
Take your learning to the next level
As a consistent learner, I keep reading books and articles and watching educational videos. I also attend a lot of workshops and listen to podcasts and talk shows to sharpen my photography skills. This page is dedicated to the learning resources I found quite useful and firmly believe, would be extremely helpful for anyone who wants to learn more.
Awards
After months of chasing contests and burning money in contest fees, I learned the hard way — not all awards are created equal. Here’s the shortlist that actually matters.
Top 5 Awards
1. Hasselblad Award
2. Siena International Photo Awards (SIPA)
3. International Photography Awards (IPA)
4. Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA)
5. Sony World Photography Awards (WPA)
Next 6 Awards
6. LensCulture Photography Awards
7. Prix de la Photographie Paris (PX3)
8. Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA)
9. Budapest International Foto Awards (BIFA)
10. International Artistic Photography Awards (IAPA)
11. Hamdan International Photography Award (HIPA)
12. Neutral Density Photography Awards
Genre Specific
B&W
Monochrome Awards
Monovisions Awards
COLORS
Chromatic Awards
FINE ARTS
Aesthetica Art Prize
TRAVEL
Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY)
LANDSCAPE
International Landscape Photographer of the Year (ILPOTY) Awards
STREETS
Paris International Street Photo Awards
MINIMALISM
Minimalist Photography Awards
AUTOMOTIVE
Auto Photo Awards
WILDLIFE
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
SUSTAINABILITY
Prix Pictet
Art & Photo Festivals in India
I’ll be honest — I had no clue these festivals even existed until last year. But once I discovered them, they completely changed how I look at photography and art in India.
So here it is — my honest list of the most inspiring and a few internationally acclaimed photo and art festivals you must know (and maybe even be part of).
Photo Festivals
Indian Photo Festival – Hyderabad
India Photo Fest – Kolkata
Chennai Photo Biennale – Chennai
JPC Annual Photo Exhibition – Jaipur
DCP Annual Photography Festival – Mumbai
IFP Festival – Mumbai
Visual Poetries Photography Festival – Surat
Art Festivals
Serendipity Arts Festival – Goa
Kochi-Muziris Biennale – Kochi
Art Mumbai – Mumbai
Kala Ghoda Art Festival – Mumbai
Bombay Zine Fest – Mumbai
International Photo Festivals
Miami Street Photography Festival – US
Head On Photo Festival – Australia
Paris Photo – France
Street Photo Festival – Athens
PHOTO IS:RAEL – Israel
Fotofestiwal – Poland
Istanbul Street Photo Festival – Turkey
Mexico Street Photo Fest – US
Exposure – Canada
Xposure International Photography & Film Festival – UAE
London Image Festival – UK
Singapore International Photography Festival – SG
Courses
Looking to enhance your photography skills? Here are a few courses I’ve personally taken and found truly rewarding for the time invested—perfect for taking your craft to the next level!
Seeing Through Photographs
Offered by Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York on Coursera
Explore the art of photography: delve into creative processes, understand the impact of context, uncover the meaning behind images, and build confidence in analyzing and discussing photography.
Photography Basics & Beyond
Offered by Michigan State University on Coursera and instructed by Peter Glendinning
– Camera, Exposure & Photography
– Camera Control
– Principles of Photo Composition
– Light, Content, and Sharing
Books to read
Discover my book recommendations and detailed summaries of popular reads on this page—just a click away!
Blogs
Stay ahead in photography! Explore these top blogs I frequently visit for expert insights, latest updates, and invaluable learning to refine your skills and stay inspired.
Individual Blogs
Camera & Accessories
Camera
– Full Frame vs. Crop Sensor Camera
– RAW vs. JPEG: Which format should you shoot in?
– Beginner’s Guide to Buying a Camera for Video
– The Human Eye vs. Camera: A Detailed Comparison
– What Are the Best Camera Brands?
