Photography For Beginners - Issue 33, 2014

FR EE
www.photoforbeginners.com
Find us on and share your shots!
Essential guides for
Tricks for great lighting today

Manipulate natural light & flash
Why control your aperture?

Create soft backgrounds easily
Use the right modes to get professional effects
Shoot better landscapes

5 steps to balanced vistas
Perfect colours by shooting in RAW
CAPTURE ONE EXPRESS 6

EDITOR WORTH
FREE
59
Inside
Easy ways to pin-sharp shots now
UNLOCK ESSENTIAL
Composing advice
ISSUE 033
Find the perfect compact for you
PHOTO SECRETS
Settings mastered Focus hints Shoot in RAW
Simple tips for poses, setting Take control of Adobes up and editing for great shots latest editing software
GROUP PHOTOS
ELEMENTS 12
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WELCOME Issue 32 33
Welcome
5
essential skills you will learn in this issue
01 LIGHTING SKILLS
Learn to manipulate the light for great shots on p18
02 GROUP PORTRAITS
Discover the best settings and composition tips on p38
03 USING FILTERS
Turn to p44 to see how an ND grad can improve landscapes
04 CONTROL APERTURE
On p52 we show you how to blur backgrounds and more
Photography is all about light. Its so important to get this fundamental element right if you want to capture stunning shots, so this issue were bringing you a fantastic Beginners Guide to lighting on p18. Weve also got a guide to group portraits on p38 to help you get great shots of family events and more and a 5 minute project on using lters to improve landscapes on p44. Once youve perfected your shots, read our guide to Photoshop Elements 12 on p58 to enhance photos even more. Dont forget to post your creations on the PFB gallery at www. photoforbeginners.com and you might just get to see it in the mag! Enjoy the issue.
Amy Squibb
Editor Follow us at @PFBMag
05 ELEMENTS 12
Master the latest version of Photoshop Elements on p58
For more great photo tips, head to photoforbeginners.com

Get in touch with us Ask questions, leave feedback on the magazine or share your shots via the following social sites
@PFBMag
PFBMag
PFB Magazine
pfbteam@imagine-publishing.co.uk
photoforbeginners.com
Photography for Beginners 3
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Contents
ESSENTIALS
06 Your photos
Send us your shots for a chance to appear in the section thats just for you!
IssueWorldMags.net 33 FREE
CAPTURE O EXPRESS 6 NE FO EVERY REA R DE TURN TO P R. 15
10 Readers challenge
Get your hands on some slideshow software by entering our competition
18
Manipulate the light
Easy lighting techniques
12 How to share your photos

Ways to send your shots to the PFB team for advice and to share with our readers
14 Need to know
Discover a cool new compact and how to get Capture One Express 6 for free!
16 Join the debate

Do you think cameraphones will kill off the compact? Let us know your opinion now
28 Win a Canon EOS 100D

Were spoiling you this issue with this 5-star camera up for grabs!
48 Subscribe!
Save money on your copy of Photography for Beginners with our exclusive offer
76 Ask the team

Your questions answered and problems solved by our panel of photo experts
82 Whats in my kit bag?

We let you know the perfect equipment for a great wildlife photo shoot
84 Upgrade
On test: Sony a3000, Samsung NX2000, high-end compacts and more
94 Accessories
We nd out just how useful JOBYs hand strap is and put tripods head to head
Learn how to use ash on p24, including lling in backlit shots
98 Settings cheat sheet

A useful settings guide for landscapes to cut out and keep in your kit bag
44 Better vistas 38 Great group shots

Simple tips to improve shots now
DSLR: Usually more expensive, but good image quality Compact system camera: Good image quality, lightweight Shutter speed: The time your shutter is open for, in seconds
Improve landscapes today
Easy guides for Adobes Elements 12
58
WHAT THE ICONS MEAN Your quick-start guide to all the icons youll see in Photography for Beginners
Cameraphone: Smartphones that are always with you Compact: Small, low-cost and easyto-use cameras Aperture: The depth of field of an image, as an f-number
4 Photography for Beginners
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SHOOT
CONTENTS Issue 33
Unlock essential photo secrets

Tricks revealed for pro-looking images
18 Tricks for perfect lighting

Techniques, skills and DIY methods for beautifully lit shots of any subject
29 Unlock essential photo secrets today

Tips for composing, focusing, settings and more for amazing photos every time
38 Great group portraits

Turn to p32 to master manual Take your best ever group shots with advice on poses, modes and more
44 Use ND grad lters for better landscapes

Capture all the tones in your scene with this essential accessory
46 Fantastic reworks
Learn how to recreate this amazing rework capture with simple tips Get balanced exposures on p33
50 Share a photo a day with the Blipfoto app

Shoot and share only your very best shots on this image-based app
52 Why control your aperture?

