How Do I Take Care Of My Camera Lenses?

Send us Fan Mail📸 About This Episode You’ve come home from a shoot with hundreds of photos on your camera — and no system for what to do next. This episode is that system. Seven practical steps you can follow in about thirty minutes after every shoot. By the end, your photos are safe, organised, selected, and improved. And you’ve learned something for next time. 📋 The Seven Steps 1.    Get the photos off your camera the same day — not tomorrow 2.    Create a simple Category > Year > Location folder structure and use it every time 3.    Do a ten-minute first cull — delete the obvious disasters 4.    Pick your one best photo from the whole session 5.    Back up before you go to bed — every single time 6.    Edit your best photo properly — not everything 7.    Write down one thing you would do differently next time 📖 Read the Full Guide Everything is on the blog: rickmcevoyphotography.com/blog/post-shoot-photography-workflow 🔗 Related Episodes Episode 46 — Step by Step Guide to How I Get the Photos Off My Camera Safely and Securely Episode 152 — How My One Photo Rule Will Help You Take Better Photos Episode 198 — How to Organise Digital Photos on Your Computer 🎬 Next Episode Episode 233 — Are You Holding Your Camera Like a Cheese and Pickle Sandwich? — Friday 22 May 2026 🌐 More From Rick Website, courses, resources and weekly email: rickmcevoyphotography.com YouTube: search Rick McEvoy Courses: rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses Resources: rickmcevoyphotography.com/resources  My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.  If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.Support the showGet your question answeredThis is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.Thanks very much for listeningCheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail📸 You’ve got the camera. You’ve found something worth photographing. Now what? In this episode, Rick walks through the seven steps that happen between picking up your camera and pressing the shutter — the process that determines whether your photo is sharp, well composed, and actually what you intended. Practical, in order, and immediately usable. 🎟️ In this episode: 1.    Hold the camera with both hands — every single time — Right hand on the grip, left hand under the lens. Both hands reduce camera movement and reduce blur. 2.    Look through the viewfinder — When you look through the viewfinder you have three points of contact with the camera. Far more stable than holding it out to look at the screen. Use the viewfinder. 3.    Compose the frame before you focus on anything — Composition is a creative decision. Make it first. Focus is a technical one — make it second. 4.    Half-press the shutter button to focus — never stab it — Two stages: half-press to focus, check it’s on the right thing, then gently press fully. 5.    Stand still. Breathe out slowly and shoot — Breathing is movement. Movement is blur. Stand still, breathe out slowly, and shoot. 6.    Check the shot you just took — every single time — Playback immediately. See what you got. Adjust if needed. Delete rejects at your computer, not in camera. 7.    Take one great photo and move on — Usually the first photo is the best one. Take your time, get it right, and move on. This is the one photo rule. 📝 Full show notes: rickmcevoyphotography.com/blog/how-to-actually-take-a-photo 🎙️ Related episodes: Episode 93 — How Do You Hold a Camera Properly? This Is Very Important! Episode 152 — How My One Photo Rule Will Help You Take Better Photos ⏭️ Next episode: Episode 232 — I’ve Got Hundreds of Photos on My Camera — Now What? — Friday 8 May 2026. 🌐 Website, courses and resources: rickmcevoyphotography.com 📺 YouTube: Rick McEvoy on YouTube  My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.  If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.Support the showGet your question answeredThis is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.Thanks very much for listeningCheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 📸 About This Episode You’ve just got a new camera. The excitement is real — but most cameras come out of the box in a state that will cause you problems at exactly the moment you most want to take photos. In this episode, Rick walks you through seven quick setup steps — about twenty minutes in total — that get your camera properly ready before you take a single shot. Perfect for anyone who’s just unboxed their first camera, or who wants to start things off the right way. ✅ The 7 Setup Steps 1.    Charge the battery fully before your first shoot — and order a spare battery today. One battery is never enough. 2.    Format the memory card inside the camera using the camera’s own menu — not your computer, not by deleting files. It sets the card up in exactly the right way for your specific camera. 3.    Set the date and time correctly in the camera settings. Every photo is stamped with the date and time it was taken — that stamp is how you find photos later. 4.    Set image format to RAW and JPEG. Start working with JPEG files straight away, and have those RAW files ready for when you’re ready to edit them. 5.    