LENSES
– Understanding Camera Lenses
– Using Telephoto Lenses
– Using Wide Angle Lenses
– Camera Lens Quality: MTF, Resolution and Contrast
– Optical Zoom vs. Digital Zoom
– Lens Compression: How It Works and Affects
– Understanding Lens Flare
FILTERS
– Camera Lens Filters
– Understanding & Using Polarizing Filters
– Using Graduated Neutral Density (GND) Filters
– Using Neutral Density (ND) Filters
– Best Filters for Landscape Photography

Accessories
– Selecting and Using a Camera Tripod
– Digital Camera Sensor Cleaning
– 10 Factors to Choose the Perfect Camera Bag
USEFUL VIDEOS
– Ultimate Guide to Camera Lenses
– History of Photography in 5 minutes

CAMERA & ACCESSORIES

BASICS
Basics
COMPOSITION
– Understanding Visual Weight
– Visual Weight for Compelling Compositions
– Importance of Shadows and Highlights
– The Rule of Thirds
INFOGRAPHICS
– Composition
– Colour Theory
– Camera Settings
VIDEOS
– What is Shutter Speed
– What is ISO
– Ultimate Guide to Camera Aperture
CAMERA CONTROLS
– Aperture, ISO & Shutter Speed
– Metering Modes in Cameras
– Camera Metering and Exposure
– White Balance Explained
– Understanding White Balance
– Adjusting White Balance Settings
– Correct Exposures Using Histogram Tool
– Understanding Depth of Field
– Understanding Camera Autofocus
– Why Should I Shoot in RAW?
– Camera Lens Flare
– Capturing Motions
– Using Camera Shutter Speed Creatively
– Intentional Camera Movement
Lighting
BOOKS
– Understanding Flash Photography by Bryan Peterson
– Light Science & Magic by Fil Hunter, Steven Biver & Paul Fuqua
– The Moment it Clicks by Joe McNally
– One Flash!: Great Photography with Just One Light by Tilo Gockel
YOUTUBE VIDEOS
– 5 Portrait Lighting Setups
– Shooting Portraits with One Speedlight
– 8 Steps to Cinematic Lighting
– Harold Edgerton – Stop Motion Experiments
ARTICLES
– Soft vs. Hard Light: How & When to Use
– Understanding Different Types of Lighting
– Flash or Continuous Lighting?
– 13 Film Lighting Techniques & Examples
– How to Master Rembrandt Lighting
– Camera Flash: Light Quality & Appearance
– Camera Flash: Flash Ratios & Exposure
– Making the Most of Natural Light
– Highlights, Shadows and Midtones
– Lighting for Macro Photography
– The Role of Light in Visual Storytelling
– Lighting Techniques for Artists
INFOGRAPHICS & BTS

LIGHTING

Post-processing
ARTICLES
– Overview: Digital Photo Editing Workflow
– Understanding Exposure Using Histogram
– Understanding Histograms: Tones & Contrast
– Understanding Histograms: Luminosity & Color
– Saturation vs. Vibrance
– Colour Saturation
– Guide to Image Sharpening
– Destructive vs. Non-Destructive Editing Workflow
ADOBE LIGHTROOM
– Lightroom vs. Photoshop: When to Use Each
– HSL/Color Panel in Lightroom
– Color Grading Tool in Lightroom
– 9 Easy Lightroom Tips
– How to Use Dehaze Tool in Adobe LR and PS
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP
– Using the ‘Levels’ Tool in Photoshop
– Using the ‘Curves’ Tool in Photoshop
– 3 Ways To Get Glowing Skin on Photoshop
VIDEOS
– Adobe Lightroom Tutorial – Professional
– Frequency Separation for Skin Retouching
– Professional Retouching by Dennis Dunbar
– Mastering Color Grading Panel in Lightroom
Printing, Publishing & Storage
PUBLISHING
– How to Decide if Your Photo is Ready to Post
– Protecting Photos from Copyright Infringement
– Protecting Photos: Watermarks & Copyrights
– How to Calibrate Your Monitor for Photography
– Commercial & Editorial Photograph, Differences
PRINTING
– A Background on Color Perception
– Understanding Bit Depth
– Digital Pixels: PPI, Dithering & Print Size
– sRGB vs. Adobe RGB Colours
– 8 Crucial Steps to Prepare Images for Printing
– 5 Tips for Printing Your Photos
– How to Print and Frame Photos
– Glossary of Printing Materials
STOARGE
– JPEG vs. TIFF Image Files
– How to Make Archival Digital Photo Backups
– Storage & Archival of Printed Photographs
– Data Storage: Synology NAS + Seagate Review
– Video Data Storage Workflow
INFOGRAPHICS
– Printing & Publishing
Cinematography
VIDOES
– Ultimate Guide to Camera Movement
– 8 Steps to Cinematic Movement
– What is Frame Rate?
