Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2023 i PhotoPlus : The Canon Magazine

From issue 1 back in 2007 to issue 200 in 2023! Massive camera skills guide for 2023! Wow! I can’t believe it’s our 200th issue! Personally this feels like a real achievement as I’ve worked on every issue of PhotoPlus since we launched way back in Oct 2007 – and now here we are, 16 years later, through the highs and lows, evolving along with Canon’s camera technology, and we’re still the No.1 Canon magazine for every EOS user. What better way to celebrate our magazine milestone than with 200 top tips for taking better shots with your Canon kit? Covering eight genres, from landscapes and portraits, to action and wildlife, start your 2023 on the right track with our huge 17-page guide! See page 31. Also inside this special…

01 JACOBITE IN THE AUTUMN BY JON BROOK LINES IN THE LANDSCAPE COMMENDED “It was one of those ‘sunshine and showers’ days. If the train had been on time, the whole scene would have been in the shadow of a cloud. As it happened, the viaduct was lit up just as the train crossed. I was lucky, but I was in the right position at the right time with the right settings on my Canon camera. Sometimes the more you plan, the luckier you get.” Lens Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Exposure 1/320 sec, f/6.3, ISO100 02 LIGHTNING STORM OVER JODRELL BANK BY MELVIN NICHOLSON LANDSCAPES AT NIGHT WINNER “I arrived at Jodrell Bank at 1am, as a fierce lightning storm was fast approaching. Once I was in position inside…

SHOOT LIKE A PRO Top tips to help you take better photos of wildlife in the field 1 Invest in good glass Wildlife photography is where you’ll see a huge improvement when using decent optics, so splash out on the best lenses you can buy. 2 Hire a lens If you can’t stretch to premium glass yet, or you’re not convinced it’s worth the investment, it might be a good shout to hire an L-series lens for a weekend, and see the results for yourself. 3 Keep practising A local duck pond is the perfect practise ground to finesse your autofocusing skills on fast-moving airborne targets as they land. 4 Do your research Use search engines to find wildlife hides and deer parks close to you. There are all sorts…

SHOOT LIKE A PRO Five ways to take your portraits from good to great, through lighting, framing and more 1 Help your subject Your model can’t see what you can see: help them to understand the frame and how it looks with good communication. 2 Focus your light Our eyes are typically drawn to bright areas in photos, so use your lighting to focus the viewer’s attention. 3 Get close Being closer to your subjects allows you to connect better while you’re taking photos – shoot at 85mm, instead of 200mm from further away! 4 Fill your frame Unless it’s an environmental portrait, use the entire frame to show your subject. They should always be the main focus. 5 Your position Your position as the photographer is paramount; your position…

EDIT LIKE A PRO Master these methods to fine-tune your images with pinpoint precision 1 Non-destructive editing Tools like Adjustment Layers and Layer Masks allow you to make edits independently of one another, so you can always retrace your steps and undo decisions later on. 2 Make local adjustments Local adjustment tools like Adobe Camera Raw or Lightroom’s Radial Filter and Graduated Filter can be used to apply selective edits by targeting a specific portion of an image. 3 Synchronise your edits To save time in Lightroom when you edit a group of shots from the same shoot, edit one image, then synchronise the edits across to the other pictures. 4 Use multiple programs Exploit your software’s strengths. For example: batch-edit in Lightroom, focus-stack in Helicon Focus and do advanced…

When the heavens open on a wet day in the UK, do you feel like staying warm and cosy indoors? Me too! But I also like to venture out with my Canon camera to take stormy scenic shots. At first it may seem like a crazy idea; however, if you love shooting landscapes, heading out in adverse weather conditions, whether it’s rain, fog or even a thunderstorm, can reward you with incredible pictures that nobody else has taken because they would rather stay indoors! Not to mention, bad weather is often followed by clear skies and opportunities for rainbows which can also make for showstopping landscape images. Many Canon EOS cameras will have decent weather sealing that can take light splashes, but in this project we’ll show you how to…

