Where to Begin
Treat this Photography Basics Guide like a book. It reads from front to back and each chapter builds on prior chapters. If you start at the very beginning and work your way through, the information will flow naturally and in the right order. However, if you want to learn something more specific, you’re welcome to skip ahead to a later chapter. (See bottom of this article for other sections)
Why I Wrote This
It's the set of questions I get asked all of the time. How can I take better photos? What settings should I have my camera on? Do I have to shoot in Manual Mode?
I have been a professional photographer for 15 years now. I have photographed in almost any imaginable scenario, climate, and circumstance forcing me to learn most of what I know on the fly. I admit, that most of my learning came through making mistakes. I hope this guide will allow others to learn from my mistakes and skip right past that painful part of the learning process.
Let me say this: Youtube University is an insanely great asset to use to learn all about photography. However, I would highly suggest having a rock-solid understanding of the basics before blindly following along. Once you have the basics dialed in, have at it on YT.
Jump ahead to check out other sections of this guide:
Chapter 1: How Do I Use This F*cking Camera? (You are here)
Chapter 2: So What The F*ck is Photography Anyway?
Chapter 3: What is Shutter Speed and How to Use it Like a Boss