Send us 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, How My One Photo Rule Will Help You Take Better Photos

⏭️ Next Episode:
Episode 225 - I Just Got My First Camera - What Do I Do in the First Week?

🎯 Your Action Step:
Take 10 photos this week, but before each one, ask yourself "What could make this blurry?" Run through the seven things in your head.

🌐

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.com

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 us a text

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 sharp photos
✅ The smart way to learn camera settings without getting overwhelmed
✅ Why shooting in different lighting conditions makes you a better photographer
✅ How to critically review your work before sharing it
✅ Why trying uncomfortable photography genres helps you grow

These tips work for everyone - whether you're using a phone 📱, an entry-level camera, or professional gear. No jargon, just practical advice you can use today.

📸 What You'll Learn:

✅ Thing 1: Clean Your Gear Properly and Keep It Clean
Get yourself a proper cleaning kit with a blower brush, microfibre cloths, and lens cleaning solution. Make cleaning a habit before every shoot. Clean lenses make sharp photos - it's that simple!

✅ Thing 2: Learn One Camera Setting Really Well
Don't try to master everything at once. Pick one setting - maybe exposure compensation, aperture priority, or even manual mode - and become properly competent with it. Master it, then move on to the next one.

✅ Thing 3: Take Photos in Different Light
Deliberately seek out different lighting conditions. Harsh midday sun, soft overcast light, golden hour, indoor window light - each type teaches you different skills. Photography is drawing with light, so this stuff is pretty important!

✅ Thing 4: Review Your Photos Critically Before Sharing Them
Stop sharing every photo you take. Review your photos twice - once immediately, then again with fresh eyes after waiting overnight. Quality over quantity, always.

✅ Thing 5: Shoot Something Uncomfortable
Try a photography genre outside your comfort zone. Love landscapes? Try portraits. Always shoot people? Try architecture. Uncomfortable equals growth, and growth equals better photography.

📱 For Phone Photographers:
Everything in this episode applies to phone photography too! Clean your phone lens, learn exposure compensation in your camera app, photograph in different light, review before posting, and try different types of photography with your phone.

🔗 Related Episodes:

If you're enjoying this New Year focus on improving your photography, you might want to check out the previous episode - episode 222, The Best of The Photography Explained Podcast: 29 Essential Photography Tips That Actually Matter

And here are some other recent related episodes - episode 220, The Photographer's Eye: See a Great Photo Before You Take It: and good old episode 152,

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.com

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 us a text

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 accumulate a lot of advice. Some of it's specific—how to photograph buildings 🏛️, how to use a polarizing filter, how to set up your Lightroom catalog. But some tips? They're universal. ✨ They work for everyone, regardless of what you photograph or what gear you use. 📷

Today's episode is different. Instead of diving deep into one topic, we're going wide. 🌍 I've gone back through every single episode and pulled out the most essential, most powerful, most immediately useful tips I've ever shared. These are the tips that listeners tell me changed their photography. 🚀 The ones that work whether you're using a professional camera or your phone. 📱 The ones that apply to landscapes 🏞️, portraits 👤, street photography 🏙️, and everything in between.

If you're new to the podcast, this is your crash course. 🎓 If you've been listening from the start, this is your refresher. 🔄 Either way, by the end of this episode, you'll have actionable tips that will immediately improve your photography. No fluff, no filler—just the best of the best. 🏆

