Every twelve seconds a DSLR camera is purchased in North America, and the buyer’s head is filled with dreams of creating magnificent photographs, capturing the decisive moments of life, selling these photographs, and winning prestigious photography competitions.

Unfortunately, for most buyers, these dreams remain just that: dreams.  Crack open the 200+ page manual and you quickly learn that it says nothing about how to make great photographs but only how to change a setting to take an accurate picture.  What is the difference between making a great photograph and simply taking a good picture?

We have developed a holistic view of learning photography that focuses on the attributes of a great photograph across all three phases of the photographic process: the scene, the shot, the shop. Read our introductory lesson to learn more, or use the table of contents below to go directly to a lesson in one of these categories. New lessons are added each week.

Also, enhance this knowledge by visiting our contest tips section, reading our no-holds-barred photo critics in the Photo Gauntlet and submitting photos or questions to our professional Council of Photographers.