Photography & Law
ARTICLES
– Copyright in a Photograph
– Protection & Infringement of Copyright
– Authorship & Ownership of Copyright
– Registration of Copyright in a Photograph
– Assignment and Licensing of Photograph
– Regulations for Using Drones in India
– ASCI Guidelines & Rules for Influencers
– Terms of a Wedding Contract
– Trademark for Photography Business
Photography Business
BOOKS
– If your website was an employee, would you fire it?
– All Marketers Tell Stories (Seth Godin)
COURSES
– Starting and Running a Photography Business
– Be Your Best Creative Self
BLOG
– Photography Business Institute
ARTICLES
– How to Create a Strong Photography Portfolio
– The Key to Setting Photography Prices
– Tips to help you grow your photography business
– How to make your photos more marketable
– How to set up a Photography Website
– How to Set Up Your Home Photography Studio
– How to Boost your SEO with Images
– Amateur vs. Professional Photographer
– Common Marketing Mistakes by Photographers
Photography & Art
Art History & Photography
UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM BOOKS
– Photography At The Dock
– Over Exposed: Essays on Contemporary Photography
– Art After Modernism: Rethinking Representation
– The Postmodern Arts: An Introductory Reader
–Sticky Sublime
– Beyond Recognition
ARTICLES
– A Letter from My Camera to Me
– My Most Favourite Quotes on Photography
– How to Avoid Cliche in Photography
– Golden Words from Expert Photographers
– Analyzing Someone’s Artwork
YOUTUBE VIDEOS
– The Only Way to Find your Photography Style
– Brooke Shaden: Finding Inspiration As a Photographer
– Secrets of Edward Weston’s Photography
COLLECTIONS/ ARCHIVE
– The Thomas Walther Collection
– The Alfred Stieglitz Collection
Educators to Follow: Sarah Meister
University Recommended Photo Artists to Follow: Julie Cockburn, Sigma Polke, James Welling, Walead Beshty, Olivier Richon, Mel Bochner, Adam Broomberg & Oliver Chanarin, Andy Warhol, Maurizio Anzeri, The Atlas Group, David Birkin, John Burke & Simon Norfolk, Wolfgang Tilmans, Rut Blees-Luxemburg, Brassai, Eugene Atget, Nadav Kander, John Stezaker, Catherine Yass, Helen Sear, Eugene Meatyard, Sophie Calle, Allan Sekula, Corinne Day, Victor Burgin, Joseph Kosuth, The New Topographics, Jessica Eaton. Mark Borthwick, Adam Fuss, Susan Derges, Royal Academy’s Artist’s Laboratory
Art Movements & History
COURSES
– History of Art
– Modern Art & Ideas
– What Is Contemporary Art?
ARTICLES
– How to Shoot Beautiful Abstract Photos
– Think Outside the Box with Abstract Photography
– Understanding the Art of Surreal Photography
– A Guide to Minimalist Photography
– Find Deeper Meaning with Symbolic Photography
– Understand and Use Symbolism in Photography
PODCAST
LEGENDS
– Wassily Kendinsky (1866-1896)
– Rembrandt (1606-1669)
– Edvard Munch (1863-1944)
Legends & Inspirations
– Peter Lindbergh
– Ansel Adams (American, 1902-1984)
– Annie Leibovitz
– Steve McCurry
– Henri Cartier Bresson (French 1908-2004)
– David LaChapelle (American)
– Richard Avedon (American, 1923-2004)
– Edward Weston (1886-1958)
– Man Ray (1890-1976)
– Mario Testino
– Dorothea Lange
– Harold Edgerton (1903-90)
– Gordon Parks (1912-2006)
– Helen Levitt (1913-2009)
MOVIES / DOCUMENTARIES
– Minamata (2020) on W. Eugene Smith
– Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens (2008)
– Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters (2012)
– Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006)
– William Eggleston: In The Real World (2005)
– Helmut Newton: Frames from the Edge (1989)
– The Life and Works of Gordon Parks (2000)
– The Salt of the Earth (2014) on Sebastião Salgado
– Eloquent Nude (2007) on Edward Weston & C. Wilson
– What Remains (2005) on Sally Mann
– In No Great Hurry: 13 Lessons in Life with Saul Leiter
– La Jetée (1962)
– National Geographic: The Photographers
– Daido Moriyama: Stray Dog of Tokyo
– Visual Acoustics (2008)
– Year of the Nail (2007)
– Salvador (1986)
– City of God (2002)
– Blow-Up (1966)
– Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Impassioned Eye
– War Photographer (2001)
– Trent Parke – Dreamlives (2002)
TV / WEB SERIES
– Contacts (IMDb)
– The Genius of Photography
– Master of Photography
Photography Genres
Travel & Landscapes
ARTICLES
– Five Compositional Patterns to Find in Nature
– Four (more) Compositional Patterns to Find in Nature
– Creative Applications of Color Theory
– Post-processing in Landscape Photography
– Alternatives to Photographing at Sunrise or Sunset
– Two Essential Strategies of Effective Post-processing
– Photography in Fog, Mist or Haze
– The Art of Luminosity: Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3
– Beginner’s Guide to Time-Lapse
Photographers You Must Follow
Jerad Armijo, Stian Klo, Michael Shainblum, Erin Babnik, Mikko Lagerstedt, Tobias Hägg, Martina Gebarovska, Cath Simard, Isabella Tabacchi, Rohan Reilly, Elizabeth Gadd, Mads Peter Iversen
Street Photography
ARTICLES
– Lessons Harry Callahan Has Taught Me About Street Photography
– What is Street Photography?
