How Lenses Can Help You To Take Better Photos

Send us a textEver wondered why some photos come out looking dark 🌑 and others are sharp but grainy? 🌾 The answer lies in one simple camera setting: ISO. 📸 It doesn't let more light in; instead, it's the digital amplifier of your photo's data. 🔊 Mastering this one setting lets you get a sharp, correctly exposed photo in any situation. 🎯 We’re diving deep into ISO, showing you what it is, how it affects your images, and the professional techniques for using it to get the cleanest photos possible. 🧼Here is the answery bit 👇ISO simply boosts the light captured by your camera’s sensor. 💡 It electronically amplifies the signal that's already there. ⚡ The base ISO is your starting point—the lowest setting, offering the purest, highest-quality image. 💎 As you increase the number (from 100 to 200, 400, 800, and so on), you’re digitally brightening the photo. ✨ This is a vital tool, but it comes with a major compromise: a higher ISO means more digital noise, 🚫 which can degrade your image. 📉 Your primary goal should always be to use the lowest possible ISO.Hello and welcome to episode 215 of the Photography Explained Podcast, "ISO Explained: The Simple Guide to Better Photos in Any Light." 🌟I'm your host, Rick, and in each episode, I try to explain one photographic thing to you in plain English. 🌍Today, we're mastering ISO – one of the most powerful ways to get a correct exposure without the need for fancy gear. ⚙️ We'll explore simple, practical ISO tips for using it effectively. ✨ If you're still getting to grips with your camera's main settings, go back and listen to Episode 211: Understanding Your Camera's Settings: A Simple Guide to Your Modes ⚙️.How utterly splendid. 🤩 Let’s get into this. 👇Here are 5 top tips for making ISO work for you! 🌟Okay. Time for some practical photography tips to help you consistently get a correctly exposed photo that's sharp and clean. 🎯1: ISO for Beginners: What is ISO in Photography? 📸🤓Let's break down exactly what ISO is without all the technical jargon. 🚧 Think of your camera's sensor as an ear listening for sound. 👂 A low ISO setting is like a normal hearing level—it captures what's there clearly. 🎶 A high ISO is like turning up the volume on a speaker—it amplifies the sound but also the background hiss. 🔊 ISO is a number, typically ranging from 100 up to thousands. 🔢 The lowest number, usually ISO 100 or 200, is your base ISO. 💎 As you increase the number, you’re telling the camera to digitally boost the signal, making a photo that would have been too dark appear brighter. ✨ This is the final part of your exposure triangle, a crucial balance between aperture and shutter speed. 📐 Understanding this core concept is the first step to taking full control of your camera's exposure. 🚀2: Low ISO Photography: How to Get the Best Quality Photos 🏆✨In bright light, on a sunny day at the beach, ☀️ you should always use your camera’s base ISO. 💎 This is how you get the very best image quality your camera is capable of. 🌟 Think of it this way: a low ISO image is like a perfectly cleCheck out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.comSupport 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 a textThe Secret to Amazing Photos Isn't a Camera. It's How You Use Your Eyes. ✨Have you ever wondered what separates a simple snapshot from a truly captivating photograph? It’s all about composition—the art of purposefully arranging everything within your photo frame to guide the viewer's eye and tell a clear story. In this episode, your host, Rick, demystifies this powerful photographic tool, sharing five simple, practical, and highly effective tips to help you move beyond taking a picture to "making" a picture that truly stands out.You'll discover why composition is the single most important element in photography, why it's not a complex art theory, and how to create images that are more dynamic, clear, and visually appealing.Five Tips for Better Photographic Composition 🎯In this episode, Rick shares his five top tips, simplifying how you think about arranging elements to instantly improve your work:1. The Rule of Thirds: Your fundamental composition guide. Imagine your frame divided into a nine-box grid. Learn how to use this simple grid to place subjects off-center, creating more visual interest and balance. For landscapes, simply placing your horizon on the top or bottom third makes a massive, massive difference to your photo. It's the one rule you should always use! 