Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 7 i Creative Photography The Complete Manual

The number of camera models available to the budding photographer is vast. All the main manufacturers have a large number of different models and types of camera to suit every taste and also every pocket. A wide variety of choice is fine but it can be somewhat overwhelming when it comes to choosing a camera for yourself. It isn’t helped by the fact that the distinctions between various types of camera system have become quite blurred as the quality and the capabilities of these devices keep expanding. With that in mind, we have put together a little guide to the main types of camera out there. Hopefully it will help point you in the right direction so you get the right camera for the job. Digital SLRs Digital SLRs, or…

Camera ownership goes through a number of phases. First is the decision about which camera to actually buy, then comes the choice of lenses. Then come the choices with accessories. It may sound like an exaggeration, but one of the best accessories you can get to improve your photography, is to invest in a good tripod. In fact, it might be safer to upgrade it from the status of ’accessory’ to ‘essential purchase’. You might wonder why a tripod would be considered among one of the top key factors in taking better photographs. Professional tripods (prices range from £250 - £800+) Top quality tripods are made from high-tech materials like carbon or basalt fibre, with magnesium alloy fittings and superior workmanship. They offer the best rigidity and support for even…

When you use flash lighting you will be aware of how harsh the shadows it casts can be. You can’t always be near a large picture window on an overcast day, where the softness of the light makes it difficult to take a bad photo. You have to work with what you have, so that means you need to go back to your flash. However, there are some techniques that allow you to modify and shape light to suit your needs. This is where light modifiers come in. A lighting modifier is an object, surface, or material that alters the way the light travels from its source to the subject. If you shoot with an unmodified flashgun, the light is traveling in a concentrated beam from a very small light…

Understanding exposure and how it affects your photographs is probably the single most important technical skill you can learn in photography. It’s certainly the one that most people get wrong, and apart from camera shake, bad exposure probably ruins more photos than any other single cause. The main problem is over reliance on automatic metering. Most modern cameras, even relatively cheap compacts, have sophisticated built-in TTL multi-zone evaluative exposure meters that measure light levels at dozens, in some cases hundreds, of points within the frame, instantly comparing the results with a built-in library of exposure situations and automatically adjusting the shutter speed and aperture to deal with problems such as back-lighting, close-ups or moving subjects. In most cases these automatic exposure systems are very good, and can reliably cope with most…

Apart from the role that aperture plays in controlling the exposure in your image, it is also the key ingredient in defining how much of your image is sharp and how much is out of focus. If you want your landscape shots to be as sharp as possible from front to back, or you want a close-up of a butterfly to be the only thing that is sharp in the scene, then it’s aperture that will do that for you. The aperture is literally a hole through which light passes after it enters the lens. The diameter of this hole can be altered, allowing a greater or smaller amount of light to pass through on its way to the sensor. In the early days of photography, aperture was adjusted by slotting…

Avery important part of photography in general and landscape photography in particular is to ensure that your prime point of interest, your main elements are in sharp focus. Nothing ruins a shot more than the image being fuzzy and blurry when you need it to be tack sharp. The problem however, is that in many cases in landscape photography you have a foreground element as well as a distant object that you want to be in as sharp focus as possible at the same time. Shooting with a wide-angle lens and setting a very narrow aperture of f/22 or even f/32 will yield greater depth of field but you will also run into the optical phenomenon known as diffraction, which is a softening of the image due to the bending of…

Bounce flash Diffused flash 1. BOUNCE FLASH, as the name implies, is a method used to divert the light coming from the flash head upwards onto a ceiling using a piece of white card; as it bounces off the card and onto the ceiling, the patch of illumination becomes larger. A larger light source creates softer shadows and you will need more power since the light has to travel much further than before. 2. DIFFUSED FLASH uses a piece of translucent material in front of the flash head. The larger the material, the better, since you are trying to make the tiny pop up flash unit’s light source larger by illuminating the diffuser, which in turn illuminates your subject. You will need more power as some of the light output…

There is often a misconception among budding photographers that landscape photography is something of an easy option when deciding on a subject to capture. Sometimes it only takes a twenty minute drive to transport you from your local town and put you among the marvels and beauty of the natural world. While it is certainly true that the natural world is very accessible, it can be another thing altogether to create memorable landscape images. It isn’t just a case of arriving at a destination, firing up your DSLR and snapping away like a mad thing. The skills you may have that enable you to operate your camera are quite distinct from those that allow you to envision a beautifully composed image within the landscape you currently find yourself. Both are dependent…

As the sun arcs across the sky in daytime, the light is harsh and creates hard, deep shadows, which is why landscape photographers tend not to shoot during the main part of the day. When the sun starts to approach the horizon however, that is a different matter. The closer the sun is to the horizon, the more atmosphere it has to shine through. This has a softening effect on the quality of the light and reduces overall contrast in the scene. Shadows are long but softer and colours are enriched. The light of a sunrise has quite a cool bluish colour temperature, whilst the light of a sunset, particularly if there is a lot of dust in the atmosphere, can be very warm orange and reds. Sounds like a plan…

Although there is no real right and wrong to shooting landscapes, there are a few tips that can elevate your shots and have them stand out against the general background noise of countless dull shots. First of all, take time to research your possible shooting destination if you have not been there before. Just Googling the location you want to shoot will call up all sorts of information. Most of it may be useless to you, but you can guarantee that there will be examples of other photographs taken there. The experiences of other photographers in this location will give you the heads-up as to whether it is an easy or difficult place to reach. There may be tips concerning local by-laws and the best nearby parking spots etc. There are…

Photography is all about controlling light, and for that you’re going to need some sort of lighting system. The first decision is between continuous and flash lighting. Continuous lighting used to mean powerful 500W incandescent bulbs, which use a lot of electricity and generate a huge amount of heat, making them impractical for home use. However recently high output low energy fluorescent lamps have provided a more practical alternative, and there are several systems available based on this technology. They are great for close range still-life and product shots, but cheaper models lack the power output and versatility for serious portrait photography. “Photography is all about controlling light, and for that you’re going to need some sort of lighting system. The first decision is between continuous and flash lighting.” Gear…

It comes down to personal preference of course, but we would always recommend beginning your macro photography experience indoors. This type of photography does not require a lot of space. As long as you have your camera, lens, tripod, a tabletop and a light source, you are ready to begin. You’re in comfortable surroundings and you aren’t subject to the vagaries of the weather. You can concentrate on learning the craft and a cup of coffee isn’t far away either! MACRO LENSES First and foremost is going to be the macro lens. These prime lenses are constructed to enable you to shoot your subject from very close distances, as well as operating like normal lenses. They typically have very large maximum apertures of around f/2.8, which when working at its closest…

Whether it’s the lure of bright city lights, barren moorland bathed in moonlight or a tumbledown barn in the country under a starry sky, night-time photography is a big draw for many photographers. It can be challenging, it can be very frustrating and time-consuming, but once you get the bug for it and get those first few ‘wow!’ images under your belt, it’s a hard habit to break. There are a lot of photographers who find the whole process very relaxing. As you are normally dealing with much longer exposures than usual and having to carefully compose and focus your shots, it forces you to slow it all down and take a much more considered approach. After all, if you set up a ten-minute exposure and the end result is disappointing,…

Thinking of getting your first digital camera, or maybe you are looking to upgrade that old point and shoot you usually take on holiday with you? Are you a little unsure about the various kinds of cameras available and which one’s may be more suitable than others? For any newcomer to photography, many questions need to be answered in order to have a clear picture of what kind of camera, lenses and accessories will be needed to set you up ready to start enjoying your hobby. Then you may turn your thoughts to flash lighting, light modification and filters. This section is here to give you detailed information and help you make the right choices. There is a whole world of exciting photography to explore and we can show you…