Understand the key to creating soft backgrounds and sharp landscapes
Learn all about RAW over on p36
EDIT
58 Master Elements 12
The great new features of the software made easy in simple to follow guides
64 Selectively colour change

Alter hues completely in just four steps
66 Easily correct exposures using DxO Optics Pro

Steps for adding a bit of punch to photos with simple edits
SHARE
70 Make a website to showcase your shots
A step-by-step guide to using SmugMugs online photo service
Easily create soft backgrounds
Use Blurb to make a stylish album from your social network shots
For back issues & more go to

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74 Design a collage using Picture Collage Maker

A great way to display your photos
Sh are ph Or oto yo se fo u arc rb r h f eg sh or in o PF ne t BM rs s ag .co a on m t. .. ...
52 Master aperture
72 Create a photobook from your Facebook account
READERS GALLERY WorldMags.net
Your photos
! N I W GB 1 g n A Samsu 6 rd
mory ca Every iss GB SDHC me Samsung 16 of equal value or a prize /uk
a moryerc me will receive a rd ue, one winn

sung.com www.saman d conditions
Full terms le online availab
We love seeing the fantastic photos our readers send us each month, so we thought wed print our favourites right here!
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YOUR PHOTOS Readers gallery
Reader: Andy Dodds

Tyne Bridge This is the Tyne Bridge ready for the Great North Run. I used a polariser and tried sticking an ND8 over the top. Shot on: Canon EOS 550D, ISO 200, f22, 40sec Sent in via: Email
Share your shots at: photoforbeginners.com
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YOUR PHOTOS Readers gallery
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Reader: Telina Willis

Buttery This macro photograph was taken in a tropical buttery house in Seaford, Ireland. Shot on: Fujilm FinePix S4400, ISO 200, f12, 1/160sec
Reader: Silvia Li
Mirror Sunrise I have just moved to a new area and was glad to nd this lake close to home for a peaceful sunrise." Shot on: Canon EOS 650D, 8-16mm lens at 16mm, ISO 100, f22, 0.3sec
Reader: Jamie Akhurst

Dawn On The Heath This was taken at Hotheld Heathlands in Kent. We arrived half an hour before sunrise to scout out the best position. Shot on: Canon EOS 60D, 10-20mm lens at 10mm, ISO 100, f13, 8sec
Reader: Derek Donnelly

Arch Bridge "Thisis the spectacular thirteen-arch viaductat Haltwhistle. I had to walk along the riverside to get the photo." Shot on: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f22, 1/3sec with 4x ND lter
Reader: Dave Flynn

But I Dont Want A Bath The setup was quite simple. It was in a conservatory that had light coming through the windows from the left and above through the skylights. The background is a simple bed sheet and the props were purchased from a nearby shop. Shot on: Nikon D90, 18-70mm lens at 31mm, ISO 200, f4, 1/100sec
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Win cameraphone kit! WorldMags.net

Send us your cameraphone shots and you could win a Manfrotto KLYP kit worth 95/approx $150. For more info head to www. manfrotto.co.uk. Full terms and conditions available online.
ENTER NOW: Send your shots to pfbteam@imagine-publishing.co.uk
Reader: Peter McDonald

