mirrorless Cameras
Unlike a DSLR, a mirrorless camera is a type of camera with an electronic viewfinder (EVF) that operates without a reflex mirror. In mirrorless cameras, light reaches the imaging sensor through the lens. The sensor then displays the image on the camera’s LCD screen, allowing you to preview the image and adjust your settings accordingly before clicking the shutter button. Examples include:
Advantages
- Mirrorless cameras are much smaller and lighter than DSLR cameras.
- They can shoot videos at high resolutions.
- They have in-body image stabilization (IBIS)
- They have impressive viewfinders
Disadvantages
- Mirrorless cameras consume more battery power than DSLR cameras.
- They have limited lens options when compared with DSLR cameras.
You may click on the link below to read our reviews on several mirrorless and DSLR cameras –
3. Action Cameras
Action cameras are small, rugged cameras specifically designed for outdoor activities and extreme sports. They are waterproof, shockproof, and can be used anywhere, including underwater. They can be mounted on helmets or other equipment. The most commonly used action cameras are GoPro cameras.
Advantages
- They are typically waterproof, shockproof, and dust resistant.
- They are smaller and can be used anywhere.
- Action cameras can record high-definition video at high frame rates, even up to 4K resolution.
- They usually have wide-angle lenses.
Disadvantages
- They cannot be used for professional studio photography.
- Most action cameras have a relatively low battery life when compared with some mirrorless or DSLR cameras.
- They can be quite expensive.
4. Point-and-shoot Cameras
These cameras are small and portable, with a fixed lens and simple automatic settings. This type of camera is ideal for casual photography. We highly recommend a point-and-shoot camera, like the Nikon Coolpix W300, if you want to start capturing subjects as a beginner without the need for manual camera settings and preview.
Advantages
- Point-and-shoot cameras have automatic settings for exposure, focus, and other key camera settings, making them easy for beginners to operate.
- They are smaller in size and lighter in weight, making them easier for anyone to carry around.
- They are less expensive.
Disadvantages
- Point-and-shoot cameras have limited controls, which makes them unfit for professional and creative photography.
- They have shorter battery life.
- They perform poorly in low light.
5. 35mm film camera
A 35mm film camera is a type of camera that uses 35mm film as its photographic medium. You can go through the article below to learn more about this camera, including its pros and cons.
What is a 35mm Film Camera In Photography? Is It Still Being Used?
Apart from all the cameras we have mentioned, other types of digital cameras for photography and videos include:
- Bridge cameras
- Medium format cameras
- Traditional film cameras, like the 35mm film camera.
You can still capture high-quality pictures and videos as a beginner, regardless of the type or grade of your digital camera. You can still click good shots whether you want to start with a DSLR, mirrorless, action, or point-and-shoot camera.
You may go through our article below to learn how to capture great photographs with any camera.
How To Take Good Pictures With Any Camera? A Quick Guide to Photography
Camera Settings
Understanding your camera settings is one of the main requirements for mastering the basics of photography. Familiarizing yourself with basic but powerful settings such as ISO, aperture, and shutter speed can help you capture perfect images, be they landscape, portrait, or action photographs.
Different settings can affect the lighting, depth of field, and your images’ overall clarity. Thus, knowing how to modify your camera settings based on the environment and subject can help make a significant difference in your final result.
In short, a solid grasp of camera settings is the foundation for achieving great photography. Generally, there are several settings on digital cameras. But we will only look at the core ones in this article. These include:
- Exposure (aperture, shutter speed, ISO)
- Metering modes and exposure compensation
- Focus modes and autofocus
Understanding exposure (aperture, shutter speed, ISO)
Simply put, exposure is the amount of light that reaches the sensor or film of your camera. It is controlled by three key factors: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
1. Aperture
Generally, aperture refers to the opening in the lens through which light enters your camera. It is measured in f-stops. The lower the number, the wider the aperture.
To help you understand better, here is a table summarizing the key differences between a wider and a narrower aperture:
Wider Aperture | Narrower Aperture | |
Size | Has a larger opening. | Has a smaller opening. |
F-stop | Lower numbers, such as f/1.4, f/1.8, f/2, etc. | Higher numbers, such as f12, f/22, etc. |
Light | Allows more light into your camera. | Allows less or little light into your camera |
DOF | Shallow depth of field | Deeper depth of field |
Use | When shooting in low-light situations. | When shooting in well-lit environments. |
Bokeh | More blurred | Less blurred |
Note: DOF stands for Depth of Field, and Bokeh refers to the quality of the out-of-focus areas in a photo.
