Photography Talk, Demystified: 5 Concepts That Will Actually Help You Shoot Better

You don’t need to know every technical term to take great photos — but understanding a few key ones can make the process feel a whole lot simpler.

This post breaks down five photography concepts that might sound complicated at first, but can genuinely help you create more intentional, professional-looking images. Whether you’re using a camera or your phone, these are the terms that are actually worth knowing — no jargon, just practical insight.

1. What is bracketing — and do you need it?

Bracketing is when your camera takes multiple shots of the same scene at different exposures (one darker, one lighter, one balanced). It’s often used for HDR photography, where the images are blended to get detail in both the shadows and highlights.

I personally don’t use bracketing much because I prefer to get my settings as close as possible in-camera and then make small, deliberate adjustments when editing. But if you’re photographing a room with really bright windows and dark corners, bracketing can be a lifesaver. It gives you a few variations of the same shot so you can choose the best one or blend them later.

2. What is RAW — and why should you be using it?

Think of a RAW file as your photo in its purest form. It’s the unprocessed version, packed with all the information your camera’s sensor captured. In contrast, JPEGs are compressed and often ‘pre-edited’ by your camera to look good straight out of the box.

Why shoot RAW? Because it gives you far more flexibility when editing. If your image is too dark or slightly off in colour, RAW files hold much more data to work with, making your edits cleaner and more natural.

Most modern cameras (and even some smartphones with advanced camera apps) allow you to shoot in RAW. If you care about getting the most out of your photos, it’s worth exploring.

3. EVF vs OVF — and why I chose EVF

When you’re buying a camera, you might come across the terms EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) and OVF (Optical Viewfinder).

• OVF: What you see through the viewfinder is simply what the lens sees — no digital preview.

• EVF: You see a digital preview of your image. This means you can actually see how your settings (exposure, white balance, etc.) will affect the final shot before you click the shutter.

As someone with an editorial style, I prefer EVF. It allows me to see the mood, contrast, and exposure live — helping me get closer to the final result I want. It’s like a real-time sneak peek of your photo.

4. What is lens compression — and why it changes the feel of your photo

Lens compression happens when you shoot with a longer focal length lens (like a 50mm or 85mm). It gives the illusion that the background is closer to your subject, which makes the overall image feel less distorted and more harmonious.

Here’s the difference in practice:

• With a wide-angle lens: Objects in the foreground look much larger than those in the background. It can stretch or skew the scene, which is why wide angles often make small spaces look unnatural.

• With a longer lens (or even just zooming slightly on your phone): The image feels ‘flatter’ in a good way. The proportions are more true-to-life, creating a calm, editorial feel.

When I’m photographing interiors, I often reach for my 35mm or 50mm lens. The compression creates a natural depth that suits the moody, intentional look I aim for. If you’re shooting on a phone, stepping back and using the 2x lens (rather than the ultra-wide) can mimic this effect.

5. What is HEIC — and should you switch to JPEG or RAW?

If you’ve taken a photo on your iPhone and struggled to upload or edit it later, you’ve probably encountered HEIC files(High Efficiency Image Container). Apple uses HEIC because it saves space — the files are smaller than JPEGs but maintain high quality.

The catch? Not all programs or websites accept HEIC files, which can make editing or sharing your images a headache.

Should you switch? If you’re planning to edit your photos, I recommend changing your phone settings to save images as JPEG or RAW (if your camera app allows it). JPEG files are universally compatible, and RAW files give you the most flexibility when editing.

A Little Knowledge, A Lot More Confidence

Photography doesn’t need to be complicated. A little understanding goes a long way — and these concepts can help you make more confident decisions, whether you're adjusting your camera settings or reaching for your phone.

As always, the goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress, and creating images that reflect your unique style and the spaces you’ve styled with care.