Set image quality to the highest setting your camera offers — Fine, Large, or equivalent. Storage is cheap. Quality matters. 6.    Spend ten minutes with the first chapter of the manual. Just ten minutes. Know where the controls are before you go out. 7.    Put it in Auto mode and go and take some photos. Build confidence. Build enthusiasm. That takes you further. 📝 Full Show Notes and Blog Post Read the full episode notes and transcript: Episode 230 — Shiny New Camera? Calm Down and Do This First 🔗 Related Episodes Episode 225 — I Just Got My First Camera — What Do I Do in the First Week? Episode 228 — How to Know If You’re Ready to Move from Phone to Camera Episode 229 — What Can an Entry Level Camera Really Do? 🗃️ Next Episode Episode 231 — Camera. Check. Something to Photograph. Check. Now How Do You Actually Take the Photo? — publishes Friday 24 April 2026. 🎦 Support the Podcast Get the video version of every episode on Patreon: patreon.com/c/rickphoto 🌐 Find Rick Website: r My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.  If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.Support the showGet your question answeredThis is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.Thanks very much for listeningCheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail📸 Think you need an expensive camera to take great photos? You really don't. In episode 229 of the Photography Explained Podcast, I take my entry level Canon R100 to Mexico for two weeks — kit lens only — and come back with portfolio-worthy images. Under £500 of gear. Real conditions. No tricks. In this episode I reveal 7 things an entry level camera can genuinely do brilliantly — and the results might surprise you. 💡 THE 7 THINGS COVERED: 1️⃣  It produces genuinely excellent photos — right out of the box 2️⃣  The kit lens is a much better starting point than you think 3️⃣  Programme mode is a perfectly valid way to shoot 4️⃣  It handles low light significantly better than your phone 5️⃣  A tripod unlocks a whole new level of what's possible 6️⃣  Auto Exposure Bracketing helps you handle tricky light 7️⃣  It will make you a better photographer  🔗 USEFUL LINKS:  📝  Blog Post (Full Episode Text) 🌄  Mexico Portfolio — Shot on the Canon R100 🎓  Photography for Beginners Hub Page  📖 RELATED EPISODES:  •  Episode 228 — How to Know If You're Ready to Move from Phone to Camera •  Episode 225 — I Just Got My First Camera, What Do I Do in the First Week? •  Episode 106 — Programme Mode: What Is It? Is It OK For Me to Use It? •  Episode 160 — What Is Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB)? •  Episode 60 — What Is a Kit Lens? 🌐 My Website: https://rickmcevoyphotography.com 📺 YouTube Channel: Rick McEvoy Photography 🎓  My courses page 📚  Resources Page 💬 GET IN TOUCH:  📧  Subscribe to my weekly email at rickmcevoyphotography.com 💬  Text me directly from the podcast feed 🔔  Subscribe so you don't miss future episodes  🎧 NEXT EPISODE:  Episode 230 — Your New Camera: What to Do Before You Take a Single Photo 📷 You've got your first camera. What now? Before you press the shutter once, there are some things worth doing first. See you in a fortnight! 👋 Thanks for listening to the Photography Explained Podcast! 🙏 I'm Rick McEvoy — a professionally qualified photographer (ABIPP) based in England 🏴 with a lifetime of photographic experience, which I share with you in my splendid podcast. 📸 💝 Stay safe. 🛡️ Cheers from me, Rick! 🍻  My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.  If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.Support the showGet your question answeredThis is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.Thanks very much for listeningCheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail📸 Is your phone holding your photography back — or is it you? In episode 228 of the Photography Explained Podcast, I’m sharing seven honest signs that tell you whether now is the right time to move from your phone to a camera. And if it isn’t quite the right time yet, I’ll tell you exactly what to do instead. In this episode you will learn: 📱 Sign 1. You keep running into the limits of your phone camera — zooming in that turns to mush, photos that blur in dark rooms, moments you miss because your phone just can’t keep up. 🌸 Sign 2. You want proper control over blurry backgrounds — not the faked portrait mode version, but real optical depth of field that you actually create yourself by controlling your aperture. 🌙 Sign 3. Low light photos keep disappointing you — why small sensors are fighting against physics, and what a camera with a larger sensor genuinely gives you. 💡 Sign 4. You’ve already learned the basics of composition on your phone — because a camera won’t make you a better photographer, only practice does. 🤔 Sign 5. You’re genuinely curious about how cameras work — and why that curiosity is the best predictor of whether you’ll thrive with a camera or leave it in a drawer. ⏰ Sign 6. You’re ready to invest time, not just money — the thing that catches most people out. 🌱 Sign 7. You want to grow as a photographer, not just capture moments — the most important question of all. Whether you’re a phone photographer wondering if the time is right, or you’re already sold on a camera and want to know what to do next, this episode will give you a clear, honest answer. 