Photography Explained Podcast

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ 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 ● What Image Stabilisation Actually Does — the one job it's built for, and nothing more. ● 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. 📖 Read the Full Blog Post Read the blog post here 🔗 Related Episodes Episode 235 — Do I Really Need a Tripod? Really? Why Rick, Why? — start here if you're still deciding whether a tripod is worth carrying at all. 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. ⏭️ Next Episode Everyone teaches the exposure triangle. I barely use it. Find out why in episode 242, out Friday 25th September 2026. 🎥 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 Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ 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 Read the full blog post here 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. Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 🎯 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 Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 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. 💝 Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 🧹 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 Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 🎒 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 🚫 Tip 1 — There is no perfect bag — and you might need more than one ✍️ Tip 2 — Be honest about what you actually need — write the list before you buy 🏔️ Tip 3 — Match the bag to the shoot — mountain vs 100 yards from the car 🗂️ Tip 4 — 31 types of camera bag — all listed in the blog post. One is a sandwich bag. 📏 Tip 5 — Size matters — but bigger is absolutely not better 🤝 Tip 6 — The right bag just feels right — almost like a friend 🥪 Tip 7 — The cheese and pickle sandwich rule — the only test you need 📖 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. 😊 Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ 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 Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 📷 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 Diagnose First — What Kind of Blurry Are You Looking At? Three types, how to tell them apart, and why getting the diagnosis right matters Camera Shake Blur — Your Shutter Speed Is the Problem. The 1-over-focal-length rule, the 1/60th floor, and how to use EXIF data to find the answer Subject Motion Blur — Something Moved While the Shutter Was Open. Why you often need to go faster than you'd expect Focus Blur — Your Camera Focused on the Wrong Thing. Single-point autofocus and the half-press that locks it in Check How You're Holding Your Camera. Technique makes a bigger difference than most people realise Check Your Shutter Speed First, Every Time. The one setting that fixes two of the three types Auto ISO — Let the Camera Help You Get a Sharper Photo. And why a noisy photo always beats a blurry one Blog Post Episode 234 — Oh No. Another Blurry Photo. Here's How to Stop It Right Now. Related Episodes Episode 224 — Why Are My Photos Blurry? All the Reasons and How to Fix Them Episode 89 — Camera Shake — What Is It And How Do I Stop It Happening? Next Episode 💝 Do I Really Need a Tripod? Really? Why Rick, Why? — Episode 235, Friday 19 June 2026. Find Me 🎥 Search Rick McEvoy on YouTube 🌐 rickmcevoyphotography.com 📚 Courses: rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses 🛠️ Resources: rickmcevoyphotography.com/resources Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 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 🎙️ How to grip your camera with your right hand (and why most beginners get this wrong) Why your left hand is your best camera stabiliser — and how to use it properly How using your viewfinder creates a third point of contact — and makes you a human tripod Why tucking your elbows in reduces camera shake more than you'd think How foot position and stance affect your camera stability The breathing technique that gives you sharper photos instantly 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 🌍 RickMcEvoyPhotography.com 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! 👋 Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 📸 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 Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 📸 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 Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 📸 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’ Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 📸 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 🎓 My courses page 📚 Resources Page 💬 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! 🍻 Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 📸 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. Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 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 🎓 My courses page 📚 Resources Page 💬 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! 🍻 Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 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. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ How bright backgrounds fool your camera into making everything dark ✅ Why shooting into the light creates silhouettes (and how to fix it) ✅ How shutter speed, aperture, and ISO affect exposure ✅ The magic of exposure compensation - your "make it brighter" button ✅ Why you need enough light in the first place ✅ How to read your camera's histogram like a pro ✅ When and why to use a tripod for perfect exposure Whether you're using a camera or your phone, these seven tips will transform your photography. From understanding exposure compensation to reading histograms, you'll have all the tools you need to never take a mysteriously dark photo again. 