It’s no surprise that if you purchase a new camera with an interchangeable lens system, one of the first questions you might ask yourself is ‘which lens should I buy for my camera?’. That is not quite as easy a question to answer as you would hope. Manufacturers offer increasingly varied lenses to suit different photographers’ requirements. To add to the confusion, there is also quite a varied range in price and quality to take into consideration. On top of that there is also the cropped sensor and full-frame issue to consider. Certain lenses will only work with certain camera bodies because of the mounting system used, and so on and on it goes. Everyone shoots differently, with a different style and preference and the type of shot you are…

Filters have been an essential part of photography since its very beginnings. Used creatively they can improve a hardto-capture scene, add an extra artistic element to an image or just provide a bit of fun. Modern digital photo editing has provided an, almost too easy, method to add filter effects to an image after it has been captured; some effects are better when applied by actual physical filters fitted to the camera when the photo is taken and this is particularly true with black and white photography. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of filter and how they can help to improve your photos. UV filter This screw-on filter was used originally to block UV light from hitting the film in old cameras. Modern digital cameras…

Photography is built around some basic principles that a lot of casual photographers might not encounter if they shoot fully automatic with their cameras. In full auto, all the decision making is done by the camera and you are there only to push the shutter button to take the picture. As good as modern cameras are, they are not perfect and you may find that the shots you are trying to get don’t come out the way you expect. In this next section we will look at the core principles of photography in greater detail to help you understand the factors in play as you shoot. These main skills will help you get the shot you’re after. “In this next section we will look at the core principles of photography…

From birds frozen in flight, to water looking more like fog. Those shots are created by using your camera’s shutter speeds in different ways to create a range of visual effects in your photos. The shutter of your camera is simply a mechanical barrier that prevents light from entering the camera until it is needed, controlling when and for how long light is allowed in to expose the sensor. The latest digital cameras have high-speed electro-mechanical shutters capable of timing exposures with an accuracy measured in fractions of a millisecond. Along with the aperture setting and the sensitivity control, shutter speed is one of the three ways that photographic exposure is adjusted. When a picture is taken, the shutter is opened for a precisely measured amount of time allowing light to…

Anyone who has owned a digital camera for a while will be familiar with the concept of image noise. It’s that grainy distortion that spoils pictures shot in low light conditions with high ISO settings. But what is image noise? Where does it come from, and what can be done to prevent it? All electronic devices generate noise. The background hiss of a radio, the sound of an overamplified electric guitar, or the interference on a badly-tuned television, all of these things are electronic noise, and so is the noise in seen in a digital photograph. This noise comes from a variety of sources. Some of it is generated by imperfections in the electronic components, or as a by-product of their normal operation. For instance, capacitors generate a small amount of…

While almost all digital cameras have some sort of flashgun built in, these are usually relatively weak with a useful range of only a few metres. The more advanced cameras, including all DSLRs, most CSCs and several advanced compacts and super-zooms, have the ability to use an external accessory flashgun to provide more illumination over a much greater distance. These cameras have a bracket known as a ‘hot shoe’ (see image below), into which the flashgun slots and includes electrical connections that allow the camera to trigger the flash. Most camera manufacturers make flashguns designed for use with their own cameras, which have more connections to allow the camera’s light metering system to control the output of the flash. These systems are known as ‘dedicated’ flash. Flashguns While older and cheaper…

Have you arrived at a point where you wonder why your photos look more like simple snaps and not professional level masterpieces? There are a number of hints and tips we can pass on that can help you evolve as a photographer. Many of those tips cover shooting techniques, others may simply be advice about equipment and understanding a little more about your camera. You don’t have to use them all but pick out a few that work for you, develop them and make them a part of your creative photographic process and they will stand you in good stead as you progress your skills. “There are a number of hints and tips we can pass on that can help you evolve as a photographer.” BUY A TRIPOD The quickest…