📝 Find the full episode blog post here: How to Know If You’re Ready to Move from Phone to Camera 🎙️ Related episodes: Episode 7 — What Camera Should I Buy? — the best place to start once you’ve decided you’re ready. Episode 212 — Creative Use of Depth of Field: Blurry Backgrounds, Sharp Subjects — if blurry backgrounds are what’s pulling you towards a camera, this is the episode for you. Episode 225 — I Just Got My First Camera — What Do I Do in the First Week? — the perfect follow-on episode once you’ve made the move. ➡️ Next episode: 10 Things to Know Before Buying Your First Camera. Out Friday 27th March 2026. 🎞️ Want to watch the full podcast video? It’s exclusively available to my Patreon supporters. Head over to my Patreon page to find out more. 🌐 Visit rickmcevoyphotography.com to ask questions, get my weekly email, or get in touch. 🎓 Find my courses at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses, including a brand new beginner sunrise photography course, filmed on location in Mexico. 🗺️ Explore my resources page at rickmcevoyphotography.com/resources. 📺 Find me on YouTube - search Rick McEvoy.  My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.  If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.Support the showGet your question answeredThis is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.Thanks very much for listeningCheers from me Rick

Send us Fan MailYour photos are sharp and well-exposed — but they look weirdly orange or horribly blue. Here's how white balance works and how to fix it. 📸This is one of those photography settings that nobody really explains to beginners. But once you understand it — and it really doesn't take long — you'll stop wondering why your photos look a bit off and start knowing exactly what to do about it. 💡📚 IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:✅ What white balance actually is (and why it matters)✅ Why your indoor photos look too orange 🟠✅ Why outdoor photos sometimes look too blue or cold ❄️✅ When to trust Auto White Balance (and when not to)✅ How to use white balance presets on your camera✅ How to fix white balance perfectly when you shoot RAW✅ The grey card trick that professionals use for perfect colour 🎨Whether you're using a camera or your phone, this episode will help you understand one of photography's most fundamental settings and fix your colour problems for good. 📱📷💡 THE 7 TIPS COVERED:1️⃣ What White Balance Actually Is — and Why It Matters2️⃣ Why Your Indoor Photos Look Too Orange3️⃣ Why Outdoor Photos Sometimes Look Too Blue or Too Cold4️⃣ How to Use Auto White Balance — and When to Trust It5️⃣ How to Use White Balance Presets on Your Camera6️⃣ How to Fix White Balance in Editing When You Shoot RAW7️⃣ The Grey Card Trick — Your Secret Weapon for Perfect White Balance🔗 USEFUL LINKS:📝 Blog Post (Full Episode Text) 🎓 Photography for Beginners Hub Page:📖 RELATED EPISODES• Episode 226 - Why Are My Photos Too Dark? Understanding Exposure for Beginners• Episode 4 - What Is The Exposure Triangle?• Episode 21 - What Does Exposure Mean In Photography?• Episode 225 - I Just Got My First Camera - What Do I Do in the First Week?🌐 My Website: https://rickmcevoyphotography.com📺 YouTube Channel: Rick McEvoy Photography🎓 My courses page📚 Resources Page💬 GET IN TOUCH:📧 Subscribe to my weekly email at rickmcevoyphotography.com💬 Text me directly from the podcast feed🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss future episodes🎧 NEXT EPISODE:Episode 228 - How to Know If You're Ready to Move from Phone to Camera 📱➡️📷It's not just about money. It's about whether you actually need one, and whether you're ready to make the most of it. See you in a fortnight! 👋Thanks for listening to the Photography Explained Podcast! 🙏I'm Rick McEvoy - a professionally qualified photographer (ABIPP) based in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 with a lifetime of photographic experience, which I share with you in my splendid podcast. 📸 💝Stay safe. 🛡️ Cheers from me, Rick! 🍻 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.  If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.Support the showGet your question answeredThis is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.Thanks very much for listeningCheers from me Rick

Send us Fan MailEver wonder why your photos come out so dark you can barely see what you shot? You take a photo of something brilliant - a stunning sunset, your mate pulling a funny face, your dinner that actually looks restaurant-quality for once - and when you look at the result, it's so dark you might as well have taken it in a cave. Frustrating, right? 📸 This episode explains exactly why photos come out dark and gives you seven practical tips to fix it once and for all.In this episode, you'll learn:✅ How bright backgrounds fool your camera into making everything dark✅ Why shooting into the light creates silhouettes (and how to fix it)✅ How shutter speed, aperture, and ISO affect exposure✅ The magic of exposure compensation - your "make it brighter" button✅ Why you need enough light in the first place✅ How to read your camera's histogram like a pro✅ When and why to use a tripod for perfect exposureWhether you're using a camera or your phone, these seven tips will transform your photography. From understanding exposure compensation to reading histograms, you'll have all the tools you need to never take a mysteriously dark photo again.