Photography Explained Podcast
by Rick McEvoy
Photography stuff explained in plain English by me, Rick, in less than 27(ish) minutes without the irrelevant details. I explain one photographic thing per episode, providing just enough information to help you understand it, improve your photography and take better photos, all without delving into endless, irrelevant details. I am a professionally qualified photographer based in the UK and amongst other things I help photographers take better photos. If you want me to answer your question, head to rickmcevoyphotography.com/podcast. How utterly splendid.
Episodes
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What on Earth Are the Letters and Symbols on the Turny Dial?
Send us Fan Mail 🎧 Your camera has a dial on top. It is covered in letters and little pictures. And not one of them tells you what to do. This episode is for beginners who bought a camera and cannot work out the dial. I read out every symbol on a Canon R100 and a Canon 6D. By the end, that dial...
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RAW vs JPEG. RAW What? JPEG What? What Is This Nonsense?
Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Ever opened a RAW file on your computer and thought you'd ruined the photo? You haven't. In this episode I explain exactly what RAW and JPEG actually are, why your camera's screen has been showing you something that isn't your real file, and why I shoot RAW myself - plus the...
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The Exposure Triangle. What It Is. And Why I Don't Use It.
Send us Fan Mail 🔺 Ever felt like the exposure triangle needs three hands and a maths degree just to take one photo? It doesn't. In this episode Rick explains aperture, shutter speed and ISO in plain English — what each one actually does, how they work together, and which two settings he…
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You Say I Should Use Image Stabilisation — Then Why Oh Why Would I Ever Turn It Off?
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...
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Crop Factor. Sorry — I Know It's Boring But It's Really Important.
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...
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Your Kit Lens Says 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 — What on Earth Does Any of That Mean?
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...
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Argh. Why Is There So Much Camera Gear? Please Help Me!
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...
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What — I Have to Clean My Camera Gear? Really?
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...
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Why It Is 3 Times Harder to Choose a Camera Bag Than a Sandwich Bag
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...
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Do I Really Need a Tripod? Really? Why Rick, Why?
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…
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Oh No. Another Blurry Photo. Here's How to Stop It Right Now.
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...
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Are You Holding Your Camera Like a Cheese and Pickle Sandwich?
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…
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I've Got Hundreds of Photos on My Camera — Now What?
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…
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Camera. Check. Something to Photograph. Check. Now How Do You Actually Take the Photo?
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...
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Shiny New Camera? Calm Down and Do This First
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...
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What Can An Entry Level Camera Really Do?
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...
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How to Know If You're Ready to Move from Phone to Camera
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...
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White Balance Explained: Why Your Photos Look Too Orange or Blue
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...
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📷 Why Are My Photos Too Dark? Understanding Exposure for Beginners
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...
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📷 I Just Got My First Camera - What Do I Do in the First Week?
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,...
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📷 Why Are My Photos Blurry? All the Reasons and How to Fix Them
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…
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📸 5 Things We All Need to Do in 2026 to Take Better Photos
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...
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The Best of The Photography Explained Podcast: 29 Essential Photography Tips That Actually Matter
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...
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Composition Made Simple: The Rule of Thirds for Beginners
Send us Fan Mail 📸 Photography Explained Podcast - Episode 221 🎯 Composition Made Simple: The Rule of Thirds for Beginners Host: Rick McEvoy 🇬🇧 | Duration: ⏱️ 23 minutes ⚡ What Is This? The Rule of Thirds is a cheat code 🎮 that instantly makes your photos more interesting. Divide your frame...
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The Photographer's Eye: See a Great Photo Before You Take It
Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder why some photographers spot amazing shots everywhere while you're standing in the same place seeing nothing? 👀 They're not lucky—they've trained their photographer's eye, and you can too! Host Rick McEvoy reveals the exact skills that separate snapshots from...