Beauty And The Beast Thepeacock buttery and thebeewere shot in my garden in Dumfries on aower on my buddleia tree. Shot on: Sony Xperia T
Reader: Rickie Zayee Title: Dubai
Reader: Mark Woodward Title: Structural Hall Of Mirrors
Reader: Hayley Cousins Title: Bircham Newton
Reader: Lakhdhirsinh Vaghela Title: Vijay Vilas Palace Beach
Reader: James Walsh Title: Paddington Lines
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READERS CHALLENGE Architecture
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WE CHALLENGED, YOU DELIVERED
Architecture
Our Beginners Guide to shooting architecture can be found in PFB Issue 32. Get back issues from
Buildings, bridges, landmarks and statues all make fantastic photography subjects, and best of all, they are so easy to nd. Whether you explore your local area or travel a little further away, you will never run out of fascinating structures to shoot. It is also possible to get stunning shots with any camera, as even your cameraphone can produce great architectural images. Of course, it helps if you know exactly how to photograph buildings in order to get the most striking and dramatic shots, as the composition, lighting and even the focal length you
use can play a big part in the nal look of your photo. In Issue 32, we took you through our essential tips and tricks for taking great photos of buildings, and then we challenged you to send in your best PhotoStory on shots. Here is a DVD software selection of some of Send us your shots for a chance to win a copy of MAGIX PhotoStory on DVD, courtesy of www. the excellent magix.com. This software, which allows you to turn your photos into fantastic slideshows, is worth 70/$70. architecture shots we received.
WIN!
Reader: Kevin Thornton

St Pauls For this shot, it was important to nd a vantage point that provided a frame. I was fortunate enough to nd some suitably positioned trees. Shot on: Nikon D90, 18-105mm lens at 18mm, ISO 200, f10, 1/400sec
Your next photo challenge

Perfectly lit photography
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After reading this issues guide to great lighting, send us your best well-lit shots that show you have been creative with light. Enter by 27 December 2013 for a chance to win a MAGIX PhotoStory on DVD 2013 Deluxe.
Prize may be substituted for an item of equal value. Full T&Cs available online.
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READERS CHALLENGE Architecture
Share your sh photoforbe ots at
gin or search PF ners.com BMag on
Reader: Janet Gordon Title: View From Platform 5
Reader: Amy-Lee Wineld Title: Warm Mill Reader: Tony Woodward Title: Gherkin
Reader: Kathy Ownbey Title: Chapel In The Woods
Reader: Joe Tyler Title: Crazy Stairs
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SHARE YOUR SHOTS Heres how to show us your stunning snaps

Share on our social sites Join the Facebook, Twitter and Flickr communities
PFBMag
Search for PFBMag and click the tab. On our page, hit Photo/Video, then Upload Photo/ Video. Browse for your image, write a message and click Post for it to appear on our wall!
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@PFBMag
Click the Compose New Tweet box and select Add An Image. Find your shot and click Open. Write some text, include @PFBMag, then click Tweet and we will see your photo!
PFB Magazine
Hit Upload to add images. Click on the image you want to share, then click Share>Grab the link. Email it to pfbteam@imagine-publishing. co.uk or post it to us on Facebook or Twitter.
Also share on our website Head to www.photoforbeginners.com now

Create a gallery
You can showcase your favourite images by creating your own gallery page on our website. Its quick and simple to set up.
Be inspired
Browse through all the different categories to be inspired by other readers photos and get ideas of your own.
Become our favourite!

We pick our favourite shots to highlight in our Featured Image section. This could be you soon, so get uploading!
ALSO ONLINE The best of the rest on our great website

Competitions
Head to www.photoforbeginners.com and enter our weekly competitions to win some really fantastic prizes!
Enter the Face-Off

Your shots are entered into our Face-Off section and pitted against other peoples have fun watching your score rise!
Tips and tutorials

Our website is piled high with step-by-step tutorials and useful tips to help you take better photos of any subject.
News and debate

We help you keep up-to-date with the latest industry news and releases. You can also get stuck into hot topics with our debates!
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Focal length: 18mm Exposure: F/16, 1/20 sec, ISO 320
ZOOM
15x
Focal length: 270mm Exposure: F/6.3, 1/250 sec, ISO 320
One lens for every moment
18-270mm
F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD
This Tamron Megazoom-Lens is an unbeatable combination of flexibility and performance. Thanks to the 15x zoom the right focal length for every situation is available anytime. The VC image stabilization and fast, almost silent PZD autofocus completes the package. The low weight and compactness of this lens leaves even enough room in your travel bag for souvenirs. Available for your digital APS-C SLR from Canon, Nikon or Sony *.
* The Sony mount does not include the VC image stabilizer.
www.tamron.co.uk Available from all fine camera stores www.facebook.com/TamronUK www.tamron.co.uk WorldMags.net
NEED TO KNOW
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A snapshot of whats exciting us this month

