Explore every episode of the podcast Photography Explained Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Exposure Triangle. What It Is. And Why I Don't Use It. | 25 Sep 2026 | 00:21:19 | |
🔺 Ever felt like the exposure triangle needs three hands and a maths degree just to take one photo? It doesn't. In this episode Rick explains aperture, shutter speed and ISO in plain English — what each one actually does, how they work together, and which two settings he actually controls himself on every real shoot. If you're new to cameras, or you've never quite got your head around exposure, this one's for you. What's Covered● 🔺 What the exposure triangle actually is, and why photographers call it a triangle ● 🔘 Aperture — why the f-numbers feel backwards, and what depth of field really means ● 🎯 Shutter speed — freezing movement vs blurring it, and everything in between ● 💡 ISO — what it's actually doing to your photo (it isn't what you've been told) ● ⚖️ How all three trade against each other in stops ● 😅 Why Rick doesn't juggle all three — the two settings he sets himself, and the one he leaves to the camera ● 📱 How the exposure triangle works inside your phone, even when it's hidden from you ● 🏢 Exactly what Rick does on a real architectural shoot Blog PostRelated EpisodesEpisode 226 — Why Are My Photos Too Dark? Understanding Exposure for Beginners If today's episode has you wondering why your own photos come out too dark or too bright, this episode digs into exactly that problem and how to fix it. Episode 215 — ISO Explained: The Simple Guide to Better Photos in Any Light For a deeper dive into ISO specifically, including when it's worth raising and when it isn't, this episode covers it in full. Episode 234 — Oh No. Another Blurry Photo. Here's How to Stop It Right Now. If shutter speed and blur are still tripping you up, this episode walks through exactly why your photos come out blurry and how to fix it. Next Episode🎙️ Next episode, Rick's tackling two little file formats that cause more confusion than almost anything else in photography — RAW versus JPEG. What they actually are, and which one you should be shooting. Join him for that on Friday the 9th of October. Find Rick Elsewhere📺 Find me on YouTube by searching Rick McEvoy. 🌐 Website, courses and resources Get your question answered | |||
| You Say I Should Use Image Stabilisation — Then Why Oh Why Would I Ever Turn It Off? | 11 Sep 2026 | 00:24:00 | |
🎙️ Turn on image stabilisation, they said. It'll save your photos, they said. Nobody mentioned you'd need to turn it off again. You've been told to always leave image stabilisation switched on. But put your camera on a tripod, and that same advice flips completely. In this episode, I explain exactly what image stabilisation does, how many extra stops it can buy you, and the moments where it can actually work against you. Whether you're shooting handheld, on a tripod, or panning a moving subject, this one's for you. 📸 🔧 What's In This Episode ● How Many Extra Stops It Buys You — the genuinely useful benefit, explained properly. ● Why It Fights You On A Tripod — and why the advice to switch it off makes total sense. ● Two Different Places Stabilisation Can Live — in the lens, the body, or both. ● The Panning Exception — the one time you move the camera on purpose and it still helps. ● Video Needs More Help Than Stills — why your settings shouldn't be identical for both. ● It Runs Your Battery Down Faster — the practical cost nobody mentions.
Episode 224 — Why Are My Photos Blurry? All the Reasons and How to Fix Them — image stabilisation is only one piece of the blur puzzle. Episode 234 — Oh No. Another Blurry Photo. Here's How to Stop It Right Now. — a practical follow up on camera movement generally.
🎥 More From Rick Find me on YouTube by searching Rick McEvoy. rickmcevoyphotography.com for everything else — courses, resources, and my weekly email. Courses: rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses Resources: rickmcevoyphotography.com/resources Get your question answered | |||
| Crop Factor. Sorry — I Know It's Boring But It's Really Important. | 28 Aug 2026 | 00:25:17 | |
🎙️ Your 50mm lens isn't really a 50mm lens — and once you know why, you'll never buy a lens with the wrong expectations again. In this episode Rick explains crop factor in plain English. No maths degree required. If you've ever wondered why your lens doesn't seem to do what the numbers on the barrel suggest, this one's for you. What's Covered ● 🎞️ What a full-frame sensor actually is, and where the name comes from ● 📷 What a crop sensor is, and how to spot one on your own camera ● 🔢 What the crop factor number means, and how to work it out ● 📐 Why your 50mm lens behaves like a 75mm lens on most beginner cameras ● 🛒 What to check before you buy your next lens ● 🌙 Whether crop factor genuinely affects image quality ● 📱 How this applies if you're shooting on a phone Full Blog Post Related Episodes Episode 239 — Your Kit Lens Says 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 — What on Earth Does Any of That Mean? The episode right before this one — you already know what those lens numbers mean, now find out what crop factor does to them. Episode 229 — What Can An Entry Level Camera Really Do? Almost every entry-level camera is a crop sensor camera — this episode puts its real-world capabilities to the test. Episode 8 — Why Is Camera Sensor Size Important? The foundational episode on sensor size, worth a listen alongside this one. Coming Up Next 💝 You Say I Should Use Image Stabilisation — Then Why Oh Why Would I Ever Turn It Off? We're talking image stabilisation: what it is, how it works, and the times you genuinely should switch it off. Episode 241, publishing Friday 11 September 2026. Find Me Elsewhere 🎥 Find me on YouTube by searching Rick McEvoy 🌐 rickmcevoyphotography.com — courses, resources and my weekly email 📚 Courses — including the beginner-friendly Sunrise in Mexico course 🛠️ Resources — the gear, software and tools I actually use and recommend 💬 Got a question or an idea for a future episode? Text me directly from the podcast feed. Get your question answered | |||
| Your Kit Lens Says 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 — What on Earth Does Any of That Mean? | 14 Aug 2026 | 00:20:15 | |