📸 What You'll Learn:✅ Tip 1: Your Camera is Being Fooled by Bright Backgrounds✅ Tip 2: You're Shooting Directly Into the Light✅ Tip 3: Your Camera Settings are Working Against You✅ Tip 4: You Need to Use Exposure Compensation✅ Tip 5: You're Shooting in the Wrong Light✅ Tip 6: Learn to Read Your Camera's Histogram✅ Tip 7: Use a Tripod📱 For Phone Photographers:Everything applies to phone cameras too! Tap on your subject before shooting, slide your finger up to make it brighter, and remember that light is still everything. That one tap solves 70% of dark photo problems!🔗 Related Episodes:Episode 224, Why Are My Photos Blurry? All the Reasons and How to Fix ThemEpisode 225, I Just Got My First Camera - What Do I Do in the First Week?Episode 11, What Is Exposure Compensation, How Do I Use It? And Why Is It So Useful?Episode 164, Understanding Histograms In Photography⭐️ Next Episode:Episode 227 - Why Are My Photos the Wrong Colour? Understanding White Balance🎯 Your Action Step:This weekend, deliberately photograph something in front of a bright window or with the sun behind it. First, take the photo without any adjustments - just point and shoot. Then try again, but this time tap on your subject (phone) or add +2 exposure compensation (camera). Compare the two photos and see the difference!🌐 Website🎓 Courses📺 YouTube: Search "Rick McEvoy" on YouTube My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.  If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.Support the showGet your question answeredThis is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.Thanks very much for listeningCheers from me Rick

Send us Fan MailYou've just unboxed your first proper camera and honestly? It's a bit overwhelming. All those dials, buttons, menu options - where do you even begin? 📸 This episode walks you through exactly what to do in your first week with your new camera. No jargon, no technical overwhelm, just practical, actionable steps that'll have you taking photos you're proud of by next weekend.In this episode, you'll learn:✅ How to properly set up your camera from day one✅ Why reading the quick start guide saves hours of frustration  ✅ The correct way to hold your camera for sharper photos✅ Why Auto mode is your friend when you're starting out✅ How to review your photos to accelerate learning✅ The secret to understanding light in photography✅ Why finding a photography community mattersThat first week with your new camera is absolutely crucial. Get it right, and you'll build confidence, develop good habits, and actually enjoy the learning process. These aren't complicated technical exercises - they're simple, enjoyable activities that'll help you understand your camera and start taking photos you actually like.📸 What You'll Learn:✅ Tip 1: Charge the Battery and Format Your Memory Card✅ Tip 2: Read the Manual - or the Quick Start Guide at Least!✅ Tip 3: Get Comfortable Holding Your Camera✅ Tip 4: Shoot in Auto Mode and Explore Your Environment✅ Tip 5: Review Your Photos and Learn From Them✅ Tip 6: Take Photos at Different Times of Day✅ Tip 7: Join a Photography Community or Find a Friend📱 For Phone Photographers:Well this is aimed at people taking photos with their phones. So let's move on from this one ok?🔗 Related Episodes:Episode 9, How Can I Learn To Use My New Camera?Episode 17, What Time Of Day Is Best To Take Photos?Episode 104, 10 Camera Settings For BeginnersEpisode 152, How My One Photo Rule Will Help You Take Better Photos⭐️ Next Episode:Episode 226 - Why Are My Photos Too Dark? Understanding Exposure for Beginners🎯 Your Action Step:Choose one location and over the course of a week, take twenty different photos there. Try different angles, different subjects within that space, experiment with different settings. By week's end, pick your five favorites and tell Rick what you learned!🌐  My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.  If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.Support the showGet your question answeredThis is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.Thanks very much for listeningCheers from me Rick

Send us Fan MailYou've taken what you thought was the perfect shot, but when you look at it later, it's blurry. Frustrating, right? 📸 This episode breaks down all seven main reasons your photos might be blurry and gives you practical fixes for each one.In this episode, you'll learn:✅ How camera shake ruins photos (and the proper technique to eliminate it)✅ The reciprocal rule for shutter speed that prevents blur✅ Why your focus might be off and how to manually control it✅ How to handle motion blur in your subjects✅ When shallow depth of field becomes a problem✅ Why a dirty lens makes everything soft (and how to keep yours clean)✅ How high ISO affects apparent sharpness (and when to use a tripod)Whether you're using a camera or your phone, these seven fixes will transform your photography. From the breathing technique that stops camera shake to the simple habit of cleaning your lens after every shoot, you'll get actionable advice you can use immediately.