If you want to take better photos - whether with your camera, your phone or in Lightroom - you’re in the right place.
This blog is full of simple, practical tips to help you feel more confident, understand your settings and start creating photos you really love. You’ll also find plenty of food photography ideas and creative inspiration to try at home.
I’ve been teaching photography for over 17 years, and my aim is always the same: to help you feel less overwhelmed, more confident, and excited to pick up your camera.
Have a browse, learn something new, and start taking photos you love.
How to take your photography to the next level
There comes a point when you've mastered the technical stuff enough to get exposure right and you understand what makes a shot feel well composed. But you know that's not really enough to satisfy your own aspirations and it's not going to make your images stand out. You want to know how to take your...
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Where are you on your photographic journey?
And do you know where you want to get to? People take up photography for different reasons and not everyone is on any kind of path with it. The camera can be just a tool to record moments so that they aren’t forgotten. But for others it’s a passion that drives them to seek continuous...
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How to take moody food photographs – with a phone
Moody food photographs are all over Instagram and Pinterest and it's a style that looks set to stay for a while. So, it's no wonder that lots of people want to give it a go. However, unless you know a few techniques and tips, it can be hard to achieve the look.In this blog post you will...
Read MoreMy favourite food photography backdrops
I've got a LOT of different food photography backdrops and am always on the lookout for more! They make or break an image, so they are vitally important. This is what I'm looking for:A matt surface. Any shine or lustre is incredibly difficult to work with.An interesting texture or pattern but without really strong and dominant...
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How to take long exposure photos without an ND filter
Ever tried to take a long exposure photo but don’t have an ND filter? You’re not alone - and the good news is, you absolutely can still create that soft, dreamy motion blur without one. In this guide, I’ll show you how to take long exposure photos without an ND filter using simple techniques. Why...
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How to use a polarising filter (and when it makes a difference)
What does a polarising filter do?A polarising filter is a really useful addition to your kit if you enjoy landscape photography. It works by reducing atmospheric haze and cutting out reflected light - both of which can make a big difference to your images.One of the most noticeable effects is in the sky. A polarising...
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An introduction to white balance
WHITE BALANCE This is really meant as a quick intro for people not familiar with this setting. Light can be different temperatures and degrees of warmth from cool to warm. You will have encountered this when buying light bulbs. The colour temperature of light is measured in degrees Kelvin as shown in this chart from Digital...
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How to photograph silhouettes
Silhouette images have a certain magic about them don’t they? A simple story told with an outline against a beautiful backdrop, usually a sunset or other beautiful sky. They can be quite difficult to create though, often occurring by chance rather than intention. Here are some tips: Shoot towards the sun – but remember that doesn’t...
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10 reasons why your shot is not in focus
This is a photo I took of a friend’s lovely white Alsatian (Luna?). You might not be able to tell at this low resolution but it is nice and sharp. Although the auto focus on modern digital cameras is awesome, you do need some knowledge on how to take advantage of it to avoid operator error...
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