🎯 Your kit lens has something printed on the barrel. 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6. Confident. Specific. And absolutely meaningless — unless you know what any of it means. This episode fixes that. In episode 239 of the Photography Explained Podcast, I explain every number and letter on your kit lens barrel. In plain English. Without the irrelevant detail. Including why the aperture numbering system is completely backwards — and why whoever invented it clearly did not consult anyone who was actually learning photography at the time. In this episode: ● 📏 Tip 1: 18-55mm — the focal length range. What wide angle means. What the longer end does. Why the zoom ring is your best friend. ● 📷 Tip 2: f/3.5-5.6 — the aperture range. What aperture actually is. Why the numbers seem backwards (and they are). What maximum aperture means. ● 🔄 Tip 3: Why the aperture changes as you zoom — variable aperture explained, what a stop of light is, and why your kit lens is actually being very sensible. ● 🌟 Tip 4: What aperture does to your photos — depth of sharpness in practice, a birthday party in low light, and the two things you need to know about f/3.5 and f/5.6. ● 🔤 Tip 5: USM, STM, IS, and Roman numerals — what all those letters mean and why none of it is random. 📖 Full episode notes and blog post: rickmcevoyphotography.com/blog/kit-lens-18-55mm-f35-56-explained Related episodes 🎧 Episode 60 — What Is A Kit Lens? If you want to understand more about what a kit lens actually is, what it is good for, and whether you need anything else right now, this is the one to listen to next. Episode 155 — What Is Aperture In Photography? We covered the basics of aperture today. This episode goes much deeper on aperture and depth of field (depth of sharpness). Episode 203 — Understanding Focal Length and Its Effect On Composition Focal length does more than zoom in and out. This episode explains exactly what else it does to your photos. Next episode 📅 Episode 240 is out on Friday 28 August 2026. The title? Crop Factor. Sorry — I Know It's Boring But It's Really Important. Here is the question that will keep you thinking: when is an 18mm lens not an 18mm lens? Find out in two weeks. 🎬 Find me on YouTube by searching Rick McEvoy 🌐 Website: rickmcevoyphotography.com 📚 Courses: rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses 🛠️ Resources: rickmcevoyphotography.com/resources Get your question answered | |||
| Argh. Why Is There So Much Camera Gear? Please Help Me! | 31 Jul 2026 | 00:25:39 | |
There is a LOT of camera gear out there. Bodies, lenses, bags, tripods, filters, memory cards, drones, studio lights — and it can feel like you need to spend thousands of pounds before you've earned the right to call yourself a photographer. You don't. Not even close. In this episode I cut through all of it and tell you exactly what a beginner photographer actually needs, what can wait, and what you can safely ignore entirely. 📷 In this episode we cover: ● 📷 Tip 1 — The camera body: why it matters less than you think ● 🔭 Tip 2 — The lens: this is where your money should actually go ● 📐 Tip 3 — The tripod: do you actually need one, and when? ● 💾 Tip 4 — Memory cards: the unsung essential nobody talks about ● 🔋 Tip 5 — Batteries: no battery, no photos — it really is that simple ● 🔵 Tip 6 — Filters: mostly not for beginners (with one exception) ● 🔆 Tip 7 — Lens hoods: the most underrated bit of kit you own ● 🔵 Tip 8 — Lens caps: free, essential, and easily overlooked ● 🎒 Tip 9 — The camera bag: carry what you actually use, nothing else ● 🚫 Tip 10 — The gear you don't need yet: drones, studio lights, second bodies, super-zooms
📖 Full episode blog post and transcript: Argh. Why Is There So Much Camera Gear? Please Help Me! 🎙️ Related episodes worth listening to: Episode 236 — Why It Is 3 Times Harder to Choose a Camera Bag Than a Sandwich Bag — the full story behind what you heard today, and how to choose a bag that actually works. Episode 237 — What — I Have to Clean My Camera Gear? Really? — because once you know what gear to own, you need to know how to look after it. [link to be added] Episode 235 — Do I Really Need a Tripod? Really? Why Rick, Why? — the full tripod answer, in full. Episode 152 — How My One Photo Rule Will Help You Take Better Photos — not gear related, but directly relevant to taking better photos.
🎧 Next episode — and this one will make you look at your kit lens in a completely different way 💝 Your kit lens has a little label on it that says something like 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6. If you've ever looked at that and thought: what on earth does any of that mean — Episode 239 is your answer. Publishing Friday 14th August 2026 at 11am UK. Subscribe and you won't miss it.
📺 Find me on YouTube by searching Rick McEvoy — full episodes and Shorts every fortnight.
🌐 Everything else — courses, resources, weekly email and lots of other good stuff: rickmcevoyphotography.com 📚 My courses: rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses 🛠️ My resources page: rickmcevoyphotography.com/resources
And you can text me directly from the podcast feed — how utterly splendid. 💝 Get your question answered | |||
| What — I Have to Clean My Camera Gear? Really? | 17 Jul 2026 | 00:19:33 | |
🧹 Your camera gear is dirty. And dirty gear is quietly affecting your photos in ways you might not even notice — a smudge on the lens that softens everything, a speck of dust on the sensor that shows up in the same spot on every single sky you shoot. In this episode I cover exactly what to clean, how to clean it safely, and — probably most importantly — what not to do. Because the damage usually comes from cleaning too aggressively, not from leaving things alone. In this episode: • 📷 Tip 1 — How to clean your camera sensor, including what to do when the built-in cleaning function isn't enough • 🔍 Tip 2 — How to clean your front lens element without causing scratches — and why the blower always goes first • 📦 Tip 3 — The camera body: a five-minute job that's worth doing every time • 🔋 Tip 4 — Contacts, straps and filters — the bits it's easy to skip • 👜 Tip 5 — Why your camera bag needs cleaning too, and how grit transfers straight onto your gear • 🧹 Tip 6 — The only camera cleaning kit you actually need 📖 Full show notes and blog post: How to Clean Your Camera Gear (And What to Leave Alone) Related episodes: Episode 167 — How To Care For Your Photography Gear - This Is What I Do Episode 191 — How Do I Take Care Of My Camera Lenses? Episode 193 — How Do You Take Care Of A Camera Sensor? 💝 Next episode — the bag is sorted, the gear is clean, and somehow there's still more camera stuff than you know what to do with. That's the question coming up next: Argh. Why Is There So Much Camera Gear? Please Help Me! Publishing Friday 31 July 2026. 📺 Find me on YouTube by searching Rick McEvoy 🌐 rickmcevoyphotography.com 📚 Courses 🔧 Resources Get your question answered | |||
| Why It Is 3 Times Harder to Choose a Camera Bag Than a Sandwich Bag | 03 Jul 2026 | 00:19:59 | |
🎒 Did you know there are 31 types of camera bag? One of them is a sandwich bag. Yes, really. I used to carry a massive bag full of gear to my local park. Waterproof zips and everything. For boats I never went on. Seven lenses. Four batteries. Two speedlites. Snacks for a week. I was 10 minutes from home. The penny dropped in Delph Woods in Poole on 30th December 2016 at 15:37. I used one lens. I always used one lens. The rest came along for the ride and stayed in the bag. Choosing a camera bag is three times harder than choosing a sandwich bag. Here's how to get it right. 🎙️ What's in this episode
📖 Full blog post + all 31 camera bag types Read the full episode guide — rickmcevoyphotography.com 🔗 Related episodes Episode 230 — Shiny New Camera? Calm Down and Do This First Episode 235 — Do I Really Need a Tripod? Really? Why Rick, Why? 💝 Next episode You've got a camera. You've got a bag to carry it in. Now I'm going to tell you that you have to clean it. Yes, really. 😱 Episode 237 — What — I Have to Clean My Camera Gear? Really? — Friday 17th July at 11am. Don't miss it. 📺 Find me on YouTube Search Rick McEvoy on YouTube for the full video version of every episode. Utterly splendid. 🎓 Courses and resources All courses — rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses Gear, software and tools I actually use — rickmcevoyphotography.com/resources 💬 Text me from the podcast feed Found your perfect bag? Got a question? Text me directly from the podcast feed. I'd love to hear from you. How utterly splendid. 😊 Get your question answered | |||
