Phil Steele - Steele Training
Your tutorials are the best I have found in 12 years of using a camera! Bert Fedor - Birmingham, AL
Free online photography & image editing tutorials
Enjoy these free tutorials! I'll let you know when I add new ones.
Understanding Depth of Field (and using it to take better photos)
It's one of the most important concepts in photography, and also one of the most misunderstood.
This illustrated web-based tutorial provides a clear explanation of depth of field and how you can use it to improve your photography.
Model Shoot at the Hard Rock Hotel—BTS
Not a tutorial, just a fun, 4-minute, behind-the-scenes look at a complete model shoot from hair-and-makeup to finished photos.
You also get a peek at two different lighting techniques in action—my small-flash setup, versus another photographer's big studio lights working side-by-side. Enjoy!
Flash Photography Tips
A 12-minute video tutorial for all camera types.
Whether you have a little point-and-shoot pocket camera or a fancy digital SLR with a hot-shoe flash, there is something here for you.
DSLR Focus Tips From the Pros
Learn five professional techniques for getting tack-sharp photos with your DSLR camera.
9 minute video
Lens Hoods—Why, When, and How to Use Them
Everything you ever wanted to know about lens hoods, plus a tip for transporting them without giving up space in your camera bag.
9 minute video
Photoshop Layer Blending
Watch over my shoulder as I turn a bland photo into a cool photo with a Photoshop technique called layer blending.
13 minute video
Photoshop: Color Correction with the Curves Eyedropper Tool
A quick lesson showing how easily you can correct color and contrast all at once with the Curves eyedropper tool.
2 minute video
Photoshop Content-Aware Fill in CS and Elements
This almost-magical feature can automatically remove unwanted objects or help fill in panoramas.
9 minute video
Photoshop: Advanced Red Eye Removal in People and Pets
Learn how to fix those nightmare red-eye cases where the automatic removal tool fails.
10 minute video
Introduction to Adobe Lightroom Workflow
If you're considering buying Lightroom, this video tutorial is for you.
I walk you through my entire Lightroom workflow, from importing images, to editing them, to exporting a final web gallery.
23 minute video
Perspective Correction in Lightroom
Learn how easy it is to correct lens distortion and perspective distortion in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. This will blow your mind.
6 minute video
Creating a Lightroom Copyright Preset
Protect your images by creating a copyright preset in Adobe Lightroom to automatically embed your data invisibly into your photos.
5 minute video
How to Take Better Photos at Burning Man (and beyond!)
A must-read for anyone who plans to attend the annual Burning Man Festival. This 5-part tutorial will help you avoid common beginner mistakes and take beautiful photos on the playa (and elsewhere!).
I even reveal my best photo-ninja secrets learned from nearly a decade of shooting Burning Man. Warning: Contains nudity.
Canon 580EX II Master Setting: Mystery Solved
Wondering how to set your 580EX II Flash in Master mode to control remote flashes? Confused by the cryptic explanation in the Canon manual? You're not alone! See exactly how it's done in this video.
4 minute video
Which Canon Speedlite Should I Buy?
Confused by the techno-gibberish of flash specifications? Here's the quick and easy answer to which Canon flash is right for your needs.
5 minute video
Canon Speedlite 430EX vs. 430 EX II - Which is Better?
It's not always best to buy the latest model. Learn whether the older 430EX might be better for you needs than the new 430EX II.
3 minute video
New Canon Speedlite 320EX—Do you Need it?
Canon has released a new flash with a continuous LED light. Why would anyone want it? Is it right for your needs? This video reveals its strengths and weaknesses, and shows how it stacks up against the other Canon flashes.
8 minute video
Canon Flash Blinking Display: Mystery Solved
Ever wonder why the display on your Canon Speedlite 580EX or 430EX flash is blinking at you? Ever want to throw it against the wall because you can't get it to stop? Here's the solution.
3 minute video
Nikon SB-900 Flash Master/Commander Settings
Learn how to put the Nikon SB-900 in Master mode to act as a Commander in multi-flash setups. Also see how to turn the master flash off as a light source while it's in Commander mode.
3 minute video
A Pop-up Flash Reflector You Need Right Now
Want to get better light from the pop-up flash in your digital SLR? Try this incredibly inexpensive and effective little device.
5 minute video.
Wireless Flash Triggers Compared
Get the latest info on the fast-changing world of wireless radio triggers for off-camera flash. In this 10-minute video, I discuss all the major contenders for both low-budget and pro-budget shooters, including Cactus, PocketWizard, Yongnuo, Cybersync, Elinchrom, RadioPopper, and more.
10 minute video
Yongnuo RF-602 Wireless Flash Trigger—The PocketWizard Killer?
The Yongnuo RF-602 is the first low-budget flash trigger in the 2.4 Ghz frequency range, which means it doesn't suffer from the radio interference that many other triggers do. See my full test and review, and learn what's right and wrong with this interesting new trigger.
8 minute video
Review: Phottix Strato—Flash Trigger with TTL Pass-Through
The new Phottix Strato provides a unique combination of reliable 2.4GHz manual flash triggering and a TTL-hot-shoe pass-through for your Canon or Nikon TTL flash.
8 minute video
Why Use a Tablet for Photoshop Retouching?
Learn how tablets work and why you might want to consider one for Photoshop retouching. Plus a surprise benefit of using a tablet that I hadn't expected.
6 minute video
This is what some of my customers say about my full-length courses
Geraldine Watson—Membership Chair Toronto Camera Club
"Always crystal clear…like sitting down with a knowledgeable friend"
You always put in all the little bits and pieces, so that I'm never thinking, 'well, did he mean this, or did he mean that?' It's always crystal clear exactly what you meant. It's like sitting down with a knowledgeable friend and getting to ask all the questions that are tormenting you, and getting all the answers. I'm always thinking, 'So THAT'S how it works! THAT'S how to do it!'
Samit Desai, Auckland, New Zealand
"You are a credit to the photography industry."
It was a pleasure to have purchased this course! I can confidently say that it was my money well spent. I am a newbie and have learnt quite a lot from your videos. They are quite practical and informative. I wish you would do more of these. You are a credit to the photography industry.
Gary Bonard, Chula Vista, CA
"I learn more from your courses than from any other instructors!"
Phil, I must say that your training has been the best! I have learned more from your courses than from any other instructors out there. Thanks and keep up the great training
Gadi Perlmutter, Israel
"Your courses sure have saved me a lot of money and time!"
Hi Phil , I have taken two of your courses (Photoshop and Portraits) and I just wanna say thanks, they sure have saved me a lot of money and time compared to taking these in colleges where I live! So I really wanna thank you for that.
Bruce Neill, Queensland, Australia
"I cannot recommend your video tutorials highly enough!"
I have watched other online videos and have found most to be very difficult to keep up with, or they make it difficult to see tool selections, or the tutor speaks at a hundred miles an hour. I find you speak clearly, with an easy voice, and your tutorials are methodical and very easy to follow. I cannot believe how much has fallen into place in the short time I've had access to your video lessons. I cannot recommend your video tutorials highly enough
Felicia R., Medford, New York
"Your service is impeccable. I love doing business with you!"
Phil, your service is impeccable. I love doing business with you! I will continue to recommend you.
Geo Mathew, Bakersfield, CA
"You are the best photography instructor out there!"
You are the best photography instructor out there! I'm sure there are lots of knowledgeable professionals out there, but you have a way of explaining things that just works for me.