PROJECT INFO NAME: Mark Lodziak LOCATION: Watatunga wildlife reserve, Norfolk MISSION: To photograph fascinating and rare animals such as the scimitar-horned oryx and mountain bongo KIT: Canon EOS 6D, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM flickr.com/photos/mark_lodziak Rare breed safari Mark captures some incredible shots of endangered species at his local wildlife reserve in Norfolk with his Canon EOS 6D Just five miles south of King’s Lynn, Norfolk, set in 170 acres of land, is the wildlife reserve of Watatunga. This is not a zoo with cages, or even a wildlife park with pens, but a wildlife reserve, where the animals are free to roam. The 170 acres is a mix of vast open grasslands, ideal for grazing, and dense natural woods, set around two large lakes. The purpose of…

Dual Pixel Raw processing in DPP Capture images with Dual Pixel Raw shooting and use Canon’s DPP to refine the point of focus Dual Pixel Raw capability arrived with the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, and many of the latest EOS R mirrorless models also have the option. When active, the camera stores the readout from both of the photo sensors that are within each pixel. Similarly to how we see slightly different images from left and right eyes, dual pixels capture different views of the same subject which can then be manipulated with DPP’s Dual Pixel Raw tool. Using DPP to adjust Dual Pixel Raw images, you can slightly move the point of sharpness, it’s almost as if you get to slightly change the focus ring after the shot.…

We’ve seen a dazzling array of Canon-related photo gear over the past year, putting it through our stringent lab-testing regime, taking it out on the town and trekking into the countryside, revelling in photo opportunities aplenty. With manufacturers needing to deliver something special to make a splash in a highly-competitive marketplace, the new Canon EOS cameras, Canon-fit lenses and accessories we’ve tested over the past year have been of a high standard. But a few have really stood out, impressing us with spectacular performance, often at bargain prices. Over the next 10 pages we reveal the Best on Test winning cameras, lenses and kit, which includes the products we’d invest in ourselves – worthy Canon Gear Of The Year award winners one and all… WINNER MIRRORLESS CAMERA Canon EOS R10…

Limited back issues of PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine print editions are available on our new MagazinesDirect.com secure store at www.magazinesdirect.com/photoplus-magazine-single-issue But if you’ve got an iPad, Android, Kindle or Nook tablet, or iPhone or Android smartphone, you can download PhotoPlus back issues from the following digital edition options: • Got an Apple iPad or iPhone? Get the free PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine app in the App Store or at bit.ly/photoplus_app then browse through our back issues or subscribe through the app. • Kindle Fire or Nook HD? Simply search for PhotoPlus on Amazon’s Newsstand or in B&N’s Nook store. • Windows or Mac? Use Zinio to read PhotoPlus on your laptop or desktop computer or via the app! Go to www.zinio.com and search for PhotoPlus where you can buy back…

Massive camera skills guide for 2023 Happy birthday to us – here on PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine we’re celebrating our 200th issue! Since 2007 we have been helping Canon photographers of all skill levels to improve their images and get the most from their passion. Now you can celebrate our latest landmark with our compelling compilation of 200 carefully curated photo techniques, tips and inspiring insights from our team and experts. We’re covering eight key areas of photography we know you really love, and with 25 tips per subject, there’s some essential techniques for everyone, no matter what your photography skill level. From practical pointers on successful compositions to getting the best results from your Canon camera when out in the field, plus genrespecific photo kit recommendations and some hard-learned…