📏2. Leading Lines: Go on a “visual journey.” Find natural or man-made lines in your scene (like winding paths, rivers, or fences) to add depth and direct attention toward your main subject. They create a powerful journey for the eye, making your photo more impactful in a world of endless scrolling. 🛣️3. Natural Framing: Use your environment to compose. Discover how arches, doorways, windows, or even a gnarled tree branch can frame your subject. By shooting through these elements, you create a natural border that draws attention to what’s inside, giving the viewer a sense of looking into a scene rather than just at it. 🌳4. Change Your Angle: Break predictability. Don’t just shoot from eye level—it's the most common viewpoint. Experiment by getting low to the ground or climbing somewhere high with a simple accessory like a painter's pole to get an expansive view. Changing your perspective is one of the quickest ways to find a unique composition and transform the feeling of your photo. 🧗5. Simplicity & Negative Space: Less is often more. Sometimes the strongest compositions are the simplest. Learn how to create powerful, uncluttered images by focusing on your main subject and removing distractions. Negative space—the empty area around your subject, like a clear sky or calm water—gives your photo room to breathe and allows your subject to stand out. ☁️The Practical Application in Your Photography 📸You can apply these five simple composition rules with any camera, even your phone!Your phone is an excellent tool for practicing because you always have it with you, and most built-in cameras have a grid overlay you can enable in the settings. That little grid is your best friend fCheck out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.comSupport 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 a text🏞️ Photography Explained Podcast - Episode 213: Your First Five Steps into Landscape Photography (Even in Your Local Park!) 📸What if you could take stunning landscape photos without traveling to exotic locations? In this episode, your host Rick McEvoy makes photography accessible by showing you how to find beauty right where you are—even in your local park. We’ll get straight to the point with five simple, practical steps to help you capture images you'll be truly proud of.💡 Your Five Steps to Stunning Landscapes:1. See the Scene: Find Your Best ViewpointDon't just stand there! Your most powerful tool is to move around. Get low, get high, move left or right. Explore different angles to eliminate distractions and find a unique perspective that changes how the scene looks.2. The Light Magic: Best Times for PhotosLight is everything. Avoid the harsh midday sun. Instead, aim for the "golden hour"—just after sunrise or before sunset—for warm, dramatic light. Overcast days are also fantastic, offering soft, even light that's perfect for woodlands and intimate scenes.3. Build Your Photo: Simple Composition RulesUse simple rules to guide the viewer’s eye. Try the Rule of Thirds by placing your horizon or subject on one of the grid lines, not in the middle. Look for leading lines like a path or a river to pull the viewer's eye into the scene.4. Camera Settings Explained: Get Everything SharpFor landscapes, you want maximum sharpness. Your key tool is a narrow aperture (a large f-number like f/11 or f/16), which creates a deep depth of field. Use a tripod for stability with the slower shutter speeds this requires, and keep your ISO at 100 for the cleanest image possible.5. The Small Details: Use Foreground InterestAdd a small, interesting detail close to your camera, like a unique rock or a patch of flowers. This "foreground interest" gives your photo depth and scale, turning a flat image into a three-dimensional one that invites the viewer in.📱 Landscape Photography with a Phone:Your phone is a great tool for landscapes. It already has a deep depth of field to keep everything sharp. Just remember to use the grid lines for composition, tap to focus on a foreground element, and use panorama mode for wider scenes.🚀 The Next Step:Next week: Episode 214: Finding Your Best Angle: Simple Tips for Better Composition.Podcast Website Update! 🥳 The podcast content has moved to its new home on rickmcevoyphotography.com. Check out the new website to listen to this episode and explore all the new pages!A quick plug for me:➡️ Want a weekly email? Fill in the box on my website homepage!➡️ Check out my YouTube channel!➡️ Ask me a question!This episode was brought to you by a cheese and pickle sandwich and a sugar-free fizzy drink 🥪. Thanks for listening!