Easy framing
Creative control
11 art lters and ve frame and art effects are on hand for producing creative captures, and Photo Story+ lets you create instant collages
The electronic viewnder is useful for framing shots in bright light and switches on when it senses your eye
Creative angles
You can tilt the LCD touch screen to frame your shots from high or low angles, then tap to focus and shoot
Quick adjustments
Adjusting exposure settings is quick and easy with the Hybrid Control Ring, or use it to control zoom and focus in analogue
Shoot and share

Wirelessly transfer shots to your smartphone by scanning the QR code on the screen to connect the two devices
New compact comes with premium specs

Discover advanced features with the Olympus STYLUS 1
THE TOP 3
Reasons why we cant wait to get our hands on this camera
Olympus has launched a new camera to join the army of compacts with advanced features hitting the market. The STYLUS 1 has a large 12MP CMOS sensor on hand to produce high-resolution photos and a mode dial that contains manual modes to explore for creative shooting. The lens also features a 10.7x optical zoom with versatile 28-300mm focal range for shooting wide-angle landscapes and zooming in on detail, plus its constant aperture of f2.8 is ideal for blurring backgrounds and shooting in low light. As well as an LCD touch screen, the STYLUS 1 also has the same 1.44 million dot electronic viewnder found on the OM-D E-M5, which can preview images with the cameras creative lter effects so you can clearly see the effect before you shoot. A built-in ND lter will allow you to use slower shutter speeds than you typically would in bright conditions, and you can shoot in RAW to have more control over your photo editing. Beginners taking their rst steps into photography will be able to use iAuto to produce good shots quickly and the Olympus Live Guide to learn more about their cameras other functions. All of this is packed into a pocketable body with dimensions of just 116 x 87 x 56.5mm, so you can keep it on you wherever you go. The Olympus STYLUS 1 is available with an RRP of 550/$700.
01
We want to see if the image quality produced by the 12MP sensor is up to scratch
02 03
Well test the handling and the Hybrid Control Ring to see if it speeds things up Well inspect the build quality to determine if it can stand the test of time
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Get Capture One Express 6 for free
To get your hands on a copy of Capture One Express 6 image editing software, free for every reader, all you have to do is head to our post on www.photoforbeginners.com and use the voucher code PFB2013.
Kevin Raber
NEED TO KNOW News
This month on photoforbeginners.com

How to avoid blurry photos
Fixing blurry shots is very difcult to correct once theyve been taken, so its best to get it right in-camera. There are lots of tricks for keeping your shots sharp using any camera, from a compact to a DSLR.
PLUS ALL THIS

How to fake a
sunset glow websites
Top photo sharing The latest news and

great competitions
Learn skills at the Adventure Travel Show

The Adventure Travel Show is returning to London in 2014, ready to inspire those who enjoy visiting new and exciting places with their camera. As well as providing help and advice for booking new adventures, the event will also feature two travel photography seminars, with tips for brushing up on your photo skills and coming home from your trip with great shots. You can get an insight into the world of travel photography from the
Improve your technique with photography seminars for adventurous shooters

professionals and nd out how to take award-winning photos. The Adventure Travel Show will take place at Londons Olympia on 25-26 January. Tickets are available from 8, with entry to the seminars costing from 55. For more information, visit www.adventureshow.com. We have one seminar ticket and three show tickets to give away; just head to www.photoforbeginners.com to nd out how you can win.
tickets!
Win
Discover more about your wildlife subjects with World Of Animals

Uncover stunning animal images and helpful photo tips with this exciting new magazine from Imagine Publishing
Animals are fascinating subjects, and not just for photography. With thousands of species all over the world, there is so much to learn about the wildlife we walk amongst. A brand new wildlife magazine from Imagine Publishing provides awe-inspiring images and engaging articles about creatures from across the globe, and even gives you some advice on how to capture them on camera too. World Of Animals is available from all good retailers and online from www.imagineshop.co.uk. You can also get the digital edition on your Android or iOS device from www. greatdigitalmags.com and check out the magazines website at www.animalanswers.co.uk. Also be sure to follow the magazine on Twitter by searching @worldanimalmag, and like the World Of Animals Facebook page. Let us know what aspects of wildlife youd like to know more about and you may just see it in the next issue!
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NEED TO KNOW Join the debate
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JOIN THE DEBATE
THINGS WE LOVE
#PFBLoves
Will phones replace the compact camera?

