Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Start with the standard 18–55mm lens that comes with your camera body. Then invest in a 24–35mm wide-angle lens (~500–1,500 CHF). For distortion-free ultra-wide-angle photography, the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D (~600 CHF) is excellent for capturing natural architecture and dramatic perspectives.

ISO: light sensitivity (high = noisy, low = sharp).
Aperture: amount of light (f/2.8 = bokeh, f/16 = sharp focus).
Shutter speed: exposure time (fast = freezes motion, slow = creative blur). These three elements form the exposure triangle, master them to take control of your photos.

Use a 50mm f/1.8 or 85mm f/1.4 lens, and open the aperture to f/2.8 for the bokeh. Step back, use side lighting, and position the subject off-centre. The bokeh, depth of field and lighting combine to create a truly professional portrait, not a flat selfie.

Add a close-up foreground element (a rock, a flower). Follow the rule of thirds. Use f/8–16 to ensure everything is in focus. Look for leading lines (a river, a path). Take your photos during the golden hour, not at midday. Depth = foreground + composition + light.

Entry-level: Sony A7C II (~2000 CHF).
Versatile photo and video: Sony A7V (~3500 CHF).
Pure photography: Canon R5 (~4000 CHF).
Nature/sport: Sony A7R V. Honestly? The camera accounts for 20% of the quality. The lens and lighting account for 80%.

Simple distortion: can be corrected in post-production. Zero-D (Laowa): straight lines without correction. Classic landscape? Distortion is fine. Architecture/property? Zero-D saves time. Costs around CHF 600 more, but saves 10 minutes per editing session.

Lightroom in 5 minutes: exposure (-0.3 to -0.5), contrast (+15), vibrance (+15), clarity (+30), and a slight S-curve. Crop using the rule of thirds. Don’t aim for perfection, aim for consistency. Apply the same style to all your photos.

You can find me on Instagram to follow my photography work. I regularly share photography-related content, inspiration and useful resources to help you improve and stay inspired every day.
Instagram :  accalmie.ai

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