| Do I Really Need a Tripod? Really? Why Rick, Why? | 19 Jun 2026 | 00:28:22 | |
🎙️ Do you actually need a tripod? Not the answer every photography guide gives you — the honest one. Sometimes yes. And sometimes, genuinely, no. In this episode, I'll tell you exactly when each is true, what to look for if you decide to buy one, and the single most common tripod mistake — and it has nothing to do with the tripod itself. Whether you're thinking about buying your first tripod or wondering why the one in the cupboard never gets used, this episode will give you a straight answer in plain English. 📋 In this episode: 1️⃣ Your photo is blurry and you don't know why — here's what a tripod actually fixes Start here. Understand exactly what a tripod does — and how to tell whether it would have fixed your blurry photo. 2️⃣ Two situations where a tripod stops being optional Low light and long exposures. If either of these is on your photography list, a tripod belongs in your kit. 3️⃣ Good light and fast subjects? You probably don't need one The honest other side of the conversation. In good daylight with image stabilisation, you often don't need a tripod at all. 4️⃣ Right, you've decided you need one — here's what to actually look for Stability, load capacity, ball head vs pan-tilt, leg locks, height. Everything that actually matters when you're choosing. 5️⃣ The alternatives worth knowing about Monopod, beanbag, natural supports. These are more effective than most photographers realise — and often more practical than a full tripod. 6️⃣ The cheap tripod problem A wobbly tripod is worse than no tripod. Here's why cheap is false economy, and how to spend wisely. 7️⃣ The most common tripod mistake — not taking it with you The best tripod is the one that's actually there when you need it. Buy for your real photography life, not your imaginary one. 📖 Full guide and show notes: rickmcevoyphotography.com — Episode 235 show notes 🎙️ Related episodes: Episode 96 — Do You Want To Know How To Take Photos On A Tripod? Episode 234 — Oh No. Another Blurry Photo. Here's How to Stop It Right Now. 💝 Next episode: What gear do you actually need as a beginner? Not what the photography industry wants you to buy — what you actually need, and what to completely ignore. Episode 236 publishes Friday 3rd July 2026. Subscribe now so you don't miss it. ▶️ Find me on YouTube by searching Rick McEvoy. 🌐 Website: rickmcevoyphotography.com 📚 Courses: rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses 🔧 Resources: rickmcevoyphotography.com/resources Get your question answered | |||
| Oh No. Another Blurry Photo. Here's How to Stop It Right Now. | 05 Jun 2026 | 00:21:03 | |
📷 Another blurry photo? Before you delete it — zoom in. In this episode I walk through the three types of blurry photo — camera shake, subject motion, and focus blur — how to diagnose which one you've got, and exactly what to change to stop it happening again. What We Cover
Blog Post Related Episodes Episode 89 — Camera Shake — What Is It And How Do I Stop It Happening? Next Episode 💝 Find Me 📚 Courses: rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses 🛠️ Resources: rickmcevoyphotography.com/resources Get your question answered | |||
| Are You Holding Your Camera Like a Cheese and Pickle Sandwich? | 22 May 2026 | 00:18:51 | |
Are you holding your camera like a cheese and pickle sandwich? 🥪 One hand, casual, not really thinking about it? In this episode, Rick covers six practical techniques that will make your photos sharper — starting the moment you pick up your camera. No kit required. No settings to change. Just how to hold, how to stand, and how to breathe. All of it free. All of it doable today. 📸 In this episode 🎙️
Full episode and show notes 📖 Are You Holding Your Camera Like a Cheese and Pickle Sandwich? Related episodes 🎧 Episode 93 — How Do You Hold a Camera Properly? This Is Very Important! Episode 89 — Camera Shake — What Is It and How Do I Stop It Happening? Next episode 💝 You've sorted your grip. You're holding the camera properly. You press the shutter. And then — oh no. Another blurry photo. Episode 234 — 'Oh No. Another Blurry Photo. Here's How to Stop It Right Now.' — out Friday 5th June 2026. Find me online 🌍 Courses — rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses Resources — rickmcevoyphotography.com/resources YouTube — find me by searching Rick McEvoy 🎬 Text me from the podcast feed if you have questions or want to share how you get on. How utterly splendid. 🤝 I've been Rick McEvoy. Thanks for listening to my small but perfectly formed podcast. Take care. Stay safe. Cheers! 👋 Get your question answered | |||
| I've Got Hundreds of Photos on My Camera — Now What? | 08 May 2026 | 00:17:37 | |
📸 About This Episode You’ve come home from a shoot with hundreds of photos on your camera — and no system for what to do next. This episode is that system. Seven practical steps you can follow in about thirty minutes after every shoot. By the end, your photos are safe, organised, selected, and improved. And you’ve learned something for next time. 📋 The Seven Steps 1. Get the photos off your camera the same day — not tomorrow 2. Create a simple Category > Year > Location folder structure and use it every time 3. Do a ten-minute first cull — delete the obvious disasters 4. Pick your one best photo from the whole session 5. Back up before you go to bed — every single time 6. Edit your best photo properly — not everything 7. Write down one thing you would do differently next time 📖 Read the Full Guide Everything is on the blog: rickmcevoyphotography.com/blog/post-shoot-photography-workflow 🔗 Related Episodes Episode 46 — Step by Step Guide to How I Get the Photos Off My Camera Safely and Securely Episode 152 — How My One Photo Rule Will Help You Take Better Photos Episode 198 — How to Organise Digital Photos on Your Computer 🎬 Next Episode Episode 233 — Are You Holding Your Camera Like a Cheese and Pickle Sandwich? — Friday 22 May 2026 🌐 More From Rick Website, courses, resources and weekly email: rickmcevoyphotography.com YouTube: search Rick McEvoy Courses: rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses Resources: rickmcevoyphotography.com/resources Get your question answered | |||
| Camera. Check. Something to Photograph. Check. Now How Do You Actually Take the Photo? | 24 Apr 2026 | 00:16:07 | |
