Soft Light vs Hard Light Explained
Understand the difference between soft and hard light, why the size of the light source matters, and how to choose or create the right light for your photo.
Leo Fontaine
Technique & Light Writer
Leo Fontaine
Leo is obsessed with light and patient about teaching it. He writes about exposure and composition in plain terms, with the trade-offs left in.
Articles
9 articles by Leo
Leo Fontaine
Do You Really Need a Tripod?
Do you actually need a tripod? An honest look at when a tripod transforms your photos, when it just weighs you down, and how to choose one.
Leo Fontaine
How to Shoot in Harsh Midday Sun
Bright overhead sun is tricky, not hopeless. Learn to find shade, use backlight, position subjects, and get clean photos in harsh midday light.
Leo Fontaine
How to Correct White Balance and Color
Fix color casts and get natural-looking photos — how to correct white balance with temperature and tint, judge skin tones, and adjust color without overdoing it.
Leo Fontaine
ISO Made Simple: Light, Noise, and Clean Photos
ISO explained without the fear: how it brightens a dark scene, why it adds the grain we call noise, and when to raise it for sharp low-light photos.
Leo Fontaine
How to Fix Exposure and Contrast When Editing
A beginner's guide to fixing exposure and contrast in editing — reading the histogram, recovering highlights and shadows, and adding depth without overdoing it.
Leo Fontaine
Aperture Explained: Depth of Field Made Simple
Aperture in plain terms: what f-stops mean, why a smaller number blurs the background, and how to choose depth of field for portraits and landscapes.
Leo Fontaine
How to Photograph in Golden Hour Light
Learn how to shoot in golden hour — when it happens, why the light flatters everything, and simple settings and angles that make the most of it.
Leo Fontaine
Understanding the Exposure Triangle
The exposure triangle — aperture, shutter speed, and ISO — explained in plain language so you can leave auto mode and control both brightness and look.
Leo Fontaine