Photography
Photography for beginners.
If you’re shooting on your phone or trying out a DSLR, we’ll help you develop your style with confidence.
Learn the basics.
Whether you’re a total beginner or a passionate hobbyist, get the lowdown on photography basics. Discover how to use a camera, the different types of photography, and explore the most effective techniques.
Adopt the language.
Take a peek at this cheat sheet and you’ll be able to hold your own in any photography chat.
Know the rules of composition.
Learn how to frame your subject or scene and capture your creative vision, perfectly.
Get tips for taking better photos.
Follow a few simple guides and see how it transforms and elevates your creations.
"The more you know about a camera, the more you can take advantage of it and you can change things on the fly."
PHOTOGRAPHER JEFF CARLSON IN HOW TO TAKE BETTER PHOTOS.
Understand the exposure triangle.
Three camera settings form the exposure triangle: shutter speed, aperture and ISO. When you get them working together, you’re on track for a top-quality photo.
Shutter speed
Adjust shutter speed to get crisp images of fast-moving objects, or capture stunning blur effects.
Basic photography equipment and settings.
Getting to know the photography basics is the best way to get started. One of those first steps should be to understand your camera, all the main settings, and key photography terms.
Get the right camera.
Most modern smartphones have high quality cameras, but a DSLR camera is a great option for photography beginners, as it can be adapted with detachable lenses to create different effects. DSLRs also boast bigger sensors to create more detailed images.
Pick the right lens.
Whether shooting expansive landscapes or zooming in on the details, the right lens can help get unique effects.
Experiment with focal length.
Having more lenses offering various focal lengths means more options and chances to experiment with your chosen shot. Once you master the use of different lenses and focal lengths, you’ll be able to make the most of both your landscape and up-close portrait shots. You’ll also understand how to capture the details of a scene and really make it pop.
Start shooting.
Now you’ve got the foundations of photography down, let’s get you practicing and perfecting the craft. Check out these beginner-friendly guides and get going. Better yet, you can achieve all these looks on your smartphone.
Rule of thirds
Use the rule of thirds to get the right proportions and angles in your images.
Leading lines.
Lead the eye through your image by perfectly positioning lines within the frame.
Learn photography techniques.
Learn from professional photographers schooled in various techniques and styles. Read on to explore top tips and advice to become a master of shots.
Shallow depth of field.
Master the art of focus with our tips on one of the best-known photography techniques.
Bokeh effect.
Blur backgrounds beautifully with this simple but mesmerizing photography effect.
Golden hour.
Master the exposure triangle, starting with the soft light of the golden hour.
"It’s not all about the equipment, it’s how you use it. Learn how to use what you have. Even if you just have an iPhone, you can still get creative with that."
PHOTOGRAPHER SARAH MARCELLA IN HOW TO TAKE BETTER PHOTOS
Edit like a pro.
Capturing all the detail you saw in the moment can be super tricky. Luckily, you can achieve a lot with some tactical edits. Follow these step-by-step tutorials and discover the art of quick-win editing.
Brighten images
When you’re not 100% happy with your photo’s lighting, simply adjust it to match your vision.
Enhance your photos
If you feel you’ve lost some texture in your image, use powerful editing tools to bring it back.
Blur an image
Experiment with different points of focus by introducing impactful blur effects.
Apply a double exposure effect
Experiment with double exposure using digital software to make your work stand out.
Create multiple focal points
Stack several photos together so more than one element sits in perfect focus.
Remove chromatic aberration
It can be a nuisance, but there are ways to use chromatic aberration creatively.
"My time as a photographer is spent 60% shooting, 40% editing, so invest in some good editing software."
PHOTOGRAPHER ROSIE MATHESON IN TOP TIPS FOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
Want to explore even more tutorials? Browse all our how-to guides below.
Be inspired.
You can take your photography journey in so many directions. Browse popular themes, experiment with different subjects and scenes, and work out what you’re most passionate about photographing.
Portrait
Get the lighting right and master exposure techniques to create flattering images of subjects.
Still Life
Whether you compose your scenes, or simply snap what you see, you can achieve many moods with still life photography.
Nature
Immerse yourself in the wild and wait. See the beauty of our world and take it all in with your camera.
Landscape
Focus on static scenes such as landscapes and experiment with framing, lighting and perspective.
Food
Combine two loves in one – express your passion for food with photos we’re all going to want to eat.
Macro
Go in for a close up and find a fresh way to capture the smaller things in life, in all their glorious detail.
Headshots
Produce perfectly styled, professional headshots and you could commercialize on your photography talents.
Products
Get product photography right by learning how to style products, set up lighting, and combine different exposures.
Weddings
Learn how wedding photography experts capture all the love, joy and tender moments of the big day with these tips.
Arm yourself with the best tools.
Beginners’ photography can be elevated to a professional level with the right tools. Compare Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to see which works for you.
Photoshop
Edit, composite, and create beautiful images, graphics, and art on desktop and iPad.
Includes:
- Finetune light, color and contrast in your images.
- Retouch your photos by removing distracting objects or shadows.
- Enhance intricate detail or add layers and text to create more depth.
- Crop or resize images to put the focus exactly where you want it.
Lightroom
Get powerful photo editing, wherever you are – Lightroom is available on desktop and mobile.
Includes:
- Carry out batch edits to make easy work of enhancing your photos.
- Search, filter, and store your photos to easily find an image.
- Rate your images, share with friends, and tag the people in your photos.
- Watch step-by-step tutorials to give your photos a sharper look.
Learn more about Photoshop and Lightroom.
We think you’ll love the Creative Cloud Photography plan.
Easily edit, organize, store, and share your photos from anywhere with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom — and transform them into anything you can imagine with Photoshop.
• Photoshop on desktop and iPad
• Lightroom on desktop and mobile
• Lightroom Classic
STORAGE
Photography
• Photoshop on desktop and iPad
• Lightroom on desktop and mobile
• Lightroom Classic
STORAGE