📸 You’ve got the camera. You’ve found something worth photographing. Now what? In this episode, Rick walks through the seven steps that happen between picking up your camera and pressing the shutter — the process that determines whether your photo is sharp, well composed, and actually what you intended. Practical, in order, and immediately usable. 🎟️ In this episode: 1. Hold the camera with both hands — every single time — Right hand on the grip, left hand under the lens. Both hands reduce camera movement and reduce blur. 2. Look through the viewfinder — When you look through the viewfinder you have three points of contact with the camera. Far more stable than holding it out to look at the screen. Use the viewfinder. 3. Compose the frame before you focus on anything — Composition is a creative decision. Make it first. Focus is a technical one — make it second. 4. Half-press the shutter button to focus — never stab it — Two stages: half-press to focus, check it’s on the right thing, then gently press fully. 5. Stand still. Breathe out slowly and shoot — Breathing is movement. Movement is blur. Stand still, breathe out slowly, and shoot. 6. Check the shot you just took — every single time — Playback immediately. See what you got. Adjust if needed. Delete rejects at your computer, not in camera. 7. Take one great photo and move on — Usually the first photo is the best one. Take your time, get it right, and move on. This is the one photo rule. 📝 Full show notes: rickmcevoyphotography.com/blog/how-to-actually-take-a-photo 🎙️ Related episodes: Episode 93 — How Do You Hold a Camera Properly? This Is Very Important! Episode 152 — How My One Photo Rule Will Help You Take Better Photos ⏭️ Next episode: Episode 232 — I’ve Got Hundreds of Photos on My Camera — Now What? — Friday 8 May 2026. 🌐 Website, courses and resources: rickmcevoyphotography.com 📺 YouTube: Rick McEvoy on YouTube Get your question answered | |||
| Shiny New Camera? Calm Down and Do This First | 10 Apr 2026 | 00:19:44 | |
📸 About This Episode You’ve just got a new camera. The excitement is real — but most cameras come out of the box in a state that will cause you problems at exactly the moment you most want to take photos. In this episode, Rick walks you through seven quick setup steps — about twenty minutes in total — that get your camera properly ready before you take a single shot. Perfect for anyone who’s just unboxed their first camera, or who wants to start things off the right way. ✅ The 7 Setup Steps 1. Charge the battery fully before your first shoot — and order a spare battery today. One battery is never enough. 2. Format the memory card inside the camera using the camera’s own menu — not your computer, not by deleting files. It sets the card up in exactly the right way for your specific camera. 3. Set the date and time correctly in the camera settings. Every photo is stamped with the date and time it was taken — that stamp is how you find photos later. 4. Set image format to RAW and JPEG. Start working with JPEG files straight away, and have those RAW files ready for when you’re ready to edit them. 5. Set image quality to the highest setting your camera offers — Fine, Large, or equivalent. Storage is cheap. Quality matters. 6. Spend ten minutes with the first chapter of the manual. Just ten minutes. Know where the controls are before you go out. 7. Put it in Auto mode and go and take some photos. Build confidence. Build enthusiasm. That takes you further. 📝 Full Show Notes and Blog Post Read the full episode notes and transcript: Episode 230 — Shiny New Camera? Calm Down and Do This First 🔗 Related Episodes Episode 225 — I Just Got My First Camera — What Do I Do in the First Week? Episode 228 — How to Know If You’re Ready to Move from Phone to Camera Episode 229 — What Can an Entry Level Camera Really Do? 🗃️ Next Episode Episode 231 — Camera. Check. Something to Photograph. Check. Now How Do You Actually Take the Photo? — publishes Friday 24 April 2026. 🎦 Support the Podcast Get the video version of every episode on Patreon: patreon.com/c/rickphoto 🌐 Find Rick Website: rickmcevoyphotography.com Courses: rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses Resources: rickmcevoyphotography.com/resources YouTube: Search ‘Rick McEvoy’ Get your question answered | |||
| What Can An Entry Level Camera Really Do? | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:22:19 | |
📸 Think you need an expensive camera to take great photos? You really don't. In episode 229 of the Photography Explained Podcast, I take my entry level Canon R100 to Mexico for two weeks — kit lens only — and come back with portfolio-worthy images. Under £500 of gear. Real conditions. No tricks. In this episode I reveal 7 things an entry level camera can genuinely do brilliantly — and the results might surprise you. 💡 THE 7 THINGS COVERED: 1️⃣ It produces genuinely excellent photos — right out of the box 2️⃣ The kit lens is a much better starting point than you think 3️⃣ Programme mode is a perfectly valid way to shoot 4️⃣ It handles low light significantly better than your phone 5️⃣ A tripod unlocks a whole new level of what's possible 6️⃣ Auto Exposure Bracketing helps you handle tricky light 7️⃣ It will make you a better photographer 🔗 USEFUL LINKS: 📝 Blog Post (Full Episode Text) 🌄 Mexico Portfolio — Shot on the Canon R100 🎓 Photography for Beginners Hub Page 📖 RELATED EPISODES: • Episode 228 — How to Know If You're Ready to Move from Phone to Camera • Episode 225 — I Just Got My First Camera, What Do I Do in the First Week? • Episode 106 — Programme Mode: What Is It? Is It OK For Me to Use It? • Episode 160 — What Is Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB)? • Episode 60 — What Is a Kit Lens? 🌐 My Website: https://rickmcevoyphotography.com 📺 YouTube Channel: Rick McEvoy Photography 💬 GET IN TOUCH: 📧 Subscribe to my weekly email at rickmcevoyphotography.com 💬 Text me directly from the podcast feed 🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss future episodes 🎧 NEXT EPISODE: Episode 230 — Your New Camera: What to Do Before You Take a Single Photo 📷 You've got your first camera. What now? Before you press the shutter once, there are some things worth doing first. See you in a fortnight! 👋 Thanks for listening to the Photography Explained Podcast! 🙏 I'm Rick McEvoy — a professionally qualified photographer (ABIPP) based in England 🏴 with a lifetime of photographic experience, which I share with you in my splendid podcast. 📸 💝 Stay safe. 🛡️ Cheers from me, Rick! 🍻 Get your question answered | |||
| How to Know If You're Ready to Move from Phone to Camera | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:18:48 | |
📸 Is your phone holding your photography back — or is it you? In episode 228 of the Photography Explained Podcast, I’m sharing seven honest signs that tell you whether now is the right time to move from your phone to a camera. And if it isn’t quite the right time yet, I’ll tell you exactly what to do instead. In this episode you will learn: 📱 Sign 1. You keep running into the limits of your phone camera — zooming in that turns to mush, photos that blur in dark rooms, moments you miss because your phone just can’t keep up. 🌸 Sign 2. You want proper control over blurry backgrounds — not the faked portrait mode version, but real optical depth of field that you actually create yourself by controlling your aperture. 🌙 Sign 3. Low light photos keep disappointing you — why small sensors are fighting against physics, and what a camera with a larger sensor genuinely gives you. 💡 Sign 4. You’ve already learned the basics of composition on your phone — because a camera won’t make you a better photographer, only practice does. 🤔 Sign 5. You’re genuinely curious about how cameras work — and why that curiosity is the best predictor of whether you’ll thrive with a camera or leave it in a drawer. ⏰ Sign 6. You’re ready to invest time, not just money — the thing that catches most people out. 🌱 Sign 7. You want to grow as a photographer, not just capture moments — the most important question of all. Whether you’re a phone photographer wondering if the time is right, or you’re already sold on a camera and want to know what to do next, this episode will give you a clear, honest answer. 