You can learn more about aperture and how it works in the article below:
What is F-Stop? How Does Camera Aperture Work?
2. Shutter Speed
Shutter Speed refers to the length of time the image sensor is exposed to light. Your camera’s shutter speed is measured in seconds or fractions of a second. A faster shutter speed (e.g., 1/1000th) will allow less amount of light into your camera. On the other hand, a slower shutter speed (e.g., 1/10th) will allow more light into the camera. The former is typically used to freeze motion or capture fast-moving subjects, while the latter is used to create motion blur or capture low-light scenes.
You may read through the article below to get more insight into the effect of shutter speed on photographs.
How To Change Shutter Speed On Nikon And Canon Camera?
3. ISO
ISO measures your camera’s sensor sensitivity to light. It determines how dark or bright your photos will appear.A higher ISO value will make your imaging sensor more sensitive to ambient light, while a lower value will make your sensor less sensitive to light.
You can learn more about ISO in the article below:
What does ISO stand for in Photography?
To achieve proper exposure and capture stunning photographs, you must uniformly adjust these three settings to balance the amount of light entering your camera. For instance, if you want to freeze motion with a fast shutter speed, you will need to widen your aperture and increase your ISO to compensate for the reduced amount of lighting flowing into your camera.
Metering modes and exposure compensation
Apart from exposure (aperture, ISO, and shutter speed), metering mode and exposure compensation are two other important settings that can affect the final look of your images. Here is an overview of both.
Metering
Understanding the various ways your camera measures the light in a scene will help you achieve consistent and accurate exposures. Metering is the main brain behind how your camera determines the best shutter speed and aperture based on your ISO speed and lighting conditions. There are typically three metering modes:
- Evaluative or matrix metering.
- Center-weighted metering.
- Spot metering.
Understanding how these settings work can improve your overall photographic knowledge.
Exposure Compensation
Exposure compensation is a way to adjust the exposure settings suggested by your camera’s metering mode. It is ideal for correcting or overriding in-camera metering errors. It is typically measured in stops, with each stop representing a doubling or halving of the amount of light that reaches the sensor.
For example, if your camera suggests an exposure of f/8 at 1/125th of a second, but the image looks too dark, you can use exposure compensation to adjust the exposure by a stop or two. This will increase the amount of light your sensor will capture, resulting in a brighter image.
You can adjust exposure compensation using a button or dial on the camera. You can use it to brighten or darken your image and get your desired effect. You may learn more in the article: What is Flash Exposure Compensation? How to use this feature?
Focus modes and autofocus
Focus modes and autofocus are other significant settings that affect how your camera focuses on a subject.
Focus modes determine how your camera focuses on a subject. Most modern digital cameras have different tracking modes to help you focus in different situations. But they are typically three focus modes:
- Manual focus
- Single autofocus (AF-S)
- Continuous autofocus (AF-C)
Similarly, autofocus is one of the most advanced features of your camera. The AF system automatically and intelligently adjusts your camera lens to focus effortlessly.
There are typically three types of autofocus:
- Phase detection autofocus
- Contrast detection autofocus
- Hybrid autofocus
You can select one either through the camera settings menu or with the aid of a dial dedicated to it.
Composition
In photography, composition refers to how a photographer arranges the visual elements of a photo. It is a pleasing arrangement of objects within the frame.
Composition involves a lot of things, including lighting, texture, color, the object, and other aspects of visual design. A well-composed photograph will capture your viewer’s attention, conveys a message or emotion, and holds their interest.
Composing and capturing a good photo as a photographer goes beyond just focusing on your main subjects or maneuvering your camera settings. Here are some of the most common framing techniques to help you create visually interesting images.
Rule of thirds
The rule of thirds is a way of dividing an image into a 3×3 grid and placing the subject or key elements along the lines or at their intersections.
Leading lines
Leading lines are visual elements guiding the viewer’s eye toward a subject or a particular point of interest. They can be anything, including roads, trees, rocks, rivers, or anything capable of pulling attention toward something else.
You can learn more about leading lines in the article – How To Use Leading Lines In Your Photography?
Symmetry and patterns
Symmetry in photography refers to a balanced arrangement of elements within a photograph. On the other hand, pattern refers to the repetition of shapes, colors, or lines within an image. They can be both natural or man-made and can make for eye-striking compositions.
