This is where we share what we've learned from years of shooting and teaching photography in London. You'll find practical guides on composition, light, and camera techniques. Whether you're working through the basics or looking to develop your own style, these posts are written to help you take better photos and understand why they work.
New articles are added regularly, covering everything from street and cityscape photography to gear comparisons and editing workflow. Browse the archive below, or check out our photography courses and one to one training if you want more hands on guidance.
Lighting for a Pure White Background, plus Grey and Shadow
Our Studio Lighting Course covers all you need to know about creating a pure white background (as well as a whole host of other studio techniques), but this post should be enough to get you started. A white background is incredibly versatile in the studio. It can be lit to be pure white, it can be a multitude of grey shades, or even black, and you...
What to Buy for a Photographer?
It’s a common dilemma, but hopefully we can help. All of our workshops are available to book as gift vouchers. Perfect for the special photographer in your life. A photography workshop or course is an ideal photography gift. It can be used on any date, and will improve any photographers skills or introduce them to...
Lighting – Front and Back
Lucky Joe in this photo was sandwiched between two lights, a rose between two thorns as it were. Simple to do, yet effective. The light from behind (rim light) gives the portrait depth because it separates Joe from the darkness behind. How to do it: One bare flash on a stand more or less directly in...
Stephen Kelly Photography Course
Shoot the Streets with an Award Winning Photographer If you are looking to develop your street and reportage photography style this one day workshop will get you on the right track. We are very pleased to have award-winning and internationally published photographer Stephen Kelly work with 36 exp to provide this Street Photography Workshop. Key points: Individual tuition and advice while you...
Lighting Technique – Don’t Neglect the Background
When thinking about, and setting up, lighting for portraits the main focus is quite rightly on ensuring that your subject is well lit. Of course, this should be your number one concern. But, an often neglected part of the lighting set up is the background and what to do with it. This applies in the studio and...
Holga Panoramic WPC120 Camera – Joy of Pinhole
At the moment I have an unhealthy obsession with film cameras, and I’m also developing an unhealthy addiction to the darkroom. My latest foray is into the world of pinhole photography after I purchased a Holga Panoramic WPC120 Pinhole Camera. This thing takes 120 film and produces negatives which are 6cm high and 12 cm wide. Exposure...
Creative Use of Exposure for Street Photographers
It’s all too easy set your camera on matrix metering mode when out on the street. After all, you want to react quickly to things as they happen and don’t want to be fiddling with your exposure when you could be taking a shot. But, with a little patience, practice and anticipation, creative use of exposure...
Shoot a Musician
This weekend we have our location lighting workshop, and we will be shooting a musician, so it’s a good opportunity to get location lighting experience, and get some musician shots for your portfolio. Details here https://www.36exp.co.uk/location-lighting-workshop/
Next Creative Photography Workshop is on Sat 22 Oct
See https://www.36exp.co.uk/creative-photography-workshop/ for details
Next studio lighting workshop will be on Tues 18th Oct
Visit https://www.36exp.co.uk/studio-lighting-workshop/ for details. Here is a rather nice image by David Ireland, taken at the last Studio Lighting Workshop: