Rich Art’s Photography Fundamentals [PDF]
Most photography guides teach you what to do. This one teaches you why photography techniques work & and how you can use them to make your photos feel exactly like you want them to.
What’s inside?
My approach to taking photos that express your ideas, thoughts & feelings, even if you life in a “boring” town
How Composition, Light & Camera settings impact the look & feeling of your photos
Mistakes to avoid
Exercises so you can apply what you learn
Lots of example photos
It's not your fault your photos don't feel the way you imagined.
Most photography education teaches you what to do. Use leading lines. Find frames. Shoot during golden hour. But nobody explains why these things work.
So you end up with two issues:
Your photos are technically correct, but don’t feel like anything.
You subject is in focus, you exposed the shot correctly and even the light is good. But the photo feels like everybody else’s. It just doesn’t show how the moment really felt.
You know the techniques, but can't use them when you’re outside.
You know about different composition techniques, but you can’t use them intuitively. It’s like when you're actually out shooting, your mind goes blank. And your photos just never look or feel as beautiful as the moment was in real life.
This guide solves both issues for you. By giving you a system & exercises that allow you to take photo that look & feel amazing, no matter where in the world you are.
Composition
Most photographers treat composition techniques like a checklist. Use leading lines. Add a frame. Find negative space. This guide teaches you why each technique creates a specific feeling in your viewer — and how to combine them to make your photos feel exactly how you want them to.
Light
Light doesn't just highlight your subject. It sets the mood of the entire photo. This guide shows you how different types of natural light change the feeling of your photo. So you can finally work with whatever light you have, whether that's harsh midday sun or a cloudy afternoon.
Camera Settings
Shutter speed, aperture, and ISO aren't just technical dials. Each one changes how your photo looks and feels. A slow shutter doesn't just capture motion — it creates a sense of chaos or calm. This guide connects every setting to its visual impact, so you stop guessing and start choosing.
Everything that's inside
Hi, I’m Richard.
I’ve been photographing for over five years.
Whether I’m traveling or walking through my own city, I love capturing the quiet details most people overlook.
I have a background in Political Science and Marketing, and that’s shaped how I see visual storytelling: at its core, it’s all about communication — how to express an idea so it really connects.
I’ve combined everything I’ve learned over the last decade about people, culture, and storytelling into how I shoot and edit today.
My goal is simple: to help others create images that feel authentic & intentional.
You can also find me on YouTube, where I’ve built a small but growing community of nearly 2.500 photographers in 6 months — sharing photography tips & my experiences.