Trying to pin down what an urban landscape actually is, might depend on who you ask. There are those that don’t actually count the urban environment as valid landscape material in the first place, opting for landscapes that are untouched by people and the modern world. Fair enough, it’s not for everyone but there are many who find the city full of photographic potential. From dark alleys to towering city skylines, the city has much to offer. It isn’t necessarily a thing of beauty, it isn’t always that clean but it can’t be denied that it has character by the bucket load. It’s this character that many photographers try to capture. Humans are incidental in urban landscapes, the city is the star. What lenses? Budget is always a factor but with…

“If you want fashion, shoot in colour. If you want emotion, shoot in black and white.” The power of the black and white portrait cannot be denied. A wise soul once said: ‘If you want fashion, shoot in colour. If you want emotion, shoot in black and white.’ As we’ve mentioned before, there is a power and depth to a black and white shot that is often swamped by colour. The story behind a shot is easier to comprehend when it is in black and white and the distraction of colour has gone. Even if there is no real story being presented in the shot, you can suddenly find yourself paying more attention to a black and white portrait. Texture, form and tone become important to the shot. It draws you…

When you think of nude photography, chances are you’re going to fall into one of two categories. There are those that consider nudes controversial and vulgar, then there are others who just see it as a creative representation of the human form. There is no doubt that if handled with respect and care to the subject matter, nude photography can yield amazing images. Of course, it is sensitive in its nature, and attention must be paid in order that it not stray into the pornographic. Since the dawn of the art form, many famous photographers have shot nude studies, and if it’s something you’re interested in exploring, there is no reason that you can’t attempt it too. We have, in no particular order, a series of guides that can help…

Cameras come in many shapes, sizes and prices. At their heart though, they all do the same thing: capture light on a sensor and turn it into a digital image. That’s a gross oversimplification but you get the general idea. Modern cameras also come with many features and functions. Although it would be difficult to list them all, here are the main dials and buttons that you can expect to find on many cameras. Different brands and models vary in their button and dial layouts as well as certain naming conventions but we’ve put together a little guide to the main controls and displays on the popular Canon D5500. “Cameras come in many shapes, sizes and prices. At their heart though, they all do the same thing: capture light on…

Once you get beyond the basics of photography and you find yourself wanting to add a little creativity and take more control of how the light affects your shots, then that is when you need to take a look at additional lighting in the form of flashes. Your first experience of flash might be the tiny pop up flash you find on the top of a lot of compact cameras and a number of DSLR models. They are useful to light a subject when all else fails but to be honest, if you want your shots to look more than just selfies, then you need to look further afield. We are referring to the dedicated flashguns that can be mounted in your camera’s hot shoe, or for even greater flexibility,…

All but the most basic budget compact cameras have a selection of shooting modes, usually chosen by a dial on the top or back of the camera. Easy-to-use, mainly automatic cameras in the range will only have a few shooting modes, while the more sophisticated cameras such as the DSLR may have as many as a dozen, including manual exposure options and user-programmable special settings. As newer models appear in the range or older models are updated, the shooting modes available will be revised and possibly expanded. Shown on this spread are some of the most often used modes selected from the mode dial on the top of the camera and in some cases, from the menu screen on the back of the camera. Auto The camera will analyse the…

If you are keen to express your creativity and learn more about the nature of photography, then you will need to be daring and take your camera out of fully automatic mode and explore the skills required for shooting in manual mode. When you shoot fully manual, you have to be aware of the interplay between each of your camera’s main settings of ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed. Connect them up The exposure triangle is a popular visual method to connect the three main variables of aperture, shutter speed and ISO amplification that govern the final look of your image. Photography is a balancing act of these three elements when you capture an image. Once you have your camera ready and have a set of variables in place to give…

T-he main difference between a well taken snapshot and a truly artistic photograph is simply a matter of composition. By changing the focal length, the angle and the position of the camera, the photographer can change the relative positions and sizes of objects in the frame to produce a more visually pleasing effect. Learning to do this is mostly a matter of practice and experimentation, but there are a number of simple tips and rules-of-thumb that can help you to take better pictures. The first and most important thing to remember is to take your time. Look at the scene in the viewfinder or on your monitor and try to see it not as simply a view but instead to imagine it as a finished print. Ask yourself if there’s any…

