Photography Explained Podcast

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📸 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 availab
 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.
 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

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

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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?
•
 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.
 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

The Fresh Patch Podcast - Where Good Pets Get It.
Welcome to the Fresh Patch Podcast where we talk about everything, from dog...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts
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 a text
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?
 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.
 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

The Fresh Patch Podcast - Where Good Pets Get It.
Welcome to the Fresh Patch Podcast where we talk about everything, from dog...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts
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 a text
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 fav
 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.
 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

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 a text
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,
 My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.
 If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.

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