📸 What You'll Learn: ✅ Tip 1: Your Camera is Being Fooled by Bright Backgrounds ✅ Tip 2: You're Shooting Directly Into the Light ✅ Tip 3: Your Camera Settings are Working Against You ✅ Tip 4: You Need to Use Exposure Compensation ✅ Tip 5: You're Shooting in the Wrong Light ✅ Tip 6: Learn to Read Your Camera's Histogram ✅ Tip 7: Use a Tripod 📱 For Phone Photographers: Everything applies to phone cameras too! Tap on your subject before shooting, slide your finger up to make it brighter, and remember that light is still everything. That one tap solves 70% of dark photo problems! 🔗 Related Episodes: Episode 224, Why Are My Photos Blurry? All the Reasons and How to Fix Them Episode 225, I Just Got My First Camera - What Do I Do in the First Week? Episode 11, What Is Exposure Compensation, How Do I Use It? And Why Is It So Useful? Episode 164, Understanding Histograms In Photography ⭐️ Next Episode: Episode 227 - Why Are My Photos the Wrong Colour? Understanding White Balance 🎯 Your Action Step: This weekend, deliberately photograph something in front of a bright window or with the sun behind it. First, take the photo without any adjustments - just point and shoot. Then try again, but this time tap on your subject (phone) or add +2 exposure compensation (camera). Compare the two photos and see the difference! 🌐 Website 🎓 Courses 📺 YouTube: Search "Rick McEvoy" on YouTube Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 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. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ How to properly set up your camera from day one ✅ Why reading the quick start guide saves hours of frustration ✅ The correct way to hold your camera for sharper photos ✅ Why Auto mode is your friend when you're starting out ✅ How to review your photos to accelerate learning ✅ The secret to understanding light in photography ✅ Why finding a photography community matters That first week with your new camera is absolutely crucial. Get it right, and you'll build confidence, develop good habits, and actually enjoy the learning process. These aren't complicated technical exercises - they're simple, enjoyable activities that'll help you understand your camera and start taking photos you actually like. 📸 What You'll Learn: ✅ Tip 1: Charge the Battery and Format Your Memory Card ✅ Tip 2: Read the Manual - or the Quick Start Guide at Least! ✅ Tip 3: Get Comfortable Holding Your Camera ✅ Tip 4: Shoot in Auto Mode and Explore Your Environment ✅ Tip 5: Review Your Photos and Learn From Them ✅ Tip 6: Take Photos at Different Times of Day ✅ Tip 7: Join a Photography Community or Find a Friend 📱 For Phone Photographers: Well this is aimed at people taking photos with their phones. So let's move on from this one ok? 🔗 Related Episodes: Episode 9, How Can I Learn To Use My New Camera? Episode 17, What Time Of Day Is Best To Take Photos? Episode 104, 10 Camera Settings For Beginners Episode 152, How My One Photo Rule Will Help You Take Better Photos ⭐️ Next Episode: Episode 226 - Why Are My Photos Too Dark? Understanding Exposure for Beginners 🎯 Your Action Step: Choose one location and over the course of a week, take twenty different photos there. Try different angles, different subjects within that space, experiment with different settings. By week's end, pick your five favorites and tell Rick what you learned! 🌐 Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 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. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ How camera shake ruins photos (and the proper technique to eliminate it) ✅ The reciprocal rule for shutter speed that prevents blur ✅ Why your focus might be off and how to manually control it ✅ How to handle motion blur in your subjects ✅ When shallow depth of field becomes a problem ✅ Why a dirty lens makes everything soft (and how to keep yours clean) ✅ How high ISO affects apparent sharpness (and when to use a tripod) Whether you're using a camera or your phone, these seven fixes will transform your photography. From the breathing technique that stops camera shake to the simple habit of cleaning your lens after every shoot, you'll get actionable advice you can use immediately. 📸 What You'll Learn: ✅ Tip 1: Camera Shake - You're Moving When You Press the Button Learn the proper holding technique, breathing method, and when to use a tripod. ✅ Tip 2: Wrong Shutter Speed for Your Focal Length The reciprocal rule prevents blur. Using a 100mm lens? Minimum 1/100th second. ✅ Tip 3: Your Focus Is Off - You've Focused on the Wrong Thing Manually select the focus point and always check your shots. ✅ Tip 4: Your Subject Is Moving - Motion Blur Learn exactly what shutter speeds you need for different subjects. ✅ Tip 5: Shallow Depth of Field - Not Enough Is in Focus When to close down your aperture to keep everything sharp. ✅ Tip 6: Dirty or Smudged Lens Clean your gear after every shoot - takes 30 seconds, makes a massive difference! ✅ Tip 7: Low Light and High ISO - Noise Disguising as Blur Use a tripod to stick to ISO 100 for the highest quality. 📱 For Phone Photographers: Everything applies to phone cameras too! Hold with both hands, use the volume button to shoot, tap to focus on the right spot, and clean that lens regularly! 🔗 Related Episodes: Episode 222, The Best of The Photography Explained Podcast: 29 Essential Photography Tips That Actually Matter Episode 220, The Photographer's Eye: See a Great Photo Before You Take It Episode 152, How My One Photo Rule Will Help You Take Better Photos ⏭️ Next Episode: Episode 225 - I Just Got My First Camera - What Do I Do in the First Week? 🎯 Your Action Step: Take 10 photos this week, but before each one, ask yourself "What could make this blurry?" Run through the seven things in your head. 🌐 Website 🎓 Courses 📺 YouTube: Search "Rick McEvoy" on YouTube Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 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. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ How to properly clean your camera gear and why it matters for sharp photos ✅ The smart way to learn camera settings without getting overwhelmed ✅ Why shooting in different lighting conditions makes you a better photographer ✅ How to critically review your work before sharing it ✅ Why trying uncomfortable photography genres helps you grow These tips work for everyone - whether you're using a phone 📱, an entry-level camera, or professional gear. No jargon, just practical advice you can use today. 📸 What You'll Learn: ✅ Thing 1: Clean Your Gear Properly and Keep It Clean Get yourself a proper cleaning kit with a blower brush, microfibre cloths, and lens cleaning solution. Make cleaning a habit before every shoot. Clean lenses make sharp photos - it's that simple! ✅ Thing 2: Learn One Camera Setting Really Well Don't try to master everything at once. Pick one setting - maybe exposure compensation, aperture priority, or even manual mode - and become properly competent with it. Master it, then move on to the next one. ✅ Thing 3: Take Photos in Different Light Deliberately seek out different lighting conditions. Harsh midday sun, soft overcast light, golden hour, indoor window light - each type teaches you different skills. Photography is drawing with light, so this stuff is pretty important! ✅ Thing 4: Review Your Photos Critically Before Sharing Them Stop sharing every photo you take. Review your photos twice - once immediately, then again with fresh eyes after waiting overnight. Quality over quantity, always. ✅ Thing 5: Shoot Something Uncomfortable Try a photography genre outside your comfort zone. Love landscapes? Try portraits. Always shoot people? Try architecture. Uncomfortable equals growth, and growth equals better photography. 📱 For Phone Photographers: Everything in this episode applies to phone photography too! Clean your phone lens, learn exposure compensation in your camera app, photograph in different light, review before posting, and try different types of photography with your phone. 🔗 Related Episodes: If you're enjoying this New Year focus on improving your photography, you might want to check out the previous episode - episode 222, The Best of The Photography Explained Podcast: 29 Essential Photography Tips That Actually Matter And here are some other recent related episodes - episode 220, The Photographer's Eye: See a Great Photo Before You Take It : and good old episode 152, How My One Photo Rule Will Help You Take Better Photos . ⏭️ Next Episode: Episode 224 - Why Are My Photos Blurry? All the Reasons and How to Fix Them 🎯 Your Action Step: Pick one of these five things and commit to it for January. Do it properly for the whole month and let me know how you got on! 🌐 Website: https://rickmcevoyphotography.com 🎓 Courses: https://rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses 📺 YouTube: Search "Rick McEvoy" on YouTube Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail 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. 🔖 Here's the thing about doing a podcast for over 221 episodes: you accumulate a lot of advice. Some of it's specific—how to photograph buildings 🏛️, how to use a polarizing filter, how to set up your Lightroom catalog. But some tips? They're universal. ✨ They work for everyone, regardless of what you photograph or what gear you use. 📷 Today's episode is different. Instead of diving deep into one topic, we're going wide. 🌍 I've gone back through every single episode and pulled out the most essential, most powerful, most immediately useful tips I've ever shared. These are the tips that listeners tell me changed their photography. 🚀 The ones that work whether you're using a professional camera or your phone. 📱 The ones that apply to landscapes 🏞️, portraits 👤, street photography 🏙️, and everything in between. If you're new to the podcast, this is your crash course. 🎓 If you've been listening from the start, this is your refresher. 🔄 Either way, by the end of this episode, you'll have actionable tips that will immediately improve your photography. No fluff, no filler—just the best of the best. 🏆 THE 29 TIPS COVERED: 💡 1. 📸 Use My One Photo Rule 2. ✂️ Take Fewer Photos Overall 3. 🚶‍♂️👀🧠 My Photography Superpowers – Walking, Looking, and Thinking 4. 🤔 Think Before You Take a Photo 5. 🚫⚙️ No One Cares About Your Gear or Settings 6. 🔺 Forget the Exposure Triangle 7. 📉 Use the Lowest ISO for the Sharpest Photos 8. 🎛️ Learn How to Use Manual Mode 9. 🖼️ Get a Portfolio of Your Best Twelve Photos 10. 💬 Get a Critique of Your Photos (Not from Friends or Family) 11. 📚 Learn from Other Photographers (and Yourself) 12. #️⃣ Use the Rule of Thirds 13. ➡️ Use Leading Lines 14. 🏔️ Create Depth in Your Photos 15. 🧹 Simplify by Removing Distractions 16. 📁 Shoot in RAW Format 17. ⚪ Use a Grey Card for Accurate Colors 18. 📊 Use Your Histogram 19. 🎯 Find Your Lens Sweet Spot 20. ❤️ Photograph Things You're Actually Interested In 21. ✏️ Only Edit Photos You're Going to Use 22. 🗑️ Delete Rubbish Photos 23. 💾 Backup Your Photos in Three Places 24. 🛡️ Look After Your Gear 25. 🔄 Keep Practicing and Getting Better 26. 🏅 Aim to Beat Your Portfolio with Every Photo 27. 🔇 Ignore the Noise on Social Media 28. 😊 Enjoy Your Photography 29. 🦵 Use a Tripod USEFUL LINKS: 🔗 📖 Photography for Beginners Hub Page 🎧 Related Episodes: Episode 220 - The Photographer's Eye 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 🌐 My Website: Rick McEvoy Photography ▶️ YouTube Channel: Rick McEvoy Photography 🎓 How to Become a Real Estate Photographer Course NEXT EPISODE: 🚀 Episod Support the show Get your question answered This is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography. Thanks very much for listening Cheers from me Rick