Most modern digital cameras have zoom lenses and it’s likely that if you own a major brand DSLR, you will have a couple of zoom lenses in your kit bag. Zoom lenses let you alter the focal length of the lens. For example, a 24-105mm lens lets you change the focal length from 24mm up to 105mm, but what is focal length? Focal length explained Focal length is usually represented in millimetres. A 100mm lens is not the actual length of the lens but rather the distance between the point at which rays of light from your scene enter the lens and create a sharp image on the camera’s sensor. Altering the focal length has a dramatic impact on the scene you are photographing. A 20mm wide angle lens can see…

“You can normally adjust the flash by 2 stops in either direction in order to fine tune the power output.” Iis a fair bet that your camera has a pop up flash. This is a small flash unit that sits on the top of your camera and, if you are using it in automatic mode, you may have encountered situations where it has suddenly popped up as you were about to take a photo. This tiny flash draws its power from your camera’s battery and as such it has limited power and range so as not to totally drain your battery. A pop up flash usually has a range of about .5m up to 5m. Anything further out and you will not be able to light your subject properly as you…

If you look at a white snow-covered scene, your brain takes over and manipulates what you see, so that it matches your expectation of what white should look like. So, what you see, even under differing lighting conditions, is white. If you put a camera in the same scene, it does not make any such adjustments and adapt to a certain expectation. The camera will simply record the colours that are present in the scene. ‘White’ light visible to humans can actually vary in colour from reddish orange to greenish-blue. This variation is usually described as a temperature range, with warm being the red end and cold at the blue end, and is usually measured in degrees Kelvin using a colour meter. Confusingly, the higher the colour temperature, the cooler the…

So, you’ve learned the fundamentals, brushed up on your theory, and armed yourself with your favourite camera gear and accessories. Now what? Well, we would say get out there and have some creative fun. Shoot, adapt, make mistakes, and learn. That is easy to say, and sometimes you need a project to get your teeth into. Something you genuinely enjoy and can use to really help you stand out as a talented photographer in contrast to one who’s merely a skilled technician. It comes down to an eye for the creative and a desire to learn and do more. By learning and trying out new ideas and techniques, you can turn your photographs from snapshots into works of art that you can be proud of. Let us show you some…

Enhance your outdoor shots with filter effects You are out and about happily taking photographs, with gorgeous sunshine to brighten the experience. It’s your last day before venturing off home and you happen upon a scene that you want to capture. The sun is directly in your eyes but the sun’s position is creating a dramatic lighting effect. What can you do to get the most from the opportunity? The problem is that the dynamic range of the scene before you is very extreme because the sun itself is part of the shot. You have options of course. If you had the time you could wait until the next day when the sun is in a different part of the sky but then you wouldn’t have the drama of the sun…

As your photography evolves, you will no doubt be trying out various types of subject matter and getting involved in photo shoots with people, animals, children and the like. You may also be working at larger events, functions, or even weddings, where you are herding people around and generally having to be in charge to get the shots required by your client. Having been in the thick of it, you can be forgiven for occasionally wanting something a little less wearisome. We can’t speak for all photographers, but now and again, we believe it is quite therapeutic to grab your gear, head out and photograph something for yourself, just for the sheer pleasure of it. No moving targets, no groups shots, no shouting to make yourself heard at a function,…

“The most vital part of your camera is also the most delicate. If your lens is damaged then all your pictures will suffer.” Like any item of complex technology, your digital camera will only keep working at peak efficiency if you look after it. Of all the abuse that a camera can suffer, perhaps the most pernicious is dirt. From dust on the lens to grubby fingerprints all over the LCD monitor, dirt can seriously impair the operation of your camera. Of course, you can’t chuck your camera in the sink with the washing up (you can, but don’t expect it to work afterward), so just how should you keep it clean? Lens cleaning The most vital part of your camera is also the most delicate. If your lens is damaged…