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Why Your Photos Look Flat & How to Fix Them
Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why your photos don't look as good as the scene you remember? 🤔 The answer isn't a new camera or expensive software—it's mastering seven simple editing adjustments that transform flat photos into stunning images. ✨ Host Rick McEvoy reveals the exact editing…
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📸 Train Your Eye: Master Photography Right Where You Are🌍
Send us Fan Mail Tired of feeling like you need an exotic location for great photos? 🎒 The truth is, the most amazing photo spots are often right outside your door. The key is learning how to see like a professional photographer. 🎁 Host Rick McEvoy gives you his essential 11-Point Checklist for...
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📸The Art of Light: From Harsh to Heavenly ✨
Send us Fan Mail What transforms an average photograph into a stunning one? It’s light. Photography literally means "drawing with light" ✍️, but simply having light isn't enough—you need to understand how to use it as a creative tool 🎨. In this essential, practical guide, host Rick McEvoy shows...
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Essential Accessories for Every Photographer (Without Breaking the Bank)
Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what gear you need beyond your camera? 🤔 The answer isn't a new lens or a bigger flash; it's a few simple, affordable accessories that can make a huge difference. ✨ They protect your gear, make shooting easier, and help you get better photos. 📸 In this episode…
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ISO Explained: The Simple Guide to Better Photos in Any Light ✨
Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why some photos come out looking dark 🌑 and others are sharp but grainy? 🌾 The answer lies in one simple camera setting: ISO. 📸 It doesn't let more light in; instead, it's the digital amplifier of your photo's data. 🔊 Mastering this one setting lets you get a...
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🎙️Finding Your Best Angle, Simple Tips for Better Composition 🖼️
Send us Fan Mail The Secret to Amazing Photos Isn't a Camera. It's How You Use Your Eyes. ✨ Have you ever wondered what separates a simple snapshot from a truly captivating photograph? It’s all about composition—the art of purposefully arranging everything within your photo frame to guide the...
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Your First Five Steps into Landscape Photography (Even in Your Local Park!)
Send us Fan Mail 🏞️ Photography Explained Podcast - Episode 213: Your First Five Steps into Landscape Photography (Even in Your Local Park!) 📸 What if you could take stunning landscape photos without traveling to exotic locations? In this episode, your host Rick McEvoy makes photography...
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Creative Use of Depth of Field: Blurry Backgrounds, Sharp Subjects 🎯
Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how some photos make the subject leap out with a dreamy, soft background, while others keep every detail crystal-clear from front to back? That, my dear listener, is the magic of Depth of Field (DoF)! ✨ In this episode, Rick McEvoy, your plain-English photography...
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Master Your Camera Modes: A Simple Guide to Auto, Aperture, Shutter & Manual Settings
Send us Fan Mail Are you tired of your camera making all the decisions? 😫 Want to take control and unlock its full creative potential? This episode is your straightforward guide to understanding camera modes and transforming your photography from guesswork to glorious! ✨ 💡 Why Camera Modes…
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How to Get Sharp Photos Every Time: Beyond Just Focusing! 📸✨
Send us Fan Mail Is your camera secretly plotting to make your photos blurry? 😈 You know the feeling: that perfectly composed shot, only to find it looks like it was taken by a ghost. A soft-focus nightmare! 🤦♂️ Well, my dear listener, I'm Rick McEvoy, your humble host, and I'm here to banish...
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Taking Great Photos in Direct Sunlight: 5 Tips for Beating the Harsh Light
Send us Fan Mail 🌞 Is Harsh Sunlight Ruining Your Photos? Not Anymore! 🌞 Ever look at your beautiful outdoor scene and see only blown highlights, dark shadows, and squinting faces? You're not alone! Direct sunlight can be a photographer's biggest challenge, turning vibrant moments into...
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Polarising Filters - What Are They? Do I Need One?
Send us Fan Mail Polarising filters attach to camera lenses and reduce reflections and glare, and can improve colour saturation. They can simply make your photos look better. What is not to love, eh? And they don’t cost a lot either. And I have a couple of these that I absolutely love. In this...
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Neutral Density Filters - What Are They? Do I Need One?