#PhotographyExplainedPodcast #LandscapePhotography #BeginnerPhotography #CompositionTips #CameraSettings #PhotographyTips #RickMcEvoyCheck out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.comSupport 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 a textEver wondered how some photos make the subject leap out with a dreamy, soft background, while others keep every detail crystal-clear from front to back? That, my dear listener, is the magic of Depth of Field (DoF)! ✨ In this episode, Rick McEvoy, your plain-English photography guide, unlocks this fundamental concept, showing you how to wield it for stunning, professional-looking images every time.Forget complex jargon; we're talking about depth of sharpness – how much of your photo appears acceptably sharp. It’s your secret weapon for guiding the viewer's eye, creating drama, and truly making your subjects sing. 🎶In This Episode, You'll Discover: 👇What is Depth of Field (DoF)? – Understand this core principle and why Rick calls it "depth of sharpness." 🧠Aperture's Power! – How those f-numbers (f/1.8, f/16) control your blur and sharpness. ⚙️Mastering Blurry Backgrounds – Techniques to make your subject pop with that coveted "bokeh" effect (no, it's not a Japanese flower arrangement!). 🌸Achieving Front-to-Back Sharpness – Essential tips for breathtaking landscapes and group photos where everything stays sharp. 🏞️Beyond Aperture – How your distance to subject and lens focal length secretly influence DoF. 📏Pinpoint Focus – Why precise focusing is absolutely crucial for effective DoF control, especially with shallow depth of field. 📍Phone Photography DoF – Can you get blurry backgrounds with your smartphone? (Spoiler: yes, usually!). 📱Rick's Pro Workflow – How he applies these principles for razor-sharp architectural photography every single time. 🏗️Dive Deeper Into DoF Control: 💡1. Aperture's Power: Your Blur Control Dial! 🎛️Learn how a small f-number (wide aperture like f/1.8) creates shallow depth of field for creamy blur, while a large f-number (narrow aperture like f/16) gives you deep depth of field for expansive sharpness. This is your magic dial for visual impact! ✨2. Blurry Backgrounds: Make Your Subject Pop! 🌟This is the holy grail for portraits, product shots, and detail photography. Discover the three key ingredients for beautiful bokeh: a wide aperture, getting closer to your subject, and ensuring distance between your subject and the background. 🚶‍♀️➡️🌸3. Sharp From Front to Back: The Landscape Dream! 🌲Sometimes you want everything sharp. Explore how narrow apertures (f/8, f/11, f/16) achieve this in grand landscapes, group photos, and architectural exteriors. Precision focusing and a tripod are your best friends here! ⛰️ tripod4. Beyond Aperture: Distance & Focal Length Secrets! 🤫Aperture isn't the only player! Understand how getting closer to your subject reduces DoF, and getting further away increases it. Plus, see how longer lenses inherently give shallower DoF and wider lenses provide deeper DoFCheck out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.comSupport 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 a textAre you tired of your camera making all the decisions? 😫 Want to take control and unlock its full creative potential? This episode is your straightforward guide to understanding camera modes and transforming your photography from guesswork to glorious! ✨💡 Why Camera Modes Matter (Beyond Auto!)Ever wondered why some of your photos are perfect in Auto Mode, and others just... aren't? It's all about control! Your camera's shooting modes – that dial on top with letters like M, Av, Tv, P, and that mysterious green square – are your direct pathway to intentionally crafting images. 🖼️Ditching Auto lets you tell your camera what's truly important: freezing fast action 🏃‍♂️, getting those dreamy blurry backgrounds (bokeh) 🌫️, or taking complete command of the light. Auto often plays it "safe," sacrificing your vision for a "correct" exposure, which can limit your ability to capture motion blur, manage tricky lighting, or truly understand aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. It's time to stop guessing and start creating with purpose! 💪🔍 Your 5 Essential Camera Modes ExplainedRick breaks down each key camera mode, explaining what it does, when to use it, and how it gives you creative power.1. 