Sales of compact cameras have gradually been falling and many are seeing the increasing quality of smartphone cameras as the cause. The convenience of always having your phone with you often makes it the go-to option for snapping shots on the move, and the unrivalled connectivity for instant photo sharing makes them fantastic for keeping friends and family updated in real-time. But is there still a place for the trusty compact camera, or do you think the smartphone will eventually push them out of the picture? Heres what our editor and readers have to say
01
Lollipod compact camera tripod
Web: http://lollipod.co.uk Price: 35/$56 The Lollipod is a tripod/monopod for your smartphone or compact camera. It folds down to just 32cm long, plus its available in six bright colours.
02
Nikon Original Goods accessories
Web: http://store.nikon.co.uk Price: 6/approx $9 Nikon has launched a new range of merchandise, including cases, bags, straps and lens cloths, all made from luxury materials and available from the Nikon Store.
03
OUR EDITOR AMY SAYS:
Although cameraphones are incredibly convenient and capable of taking decent photos, I still think that the compact is here to stay. Smartphone photos are often very low resolution due to their small sensors and low megapixel count, so you cant print them at large sizes. Compacts usually have much bigger sensors for producing better quality shots and better low-light performance. Cameraphones also lack manual modes, which now come as standard on many new compact cameras. This means that you have more control over the look of your photos. A lot of compacts also have Wi-Fi connectivity as well, so you can still share your shots while youre on the go.
Benro Smart Shoulder Bag
Web: http://kenro.co.uk Price: 35/approx $56 Benros Smart bags allow for quick access to your gear and come in three sizes. The largest will hold a DSLR, three lenses, a ash and a 12-inch laptop.
04
Rogue Safari Flash Booster
What Photography For Beginners readers have to say