THE 29 TIPS COVERED: 💡

1. 📸 Use My One Photo Rule
2. ✂️ Take Fewer Photos Overall
3. 🚶‍♂️👀🧠 My Photography Superpowers – Walking, Looking, and Thinking
4. 🤔 Think Before You Take a Photo
5. 🚫⚙️ No One Cares About Your Gear or Settings
6. 🔺 Forget the Exposure Triangle
7. 📉 Use the Lowest ISO for the Sharpest Photos
8. 🎛️ Learn How to Use Manual Mode
9. 🖼️ Get a Portfolio of Your Best Twelve Photos
10. 💬 Get a Critique of Your Photos (Not from Friends or Family)
11. 📚 Learn from Other Photographers (and Yourself)
12. #️⃣ Use the Rule of Thirds
13. ➡️ Use Leading Lines
14. 🏔️ Create Depth in Your Photos
15. 🧹 Simplify by Removing Distractions
16. 📁 Shoot in RAW Format
17. ⚪ Use a Grey Card for Accurate Colors
18. 📊 Use Your Histogram
19. 🎯 Find Your Lens Sweet Spot
20. ❤️ Photograph Things You're Actually Interested In
21. ✏️ Only Edit Photos You're Going to Use
22. 🗑️ Delete Rubbish Photos
23. 💾 Backup Your Photos in Three Places
24. 🛡️ Look After Your Gear
25. 🔄 Keep Practicing and Getting Better
26. 🏅 Aim to Beat Your Portfolio with Every Photo
27. 🔇 Ignore the Noise on Social Media
28. 😊 Enjoy Your Photography
29. 🦵 Use a Tripod

USEFUL LINKS: 🔗

📖 Photography for Beginners Hub

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.com

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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 us a text

🎯 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 into 9 equal parts (like noughts and crosses), place your subject on the lines or intersection points, and watch your photos transform.

Works for cameras 📷 and phones 📱. No jargon. Just results.

🎓 The 7 Essential Tips

📍 1. Position Your Subject

Put eyes on intersection points for portraits. Near the line is fine.

🏔️ 2. Landscape Horizons

Interesting sky? → Horizon on lower third
Interesting foreground? → Horizon on upper third

🏃 3. Action & Movement

Give moving subjects space to move into the frame.

⚠️ 4. Avoid These Mistakes

• Don't obsess over pixel-perfect alignment
• Don't forget about your background
• Don't use it mindlessly

🔓 5. When to Break the Rule

Symmetry, patterns, and tight portraits often work better centered.

🔗 6. Combine with Other Techniques

Use with leading lines, negative space, and framing.

🏛️ 7. Architectural Photography

Position buildings on vertical lines. Keep verticals vertical.

📋 Quick Recap

The Grid: 2 horizontal + 2 vertical lines = 9 equal parts
The Power Points: 4 intersection points where lines cross
The Default: Use it for everything until you know when to break it

🎬 Your Challenge

1️⃣ Turn on your grid (Settings → Camera → Grid)
2️⃣ Take 3 photos using the Rule of Thirds
3️⃣ Take the same 3 photos centered
4️⃣ Compare and see the difference

📱 Phone Users

iPhone: Settings → Camera → Grid ✅
Android: Camera app → ⚙️ → Grid Lines ✅

Pro Tip: Tap to focus on intersection points = perfect focus + composition! 🎯

🔗 More Episodes

📻 220: The Photographer's Eye - See Great Photos Before You Take Them
📻 218: Train Your Eye - Master Photography Right Where You Are
📻 217: The Art of Light - From Harsh to Heavenly

🚀 Next Week: Episode 222

The Best of The Photography Explained Podcast: 20 Essential Tips

Rick's going through 220+ episodes to pull out the absolute best. Can't wait! 🤩

🔗 Connect with Rick

🌐 RickMcEvoyPhotography.com
▶️ YouTube: Search "Rick McEvoy"
🎓 Course: How to Become a Real Estate Photographer
📧 Weekly emails | 💬 Text Rick from the podcast feed

🥪 Episode Sponsor

Cheese and pickle sandwich 🥪 + Coke Zero 🥤

Consumed in Rick's homemade, acousticall

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.com

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 us a text

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 photographs. Learn to see light, composition, and decisive moments BEFORE you press the shutter. No expensive gear required! ✨

💥 What You'll Master in This Episode:

* Light First, Always 🌅💡 Why great photographers look at the light before the subject—this single shift changes everything!

* Layers & Depth 🏔️📐 Spot foreground, middle ground, and background elements that transform flat photos into three-dimensional images.

