Okay… so these easy-to-follow tutorials aren’t just “for bloggers” but anyone who wants to get better at photography.
Whether you’re just a beginner, or need a few tips on editing and/or fixing your images, I’m sure that you’ll find these tutorials very useful. When it comes to photography, I am completely self-taught. Four years a go, I barely knew how to use my camera and everything that I learned came from reading photography books, playing with my camera, and watching tutorials. Today I’ll show you some of my favorite tutorials that will help you better understand your camera, take stunning shots and fix underexposed images.
Before and after editing using one of these tutorials. Totally off-topic: my new office/closet is finally coming together, can’t wait to show you guys a before/after once I’m finally done. Make sure to add me on snap where I share little sneak peaks here and there (@Paula13t).
PHOTO & VIDEO FOR BEGINNERS
Reading your camera manual can be a bit boring and not everything might be easy to understand. In this video, Maya explains all the photography basics and shows how to get professional-looking shots.
BEGINNER GUIDE TO PHOTOGRAPHY
This, strictly speaking, is a beginner guide to DSLR photography. It was created for Canon users, but I think that anyone who’s a beginner will find this video very helpful. If you are just starting your adventure with photography and want to get a better understanding of the exposure triangle and the relationship between aperture, shutter speed and ISO, you will really like this video.
TAKING FASHION BLOG PHOTOS
If you’re a fashion blogger, or you occasionally like to include a few style posts here and there- this video is for you.
SHOOTING IN NATURAL OUTDOOR FASHION POST
I recently came across Jana’s YouTube channel, and I love watching her photography videos. Some of them are more detailed than others, but all are very helpful. I don’t spend a lot of time on YouTube these days, so when something is interesting enough for me to pay attention for more than 30 seconds, it has to be good :) . In this video, Jana shares a few tips for taking fashion post pictures outside, working in natural light.
HOW TO TAKE BETTER PICTURES WITH YOUR iPHONE
Days when you needed a decent and pricey camera to create stunning photos are long gone. Today, you can create bright and colorful photos using your phone, and because I know that not everyone can or wants to invest in a DSLR (they can be quite confusing to use at first!) I also decided to share a few of my favorites phone photography tutorials, like this one.
TIPS ON PHOTOGRAPHING PRODUCTS AND DETAILS
This is another video from Jana- it’s not really a tutorial, but she does share a few good tips on taking your product shots. Whether it’s for your blog, for your Etsy store, or just for fun, this video will help you take better, brighter shots.
HOW TO TAKE GOOD INSTAGRAM PHOTOS
Aimee Song from Song of Style probably doesn’t need an introduction and this video on creating good Intagram photos is not only helpful, but also very fun to watch!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSfrjvF86aE
HOW TO BRIGHTEN UP DARK IMAGES IN PHOTOSHOP
In addition to learning how to use my DSLR, buying a Photoshop subscription is what made the biggest difference in my photography. Being that most of the time I work in less than favorable conditions (like the fact that most rooms in our home are rather dark and gloomy) I always edit my photos. I used PicMonkey when I started blogging, but have since switched to Photoshop- which also meant that I had to learn how to use it. Luckily, I came across a ton of very helpful tutorials- one of them is this one right here: How to Brighten Up Dark Images in Photoshop (seriously, it’s a lifesaver!). By the way, I’m sure a lot of you already know this, but you no longer need to spend hundreds of dollars on Photoshop- Adobe now offers a monthly Creative Cloud subscription for only about $11.00 a month.
EASY FIX FOR WHITE BALANCE IN PHOTOSHOP
This video is another lifesaver. Sometimes, your photos might end up begin too cool or too warm, have that ugly yellow cast, or look too blue or pink- this is where this video comes in handy. This is a great tutorial that I found extremely helpful and I go back to it whenever my white balance is off (which can happen a lot if you shoot early in the morning on a white and grey-blue background).
SKIN RETOUCHING
This might be useful to some beauty and fashion bloggers out there, but also those of you who love taking portraits. This tutorial is easy to follow, the results are very natural-looking and in addition to learning how to retouch skin, you will also learn a few simple tricks like how to remove a stray hair from the face.
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FOR BLOGGERS
Of course, I also had to mention one of my own posts- Photography Tips for Bloggers. This was one of the first Photography posts I wrote and to this date, it’s the most popular post on this blog. If you want to see what my photos looked like when I first started blogging and want to know how to use your camera in manual mode, click here.
Make sure to also check out other posts in the Photography section! Here is where you can see exact equipment I use, and here you can find a few tips on taking good product shots.
49 Comments
Dagmara Klich
April 18, 2016 at 8:30 amFantastic round up of useful videos, Paula! Will definitely save it and watch it in peace in the evening :) x
Mummy’s Beauty Corner
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 6:47 pmThanks Dagmara!
Ambar Syed
April 18, 2016 at 8:46 amThis is such a lovely resource collection – thank you for sharing :)
– Ambar x
http://www.herlittleloves.blogspot.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 6:51 pmThanks so much Ambar!
Kate
April 18, 2016 at 9:10 amAmazing! Bookmarking this to watch at my leisure. x
Kate Louise Blogs
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 6:52 pmThanks Kate!
Biana Perez
April 18, 2016 at 9:40 amAs usual such a great round-up and I can’t wait to watch all these videos at home! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 6:53 pmThanks Biana!
Hannah McDonnell
April 18, 2016 at 11:17 amSuper helpful! You are the photography queen for bloggers!
Hannah
glamlifeliving.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 6:59 pmAww haha thanks Hannah!