📝 Find the full episode blog post here: How to Know If You’re Ready to Move from Phone to Camera 🎙️ Related episodes: Episode 7 — What Camera Should I Buy? — the best place to start once you’ve decided you’re ready. Episode 212 — Creative Use of Depth of Field: Blurry Backgrounds, Sharp Subjects — if blurry backgrounds are what’s pulling you towards a camera, this is the episode for you. Episode 225 — I Just Got My First Camera — What Do I Do in the First Week? — the perfect follow-on episode once you’ve made the move. ➡️ Next episode: 10 Things to Know Before Buying Your First Camera. Out Friday 27th March 2026. 🎞️ Want to watch the full podcast video? It’s exclusively available to my Patreon supporters. Head over to my Patreon page to find out more. 🌐 Visit rickmcevoyphotography.com to ask questions, get my weekly email, or get in touch. 🎓 Find my courses at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses, including a brand new beginner sunrise photography course, filmed on location in Mexico. 🗺️ Explore my resources page at rickmcevoyphotography.com/resources. 📺 Find me on YouTube - search Rick McEvoy. Get your question answered | |||
| White Balance Explained: Why Your Photos Look Too Orange or Blue | 27 Feb 2026 | 00:25:19 | |
Your photos are sharp and well-exposed — but they look weirdly orange or horribly blue. Here's how white balance works and how to fix it. 📸 This is one of those photography settings that nobody really explains to beginners. But once you understand it — and it really doesn't take long — you'll stop wondering why your photos look a bit off and start knowing exactly what to do about it. 💡 📚 IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: ✅ What white balance actually is (and why it matters) ✅ Why your indoor photos look too orange 🟠 ✅ Why outdoor photos sometimes look too blue or cold ❄️ ✅ When to trust Auto White Balance (and when not to) ✅ How to use white balance presets on your camera ✅ How to fix white balance perfectly when you shoot RAW ✅ The grey card trick that professionals use for perfect colour 🎨 Whether you're using a camera or your phone, this episode will help you understand one of photography's most fundamental settings and fix your colour problems for good. 📱📷 💡 THE 7 TIPS COVERED: 1️⃣ What White Balance Actually Is — and Why It Matters 2️⃣ Why Your Indoor Photos Look Too Orange 3️⃣ Why Outdoor Photos Sometimes Look Too Blue or Too Cold 4️⃣ How to Use Auto White Balance — and When to Trust It 5️⃣ How to Use White Balance Presets on Your Camera 6️⃣ How to Fix White Balance in Editing When You Shoot RAW 7️⃣ The Grey Card Trick — Your Secret Weapon for Perfect White Balance 🔗 USEFUL LINKS: 📝 Blog Post (Full Episode Text) 🎓 Photography for Beginners Hub Page: 📖 RELATED EPISODES • Episode 226 - Why Are My Photos Too Dark? Understanding Exposure for Beginners • Episode 4 - What Is The Exposure Triangle? • Episode 21 - What Does Exposure Mean In Photography? • Episode 225 - I Just Got My First Camera - What Do I Do in the First Week? 🌐 My Website: https://rickmcevoyphotography.com 📺 YouTube Channel: Rick McEvoy Photography 💬 GET IN TOUCH: 📧 Subscribe to my weekly email at rickmcevoyphotography.com 💬 Text me directly from the podcast feed 🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss future episodes 🎧 NEXT EPISODE: Episode 228 - How to Know If You're Ready to Move from Phone to Camera 📱➡️📷 It's not just about money. It's about whether you actually need one, and whether you're ready to make the most of it. See you in a fortnight! 👋 Thanks for listening to the Photography Explained Podcast! 🙏 I'm Rick McEvoy - a professionally qualified photographer (ABIPP) based in England 🏴 with a lifetime of photographic experience, which I share with you in my splendid podcast. 📸 💝 Stay safe. 🛡️ Cheers from me, Rick! 🍻 Get your question answered | |||
| 📷 Why Are My Photos Too Dark? Understanding Exposure for Beginners | 13 Feb 2026 | 00:26:36 | |
Ever wonder why your photos come out so dark you can barely see what you shot? You take a photo of something brilliant - a stunning sunset, your mate pulling a funny face, your dinner that actually looks restaurant-quality for once - and when you look at the result, it's so dark you might as well have taken it in a cave. Frustrating, right? 📸 This episode explains exactly why photos come out dark and gives you seven practical tips to fix it once and for all. Get your question answered | |||
| 📷 I Just Got My First Camera - What Do I Do in the First Week? | 30 Jan 2026 | 00:22:14 | |
You've just unboxed your first proper camera and honestly? It's a bit overwhelming. All those dials, buttons, menu options - where do you even begin? 📸 This episode walks you through exactly what to do in your first week with your new camera. No jargon, no technical overwhelm, just practical, actionable steps that'll have you taking photos you're proud of by next weekend. Get your question answered | |||
| 📷 Why Are My Photos Blurry? All the Reasons and How to Fix Them | 16 Jan 2026 | 00:21:01 | |
You've taken what you thought was the perfect shot, but when you look at it later, it's blurry. Frustrating, right? 📸 This episode breaks down all seven main reasons your photos might be blurry and gives you practical fixes for each one. Get your question answered | |||
| 📸 5 Things We All Need to Do in 2026 to Take Better Photos | 02 Jan 2026 | 00:21:44 | |
Want to take better photos in 2026 than you did in 2025? 📸 This episode gives you five simple, practical things you can start doing today that will genuinely improve your photography. Get your question answered | |||
| The Best of The Photography Explained Podcast: 29 Essential Photography Tips That Actually Matter | 19 Dec 2025 | 00:52:01 | |
Over 221 episodes, thousands of tips, and hundreds of hours of content. Today, I've distilled everything down to the most important photography tips I've ever shared. This is the episode you'll want to bookmark. 🔖 Episode 221 - Rule of Thirds for Beginners Episode 219 - Why Your Photos Look Flat Episode 217 - The Art of Light Episode 215 - Understanding ISO Episode 214 - Finding Your Best Angle Episode 211 - Understanding Your Camera's Settings
Get your question answered | |||
| Composition Made Simple: The Rule of Thirds for Beginners | 05 Dec 2025 | 00:21:55 | |
📸 Photography Explained Podcast - Episode 221 🎯 Composition Made Simple: The Rule of Thirds for Beginners Host: Rick McEvoy 🇬🇧 | Duration: ⏱️ 23 minutes ⚡ What Is This? The Rule of Thirds is a cheat code 🎮 that instantly makes your photos more interesting. Divide your frame into 9 equal parts (like noughts and crosses), place your subject on the lines or intersection points, and watch your photos transform. Works for cameras 📷 and phones 📱. No jargon. Just results. 🎓 The 7 Essential Tips 📍 1. Position Your Subject Put eyes on intersection points for portraits. Near the line is fine. 🏔️ 2. Landscape Horizons Interesting sky? → Horizon on lower third 🏃 3. Action & Movement Give moving subjects space to move into the frame. ⚠️ 4. Avoid These Mistakes
