ARTICLES

Practical, no-nonsense pieces from Jos and Joseph — written for photographers who'd rather learn by doing. We'll keep adding to this list as we write more.

Get to know your camera and lighting

ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance and focus — the fundamentals every photographer needs before anything else.

Lighting basics: types of light, modifiers and reflectors

Continuous light vs flash, softboxes and umbrellas, and what each reflector colour actually does.

Using natural light

Golden hour, overcast days, window light and the direction light comes from — reading what's already there before you add anything to it.

Using a diffuser: softening and shaping your light

What a diffuser actually does, the different types, and when to reach for one instead of a bare light.

The use of the umbrella: shoot-through vs reflective

Shoot-through vs reflective umbrellas, and what a white, silver or black lining changes about your light.

A guide to lens filters — what each one actually does

Polarisers, ND filters, and the colour filters that shape black and white photography — what to carry and when to use it.

Cable releases, remotes and tripods: getting sharp long exposures

Why a strong tripod and a cable or remote release matter once your shutter speed drops.

Night photography do's and don'ts

Slowing your shutter down safely, focusing in the dark, and the safety habits worth keeping when you're out shooting after hours.

Working with models: direction, releases and TFP

How to direct with confidence, what a model release covers, and what TFP actually means.

Our workshop themes: what each one covers

Studio portrait lighting, creative fashion/editorial, motorsport, sporting action and more — what to expect from each theme.

Models & collaborations at A.P.E.L

The models we currently work with, our skin-care partner, and how to get involved if you'd like to model for a session.

It's not about the camera: how you use light and composition

Why the gear matters far less than where your light comes from and what you choose to put in the frame.

Choosing and using backgrounds

Studio backdrops, textured and location backgrounds, and how to stop what's behind your subject fighting for attention.

What to expect at your first A.P.E.L session

A walk-through of a first workshop day, from arriving early to get to know the studio to leaving with your private gallery.

Workshops, online, college or night school: which way to learn photography suits you?

Comparing the main routes into photography and what each one is actually good for.

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