Andrew Nixon
I do think smartphones will replace the compact camera for the quick-shot kind of person, simply because you can instantly share the image.
Adrian Bennett
My Samsung Galaxy S4 is good but when you zoom in, it starts to go wrong. I dont want to have to carry an optical zoom around with me.
Tonja Ante
I caught myself using my cameraphone all the time because it was easier. But I have since stopped and use my compact or my DSLR instead.
Kristin Alexander
Maybe for the casual photographer, but those who love taking pictures will always want a real camera! Phone photos are rarely printed.
Web: www.expoimaging.com Price: 25/$35 This device attaches to your DSLRs pop-up ash and focuses 8x more light, letting you throw the light from your ash further to illuminate distant subjects.
Sent in via website
Sent in via Facebook
Sent in via Facebook
Sent in via Twitter
THE POLL RESULTS SAY 33% YES, 67% NO. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK TODAY!
Search for #PFBLoves on Twitter to see what we love
Join the debate at: photoforbeginners.com WorldMags.net
! IN WA Samsung WB250F
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B Samsun g memory card
PLUS! A 16G
Plus three lucky runners-up will each get a Samsung 8GB SDHC memory card
Samsungs new SMART Camera WB250F puts great photo power at your ngertips. You can shoot fantastic images for larger prints with its 14MP sensor, plus instantly share them with built-in Wi-Fi options. Send shots when youre out and about or back up images to your phone with MobileLink. You can even control the camera from your smartphone, which is handy for avoiding camera shake. The WB250F boasts a slim and sleek body, which houses a great
touch screen interface, full auto or manual controls and full HD video. The 18x optical zoom will allow you to get in close, while its 24mm lens is great for framing wide vistas. Plus theres Low Light Shot mode, which selects the best settings and merges three shots for great performance in dim conditions. To nd out more about this new SMART camera, simply visit www. samsung.com/uk. For a chance to get your hands on this fantastic camera, enter our competition now!
HOW TO ENTER:
Send your name, contact details and your best shot to us by 9 January 2014. Email: pfbteam@imagine-publishing.co.uk Website: www.photoforbeginners.com
TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Imagine Publishing has the right to substitute the prize for a similar item of equal or higher value. Camera colours may vary. Employees of Imagine Publishing (including freelancers), Samsung, their relatives or any agents are not eligible to enter. The editors decision is nal and no correspondence will be entered into. Prizes can not be exchanged for cash. Full terms and conditions are available on request. From time to time, Imagine Publishing or its agents may send you related material or special offers. If you do not wish to receive this, please state clearly on your competition entry.
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Good lighting is often the secret to professional-looking shots, whether its natural or articial
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In association with
lighting
Use our tips and techniques for perfectly lit shots
Photography is essentially the recording of light to produce an image, so good lighting is particularly important if you want to produce great shots. Mastering your cameras exposure settings, such as aperture, shutter speed and ISO, will allow you to adjust how your camera reads the light, but for the best results you really need to get the light right to begin with. Of course, you cant have much control over the natural light from the sun, but in this feature we will reveal a few secrets for using it to your advantage. Controlling indoor lighting is much easier, but it can also be quite easy to get wrong. A good lighting setup takes careful consideration, but by reading on you can discover simple advice for getting it right every time. Its important to remember that your camera comes with its own light source as well. Using flash is very useful for a number of situations, but knowing which flash mode to pick for each scenario is vital. Over the course of this feature, we will show you everything you need to know to master perfect lighting, using equipment and kit to suit any budget.
Tricks for great
Gear guideCamera accessories to improve your lighting
Flashgun
Get powerful light with a ashgun such as Nikons SB-300 (140/$150, www. nikon.co.uk), which can be tilted up.
Flash diffuser
Diffusers like the Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce diffuser (approx 12/$20) soften ash light, and are available in various sizes.
Flash gels
Coloured gels like Rogues Universal Flash Gels Kit (30/$30) let you change the colour of the ash light.
Reector
A reector like Lastolites 30-inch circular reector (42/$52) lets you bounce light back into the shadows.
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SHOOTING Beginners guide
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Indoor lighting
Position your light source for the best results
Creating your own light setup means that you can have plenty of control over the lighting for your indoor shots. You dont need to splash out on expensive studio lights though, as a simple desk lamp or bright window will still allow you to get great results for your images. Whether you are using artificial or natural light, considering the position of your light source can have a big effect on how your subject looks in your photographs. It can a be little daunting knowing where to start when creating your lighting setup, but here are a few secrets to help you on your way to producing beautifully lit photos.
01 Change the angle

Lighting your subject from above or front-on will suppress any texture in your shot, so is useful if you want to smooth wrinkles in a portrait. Lighting your subject from the side will help to emphasise texture and also create shadows that can add depth to your shot.
03 Control the distance

The shorter the distance between your light source and subject, the softer the light will be. Moving the light closer will make it broader and create a more subtle effect (although bear in mind it will be brighter). Moving it further away will create a narrow light source for deeper shadows and contrast.
02 Size matters
A broad light source, such as a large, bright window, will create softer light, as the rays will hit your subject from more directions to fill in shadows and reduce contrast. If you want harder light that increases shadows and texture, use a direct, narrow source such as a desk lamp.
04 Background lighting
Placing your light source close to your subject will produce a greater falloff of light in the background, making it dark. Moving the light source further away will mean your subject and backdrop are kept relatively bright.
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Move your subject or light source to control how your shot is lit. The angle, distance and size of the light can all have an effect
In association with
Lighting your subject from the side will emphasise texture and create shadows to add depth
06 Adjust the lights strength

It may seem obvious, but it is important to remember that the further away your light source, the dimmer the light hitting your subjects will be. For brighter lighting, move it closer or introduce an additional light source to the scene.
05 Reect the light