🔓 5. When to Break the Rule Symmetry, patterns, and tight portraits often work better centered. 🔗 6. Combine with Other Techniques Use with leading lines, negative space, and framing. 🏛️ 7. Architectural Photography Position buildings on vertical lines. Keep verticals vertical. 📋 Quick Recap The Grid: 2 horizontal + 2 vertical lines = 9 equal parts 🎬 Your Challenge 1️⃣ Turn on your grid (Settings → Camera → Grid) 📱 Phone Users iPhone: Settings → Camera → Grid ✅ Pro Tip: Tap to focus on intersection points = perfect focus + composition! 🎯 🔗 More Episodes 📻 220: The Photographer's Eye - See Great Photos Before You Take Them 🚀 Next Week: Episode 222 The Best of The Photography Explained Podcast: 20 Essential Tips Rick's going through 220+ episodes to pull out the absolute best. Can't wait! 🤩 🔗 Connect with Rick 🌐 RickMcEvoyPhotography.com 🥪 Episode Sponsor Cheese and pickle sandwich 🥪 + Coke Zero 🥤 Consumed in Rick's homemade, acoustically cushioned recording emporium 🎙️ 🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! How utterly splendid! 🤩 Take care and stay safe. 🛡️ Cheers from Rick! 🍻 📸 Photography Explained Podcast - Making photography simple, one episode at a time. Get your question answered | |||
| The Photographer's Eye: See a Great Photo Before You Take It | 21 Nov 2025 | 00:29:04 | |
Ever wonder why some photographers spot amazing shots everywhere while you're standing in the same place seeing nothing? 👀 They're not lucky—they've trained their photographer's eye, and you can too! Get your question answered | |||
| Why Your Photos Look Flat & How to Fix Them | 07 Nov 2025 | 00:24:50 | |
Ever wondered why your photos don't look as good as the scene you remember? 🤔 The answer isn't a new camera or expensive software—it's mastering seven simple editing adjustments that transform flat photos into stunning images. ✨ Host Rick McEvoy reveals the exact editing workflow professional photographers use on EVERY photo. Learn how to make your images pop without spending hours editing or a fortune on gear. 💥 These aren't complex techniques—they're straightforward adjustments that offer massive returns in quality. Start with the best photo you can capture, then take it to the next level! 🎯 💥 What You'll Master in This Episode:
📚 Related Resources & Next Steps ➡️ Next Episode (Fortnightly): Episode 220: The Photographer's Eye: See a Great Photo Before You Take It. 👁️ ⬅️ Last Episode: Episode 218: Train Your Eye: Master Photography Right Where You Are. 🎒 📊 Deep Dive on Histograms: Episode 114: What Is A Histogram And How Can It Help Us When We Shoot? & Episode 164: Understanding Histograms In Photography. 🎨 Is Editing Cheating? Episode 92: Is Editing Photos Cheating? Well Is It? Well What Do You Think? 🛠️ Essential Gear: Episode 216: Essential Accessories for Every Photographer (Without Breaking the Bank). 🏠 Ready to Go Pro? Check out Rick's splendid "How to Become a Real Estate Photographer" course on the Courses Page. Find Rick Online: Rick McEvoy Photography #photographyexplained #photoediting #fixflatphotos #editingtips #lightroomtutorial #photoshoptips #learnphotography #beginnerphotography #photoworkflow #contrasttips #whitebalance #rickmcevoy #photographytips #editingworkflow #photographypodcast #mobilephotography #iphonephotography #phonephotography #rawphotography #imageprocessing Get your question answered | |||
| 📸 Train Your Eye: Master Photography Right Where You Are🌍 | 24 Oct 2025 | 00:15:49 | |
Tired of feeling like you need an exotic location for great photos? 🎒 The truth is, the most amazing photo spots are often right outside your door. The key is learning how to see like a professional photographer. 🎁 Host Rick McEvoy gives you his essential 11-Point Checklist for training your eye and taking captivating photos, no matter where you are. Stop just looking, and truly see the world around you! ✨ 💥 What You'll Master in This Episode:
📚 Related Resources & Next Steps ➡️ Next Episode (Fortnightly): Episode 219: Why Your Photos Look Flat & How to Fix Them. 🛠️ ⬅️ Last Episode: Episode 217: The Art of Light: From Harsh to Heavenly. 💡 🏞️ More Landscape Tips: Revisit Episode 213: Your First Five Steps into Landscape Photography (Even in Your Local Park). 🏠 Ready to Go Pro? Check out Rick's splendid "How to Become a Real Estate Photographer" course on the Courses Page. Find Rick Online: Rick McEvoy Photography 🔎 Optimised Hashtags (for Searchability) #photographyexplained #trainyoureye #photographymindset #compositiontips #learnphotography #beginnerphotography #localphotography #findthelight #streetphotography #landscapephotography #rickmcevoy #photographytips #visualarts #photoskills #creativephotography #photographypodcast Get your question answered | |||
| 📸The Art of Light: From Harsh to Heavenly ✨ | 10 Oct 2025 | 00:21:53 | |
What transforms an average photograph into a stunning one? It’s light. Photography literally means "drawing with light" ✍️, but simply having light isn't enough—you need to understand how to use it as a creative tool 🎨. In this essential, practical guide, host Rick McEvoy shows you how to stop fearing "bad" light and start seeing it as an opportunity. We dive deep into the five core principles of photographic light, covering everything from the physics of harsh vs. soft light ☀️☁️, to the secrets of the Golden and Blue hours 🌅🌃. If you’ve ever struggled with blown-out highlights, heavy shadows, or flat images, this episode provides simple, actionable tips to help you transform everyday shots into captivating, professionally lit works. Light is photography's most essential ingredient! 🔑 🌟 5 Practical Tips for Mastering Light 💡 This episode breaks down the art of light into five easy-to-understand and immediately applicable tips for better photos:
🚀 Your Photography Homework Challenge Grab your camera or phone 📱 and choose a single subject (a mug ☕, a tree 🌲, or even a friend 🤗). Now, photograph it from the same spot at different times of day (midday, late afternoon, dusk) and from different angles relative to the light. Compare your photos to see how simply observing and working with light makes all the difference! 🔗 Related Resources & Next Steps
Find Rick Online Get your question answered | |||
| Essential Accessories for Every Photographer (Without Breaking the Bank) | 26 Sep 2025 | 00:20:05 | |
Ever wondered what gear you need beyond your camera? 🤔 The answer isn't a new lens or a bigger flash; it's a few simple, affordable accessories that can make a huge difference. ✨ They protect your gear, make shooting easier, and help you get better photos. 📸 In this episode, your host Rick dives deep into ten must-have items that professional photographers can't live without, showing you how to get the most out of your camera without spending a fortune. 🤑 Simple but effective and important bits of kit, these are. What we talk about