– A Definition of Street Photography
Photographer and Blogs to Follow: Moments Collective, The Pictorial List, Ovidiu Șelaru, Mark Fearnley, Sean Tucker, Eric Kim, Olga Karlovac
Fashion & Portraits
COURSES
– Annie Leibovitz
– History of Fashion
– Fashion as Design
ARTICLES
– Portrait Lighting with One Light
– Portrait Lighting with Two Lights: Fill Light
YOUTUBE VIDEOS
– Shooting Portraits with One Speedlight
– Frequency Separation for Skin Retouching
Photographers You Must Follow
Roberto Valenzuela, Tina Patni, Lindsay Adler, Martin Krystynek, Roberto Manetta, Philip-Lorca diCorcia (Heads series), Harry Callahan
Black & White Photography
ARTICLES
– Why Color Filters are Necessary
– Six Reasons You Must Use Black & White
– Black & White Photo Processing Steps
– Converting to B&W in Lightroom Classic
– Converting a Color Photo Into Black & White
– How to Use Ansel Adams’ Zone System in Digital
– How to Decide Colour or Black & White?
– When To Use Black & White Photography
– Best Filters for Black and White Photography
VIDEOS
– Choosing between Black+White and Colour in your Photography
– Creating Dramatic Black and White Images
Photographers You Must Follow: Tony Hunter, Hengki Koentjoro, Axel Brand, Sebastião Salgado
Astro & Night Photography
ARTICLES
– Cold Weather for Night Sky Photography
– 5 Tips For Perfect Milky Way Photography
– How to Use NPF Rule in Astrophotography
– Shooting the Stars
– Point Your Camera at the Milky Way
– Processing Night Photography
– Common Obstacles in Night Photography
– Moon & Night Calculator for Photography
– Luminous Skies Star in the 2024
– Best Light Painting Tools for Night Photography
VIDEOS
– Your Astrophotography Questions Answered
Photographers to Follow: AstroBackyard, John Rutter Photography, Babak Tafreshi, Ben Canales, Brad Goldpaint, Paul Zizka, Royce Bair
Wedding Photography
ARTICLES
– Wedding Photography Post Production – Part 1
– Wedding Photography Post Production – Part 2
– How to Design a Wedding Album
Photographers & Filmmakers to Follow
Two Mann Studios, Karan Sidhu, Ombre, Eye Jogia
Abstract Photography
ARTICLES
– Unlocking the Invisible: A Journey into Abstract Photography by Creative Genes
VIDEOS
–
Photographers to Study: Man Ray, Minor White, Aaron Siskind, Wolfgang Tillmans, Carlotta Corpron
Minimalism Photography
ARTICLES
–
VIDEOS
–
Photographers to Follow: Michael Kenna
Wildlife Photography
COURSES
– Bird Photography Practical Field Guide
– Field Guide to Wildlife Photography
ARTICLES
– Bird Photography for Beginners
Photographers You Must Follow: David Lloyd, David Yarrow, Sudhir Shivaram, Thomas Vijayan, Shaaz Jung
The Resource list is updated regularly to keep readers informed about the latest educational materials and trends in photography.