Photography tutorials and how-to articles

Articles aimed at helping you improve aspects of your photography

There are a growing number of entirely free tutorials and ‘how to’ articles on this site. This page provides links to all of them.

Keith has produced over 850 videos which include several how-to type ones. For a full index of all videos on YouTube, there is a categorised index page here:

Index: All of Keith’s 850+ YT videos

The videos and articles here range from photo composition to ‘photo-hacks’ or building your own specialist lenses from discarded camera equipment.

Many of our articles and reviews are also written to help explain how and why you would use different equipment and techniques, not just a list of a product’s functionality.

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If you think of something that might be useful, please let Keith know – many articles have come from questions asked by readers.

The sections below split all the articles into three broad categories.

Specialist index pages

• Keith’s photo blog
• Articles and Reviews
• Camera and printer rumours
• Digital Black and White
• Colour Management
• All about using tilt and shift
• Index for all of Keith’s videos [850+]
• Photography book reviews
• The business side of photography
• Keith’s ‘gear list’ for his work
• Gallery of some of Keith’s prints
• Some of Keith’s travel blogs
• Some of Keith’s link choices

For even more detail, check the category listings and search box at the right of the page

Editing your photos. Tools and tips

• DxO Optics Pro V6.2 software reviewDetailed review of DxO Optics Pro version 6.2. Software for processing and optionally correcting camera image files and lens aberrations
• DxO Optics Pro V6.2 update for Mac and PCShort review of DxO optics Pro V6.2, showing improved noise handling and sharpness. Includes allowing more corrections for non supported lenses
• Review of Nik Viveza V2 editing pluginNik has updated the Viveza editing plugin to version 2 and Keith Cooper has been having a look at what it does. This is the version in the Google Nik Collection (and then the DxO Nik collection)
• Review of Nik Color Efex Pro V3 filter pluginReview of Nik Color Efex Pro V3 Creative filters for Photoshop / Aperture / Lightroom. Plugin is part of the Google Nik collection
• Out at night with the 7DOut at night with a Canon 7D. How does it handle shooting at high ISO and how should you process the images you take with it
• Preserving mountain artGuest post by Tony Riley discussing some of the digital options in preserving mountain art and handling the large archive that exists.
• X-rite ColorChecker Passport card – ReviewX-rite ColorChecker Passport card - Review. A colour checker card and software for colour calibration, DNG profiling and adjusting photos.
• Jane Fonda and Me…Jane Fonda and me... digitally printing 35mm photos taken on the set of Barbarella. Turning a scanned negative into a 42" print of Jane Fonda in Barbarella

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Using equipment in non-standard ways. Hacks and mods.

• Using old adapted lenses on a modern DSLR/mirrorless cameraLens adapters allow you to use old lenses on a modern DSLR or mirrorless camera. Many old lenses work very well if you can live without autofocus. Performance varies, but it's possible to learn lot of use for the rest of your photography
• Simple Inkjet printer cleaningSimple Inkjet printer cleaning. Cleaning old, clogged and dried up ink from inkjet printers using commonly available household cleaning products. Common solvents and additives quickly cut though ink buildup. A look at different household cleaners and how they can help shift dried up printer ink
• Megadap EFTZ21 EF to Z adapterNew Megadap EFTZ21 EF to Z lens adapter announced by Megadap. Fully supports EF lenses on Nikon Z mount cameras
• Nikon PC-E teleconverter modification (24/45/85mm)Adapting and modifying a Nikon teleconverter to use with Nikon 24mm, 45mm and 85mm PC-E tilt-shift lenses. PC-E teleconverter use. Simple hack needs screwdriver and a small file.
• Video: Using old lenses on modern camerasHow mount adapters let you use old lenses with modern cameras both DSLR and mirrorless. Using old lenses on new cameras and why it's fun to experiment (15m)
• Jessop zoom slide duplicator lensTesting a 35mm zoom slide copier on a modern digital camera with some slides from the 1970's. Includes image processing and lighting concerns and a quick look at photo image quality from the 70's
• Using effects lens filtersAfter being given some assorted lens filters dating back to film days, Keith wonders if they are still of any use with modern digital cameras and how B&W film 'emulation' has its limits.
• Adapted lens – Soligor 300mm f5.5Adapted lens experiments - Soligor 300mm f5.5 on an RF mount EOS RP mirrorless camera. Using adapters on a manual focus telephoto from 1975 on a modern mirrorless camera

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Ideas for developing photographic skills and aspects of photographic composition.

• Sea of stepsA chance to see how a modern ultra wide shift lens performs on a familiar view of Wells Cathedral. Sea of steps - photography inspired by the work of FH Evans in 1903
• Preparations for Leicester Peoples’ Photography GalleryGetting ready to show some photos at an exhibition. Preparations for Leicester Peoples' Photography Gallery
• Photographing tiny thingsPhotographing small electronic components with a macrophotography setup. TS-E90mm lens and extension tubes
• The RomanescoWhilst spending some time photographing industrial products, Keith stops, to photograph a Romanesco or Roman cauliflower.
• Canon EF 8-15mm f4 L USM reviewDetailed review of the EF 8-15mm f/4 L USM fisheye zoom lens from Canon. Tested on a full frame DSLR, including a look at software corrections to expand the utility of the lens.
• New photography gallery to open in LeicesterA new photography gallery space is opening in Leicester at the old library in Belvoir Street. The Leicester Peoples Photography Gallery
• Book Review B&W printing by George DeWolfeKeith Cooper reviews B&W printing by George DeWolfe - part of the Digital masters series. A 'guide to producing exhibition quality black and white prints'
• Make your own macro lensesUsing old lenses and equipment with modern digital cameras to make a high magnification macro lens. Reversing a lens and making a mount for it. Macro photography without the expense of buying a specialist macro lens

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Training – for companies

These are aspects of training that I provide (on location, not at our offices) as part of Northlight’s business.

We also have a training directory that is freely available for any professional photographer who offers training.

It’s arranged by location, so as long as you are a pro photographer, a free link is available