The 10 Essential Accessories 1: A Good Camera Bag 🎒 A camera bag is your gear's best friend. It's about protecting your valuable equipment from bumps and knocks, not about making a fashion statement. Look for a bag that is comfortable, durable, and specifically designed to hold camera bodies, lenses, and other accessories. 2: Lens Cleaning Solution, Disposable Cloths and Blower Brush 🧼 This is probably the cheapest, most useful, and most important thing you can buy for your camera. Use a blower brush to remove dust and a few drops of solution on a disposable cloth for a safe clean. Keeping your lens pristine is key to getting sharp, clear images. 3: An Extra Battery (or 3) 🔋 Never get caught out with a dead battery. Always have a spare, fully charged one ready to go. Consider third-party batteries from a reputable supplier as a more affordable alternative to the manufacturer's versions. 4: A Spare Memory Card (or two!) 💾 Memory cards are cheap insurance against missing the perfect shot. They're a non-negotiable part of your kit. Always have a spare ready and store them in a good quality case to keep them safe from damage. 5: A Small Tripod ⛰️ A small, lightweight tripod is perfect for getting tack-sharp photos in low light or for creating long-exposure effects. It's also great for self-portraits or for capturing group shots where you want to be in the picture. 6: A Polarising Filter 🕶️ Think of this as sunglasses for your camera. It reduces glare and reflections on water, glass, and leaves. It also makes colors, especially blue skies, look richer and more vibrant. 7: A Neutral Density Filter (ND Filter) ☀️ An ND filter is a piece of dark glass that reduces the amount of light hitting your camera's sensor. This allows you to use slower shutter speeds in bright conditions, creating cool effects like silky smooth water or blurred clouds. 8: A Remote Shutter Release 🔘 This small, simple tool eliminates camera shake when you're using a tripod. It's a must-have for long exposures and low-light shooting, ensuring your photos are as sharp as they can possibly be. A simple wired version is very affordable. 9: A Grey Card ⬜ A grey card is a simple but incredibly powerful tool for getting perfect custom white balance. Using it helps your camera understand the true colors of a scene, ensuring accurate colors in your final photo. 10: A Simple Reflector ✨ A reflector bounces light back onto your subject to fill in shadows. It's a game-changer for portrait and product photography, giving you a more professional look without the need for complex lighting setups. Final Takeaways & Summary
Get your question answered | |||
| ISO Explained: The Simple Guide to Better Photos in Any Light ✨ | 12 Sep 2025 | 00:20:51 | |
Ever 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 clear, high-fidelity sound recording. 🎧 It’s clean, pure, and has no unwanted noise. 🤫 A low ISO gives you the sharpest details and the richest, most accurate colors. 🌈 For more on capturing stunning outdoor scenes, especially landscapes, you'll love Episode 213: Your First Five Steps into Landscape Photography. 🌲 3: High ISO Photography: When to Use ISO for Sharp Photos ⚡️📸 When do you use a high ISO? 🤔 The answer is simple: only when you have no other choice. 🙅♂️ It is a last resort, a compromise you make to get a sharp photo. 🎯 Imagine you're shooting a fast-moving subject like a child playing football, ⚽ or you're indoors with limited light. 💡 To freeze the action, you need a fast shutter speed, but that might make your photo too dark. 🌑 By raising your ISO& Get your question answered | |||
| 🎙️Finding Your Best Angle, Simple Tips for Better Composition 🖼️ | 29 Aug 2025 | 00:21:45 | |
The Secret to Amazing Photos Isn't a Camera. It's How You Use Your Eyes. ✨ 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 🎯
The Practical Application in Your Photography 📸 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 for practicing the Rule of Thirds. Your goal is not to use every single tip for every single photo you take. Instead, take a moment to think before you shoot. Look for one or two of these simple tips you can apply to make a photo better. Experiment by getting low or high, finding a leading line, or simply simplifying your shot. As Rick says, it’s all about “walking, looking, and thinking.” Mastering these composition rules is the key to transforming your work from snapshots to compelling and impactful images. Show Notes & Resources 🔗
Get your question answered | |||
| Your First Five Steps into Landscape Photography (Even in Your Local Park!) | 15 Aug 2025 | 00:26:41 | |
🏞️ 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 Viewpoint 2. The Light Magic: Best Times for Photos 3. Build Your Photo: Simple Composition Rules 4. Camera Settings Explained: Get Everything Sharp 5. The Small Details: Use Foreground Interest 📱 Landscape Photography with a Phone: 🚀 The Next Step: 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 #RickMcEvoy Get your question answered | |||
| Creative Use of Depth of Field: Blurry Backgrounds, Sharp Subjects 🎯 | 01 Aug 2025 | 00:21:38 | |
Ever 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: 👇
Dive Deeper Into DoF Control: 💡 1. Aperture's Power: Your Blur Control Dial! 🎛️ 2. Blurry Backgrounds: Make Your Subject Pop! 🌟 3. Sharp From Front to Back: The Landscape Dream! 🌲 4. Beyond Aperture: Distance & Focal Length Secrets! 🤫 5. Pinpoint Focus: The Key to Effective DoF Control! 🎯 Bonus Tips & Rick's Workflow: 💼
Get your question answered | |||
| Master Your Camera Modes: A Simple Guide to Auto, Aperture, Shutter & Manual Settings | 18 Jul 2025 | 00:25:19 | |
Are 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 Explained Rick 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)
2. 🅿️ Program Mode (P): The Intelligent Auto (Your Camera’s Smart Assistant)
3. 🅰️ Aperture Priority Mode (A or Av): Master Your Depth of Field (Control the Blur!)
4. ⚙️ Shutter Priority Mode (S or Tv): Control Your Motion (Freeze or Blur!)
Get your question answered | |||
| How to Get Sharp Photos Every Time: Beyond Just Focusing! 📸✨ | 04 Jul 2025 | 00:35:47 | |
Is 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:
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!
Don't Miss a Single Sharp Tip! 🔔 Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. It's the best way to ensure you never miss an episode (and it helps my small but perfectly formed podcast reach Get your question answered | |||
| Taking Great Photos in Direct Sunlight: 5 Tips for Beating the Harsh Light | 20 Jun 2025 | 00:30:47 | |
🌞 Is Harsh Sunlight Ruining Your Photos? Not Anymore! 🌞 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:
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:
#PhotographyTips #DirectSunlight #HarshLight #OutdoorPhotography #PhotographyHacks #Lightroom #MobilePhotography #PortraitPhotography #LandscapePhotography #CameraTips #PhotographyExplained Get your question answered | |||
| Polarising Filters - What Are They? Do I Need One? | 06 Jun 2025 | 00:28:46 | |
Polarising 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! Get your question answered | |||
| Neutral Density Filters - What Are They? Do I Need One? | 23 May 2025 | 00:24:09 | |
Neutral 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! Get your question answered | |||
| 21 Composition Tips For Better Photos Of Buildings | 09 May 2025 | 00:26:22 | |
Do 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.
All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes! What is not to love? How utterly splendid! Get your question answered | |||
| 11 Landscape Photography Composition Tips That Will Instantly Improve Your Shots | 25 Apr 2025 | 00:26:45 | |
Do you want to take more interesting landscape photos? Well, I do, and I hope that you do too. It is too easy to go somewhere and take average, boring photos of something you never do anything with. I have taken loads of these myself, so don’t worry. And it is so easy to take the same photo of something we have all seen a thousand times. Let’s not do any of that. No, there is so much more that we can do, and in this episode, I am going to tell you 11 things you can do to help you take better landscape photos. In this episode, I tell you this little lot.