In photography, using symmetry and pattern can create powerful compositions and a sense of harmony that draws the viewer’s eyes and evokes emotions. They can make your photograph appear balanced and in a state of harmony.
You can learn more about this compositional technique in our article – Pattern in Photography – Tips For Using Patterns In Your Photos
Framing
Framing is another core compositional technique in photography. We have provided a well-detailed piece about this technique in the articles below:
What Is Framing In Photography? How To Use It?
A Guide to Framing in Photography. How to? Tips and ideas
Proportion In Photography – What Are Best Proportions To Click Pictures?
You may go through them to learn what it entails and to go about it.
Balancing elements
In photography, balance refers to creating a visually harmonious image by distributing the weight of the elements in the frame. As a photographer, if you place every element of interest in a photograph on one side, you will leave a null space on the opposite side, making the picture unbalanced. You should balance the weight of your subject by adding other elements or objects of lesser interest to fill the space.
You can learn more about balancing elements in our article below:
What Is Negative Space In Photography? The Correct Way To Use It
What Is Positive Space In Photography? How To Use It. Tips And Ideas
You can learn more about composition and other compositional techniques in the articles below:
What is Composite Photography? How To Compose Images? Tools And Tips
What Is Unity In Photography? And How To Use It?
How To And When To Use Golden Ratio In Photography?
Photography Composition Rules To Follow every time You Click A Photo
Lighting
In photography, lighting is a critical element. It can make or break your photos. You can use it to create different moods, highlight texture, and emphasize details.
Here are some of the different types of lighting commonly used in photography:
Natural light
Natural light refers to all the light available in your shooting environment. The sun is the main source of natural light. Natural light can make for great photos.
However, harsh sunlight can make it difficult for anyone to capture candid photos.In fact, pointing your camera directly at the sun during long exposures without a photographic filter can damage your lens or sensor.
You may be wondering: what kind of photography is sun or natural light good for? Natural light is the best light source for outdoor photography, especially sun flare photography.
Sun or lens flare photography involves capturing the sun as it rises or sets with a prime or wide-angle lens. You may go through the articles below to learn more about sun flare photography and wide-angle and prime lenses.
What is Sun Flare Photography? How to Capture Best Shots?
What Is Flare Photography? How to Achieve Perfect Lens Flare?
How To Get Lens Flare Effect? And How To Avoid It?
Prime Lens Photography? When To Use Prime Lens? Why They Are Good?
Wide Angle Lens Photography? What Are Wide Angle Lens? When And How To Use Them?
You may also go through the article below to learn to do a time-lapse recording of the sun.
How To Make Time-Lapse Photography Videos? Short and long video
Capturing good shots during the day requires some skills and techniques. You can go through the article below to learn how to capture wonderful pictures during the day with your camera.
Natural Light Photography: How To Capture Photos In Daylight?
Artificial light
As you might already know, artificial lighting is any form of light made by man. The most commonly used artificial lighting for photography includes:
- Speedlight
- External flash
- Ring flash, etc
Mastering lighting in photography is not a day’s task. Firstly, you will need to study your environment and subject. You must also have a clear knowledge of the kind of image you want to create. Once you have considered these factors, you will need to adjust your camera settings and artificial lighting setup accordingly.
The Speedlight is one of the most commonly used artificial lighting sources, especially for outdoor photography. You can learn more about it in the article below:
How to Use a Speedlight? Photography Tips For Beginners.
Color temperature and white balance
Same scenes shot with four different white balance settings.
Color temperature is a measurement of the hue of a particular light source in Kelvin (K). On the other hand, white balance is a setting that tells your camera how to adjust the colors in a photograph to appear as they would in natural lighting conditions. It is the process of neutralizing unrealistic color casts to make whites appear white in your photos.
The white balance setting helps your digital camera to compensate for different types of lighting and produce true-to-life or accurate colors of your subjects. Understanding this setting can help you avoid color casts, thereby improving the quality of your photos under a wider range of lighting conditions.
Using light to create mood and atmosphere
Lighting is a powerful tool in photography. You can use light to create mood and atmosphere in your photograph. Here are a few tips to help you:
Choose the right color temperature
The color temperature of the light will significantly impact the mood you might want to create in your images. Warm colors (around 2700k-3000k) usually make photographs appear cozy and intimate, while cooler colors (around 4000k-5000k) make them appear energizing and invigorating.