* Patterns, Lines & Shapes 🔲🔄 Train your eye to see geometric compositions hiding in plain sight—broken patterns and leading lines that work!

* The Decisive Moment ⏱️✨ Anticipate and capture that perfect split-second when everything comes together.

* Contrasts & Relationships 🔄⚖️ Big vs small, old vs new—spot visual stories that make photos memorable.

* Ruthless Simplification ✂️🎨 Know what to EXCLUDE from your photos—less is always more!

🎯 Your Assignment This Week
Walk for 30 minutes WITHOUT your camera. Point at everything you'd photograph and explain why. Next day, take the same walk WITH your camera. This exercise is pure magic! 🪄

📱 Works with phone cameras too! The photographer's eye has nothing to do with gear. 🤳

📚 Related Resources & Next Steps

➡️ Next Episode (Fortnightly): Episode 221: Composition Made Simple: The Rule of Thirds for Beginners 📐

⬅️ Last Episode: Episode 219: Why Your Photos Look Flat & How to Fix Them ✨

🎯 Foundation Skills: Episode 218: Train Your Eye: Master Photography Right Where You Are 🔍

🏠 Ready to Go Pro? Check out Rick's splendid How to Become a Real Estate Photographer course at RickMcEvoyPhotography.com/courses

Find Rick Online: RickMcEvoyPhotography.com 📸

#photographyexplained #photographerseye #photographytips #learnphotography #compositiontips #decisivemoment #rickmcevoy

This episode was brought to you by a cheese and pickle sandwich and a Coke Zero 🥪🥤

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.com

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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 us a text

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 workflow professional photographers use on EVERY photo. Learn how to make your images pop without spending hours editing or a fortune on gear. 💥

These aren't complex techniques—they're straightforward adjustments that offer massive returns in quality. Start with the best photo you can capture, then take it to the next level! 🎯

💥 What You'll Master in This Episode:

• Crop & Straighten First 🖼️✂️ Refine composition, fix crooked horizons, and verticalize buildings for that clean, professional look.
• White Balance Magic ⚪🌈 Use the eyedropper tool on neutral greys to instantly correct color casts—game-changing for portraits, interiors, and landscapes.
• Exposure Control ☀️💡 Go beyond the basic exposure slider to master highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks for perfect brightness.
• Contrast for Punch 💥 Add depth and drama by making blacks blacker and whites whiter—without clipping your histogram.
• Dimension with Highlights & Shadows 🌓 Recover detail in bright skies and dark areas for images that feel three-dimensional.
• Vibrance Over Saturation 🌈🎨 Make colors pop naturally without the cartoonish look—plus the secret of Lightroom's Color Mixer.
• Sharpening Secrets 🔍 The finishing touch that makes photos crisp without introducing noise or artifacts.

📚 Related Resources & Next Steps

➡️ Next Episode (Fortnightly): Episode 220: The Photographer's Eye: See a Great Photo Before You Take It. 👁️

⬅️ Last Episode: Episode 218: Train Your Eye: Master Photography Right Where You Are. 🎒

📊 Deep Dive on Histograms: Episode 114: What Is A Histogram And How Can It Help Us When We Shoot? & Episode 164: Understanding Histograms In Photography.

🎨 Is Editing Cheating? Episode 92: Is Editing Photos Cheating? Well Is It? Well What Do You Think?

🛠️ Essential Gear:

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.com

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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 us a text

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 training your eye and taking captivating photos, no matter where you are. Stop just looking, and truly see the world around you! ✨

💥 What You'll Master in This Episode:

• Light First! ☀️💡 Always look for the best quality of light before the subject—it's the #1 way to instantly elevate your shots.
• Embrace the Ordinary 🧱🌳 Find compelling subjects in everyday things like brick walls, puddles, or tree bark right where you live.
• Depth and Dimension 💥➡️ Use layers, leading lines, and separation to eliminate flat images and add depth.
• The Power of Perspective ⬆️⬇️ Why you must look up, look down, and find frames within frames (Frame within a Frame 🔲).
• Simplify Ruthlessly 🖼️✂️ Fill the frame and eliminate anything that doesn't contribute to the story.
• The Secret Weapon 🌧️💨 Why the best, most moody photos are taken in bad weather (rain, fog, and snow!).