I also tell you
All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes! What is not to love? How utterly splendid! Get your question answered | |||
| 11 Travel Photography Composition Tips That Will Instantly Improve Your Shots | 11 Apr 2025 | 00:26:34 | |
Do you want to take more interesting travel photos? Well, I do, and I hope that you do too. It is too easy to go somewhere and take average, boring photos of something you never do anything with. I have taken loads of these myself, so don’t worry. And it is so easy to take the same photo of something we have all seen a thousand times. Let’s not do any of that. No, there is so much more that we can do, and in this episode, I will tell you 11 things you can do to help you take better travel photos. In this episode, I tell you this little lot.
I also tell you What if you use a phone to take photos
All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes! Get your question answered | |||
| Understanding Focal Length and Its Effect On Composition | 28 Mar 2025 | 00:18:55 | |
The focal length you use to take a photo will significantly affect the photo you create. It will determine what is in a photo, what is not in a photo, how small or large the elements of the photo are, and how the elements in your photo relate to each other. The focal length you use will also determine the depth of field, or as I like to call it, depth of sharpness, that there is in a photo. So, if you want to learn how to use focal length to create better compositions, listen on. In this episode, I tell you this little lot.
I also tell you
All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes! Get your question answered | |||
| What Are The Rules Of Composition? (And Which Do I Use?) | 14 Mar 2025 | 00:19:09 | |
The rules of composition are not rules. The rules of composition are guidelines, ideas, things that we can use to help us. But you need to know what the rules of composition are so you know which rules you are going to use, if any. You don’t have to use the rules of composition, and you will never use all of them. Certainly not in the same photo, but you will see why, so don’t worry. Find the ones that work for you, and they can help you get better compositions. And better compositions make better photos. So, if you want to learn how to create better compositions, listen on. In this episode, I tell you
I also tell you
All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes! What is not to love? How utterly splendid! Get your question answered | |||
| What Makes a Good Composition in Photography? | 28 Feb 2025 | 00:18:33 | |
Photography is about more than just taking a photo—it’s about taking the best photo you can every time. A rubbish composition will give you a rubbish photo. A great composition will give you a great photo. Create better compositions, and you will end up with better photos – and in this episode, I help you to do just this – what is not to love? So, if you want to learn how to create better compositions, listen on. In this episode, I tell you
I also tell you
All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes! What is not to love? How utterly splendid! Get your question answered | |||
| Photography Composition Tips and Techniques – How I Take Photos | 14 Feb 2025 | 00:33:43 | |
The single most important thing we can do to improve our photos is to think about what we are taking photos of before we take them. We need to take the time to get the best composition every time we take a photo. The success or otherwise of any photo starts and ends with what is in the photo. Photography composition is what you include in a photo, what the light is doing and how the elements within the composition relate to each other. In this episode, I tell you
I also tell you
All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes! What is not to love? How utterly splendid! Get your question answered | |||
| Top Tips To Help You Manage Your Digital Photo Catalogue | 31 Jan 2025 | 00:32:28 | |
Photography Explained Podcast Episode 199 - Top Tips To Help You Manage Your Digital Photo Catalogue You need to organise your photos on your computer so you can find any photo quickly and easily. Once you have done that, you have the small matter of looking after that precious collection of photos, which, as a photographer, is your everything. I don’t want to overstate this—as a photographer, your photos should be your everything. Without them, what have you got? In this episode, I tell you
I also tell you
All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes! What is not to love? How utterly splendid! Get your question answered | |||
| How To Organise Digital Photos On Your Computer | 17 Jan 2025 | 00:24:54 | |
You need to organise your photos on your computer so you can find any photo quickly and easily. You need to come up with a filing system that you can add to over the years as you take more and more photos. And you need to be able to keep track of all the photos in the catalogue so you know which photos you have edited, the good stuff you have not yet edited, your best stuff and any rubbish you might have. You need to get rid of any rubbish and any photos that you do not like or need. Yep, that is my one photo rule in twelve words. Splendid. In this episode, I tell you
I also tell you
All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes! What is not to love? How utterly splendid! Get your question answered | |||
| How To Take Fewer Photos But Better Photos In 2025 (With My One Photo Rule) | 03 Jan 2025 | 00:22:57 | |
I want to get straight into taking better photos, beginning with taking fewer photos. We can all take fewer photos and, in the process, take better photos, and in this episode, I am going to tell you how. And yes, I will revisit my one photo rule. And here it is.
Yep, that is my one photo rule in twelve words. Splendid. In this episode, I tell you
I also tell you
All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes! What is not to love? How utterly splendid! Get your question answered | |||
| Photography Explained Podcast - 2024 Highlights | 20 Dec 2024 | 00:29:28 | |
I want to finish 2024 with a light-hearted look back at my favourite things from 2024. Why not, eh? So join me as I pick up on some stuff from the past year, which has been an excellent year for me and my podcast. so thank you for being with me, dear listener. In this episode, I tell you
I also tell you
All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes! What is not to love? How utterly splendid! Get your question answered | |||
| Why Do I Have So Many Rubbish Photos? (And Why It’s OK, And What I'm Doing About It) | 06 Dec 2024 | 00:19:50 | |
I have loads of rubbish photos cluttering up my computer, clogging up my hard drives, and preventing me from finding the good stuff that must be in there somewhere, surely? We all take rubbish photos every now and then, so it’s okay—not every photo we take is a masterpiece. But if a photo is rubbish, get rid of it. If you have photos that you are never going to do anything with, why not get rid of them, too? In this episode, I tell you
I also tell you
All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes! What is not to love? How utterly splendid! Get your question answered | |||
| What Is The Difference Between RAW And JPEG Photos? | 22 Nov 2024 | 00:24:21 | |
RAW and JPEG are file formats. Photographers use both. JPEG images have an amount of processing and compressing done to them when a photo is taken. RAW photos have no processing done to them other than creating the file, that is. JPEG photos can be viewed by anyone straight off the memory card. To view RAW photos, you need specialist software. JPEG files are smaller than RAW files, but RAW files contain more data to work with than JPEG files. These are the main differences, but what does this all mean? Do we need to know all this stuff? Yes, we do, dear listener. In this episode, I tell you
I also tell you
All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes! What is not to love? How utterly splendid. Get your question answered | |||
| How Do You Take Care Of A Camera Sensor? | 08 Nov 2024 | 00:27:33 | |
Digital camera sensors are important, sensitive, expensive bits of kit that need looking after. There are things that we can do to protect them from bad stuff, but if bad stuff gets to them, there are things that we can do to remove that stuff. This applies to all of us photographers at all times, so it is pretty important that we know this stuff. In this episode, I tell you
I also tell you
All explained in plain English, without the irrelevant detail, in (much) less than 27 (ish) minutes! What is not to love? How utterly splendid. Get your question answered | |||