Try different lighting techniques
You cannot successfully use light to add mood and atmosphere to your images without mastering different lighting techniques first. There are several lighting techniques in photography. The best one for you will depend on the mood or atmosphere you want to create.
Light painting and backlight compensation photography are some of the easiest and most common lighting techniques in photography. You can learn more about them in the articles below:
What Is Backlight Compensation Photography? Shooting Against The Light.
How To Do Light Painting Photography? Easy Ideas To Start With
Be consistent
Photography is an art. To master any skill or technique, you must be determined and consistent.
You can learn more about lighting in the article below:
Continuous Lighting Guide for Photography. How To? And Tips
Shooting Modes
There are several shooting modes on your DSLR or mirrorless camera. However, we would only discuss the following in a tabular form:
- Automatic modes (Program, Auto, Scene)
- Semi-automatic modes (Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority)
- Manual mode
Shooting Mode | Description | When to use |
1. Automatic Modes | Your camera makes all the decisions about your exposure and selects the best settings for your subject based on its internal algorithms. | |
a. Program mode | Your camera automatically selects the aperture and shutter speed in program mode. | In a situation when you care less about your aperture and shutter speed settings but rely more on your ISO value to deliver the desired result. |
b. Auto mode | Your camera has complete control over your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, and it will determine the best values based on the environment and lighting conditions. | We do not recommend shooting in this mode. Giving your camera complete control of your camera can result in undesirable images. However, you may begin with these modes as a beginner with no idea about camera settings. |
C. Scene modes | These are predefined settings optimized for specific scenes, such as portraits, sports, landscapes, etc. As a beginner, you will find this option most helpful because the mode is designed to help inexperienced photographers achieve proper automatic settings for a photograph. | When you are shooting in a specific environment and want to create or achieve a specific effect or look in your photos. |
2. Semi-automatic Modes | You set one of the exposure settings (either aperture or shutter speed), and your camera automatically sets the other. | |
a. Aperture Priority | You will select your desired aperture, while your camera will automatically handle the other settings. | When you want to control the depth of field and blur the background. |
b. Shutter Priority | You will select your desired shutter speed manually, while your DSLR or mirrorless camera will automatically select the aperture and other settings to ensure correct exposure. | When you want to control motion blur and freeze or blur your photographic subject |
3. Manual Mode | You will have complete control over camera settings. | Best for professional photography. |
Here are a few articles to help you learn more about the various modes.
What Is Tv (S) Mode On My DSLR Camera? How And When To Use It?
What Is Av Mode On My Camera? How And When To Use It?
Post-Processing Basics
Post-processing is an essential step in mastering digital photography. It involves modifying or retouching your images before saving or sending them to your clients. The process can include various techniques, such as adjusting color, contrast, exposure, sharpness, noise reduction, and cropping photos.
Most photographers often focus on the aspect of creating images, employing editors to do the tasks of retouching them. However, a basic understanding of post-processing activities or stages in photography is a prerequisite for becoming a professional. Understanding the basics of post-processing can help improve your overall image quality.
Introduction to editing software
Generally, we have several photo editing software to choose from as photographers. Both free and paid. However, the most commonly used ones include:
- Adobe Lightroom
- Photoshop
- Capture One, etc.
Basic editing techniques
Here are some basic photo editing techniques you can use to improve the quality of your photos:
1. Cropping
Cropping is a common technique in photography. Removing parts or any distracting elements from a picture can make the image more unique and stunning.
You may click on the link below to learn more about cropping.
What is Cropping in Photography? When and how to use it?
2. Adjusting exposure
A high exposure will make your picture overexposed, while a lower one will make your image underexposed or dark. Thus, it is important to adjust and balance the exposure of your photos after taking them.
To balance or adjust your exposure accordingly, follow the steps below:
- Open your photo editing software (preferably on your PC or desktop)
- Find the exposure (or brightness) adjust tool.
- Increase or decrease the exposure slider to balance the image.
- Check the histogram. If it is balanced, with a peak in the middle, save your work and proceed to the next one. If the histogram is skewed to the right or left, fine-tone or keep working on the image until it is balanced.
3. Color correction
Adjust the color balance slider to correct any color issues in the photo.
Apart from these, do not forget to remove blemishes or spots, especially from the face of your subject before saving the pictures.