Using a matte surface to bounce light back into the shadows will also diffuse the light for a softer effect. A shiny reflector will focus the light into a narrower area, so it will therefore be a little stronger and harsher.
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Natural light Make the most of natural light

and use the sun to your advantage
Natural lighting is of course the only source of light for daytime landscape shots, but it is also useful for lots of other types of photography. It can still come with its own set of problems though, as both the time of day and weather can affect the look of your photos. Knowing when to shoot will help you achieve the best results, but you can still produce fantastic outdoor images at any point in the day. There are a few simple tricks for making the most of different lighting conditions, and although you cant control the position of the sun, moving your subject or your own position could mean the difference between producing a good shot and a great one. Read our guide on the right to learn how to make the most of natural light.
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Use Mother Natures light for well-lit shots outdoors. Here weve chosen the golden hour for a warm effect
In association with
01
Just after sunrise and just before sunset are the best times of day to shoot outdoors. At this time, the sun is low in the sky so it will create a softer, warmer light and project longer shadows across your scene for more depth and contrast.
The midday sun is positioned directly overhead and so could cause your shots to look a little at. The light can also be very bright and harsh at this time, leaving your portrait subjects squinting and overexposed. If this is the case, move into the shade for softer and more even light.
The time of day
02Use the shade 03Cloudy skies
Dont ignore overcast days, as clouds can help to diffuse the light from the sun for a softer and more even coverage of light. Slow your shutter speed down if your shots are coming out a little underexposed.
04
If the sun is positioned behind your subject, it will leave them in shadow. To combat this, use a reector to bounce the light back into the dark areas. Alternatively, leave your subject underexposed to create a striking silhouette.
Backlit subjects
05Combat lens are
Shooting into the sun will create lens are. This can give your shots a dreamy look, but if your want a more natural effect, use a lens hood or shade your lens with your hand to prevent it.
06Low-light shooting
As the natural light fades, you will need to adjust your exposure to prevent dark shots. Use a wider aperture (smaller f-number) or slow down your shutter speed and use a tripod. Only raise your ISO as a last resort.
When shooting at sunrise or sunset, use a tripod and shutter priority mode set to around 1/10sec or slower to ensure enough light is let in
You cant control the sun, but moving your subject or your own position could mean the difference between a good shot and a great one
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Using ash Fire the ash to illuminate your subject

When there just isnt enough light available for your shot, your cameras flash is there to help. Its a great tool for shooting in low-light and indoor situations, such as taking portraits at parties and events. However, that bright burst of light from your camera can sometimes have an unwanted and unflattering effect, so knowing the best flash mode to use is vital for if you want to create natural-looking photos. Its also important to remember that your flash isnt just for illuminating your shots in low light, as it can also come in useful for preventing underexposed daytime images too. Read on to discover how to master your flash and combat some of the common problems it can create.
Switch to slow-sync ash

Firing your ash in low light can cause your subject to appear well lit, but leave their surroundings shrouded in darkness. To illuminate both the foreground and background of your shot, use slow-sync ash to team your ash with a slow shutter speed to let in more light.
Flash isn't just for low-light shooting
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In association with
Use ll-in ash

If your subject is backlit, it can mean that when you take a shot the backdrop of your shot is well lit, but the subject is underexposed. Switching on your ash will ll in the shadows to ensure your entire shot is lit from front to back.
Knowing the best ash mode to use is vital if you want to create natural looking photos
Unattering ash
When ash is red at your subjects dilated pupils in the dark, the light reects off of their retina to make the pupils appear red. It can also create unwanted highlights and make skin appear shiny.
Combat red-eye
Red-eye is a common problem caused by using ash in low light. To prevent it, use your cameras red-eye reduction ash mode, which res a pre-ash that causes your subjects pupils to contract.
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The simplest way to diffuse and soften the light for your shot is to pass it through some translucent material that will scatter the rays. To soften the light from your ash, you could cut the bottom off an empty milk carton and use it as a makeshift ashgun diffuser, or simply place a piece of tracing paper in front of your pop-up ash. You could also use tracing paper or translucent plastic to soften the light from a desk lamp. When illuminating your shot with natural light through a bright window, you can diffuse the light by taping a piece of plain white paper or a white bed sheet over the window.
DIY lighting setups Use everyday items

