Master your camera
The settings behind every photograph, and how to make confident decisions with them.
Monty Photo Studios: photography made simple
Understand the camera. Concentrate on the photograph.
Photography gets far more enjoyable once the technical side stops getting in the way. These guides cover camera settings, composition, light and travel kit, explained the way I wish someone had explained them to me.
They come from personal experience, practical shooting and continued learning, not from a certified professional. The aim is simple: make sense of photography and get you out with your camera.
These guides were first published under View From My Lens, which is now part of the Monty Network. Its journal and photography have moved to Monty Lounge.
Build your photography skills
Start with the fundamentals, or go straight to the part of photography you want to develop next.
Build better compositions
How framing, perspective, depth and structure turn an ordinary scene into a photograph.
Work with light
How natural and artificial light shape atmosphere, exposure and the way a photograph feels.
Explore subjects
Put the fundamentals to work on landscapes, portraits, wildlife, water and more.
The camera is only the beginning.
ISO, aperture and shutter speed matter, but photography is ultimately about recognising a moment and deciding how you want to show it.
Technical knowledge gives you control. Composition gives the photograph structure. Light gives it atmosphere. Your own judgement brings it all together.
From the guide collection
Each guide is a single A5 sheet: read it here, or download the PDF and print it for your camera bag.
Travel & gear guides
Longer reads on the cameras I actually carry, how I work on the road, and what happens to the photographs afterwards.
- Travel JourneyBest Ultimate Travel Photography Journey GuideBest Ultimate Travel Photography Journey Guide shows how I capture, edit, and bring travel images and videos to life with storytelling and precision.
- Gear & WorkflowTravel Photography Gear-Workflow Best GuideTravel Photography Gear Workflow Best Guide: discover cameras, drones, lenses, and editing tips for stunning landscapes and social media videos.
- Nikon TravelBest Ultimate Nikon Travel Photography GuideBest Ultimate Nikon Travel Photography Guide— discover the gear, settings and techniques I use to capture rich landscapes, forest paths and tranquil ponds.
- DJI Mini 3Best Ultimate DJI Mini 3 Travel Photography GuideDJI Mini 3 Travel Photography Guide shows my personal workflow, aerial photography tips, and editing techniques for stunning images and videos.
- DJI Pocket 2Best Ultimate DJI Pocket 2 Photography GuideBest Ultimate DJI Pocket 2 Photography Guide shows how I capture candid moments, smooth video, and natural travel stories with this compact camera.
- Social MediaSocial Media Guide Photography StrategySocial Media Guide Photography Strategy to grow your audience, showcase your work, and create a memorable, thriving photography brand.
Part of the Monty Network
Photography is one part of a wider creative journey: music, radio and the stories behind the trips.
Photography never stops teaching you
New guides and projects are added over time. Hear about them, and the latest from across the Monty Network. Occasional updates, never daily emails.