Saving and exporting photos
After you have finished editing your photos, you must save and export them correctly so that they can be shared or printed without losing quality or resolution.
There are several SD cards with different storage capacities. You may go through the article below to learn how many high-quality photos each can hold.
How Many Photos Can 16GB/32GB/64GB/128GB/256GB Hold?
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Photography is not void of issues and challenges. As a beginner, you are bound to experience different challenges, such as capturing blurry photos and overexposing or underexposing your shots.
Here are some simple solutions to common challenges usually experienced by photography enthusiasts and even amateurs.
Blurry photos
This is usually caused by several factors, including incorrect use of shutter speed, movement of subject, hand/camera shake, bad weather conditions, etc.
Similarly, you can overcome this challenge through several means. But the best preventive measures include:
- Providing a solid base, such as a sturdy tripod, for your camera.
- Increasing your shutter speed
- Using a remote shutter release, etc.
Note: There are several types of movement in photography. Each requires its own unique shutter speed, aperture, and ISO setting. Depending on your subject and the mood you might want to create, you can use a slower shutter speed to create blurry photos intentionally.
You may learn about the different types of movement in photography and how to capture them in the article below:
Types Of Movement In Photography? How To Capture Them?
Overexposure and underexposure
As mentioned earlier, use the exposure adjustment tool in your photo editing software to balance your image’s exposure.
Noise
Image noise occurs when you shoot with a higher ISO value. To prevent this, ensure your ISO value is low before taking a shot. If you have already clicked a noisy image, you can fine-tune it with a portraiture plugin on your editing software.
Other common mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake | Description | Preventive measures |
Poor focus | Most beginners often fall victim to this challenge. Focusing on the wrong part of your subject using an incorrect focus mode can make your final result appear out-of-focus. | Use autofocus when you are unsure of the best focusing mode for your subject. You can also learn to compose your shots with your camera’s viewfinder. Learn more in the article below:What is Viewfinder Photography? How To Be Done Correctly? |
Shooting in JPEG format | Shooting in JPEG format can limit what you can do on the image during post-processing. | Always shoot in RAW format, except in a situation when you need to save memory space. |
Keeping dirty lenses | Shooting with a dirty lens will result in blurry or hazy photos. | Keep your lens clean using a lens cloth or air blower, and avoid touching the lens with your fingers. |
Ultimately, the most important thing is protecting your camera from harsh weather conditions.
Click on the link below to learn how to photograph people in harsh conditions.
How To Photograph Objects Or People In The Rain, And Protect Your Camera.
Tips for Practicing and Improving Your Photography Skills
Here are a few tips to help you improve your photography skills:
Experiment with different settings and techniques
As you might already know, we have several settings, shooting angles, and techniques in photography. So do not limit yourself to one. Try different camera settings, take shots from different angles, and try new editing software.
Below are some articles to help you master different angles and techniques in photography. You may go through them to learn more and improve your skills.
Learn Angle Of View In Photography. A Different Way To Capture The Subject
What Is A Dutch Angle Photography? And When Should You Use It?
What is Dynamic Range In Photography?
Black Background Photography: How To? Quick Settings, Tips, And Don’ts
Vertical Photography Guide: When To Use Vertical Angle For Photography
Furthermore, try different lenses with distinct focal lengths. Click on the link to learn about focal length in photography.
What Is Focal Length In Photography?
Finding inspiration and shooting subjects you love
Photography is a broad field. Thus, we recommend you choose specific niches to base upon and gain expertise. You may try:
Type | URL link |
Landscape photography | Landscape Photography |
Portrait photography | Mastering the Art of Portrait Photography: A Comprehensive Guide |
Fine art photography | What Is Fine Art Photography? How To Start Fine Art Photography? |
Macro Photography | How to do Macro or Close-up Photography? 10+ Tips To Capture Best Shot |
Once you have found a specific niche to base upon, seek inspiration from professionals in that niche with the aid of social media platforms.
Seeking feedback and critique
Always seek feedback and constructive criticism from your friends, relatives, and others. This will help you learn faster and better.
Conclusion and Resources
In conclusion, photography is a lucrative business. It will expose you to several beautiful moments in nature. Understanding the basics of photography will help you create wonderful storytelling images.
Now that you have mastered the basics of photography, such as your exposure settings, compositions, and lighting, you can start learning professional photography. You may click on the link below to begin.
Learn Photography Step by step – Free course