SHOOT LIKE A PRO Top-notch tips that will enhance your action-packed portfolio 1 Get it right in-camera Continuously adjust exposure settings as light conditions change, so you’re always ready. 2 Back-button focus Dedicate a back button on the rear of your Canon camera, usually the AF-ON button, to lock focus quicker, and prevent hunting. Plus it leaves half-pressing the shutter button to metering. 3 Find a new perspective Seek out interesting angles, like a top-down view of a pirouetting ballerina or a low-angle shot of a diving keeper from behind the goal. 4 Freeze the decisive moment A last-minute winning goal or first-place finish-line celebration are more compelling than a consolation goal or mid-pack athlete’s finish. 5 Know your subject Research your subject, and you’ll begin to anticipate movements. Best…

PRO ADVICE Expert insight to help you take better close-ups of nature 1 Use a tripod For torpid and less skittish subjects, it’s still worth using a tripod to eliminate camera shake, which is more easily visible at high magnifications. 2 Boost the ISO Use a shutter speed of 1/200 sec or faster for sharp shots – you may need to boost your ISO a little to be able to achieve this. 3 Hand-holding When a tripod isn’t viable, use any image stabilisation you have. Brace yourself against a wall if possible to steady yourself further. 4 Front-on Get into a position where you can see your subject’s head: this will increase eye contact and make for a more engaging shot. 5 Continuous AF Use your continuous AF mode and…

Don’t miss out on our brilliant introductory offer Take out a year’s subscription of PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine and start off with 3 issues for only £3/$3/€3 with a no-hassle home delivery Top reasons to subscribe now! ✓ Great savings Subscribe to PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine for 12 months and get your 13 issues delivered to your door. ✓ Save up to 92% off subscriptions! With this month’s trial offer, you can get your first 3 issues for only £3, choosing from these three follow on annual print, digital or premium subscription options below: Option 1 Annual Print Subscription • 13 issues of PhotoPlus print edition • Delivery to your door included in the price Option 2 Annual Digital Subscription • 13 issues of PhotoPlus digital edition for your device…

Just because the sun goes down doesn’t mean you should pack up your gear and head home! Some of the most fun you can have with a camera is after dark. From shooting starry skies and capturing whirling star trails, to painting with light, you can get creative and even shoot the elusive Northern Lights if you’re far north enough to see them. After-dark photography is a great string of techniques to add to your bow and will help you get to grips with shooting in low light and mastering settings such as high ISOs, wide aperture, and getting to grips with fast wide lenses, shutter release cables and tripods. In this project, I’ll run through four of my favourite techniques to try over winter when the skies are clear…

Textures have long been in the creative arsenal of photographers seeking to add an extra veneer of artistry. Whether you ‘sandwich’ a negative with a texture screen in a traditional darkroom, or produce a print on a textured substrate like rough canvas, the option to combine a picture with something that changes its appearance is as old as photography itself. The digital form of this approach gives an unparalleled level of control; although there are options under Photoshop’s Filter menu, the fun really starts when you combine a regular photo with one or more shots taken of a textured surface. In this issue’s download (see web link bottom left) there are 31 different textures to try out. These can be used on their own or in combination to create a huge…

Marcus McAdam Based on the beautiful Isle of Skye, Marcus McAdam runs through his Canon EOS digital setup for commercial shoots and 8x20-inch Ultra Large film he uses for fun! I started getting into photography after my father bought me a Minolta X300 SLR film camera for my 18th birthday and have been hooked ever since. Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II was the first digital camera I felt rivalled film and I loved the convenience of being able to play back images, check the histogram and change ISO between shots. I eventually upgraded to the EOS 5DS R which I still use now. With digital I found that I took too many photos. It’s great when you’re learning, as practise makes perfect, but I ended up with thousands of shots…

The Canon SELPHY CP1500 is sold in black, white or baby pink options, each with a smart and stylish finish. Measuring 182x133x58mm and weighing in at 850g, it’s a little smaller and lighter than the preceding SELPHY CP1300 printer, for which it’s a direct replacement. As such, it’s a highly capable mobile photo printer that runs on dye-sublimation technology, so there’s no messy ink to worry about. Instead, each specialist sheet of paper is fed through the printer four times, where cyan, magenta and yellow dyes are added successively, followed by a final protective, smudge and fingerprint resistant coating which should also ensure longevity of more than 100 years. The SELPHY CP1500 features a 300x300dpi print resolution, which is typical of dye-sub printers. It might not sound much compared with inkjet…

