The free Sony FX3 / FX30 cheat sheet is on the way. Get it first by email
Free camera education

Learn your camera, one step at a time.

Eight steps, in the order they make sense: get out of Auto, understand exposure, nail focus, pick lenses, read light, frame the shot, shoot video and edit. Each step links to short free guides. Then go deeper with the guides for the exact camera you own.

Start at step 1Guides for your camera
1

Get out of Auto

Learn what each mode on the dial does, and when to take control.

2

Exposure: aperture, shutter speed and ISO

The three settings behind every bright, dark, sharp or blurry photo.

3

Focus and sharp photos

Why photos come out soft, and how to get the eye sharp every time.

4

Lenses and focal length

What the numbers on a lens mean and which one to get first.

5

Light

Reading light, using window light, and when to add your own.

6

Composition

Where to put things in the frame, and when to break the rules.

7

Video basics

Frame rates, shutter speed for video, and getting a cinematic look.

8

Editing

A simple workflow from import to export.

Then make it specific

Guides for the camera you own

Settings, autofocus and fixes for one camera at a time.

Sony · Cinema Line

Sony FX3 / FX30

Same menus, same picture profiles. Setup, S-Cinetone, stabilization.

10 guidesCanon · Mirrorless

Canon R6 Mark II

Settings, autofocus, and fixing blurry or noisy photos.

10 guidesSony · Mirrorless

Sony a6700

Autofocus, low light, and switching between photo and video.

10 guidesSony · Mirrorless

Sony ZV-E10

First-time setup, low light, and background blur.

9 guidesCanon · Mirrorless

Canon EOS R8

Beginner settings, setup, autofocus and sharp shots.

10 guidesSony · Mirrorless

Sony a7 IV

Beginner settings, video settings and first-time setup.

13 guides

Questions

Is this camera education really free?

Yes. Every guide on theCamera.School is free to read. There is no account and no paywall.

Where should a complete beginner start?

Start with step 1, getting out of Auto, then step 2 on exposure. Those two steps explain most of what the buttons and dials on any camera do.

Does it matter which camera I have?

The eight steps apply to any camera. Menus and button names differ, so once the basics click, use the guides for your specific model.