Photography may not be the only way to capture the world, but it’s certainly one of the most powerful. Take a quick glance at any social media feed, news broadcast, magazine cover, or book jacket — you’ll see how photographs can inform, inspire, and connect people.
If you’re ready to explore that power and learn how to create better photos, welcome to Photography Basics: The Beginner’s Guide. This guide walks you through the essential concepts and techniques every beginner should know, from the first click of the shutter to understanding the key settings that shape your images.
Why We Created “Photography Basics”
Where would you turn if you wanted to start learning photography from scratch?
The internet is full of tips and tutorials, which is fantastic for quick answers — but when it comes to learning a skill step-by-step, it can feel scattered. That’s why we decided to build this guide: to give beginners a clear, organized place to start, grow, and gain confidence with their camera.
Whether you’ve never touched a DSLR or you just want to refine the basics, this is your starting point for building a solid foundation in photography.
Where to Begin
Photography Basics is like a book, and it reads from front to back. Each chapter of the guide builds on prior chapters. If you start at the very beginning and work your way through, the information will flow naturally and in the right order. However, if you want to learn something more specific, you’re welcome to skip ahead to a later chapter. Here is the overall organization of the guide:
Photography Basics Organization
- Photography Basics Introduction (You are here)
- What is Photography?
- Shutter Speed
- Aperture
- ISO
- Composition
- Metering
- Camera Modes
- Focusing
- Flash
- How to Take Sharp Pictures
- Photography Tips for Beginners