📸 What You'll Learn:✅ Tip 1: Camera Shake - You're Moving When You Press the ButtonLearn the proper holding technique, breathing method, and when to use a tripod.✅ Tip 2: Wrong Shutter Speed for Your Focal LengthThe reciprocal rule prevents blur. Using a 100mm lens? Minimum 1/100th second.✅ Tip 3: Your Focus Is Off - You've Focused on the Wrong ThingManually select the focus point and always check your shots.✅ Tip 4: Your Subject Is Moving - Motion BlurLearn exactly what shutter speeds you need for different subjects.✅ Tip 5: Shallow Depth of Field - Not Enough Is in FocusWhen to close down your aperture to keep everything sharp.✅ Tip 6: Dirty or Smudged LensClean your gear after every shoot - takes 30 seconds, makes a massive difference!✅ Tip 7: Low Light and High ISO - Noise Disguising as BlurUse a tripod to stick to ISO 100 for the highest quality.📱 For Phone Photographers:Everything applies to phone cameras too! Hold with both hands, use the volume button to shoot, tap to focus on the right spot, and clean that lens regularly!🔗 Related Episodes:Episode 222, The Best of The Photography Explained Podcast: 29 Essential Photography Tips That Actually MatterEpisode 220, The Photographer's Eye: See a Great Photo Before You Take ItEpisode 152, How My One Photo Rule Will Help You Take Better Photos⏭️ Next Episode:Episode 225 - I Just Got My First Camera - What Do I Do in the First Week?🎯 Your Action Step:Take 10 photos this week, but before each one, ask yourself "What could make this blurry?" Run through the seven things in your head.🌐 Website🎓 Courses📺 YouTube: Search "Rick McEvoy" on YouTube My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.  If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.Support the showGet your question answeredThis is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.Thanks very much for listeningCheers from me Rick

Send us Fan MailWant to take better photos in 2026 than you did in 2025? 📸 This episode gives you five simple, practical things you can start doing today that will genuinely improve your photography.In this episode, you'll learn:✅ How to properly clean your camera gear and why it matters for sharp photos✅ The smart way to learn camera settings without getting overwhelmed✅ Why shooting in different lighting conditions makes you a better photographer✅ How to critically review your work before sharing it✅ Why trying uncomfortable photography genres helps you growThese tips work for everyone - whether you're using a phone 📱, an entry-level camera, or professional gear. No jargon, just practical advice you can use today.📸 What You'll Learn:✅ Thing 1: Clean Your Gear Properly and Keep It CleanGet yourself a proper cleaning kit with a blower brush, microfibre cloths, and lens cleaning solution. Make cleaning a habit before every shoot. Clean lenses make sharp photos - it's that simple!✅ Thing 2: Learn One Camera Setting Really WellDon't try to master everything at once. Pick one setting - maybe exposure compensation, aperture priority, or even manual mode - and become properly competent with it. Master it, then move on to the next one.✅ Thing 3: Take Photos in Different LightDeliberately seek out different lighting conditions. Harsh midday sun, soft overcast light, golden hour, indoor window light - each type teaches you different skills. Photography is drawing with light, so this stuff is pretty important!✅ Thing 4: Review Your Photos Critically Before Sharing ThemStop sharing every photo you take. Review your photos twice - once immediately, then again with fresh eyes after waiting overnight. Quality over quantity, always.✅ Thing 5: Shoot Something UncomfortableTry a photography genre outside your comfort zone. Love landscapes? Try portraits. Always shoot people? Try architecture. Uncomfortable equals growth, and growth equals better photography.📱 For Phone Photographers:Everything in this episode applies to phone photography too! Clean your phone lens, learn exposure compensation in your camera app, photograph in different light, review before posting, and try different types of photography with your phone.🔗 Related Episodes:If you're enjoying this New Year focus on improving your photography, you might want to check out the previous episode - episode 222, The Best of The Photography Explained Podcast: 29 Essential Photography Tips That Actually MatterAnd here are some other recent related episodes - episode 220, The Photographer's Eye: See a Great Photo Before You Take It: and good old episode 152, How My One Photo Rule Will Help You Take Better Photos.⏭️ Next Episode:Episode 224 - Why Are My Photos Blurry? All the Reasons and How to Fix Them🎯 Your Action Step:Pick one of these five things and commit to it for January. Do it properly for the whole month and let me know how you got on!🌐 Website: https://rickmcevoyphotography.com🎓 Courses: https://rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses📺 YouTube: Search "Rick McEvoy" on YouTube My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.  If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.Support the showGet your question answeredThis is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.Thanks very much for listeningCheers from me Rick