🟩 Auto Mode: The Green Square Explained (Your Camera’s Basic Brain)The "point and shoot" option where your camera decides everything.When to use it:⚡ Quick snapshots: Capture a moment without thinking.🤝 Handing off your camera: Let a non-photographer take your picture easily.⏱️ Unexpected moments: When a scene unfolds quickly.👶 Absolute beginners.😴 Or if you just can’t be bothered!The Downside: Zero creative control, often leads to unpredictable results like unwanted noise or missed artistic opportunities. Think of it as training wheels! 🚴2. 🅿️ Program Mode (P): The Intelligent Auto (Your Camera’s Smart Assistant)Like a smarter Auto, where the camera still sets aperture and shutter speed for exposure, but you control ISO, flash, and white balance.You can "shift" the program to choose different aperture/shutter combinations while maintaining correct exposure.Ideal for:🚀 Faster workflow for quick, reliable exposure.🧠 Learning exposure combinations and how settings relate.📷 General everyday shooting when you want more control than Auto.3. 🅰️ Aperture Priority Mode (A or Av): Master Your Depth of Field (Control the Blur!)You choose the aperture (the f-number), and your camera sets the shutter speed.Why Aperture? It controls two main things:Depth of Field (Depth of Sharpness):Wide aperture (small f-number like f/1.8): Gives shallow depth of field (blurry backgrounds – great for portraits 👤).Narrow aperture (large f-number like f/16): Gives deep depth of field (everything sharp – perfect for landscapes 🏞️).Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.comSupport 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 a textIs your camera secretly plotting to make your photos blurry? 😈 You know the feeling: that perfectly composed shot, only to find it looks like it was taken by a ghost. A soft-focus nightmare! 🤦‍♂️ Well, my dear listener, I'm Rick McEvoy, your humble host, and I'm here to banish that blur for good!In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the true secrets to achieving consistently crisp, clear, pin-sharp photos, every single time. Trust me, it goes way, way beyond just tapping that focus button. We're diving into the delicious recipe for sharpness, involving ingredients you might not even realize are messing with your masterpieces! Get ready to transform those fuzzy snaps into jaw-droppingly detailed images. 😎In this episode, you’ll uncover my personal magic formula for ultimate sharpness, including:⚡️ Shutter Speed Superpowers (and My Best Mate, the Tripod!): Learn how to freeze time (and your wobbly hands!) or master motion blur for awesome creative effects. I'll explain why my tripod is my constant companion – it's the ultimate weapon against camera shake!🎯 Aperture's "Sweet Spot" (and Why I Care So Much!): Discover the magical aperture where your lens performs its absolute best. We'll explore how to control that dreamy background blur (bokeh!) or keep everything razor-sharp, just the way I like it for my architectural shots.📉 ISO for Clarity, Not Crunch!: Say goodbye to grainy nightmares! I'll reveal why I always aim for the lowest ISO possible (like ISO 100 on my trusty Canon 6D) to preserve every glorious detail. Less noise, more crispness!💪 Lens Love & Steady Hands (My Personal Obsession!): Your lens is your camera's magic wand – but only if it's clean and top-notch! I’ll share my own habits, like always using a lens hood (the best free accessory!) and making sure my glass is spotless. Plus, how to hold your camera like a seasoned pro.✨ Post-Processing Polish (The Final Whistle!): Even with perfect in-camera technique, your digital photos love a little kiss of sharpening in post-processing. I'll guide you on how to apply that crucial final touch without making your images look artificial or over-sharpened. It's an art!📱 Smartphone Sharpness Hacks: Yes, even your phone can take surprisingly sharp photos with a few smart moves. I'll share quick tips to elevate your mobile snaps!Stop settling for "almost sharp" and start creating images that truly demand attention. I'm sharing the meticulous, real-world approach I've refined over a lifetime of professional shooting for clients, ensuring every image I deliver is absolutely crystal clear. If you're ready to banish blur for good, this episode is your new best friend! You might even call it… utterly splendid! 😉🔗 Looking for more? Dive into Episode 177: Photography Tips - How To Actually Take A Photo for even more fundamental wisdom from yours truly!Connect with Rick!