DSLR CAMERAS PRICES QUOTED ARE BODY-ONLY UNLESS STATED ENTRY-LEVEL DSLRs CANON EOS 4000D TESTED IN ISSUE 140 PRICE: £370/$N/A CANON has stripped everything down to its bare essentials for the 4000D, and it’s a great if basic DSLR for beginners. And at only £300 (body), it’s the cheapest EOS DSLR. Sadly, it’s let down by a cheap kit lens that’s tough to tolerate, so we suggest buying the better IS lens. Sensor 18MP APS-C CMOS Viewfinder Pentamirror, 0.8x, 95% ISO 100-6400 (12,800 exp) AF 9-point (1 cross-type) LCD 2.7-inch 230K dots Max burst (buffer) 3fps Memory card SD/SDHC/SDXC CANON EOS 2000D (REBEL T7) TESTED IN ISSUE 194 PRICE: £409/$479 THE 2000D is a better-spec Canon camera than the 4000D, but comes with a step up at its RRP current price. It’s arguably…

Letter of the Month I’ve always really enjoyed reading and learning from your helpful PhotoPlus Apprentice articles. Even if it’s an area of photography I don’t perhaps pursue, such as wildlife or macro stuff, I still pick up little tips that the Canon pro photographer has taught your reader, that help my amateur photography. I prefer to take portraits, mostly of my family, and sometimes my friends – if they’re in the mood and let me! I like trying to create moody B&W versions of the portraits in Photoshop. But I’ve never really got the hang of off-camera flash, despite buying a pair of old Canon Speedlites and some triggers about three ago. The recent ‘Hollywood Portraits’ Apprentice article in issue 199 inspired me to give some artistic lighting a…

APPRENTICE NAME: ROBERTSON EGUEYE CAMERA: CANON EOS 5D MK IV BASED IN Croydon, London, Robertson works in Housing Management and loves nothing more than getting out with his Canon camera. He’s been interested in photography for about five years and loves to take portraits of interesting characters and personalities around his area, and other boroughs such as Camden. He wants to understand his camera settings in more depth and master shooting in low light situations. CANON PRO NAME: JEREMY FLINT CAMERA: CANON EOS R5 JEREMY is a Canon pro photographer who specializes in travel, landscape and location photography. He won the National Geographic Traveller Grand Prize in 2016 and the Association of Photographers Discovery Award in 2017. We met him by the Tate Modern in London to photograph iconic architecture such as the Millennium…

PRO ADVICE Canvass anyone who shoots landscapes for a living and this is what they’re likely to say… 1 Plan your shoot Always check the weather ahead of travelling to your location – not just for when the conditions will be ideal, but for personal safety. 2 Stay free of faff From clean lenses to empty memory cards… make sure you’re ready to go on the day, so you don’t have to faff around in the field. 3 Dress smart Tweeds and deerstalker not required… we mean wearing layers of clothing you can add or remove to suit the weather conditions. 4 Be patient Shooting successful scenics can often be a long game – make sure you’re provisioned for more time in the field than you first envisaged. 5 Shoot…

PRO ADVICE Expert insight to help you take your best-ever astro shots, filled with beautiful starry skies 1 Focus in the dark Our favourite way to focus in the dark is to have a friend point a powerful torch at your foreground, so your AF can lock on easily. 2 Dark sky locations Have a look online for ‘dark sky’ locations close to you: they will give you the best astro opportunities, with low light pollution. 3 Turn the noise down Enable Long Exposure Noise Reduction for cleaner astro images – this will cause a delay between shots, so it’s unsuitable for star trails. 4 Sharp stars Aim for shutter speeds less than 30 seconds long if you want the stars to appear as pinpoints of light; boost the ISO…

