An Absolutely Amazing Photography Instruction Site

Through Daniel Mosquin at the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden Botanical Photo of the Day site, I found this very useful website for landscape photography. Many of the Luminous Landscape features and articles are also applicable to other photo subjects, especially outdoor and nature images. I've already learned enough from the tutorials, essays and regular columns to improve my photography skills so much. One of these days, I'll post some of my first shots with my digital camera to make the comparison between where I was a year ago and what I'm doing with the digicam now.

Here is just an example of the incredibly useful information available at the Luminous Landscape. This is the table of contents for their "Understanding Series:"

THE UNDERSTANDING SERIES

Understanding Printer Colour Management — the proper settings for using profiles

Understanding Raw Files — whether to choose to shoot in raw or JPG format, and why

Understanding Contrast Masking — a simple Photoshop technique for opening shadow areas and reducing contrast

Understanding Digital USM — what is the Unsharp Mask and what does it do?

Understanding Histograms — how to read the digital camera's most useful exposure evaluation tool

Understanding MTF Charts — what is MTF, and how to read lens charts

Understanding Digital Sensor Cleaning — the why, how and tools required

Understanding Digital Workflow — suggested steps and settings to use when working with a digital SLR

Understanding Mirror Lock-Up — the simplest technique for creating vibration-free sharp images

Understanding Medium Format — a primer on the jargon, and the equipment available

Understanding Depth of Field — a tutorial, including Hyperfocal Distance and the Circle of Confusion

Understanding Polarizers — a tutorial on how to use the most important filter for colour photography

Understanding Lens Contrast — an in-depth tutorial by Mike Johnston

Understanding Bit Depth — a tutorial on hi-bit images and when and why to use them

Understanding Sharpness — a tutorial on resolution and acutance

Understanding Resolution — explores the basics of digital Input and Output

Understanding Camera Movements — the ins and outs of tilts and shifts

Understanding Colour Theory — academic colour theory applied to landscape photography

Understanding the DSLR Magnification Factor — what it is, how it works, benefits and drawbacks

Understanding ProPhoto RGB – are you throwing away much of the colour gamut your DSLR is capable of?

Understanding Exposure — the world's 10 stop range. Why it's so tough and how to handle it