🌐 Show Notes & Full Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.comSupport 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 a text🌞 Is Harsh Sunlight Ruining Your Photos? Not Anymore! 🌞Ever look at your beautiful outdoor scene and see only blown highlights, dark shadows, and squinting faces? You're not alone! Direct sunlight can be a photographer's biggest challenge, turning vibrant moments into high-contrast headaches.But what if you could turn that harsh light into your secret weapon?In Episode 209, Rick unlocks the pro secrets to stunning photography in direct sunlight! Discover 5 game-changing tips that will transform your sunny day shots from frustrating to fantastic.✨ What You'll Learn in This Episode:Master the Magic of Open Shade: Get instantly flattering, soft light for portraits.Creative Backlighting: Turn the sun into gorgeous rim light and dramatic silhouettes.Affordable Tools: How simple reflectors & diffusers can rescue your photos.Camera Settings & Editing Hacks: Crucial adjustments for balancing light & shadows.Bonus Phone Photography Tips: Get amazing shots even with your smartphone!Stop fighting the sun and start mastering it! Rick shares practical, easy-to-understand advice that will give you back control of your camera and your creativity.👉 Ready to take control of the light? Tap play now and transform your sunny day photography!About Your Host:Rick McEvoy is a professionally qualified photographer with a lifetime of experience, sharing bite-sized, jargon-free photography explanations every week.Find More:Podcast Website: photographyexplainedpodcast.comRick's Photography: rickmcevoyphotography.comConnect: [email protected]#PhotographyTips #DirectSunlight #HarshLight #OutdoorPhotography #PhotographyHacks #Lightroom #MobilePhotography #PortraitPhotography #LandscapePhotography #CameraTips #PhotographyExplainedCheck out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.comSupport 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 a textPolarising filters attach to camera lenses and reduce reflections and glare, and can improve colour saturation. They can simply make your photos look better. What is not to love, eh? And they don’t cost a lot either.And I have a couple of these that I absolutely love.In this episode, I will tell you when, how, and why I use my polarising filters.So let me tell you all you need to know about polarising filters – how utterly splendid.All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes!What is not to love? How utterly splendid!Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.comSupport 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 a textNeutral density filters attach to camera lenses and reduce the amount of light getting through to your camera sensor without affecting the colours (hopefully). Neutral density filters allow you to take long exposures in daylight, allowing you to flatten water and make clouds super cool, streaky, blurry, amongst other things. Neutral density filters allow you to use wide apertures in bright conditions and can also prevent you from getting overexposed photos in bright conditions.I have an amazing 10-stop ND Filter that gets me super long shutter speeds in broad daylight.So let me tell you all you need to know about Neutral Density filters – how utterly splendid.All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes!What is not to love? How utterly splendid!Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.comSupport 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 a textDo you want to take better-composed, more interesting photos of buildings? So do I. And in this episode, I will give 12 things that will help you take better photos of buildings. And here they are.Take one photo and get the best composition you canUse the rule of thirdsTake a photo, then try a different focal length to get a different lookTake photos from different anglesMove back and forwardsUse leading linesFind the best lightCapture intricate architectural detailsFill the frameUse negative spaceConvey the sense of scale of a buildingTry a long exposurePlay with depth of fieldFind interesting subjects to photographDon't be put off by overcast daysGive tilt-shift lenses a goExplore old buildingsGo wider to capture the entire building, and a bit moreGet the building verticalThen do thisChoose a particular building and get to know itAll explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes!What is not to love? How utterly splendid!Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.comSupport 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