Alina
April 18, 2016 at 11:58 amI will be bookmarking all of these and watching them for tips, I can never get enough photo tips as it’s always something I’m eager to improve. Thank you for sharing lovely x
Beauty with charm
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 7:01 pmYou’re so welcome Alina!
Aleksandra
April 18, 2016 at 12:15 pmGreat selection, thank you!
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 7:01 pmNo problem! :)
Ela BellaWorld
April 18, 2016 at 2:14 pmThanks for the videos, Paula! Just watched Jana’s video and she’s really fun. I never thought about having odd numbers of things, something I will remember for sure! :)
Ela BellaWorld
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 7:07 pmShe is fun isn’t she? Love her personality! :)
Blossomofhope
April 18, 2016 at 2:36 pmThis was so helpful thanks! xx
http://www.blossomofhope.blogspot.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 7:07 pmYou’re welcome!
Wellwell Girl
April 18, 2016 at 9:53 pmthis is very helpful!x
jess x | wellwellgirls.blogspot.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 7:07 pm;)
Mikéla Davelyn
April 18, 2016 at 11:47 pmI am completely self taught as well – have only had a camera for a year now. Thanks for sharing these! I love tutorials, and I don’t think I have seen a single one of these! Can’t wait to watch ’em :)
xo, mikéla / simplydavelyn.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 7:08 pmNo problem Mikéla, hope you like them! :)
Sam
April 19, 2016 at 3:23 amDefinitely saving this post for future reference! xx
Sam // Samantha Betteridge
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 7:09 pm:)
Ana
April 19, 2016 at 9:25 amI loooove this post! I’m saving it to watch all the videos xxx
http://fallingforablog.blogspot.com.es/2016/04/shopping-guide-for-music-festivals.html
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 7:14 pmThanks Ana!
Kara Ungerman
April 19, 2016 at 12:57 pmThanks for rounding all of these up!
I just started blogging and desperately need to up my photo game – plus I’m still using an iPhone, but looking into getting either a mirrorless camera or a DSLR. Do you have thoughts on mirrorless vs DSLR for blogging?
– Kara || sayhiphooray.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 7:14 pmI myself use a DSLR, but I have a lot of friends who blog and use mirrorless cameras. I think it’s just a personal preference, really. I’ve never used a mirrorless camera for blog pictures, but I do know that they are lighter and easier to travel with, etc. DSLR cameras are also generally a bit difficult to understand at first, so it’s up to you. If you’re willing to invest some time in learning and getting to know your camera, you can go with a DSLR, if you want something smaller and easier to use, just go with mirrorless :) It depends on what would work best for you ;)
Lola Adewuya
April 19, 2016 at 1:47 pmThese tips were so helpful! I’ve had a camera for so long and have always struggled with figuring out all the settings. I can take amazing pictures now, I can’t wait. Thanks!
Lola // macaronsinthemorning.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 7:16 pmYou’re welcome Lola!
Sadie
April 19, 2016 at 3:36 pmSuch a great and helpful post! Definitely bookmarking this one, I’m always looking for ways to make my photographs better :) xx
eat-sleep-breathe-fashion.blogspot.co.uk
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 7:16 pmThanks so much Sadie!
Samileen
April 19, 2016 at 4:04 pmThis is such an awesome post, shamelessmaya’s video was actually my first photography tutorial thingie that I looked up, and its so amazing the way she has explained it.
Bookmarking this post.
Sam || Beautydetour
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 7:17 pmYes! She explains everything so well, love that!
Guest
April 19, 2016 at 6:01 pmWow, what a great roundup of photography tutorials! Really appreciate it, can’t wait to go through them :)
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 19, 2016 at 7:17 pmThanks Pat! :)
Mantenso
April 20, 2016 at 6:28 amSuch a great post, I’ve recently just bought a Nikon d5300 so this couldn’t come at a better time!
Defo saving this to refer back to.
Tenz
http://www.shesabouthatlife.com
xxxx
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 21, 2016 at 11:33 amThank you!
Aïchatou Bella
April 20, 2016 at 9:21 pmSO useful! TYSM for sharing!
xo,
Aïchatou Bella
http://www.stilettosandstandards.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
April 21, 2016 at 11:33 amYou’re welcome, thanks so much for visiting! :)
Delaney
April 22, 2016 at 12:26 pmSo helpful, thanks! Feeling super inspired!
Elle
April 23, 2016 at 3:51 amThis appeared on y bloglovin’ feed just when I needed it! Thanks girl XX
Elle // laorcabella.com
Jabeen Waheed
April 24, 2016 at 1:03 pmThis is so helpful and stunning!
Jabeen x
http://www.spilling-the-beans.co.uk/
Jeapiebel Choosebeautiful
April 25, 2016 at 3:29 amSuper goede tips. Dank je.
nueyork
April 29, 2016 at 2:39 amThis is such a great roundup and just what I’ve been looking for! Thank you for sharing. x
nueyork.blogspot.com
Trina Osorio Lopez
July 18, 2016 at 5:53 pmExcellent Article!! but I try to share it and I can not find any direct link to share to social network or by email. That would be perfect! Thanks for the info!
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
July 18, 2016 at 6:03 pmThank you! There are share buttons at the bottom of the post, as well as on each image. :)
Lea H
November 8, 2016 at 7:06 amJust the post I was looking for. Sometimes I have to take so many pictures and I’m still not happy with them especially with photographing makeup. Now I totally gonna try some of the tips here. And I just have to say I love your photography style!!
Lea, xx
http://www.asnippetoflife.com
Marion Kit
April 30, 2017 at 9:42 pmWow! amazing post. I love it :D