Composition
The rule of thirds, and when to break it
Cropping your subject onto a third is the oldest trick in the book. Here is how it actually helps, and five moments when a straight middle shot wins.
The Journal
Articles for everyday makers
Composition, light, smartphone basics, entry-level cameras and simple editing. Every article is written by the editors; we take no gifts and run no sponsored posts.
Light
Shooting the golden hour in the UK, without chasing a sunrise
In a British winter the golden hour arrives in the middle of your working day. Here is how to plan for it, and what to do when the sun stays behind cloud.
Smartphone
Twelve smartphone photo tips that actually work
Most of the best smartphone photo tricks are free, non-technical and take a moment to learn. These twelve are the ones we come back to.
Gear
A beginner’s guide to buying your first mirrorless camera
Spec sheets are designed to confuse. These are the few lines on them that genuinely matter to a first-time buyer, and the questions to answer before you shop.
Editing
A simple Snapseed edit from start to finish
A single phone editor can take you from a flat, slightly dull JPEG to something that looks like what you actually saw. Here is the order we use.
Basics
Aperture, shutter speed and ISO, without the jargon
Three dials run almost every camera made. Once you know what each one borrows from the others, you can leave automatic mode behind for good.