📚 Related Resources & Next Steps

➡️ Next Episode (Fortnightly): Episode 219: Why Your Photos Look Flat & How to Fix Them. 🛠️

⬅️ Last Episode: Episode 217: The Art of Light: From Harsh to Heavenly. 💡

🏞️ More Landscape Tips: Revisit Episode 213: Your First Five Steps into Landscape Photography (Even in Your Local Park).

🏠 Ready to Go Pro? Check out Rick's splendid "How to Become a Real Estate Photographer" course on the Courses Page.

Find Rick Online: Rick McEvoy Photography

🔎 Optimised Hashtags (for Searchability)

#photographyexplained #trainyoureye #photographymindset #compositiontips #learnphotography #beginnerphotography #localphotography #findthelight #streetphotography #landscapephotography #rickmcevoy #photographytips #visualarts #photoskills #creativephotography #photographypodcast

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.com

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 us a text

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 you how to stop fearing "bad" light and start seeing it as an opportunity. We dive deep into the five core principles of photographic light, covering everything from the physics of harsh vs. soft light ☀️☁️, to the secrets of the Golden and Blue hours 🌅🌃.

If you’ve ever struggled with blown-out highlights, heavy shadows, or flat images, this episode provides simple, actionable tips to help you transform everyday shots into captivating, professionally lit works. Light is photography's most essential ingredient! 🔑

🌟 5 Practical Tips for Mastering Light 💡

This episode breaks down the art of light into five easy-to-understand and immediately applicable tips for better photos:

1. Seeing the Light: Quality is Key
   • Understand the difference between harsh, high-contrast light (midday sun ☀️) and soft, diffused light (overcast day ☁️) and learn when to use each for maximum impact.
   • Struggling with strong sunlight? Revisit Episode 209.
2. Shaping Your Subject: The Power of Direction
   • Experiment with front, side, and backlighting ➡️⬅️⬆️ to sculpt your subject and add crucial depth 🖼️.
   • Side lighting creates three-dimensionality and texture—it’s where the magic truly begins! ✨
3. The Magic Hours: Timed to Perfection ⏰
   • Plan your shoots around the soft, warm glow of the Golden Hour 🌅 and the rich, serene tones of the Blue Hour 🌃.
   • These times are nature's perfect, built-in filter 🎞️.
4. Embracing Flat Light: Overcast & Open Shade
   • Don't dismiss a cloudy sky! 🌧️ An overcast day acts like a giant, natural softbox, providing beautifully even, flattering light that is ideal for portraits 😊 and product details 📦.
   • Use open shade (under a tree 🌳 or awning 🏗️) for instant soft lighting.
5. Painting with Shadows: Creative Contrast
   • Don't fear shadows 👻; use them as powerful compositional tools to add mystery and drama 🎭.
   • Shadows can create leading lines 〰️ or hide distracting elements, simplifying your scene and making your subject pop! 💥

🚀 Your Photography Homework Challenge

Grab your camera or phone 📱 and choose a single subject (a mug ☕, a tree 🌲, or even a friend 🤗). Now, photograph it from the same spot at different times of day (midday, late afternoon, dusk) and from different angles relative to the light.

Compare your photos to see how simply observing and working with light makes all the difference!

🔗 Related Resources & Next Steps

• Next Week: Episode 218: Why Your Photos Look Flat & How to Fix Them. 🛠️
• Need to check your camera settings? Listen to Episode 211:

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer on my website Rick McEvoy Photography.com/courses

Check out my splendid course How To Become A Real Estate Photographer at Rick McEvoy Photography.com

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