Since its invention in the early 19th century, photography has been an essential means of documenting the world and the people, places, and things that comprise it. With the advent of the handheld camera and then the smartphone, people of all ages have been able to experiment with photography, making this arguably one of the most commonly used creative mediums in the world.

THINGS EVERY PHOTOGRAPHER SHOULD KNOW will introduce you to the artistic elements of photography, including composition, posing, and color theory. It will also walk you through technical elements such as lenses, depth of field, exposure, and focusing techniques. While each of these will be addressed separately throughout this book, remember that successful photography brings all these factors together simultaneously; you will think as both artist and scientist when practicing your craft.

In addition to the basic strategies needed for capturing beautiful photographs, this guide will introduce you to different genres within photography, such as landscape photography, long-exposure photography, and portraiture. As a photographer, you don't need to confine yourself to a single genre unless you prefer to do so. Many photographers pursue their images in diverse settings and across multiple genres. When you're starting out, it's a good idea to try them all. Through experimentation and experience, you will eventually find the types of photography that most appeal to you and your artistic vision.