SHOOT LIKE A PRO Expert insight to help you take better nature shots when you’re out shooting with your Canon 1 Capture changing seasons Nature presents photographic opportunities all year round, so be aware of the different chances available through the changing seasons, and plan ahead so you don’t miss an opportunity. 2 Close-up filters Close-up filters screw into the front filter thread of a standard lens, allowing it to focus closer: they’re are an affordable way to go macro. 3 Turn stabilisation off When shooting on a tripod, turn off any image stabilisation for the sharpest shots. 4 Overcast lighting You don’t need perfect clear skies to take great nature shots: you can still take terrific images on overcast days with diffused sunlight. 5 Cheap backgrounds When you shoot…

Lens Canon EF 100-400mm f/4-5.6L IS II USM Exposure 1/30 sec, f/16, ISO800 After travelling two hours, David discovers the location was so much smaller than expected, and then weather took a turn for the worse… Have you ever looked at a house on an estate agent’s website, then when you viewed the house, find out it’s much smaller than you'd thought, and realize you were the victim of a super wide-angle lens? I'm sure it’s happened to us all. This was the case when I arrived at a surprisingly compact and bijou incense factory in Vietnam, and what happened afterwards prompted some super fast decision making, and arguably the best shot of the trip. It’s the beginning of August in Vietnam and Rach and I have arrived in Hanoi. We are…

We’re willing to bet there isn’t a serious landscape photographer in all the land who doesn’t love to photograph at sunset. But this jaw-dropping spectacle isn’t the be-all and end-all of landscape photography. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen fellow photographers pack up once the lion’s share of the gorgeous golden light has gone, only to trudge back to their cars during the encore: the blue hour! Blue hour, commonly referred to as the ‘magic’ hour, occurs before sunrise and also after sunset. While it’s called an ‘hour’, you tend to only get the best blue colours for about 30 minutes. This incredible phenomenon happens during civil twilight, when the sun is between four and six degrees below the horizon. The longer wavelengths of red light fly…

The Texture control is one of the best tools in Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom for controlling details in your Raw images. On the face of it, the slider is very simple – drag one way to increase detail, drag the other way to decrease it. But used in combination with other excellent Adobe Camera Raw or Lightroom tools like the Adjustment Brush and Range Masking, the Texture slider control becomes even more powerful. While the name may imply that this tool is best at enhancing textures, in fact it’s often at its best when doing precisely the opposite. A negative texture value can result in a wonderful softening effect – useful for de-emphasising overly busy parts of your frame, or for speedy skin softening in portraits. In this project…

If the Canon EOS R6 Mark II were an animal, it would have incredible vision, with a compact and nimble build, plus the speed to chase down anything that catches its eye. Indeed, while the Canon EOS R6 Mark II is almost a top-to-bottom specs improvement over the original Canon EOS R6, it also manages to outpace even the mighty flagship top-pro Canon EOS R3 – with the R6 Mark II boasting an amazing 40fps continuous shooting speed. Yet the EOS R6 Mark II is about more than just sheer speed. From its full-width, 6K-oversampled video to the brand-new 24.2MP sensor to the ability to pre-record both stills and video so you don’t miss a microsecond of the action, this is the most fully loaded mid-range camera on the market.…

THE NO.1 MAGAZINE FOR CANON USERS! FREE VIDEOS! In the next Canon Skills chapter… ■ Mastering your shutter speed for better waterfall photos ■ Winter landscape tips ■ City slicker ■ New Tool School in Photoshop CC and Affinity Photo image-editing guides PLUS ALL THIS… ■ Canon Profile: Epic landscapephotographer Justin Minns ■ The Apprentice: Andrew James teaches you how to take great shots on the Norfolk coast ■ Super Test: 12 of the latest image-editing software options ISSUE 201 ON SALE 7 FEBRUARY 2023 * Content subject to change…