Send us Fan Mail Neutral density filters attach to camera lenses and reduce the amount of light getting through to your camera sensor without affecting the colours (hopefully). Neutral density filters allow you to take long exposures in daylight, allowing you to flatten water and make clouds…
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21 Composition Tips For Better Photos Of Buildings
Send us Fan Mail Do you want to take better-composed, more interesting photos of buildings? So do I. And in this episode, I will give 12 things that will help you take better photos of buildings. And here they are. Take one photo and get the best composition you can Use the rule of thirds Take a...
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11 Landscape Photography Composition Tips That Will Instantly Improve Your Shots
Send us Fan Mail Do you want to take more interesting landscape photos? Well, I do, and I hope that you do too. It is too easy to go somewhere and take average, boring photos of something you never do anything with. I have taken loads of these myself, so don’t worry. And it is so easy to take the...
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11 Travel Photography Composition Tips That Will Instantly Improve Your Shots
Send us Fan Mail Do you want to take more interesting travel photos? Well, I do, and I hope that you do too. It is too easy to go somewhere and take average, boring photos of something you never do anything with. I have taken loads of these myself, so don’t worry. And it is so easy to take the…
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Understanding Focal Length and Its Effect On Composition
Send us Fan Mail The focal length you use to take a photo will significantly affect the photo you create. It will determine what is in a photo, what is not in a photo, how small or large the elements of the photo are, and how the elements in your photo relate to each other. The focal length you…
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What Are The Rules Of Composition? (And Which Do I Use?)
Send us Fan Mail The rules of composition are not rules. The rules of composition are guidelines, ideas, things that we can use to help us. But you need to know what the rules of composition are so you know which rules you are going to use, if any. You don’t have to use the rules of composition,...
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What Makes a Good Composition in Photography?
Send us Fan Mail Photography is about more than just taking a photo—it’s about taking the best photo you can every time. A rubbish composition will give you a rubbish photo. A great composition will give you a great photo. Create better compositions, and you will end up with better photos – and…
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Photography Composition Tips and Techniques – How I Take Photos
Send us Fan Mail The single most important thing we can do to improve our photos is to think about what we are taking photos of before we take them. We need to take the time to get the best composition every time we take a photo. The success or otherwise of any photo starts and ends with what is…
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Top Tips To Help You Manage Your Digital Photo Catalogue
Send us Fan Mail Photography Explained Podcast Episode 199 - Top Tips To Help You Manage Your Digital Photo Catalogue You need to organise your photos on your computer so you can find any photo quickly and easily. Once you have done that, you have the small matter of looking after that precious...
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How To Organise Digital Photos On Your Computer
Send us Fan Mail You need to organise your photos on your computer so you can find any photo quickly and easily. You need to come up with a filing system that you can add to over the years as you take more and more photos. And you need to be able to keep track of all the photos in the catalogue…
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How To Take Fewer Photos But Better Photos In 2025 (With My One Photo Rule)
Send us Fan Mail I want to get straight into taking better photos, beginning with taking fewer photos. We can all take fewer photos and, in the process, take better photos, and in this episode, I am going to tell you how. And yes, I will revisit my one photo rule. And here it is. “Take the time…
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Photography Explained Podcast - 2024 Highlights
Send us Fan Mail I want to finish 2024 with a light-hearted look back at my favourite things from 2024. Why not, eh? So join me as I pick up on some stuff from the past year, which has been an excellent year for me and my podcast. so thank you for being with me, dear listener. In this episode, I...
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Why Do I Have So Many Rubbish Photos? (And Why It’s OK, And What I'm Doing About It)
Send us Fan Mail I have loads of rubbish photos cluttering up my computer, clogging up my hard drives, and preventing me from finding the good stuff that must be in there somewhere, surely? We all take rubbish photos every now and then, so it’s okay—not every photo we take is a masterpiece. But…
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About this show
Photography stuff explained in plain English by me, Rick, in less than 27(ish) minutes without the irrelevant details.
I explain one photographic thing per episode, providing just enough information to help you understand it, improve your photography and take better photos, all without delving into endless, irrelevant details.
I am a professionally qualified photographer based in the UK and amongst other things I help photographers take better photos.
If you want me to answer your question, head to rickmcevoyphotography.com/podcast.
How utterly splendid.
Hosted by
Rick McEvoy
Categories