Most Popular

1500 questions
310
votes
16 answers

Good examples of RAW's advantages over JPEG?

I'm curious to see some real examples of where simply capturing the same photo in RAW (and being processed by someone who can do it justice) has significantly improved the photo at the end of the process. I understand what RAW is and why you might…
Nick Bedford
  • 9,762
  • 3
  • 29
  • 40
199
votes
15 answers

What do all those cryptic number and letter codes in a lens name mean?

When looking at a lens name, there are a lot acronyms describing its features (often specific to the manufacturer). Examples, Nikon: Nikon AF-S DX 16-85mm VR f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED Nikon AF-I 600mm f/4D IF-ED Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED…
Mikael Sundberg
  • 263
  • 3
  • 4
  • 7
171
votes
8 answers

What are the best techniques for photographing overweight people?

I'm not the most lean person on the planet, and many pictures seem to really point this out. While I wish I was simply in better shape, it is simply not the case for me or unfortunately, many people. Are there poses, lighting techniques, focal…
rfusca
  • 26,496
  • 12
  • 95
  • 142
157
votes
10 answers

What is the "exposure triangle"?

What is the exposure triangle? How do the "sides" affect my photographs?
Evan Krall
  • 12,397
  • 10
  • 60
  • 93
129
votes
7 answers

What is "ISO" on a digital camera?

What is "ISO" in general, and how is the scale defined? How does the ISO scale for film speed differ from ISO sensitivity as used in digital cameras? Is lower ISO always better?
mattdm
  • 143,140
  • 52
  • 417
  • 741
123
votes
9 answers

When do the differences between APS-C and full frame sensors matter, and why?

I'm trying to decide on a higher-end digital SLR, and I'm down to choosing between an APS-C model and a full-frame model. I understand that the sensors are of different sizes, and as such have an effect on the perceived magnification of the lens,…
Winston Smith
  • 2,404
  • 3
  • 20
  • 18
123
votes
7 answers

What is bokeh, exactly?

I understand that "bokeh" refers to out-of-focus areas of an image — but there is obviously more to it than that. What does the term mean exactly? How well is bokeh really understood? Is it purely subjective, or can it be evaluated, measured,…
Chris Noe
  • 2,055
  • 2
  • 13
  • 18
120
votes
7 answers

How and why do you use an image histogram?

I realize that an image histogram is a graphical display of an images tonal distribution (i.e. horizontal darks to lights, vertical pixel distribution), but how does one really use it and why? I mean, can't you determine everything you need just by…
heavilyinvolved
  • 1,585
  • 3
  • 15
  • 11
117
votes
1 answer

In portrait photography, what is 'broad' lighting? What is 'short' lighting?

What are 'broad' and 'short' lighting when it comes to studio portraiture, and when should I use each?
Jay Lance Photography
  • 26,740
  • 16
  • 99
  • 135
117
votes
42 answers

What are your easiest photography beginner tips?

Over time, I've found there are a handful of really simple things that anyone can do to take better pictures. What are your favorites? Understand the basics of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Take your camera everywhere, including when you don't…
mmccoo
  • 1,123
  • 4
  • 14
  • 23
113
votes
18 answers

How can I better organise and file my photos?

At present I meticulously add metadata as EXIF tags to my photos using Microsoft Pro Photo Tools, which also lets me place them accurately on a map. The thing is I tend to leave photos in a folder based on the date I downloaded the image from the…
Rowland Shaw
  • 16,027
  • 12
  • 68
  • 127
113
votes
12 answers

How do I approach people for a natural look in street photography?

I am enjoying taking candid photos of people, but the subject is usually someone I know, or it is during some family/friend event, so after a while the people get used to the presence of the camera and act quite naturally. I like "street…
kristof
  • 3,031
  • 1
  • 23
  • 26
113
votes
29 answers

What blogs should I be following if I am learning photography?

I am beginner and looking for sites/blogs.
CodeToGlory
  • 2,291
  • 7
  • 27
  • 31
112
votes
5 answers

What is RAW, technically?

From a technical perspective, what exactly is RAW and how does it differ from JPG or bitmap images? I'm not asking about the pros/cons versus another format, but rather what constitutes RAW format, how is the data stored, how does it differ from JPG…
Mike King
  • 1,223
  • 1
  • 9
  • 5
105
votes
25 answers

What can I do to get models to take my small camera more seriously?

My main genre of photography is portraiture at geek, fantasy and historic events where many attendees dress up (cosplay and reenactment). The attendees are often very willing to pose for pictures (TFP usually). I'm far from the only photographer at…
Belle
  • 1,594
  • 2
  • 10
  • 20
1
2 3
99 100