Photography Guide

The Pattaya Days Starter Guide to Photography

Version 2, September 2011

Many people buy a capable camera; and then stick it in automatic mode and just go shooting. Some of their images will be OK; but their photography could be so much better, and a load more fun, if they just learned some of the basic rules about how a camera works.

So I have produced a guide for those who want to learn these basics. What’s the difference between shutter and aperture? What’s ISO and why should you care? What are the best settings to capture a building or a bouncy child? How can I photograph fireworks? All this, and much more, is contained in the guide.

The guide is in PDF format and can be downloaded here.

Once you have read the 70+ pages of this guide, you will have a clear understanding of how to get the best out of your camera. How much is this worth to you? If “bugger all” is your answer, then I am sorry for wasting your time. Otherwise a donation of around $5 would help recompense for the time and effort that I put in to creating it. Thank you.

Please leave any comments and suggestions for improvement via the Contact page.

“I found your guide very useful” – A monkey
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(photo from Telegraph.co.uk)

  • #1 written by Claus Thoden
    about 2 years ago
    Reply Quote

    A really very cool guide with plenty of excellent tips that only experienced photographers can give. Like “shutter time <= focal length" is so cool, i didn't know that one before. I could contribute another one, but it only rhymes in German, unfortunately: "Die Sonne lacht? Nimm Blende acht", or in English "Sun is smiling? Use aperture 8".

    Critic: I absolutely refuse to learn that my Leica Summilux 50mm loses image quality at aperture 1.4. That is really just not true, believe me. Only the DoF is getting more shallow, of course, but the parts within the DoF are still sharp and crisp, all the way to the corners.

  • #2 written by Spike
    about 2 years ago
    Reply Quote

    Hi Claus,
    Thanks for your comments. No doubt your Leica lens is sharp wide open; but it does cost as much as car. A beginner is likely to have lesser lenses which perform better as they are stopped down.

  • #3 written by Claus Thoden
    about 2 years ago
    Reply Quote

    Hi Spike,
    The principle you describe if absolutely correct, of course, and I wouldn’t expect anything else from a geek like you! I especially enjoyed your practical advice at the end of your guide. Every single tip you’re giving would otherwise cost the learning photographer plenty of frustration and a ton of useless photos…

  • #4 written by Robert
    about 1 year ago
    Reply Quote

    Thanks for the guide, very nicely summarized. I will print it out and take it with me to try and remember when out for photo shooting.

    Also love your sense of humor ;-)

    Thanks,
    Rob

  • #5 written by Alfi
    about 8 months ago
    Reply Quote

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