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

• Topaz Gigapixel AI V6 testingTopaz Gigapixel AI V6 announced - It's somewhat faster on newer hardware (native Apple M1 support) and updates processing models. Article includes new test example images.
• Best Canon PRO-200 driver settings and print detailIs there a best print setting when using the Canon PRO-200. What are the best PRO-200 driver settings and print detail combination? Some test prints suggest that adding more detail int he original image does help.
• Best Canon PRO-300 driver settings and print detailIs there a best print setting when using the Canon PRO-300. What are the best PRO-300 driver settings and print detail combination? Some test prints suggest that adding more detail int he original image does help.
• Best Epson P700/900 driver settings and print detailIs there a best print setting to choose when using the Epson P700 or P900. What are the best driver settings and print detail combinations. Some test prints suggest that adding more detail int he original image does help.
• DxO Updates Nik softwareDxO have announced DxO Nik collection 4, with more preset options and expanded U-Point functionality for use with Photoshop and Lightroom
• DxO PureRAW announcedDxO have announced PureRAW, a basic RAW image processing program designed for use with other image editing programs. Offering the demosaicing, lens correction and noise reduction options without the image editing of PhotoLab
• Video: From landscape to printKeith looks a the whole process of making a black & white landscape print, from stopping to admire the view, taking some photos, editing and processing them through to paper choices & printing (32m 16s)
• Topaz Gigapixel AI V5.5Topaz Gigapixel AI has been updated to Version 5.5.0 - It's appreciably faster on newer hardware and add a a new processing model that may work better on some image sources and types

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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.

• When Hyperfocal focusing is no goodWhy hyperfocal focusing often fails to give the depth of field that some suggest. A much simpler method that can be of more general use
• Video: Photographic styleIf you don't feel you have a photographic style, should you be concerned? Ways of getting more out of your photography without feeling you are missing out. Looking at some photos and books which might help.
• Video: Move or zoom – composition with shift lensesVideos: Move or zoom? Composition with shift lenses at different focal lengths Do you move or do you zoom? Keith looks at shift lens photo composition at different focal lengths. Although shot using shift lenses, the observations apply whatever lens you are using.
• Diagonal shift and landscape compositionDiagonal lens shift - Keith looks at some landscape photography aspects when lao 15mm red ringusing a tilt/shift or shift only lens by combining horizontal and vertical lens movements. Using an off-set viewpoint in images
• Videos: Key print quality choicesVideos: What are the key print quality choices? Three videos look at what print quality means, how it goes beyond printer choice, and ways of looking at your prints
• Video: Art reproduction and printingVideo: Art reproduction and printing your artwork. Scanning, photographing and printing to create inkjet or 'Giclee' fine art prints (19m 17s)
• Video: Back to film for your photographyVideo: Thinking of using film in your photography? Why 'back to film' needs some reasons and serious thinking about what it is you want (19m 05s)
• Book Review: The photography exercise bookBook review and video: The photography exercise book by Bert Krages. Training your eye to shoot like a pro. Subjects to study and photograph that will help train your photographic vision and produce the photos you want (and know why)

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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