for perfect lighting
Photography can be an expensive hobby, as even after youve emptied your pockets for a new camera, there are plenty of gadgets and accessories to buy too. When it comes to lighting, you could splash out on expensive studio lighting setups and flash accessories to ensure your photos have a professional look. However, there are cheaper alternatives to these expensive pieces of kit. With just a few items that are available on the high street or in your cupboards at home, you can transform your dull shots into bright works of art.
Soften the light
Firing your ash directly at your subject can produce a harsh and unattering light. A simple trick for softening it is to bounce it off a reective surface. If you have a ashgun with a tilting head, then point it at a bright wall or ceiling to diffuse the light before it bounces back towards your subject. If you have a pop-up ash, then placing a piece of white paper in front of it at an angle will have the same effect.
Bounce your ash
A light tent will allow you to take still-life photos with a soft, even light cast over your subject. You could buy one, but it is very easy to create your own for a fraction of the price. All you need are three clear plastic folders. Tape two of the folders together to form the back and sides of your light tent, and then cut the third folder in half and place it on top to form the roof. Use it outside to diffuse the light from the sun, or put lamps on either side.
Create a light tent
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Take part in our reader survey to be in with a chance of winning this great prize worth 700
Win a Canon EOS 100D today!
HOW TO ENTER:
Visit www.photoforbeginners.com/survey and answer our reader survey by 20 February 2014. You will automatically be entered into the prize draw for a chance to win. The Canon EOS 100D is one of the smallest and lightest DSLRs on the market, but its a powerhouse bit of kit. Packing a high-res touch screen, 4fps high-speed shooting, 1080p movie mode and an 18MP sensor, its the perfect camera to advance your skills on. The image quality it produces is extremely high, granting it a coveted ve star award in our review. To get your hands on one, complete our reader survey at www.photoforbeginners. com/survey to be in with a chance of winning. To nd out more about the Canon EOS 100D, head to www.canon.co.uk.
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Discover vital tips for taking great shots and avoiding common photo problems
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Photography for Beginners Secret Diary WorldMags.net
Control depth of eld

One of the most important settings in a photographers toolkit is aperture. It can be used to brighten shots, as well as control how much of the image is in focus. Your aperture determines the size of the opening in your camera lens, and therefore how much light reaches your sensor. It is measured in f-numbers, with a small f-number (wide aperture) creating a large opening in your lens that lets in lots of light, and a large f-number (narrow aperture) creating a small opening that lets in a little bit of light. See p52 for a full guide, but for now, switch your camera to Aperture Priority mode (you set the aperture but the camera sets the rest) and have a play.
Keep everything in focus front to back

Controlling your aperture allows you to adjust the depth of eld of your image. If you are shooting architecture or a landscape and want the entire scene, from front to back, to be in focus, use a narrow aperture (large f-number) to create lots of depth of eld and keep everything sharp. Anything above f5.6 is usually considered to be narrow.
Blur the background

When shooting portraits and still life, using a wide aperture (small f-number) will create a shallow depth of eld. This will blur the background of your shot but keep your main subject sharp so that it stands out in the frame and attracts the viewers attention. Use f5.6 or lower for a wide aperture and focus your shot carefully to make sure your subject is not blurry too.
Aperture can be used to brighten shots, as well as control how much of the image is in focus
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Freeze action
Shutter speed controls how you record movement in your shots. A fast shutter speed will allow you to freeze your subject in the frame for sharp, blur-free shots, allowing you to capture split-second moments in time. Use 1/100sec or faster to freeze the action.
What shutter peed should I uss e ? For po
rtraits, use the camera wi a fast shutter speed so ll se blurred backgr t a wide aperture for ounds. When wildlife or spor shooting t, a fast spee d is avoid blur. Fo r landscapes, ideal to a slow shutter spee d will pr nice blur in wa oduce ter and clouds
Capture some blur

Slowing your shutter speed will record any motion in your scene as blur. This can help to show the direction and speed of travel of moving subjects. Anything slower than 1/100sec should work.
Capture movement
Your shutter speed determines the length of time your shutter stays open for when you press the shutter button, and it is measured in seconds and fractions of seconds. The slower it is, the longer the shutter is left open for and the more light is recorded, brightening up your shots. To keep your shutter open for a shorter period of time and record less light, use a faster shutter speed. You need to balance ISO and aperture with shutter speed to get great exposures, but use Shutter Priority mode and your camera will do this. Shutter speed is also used to freeze or blur movement, so experiment to see what results you get.
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Get creative in manual

You can use Shutter and Aperture Priority modes to concentrate on one setting at a time, but to fully take control and get more creative results, switch to manual. In this mode, you also need to set the ISO. This determines how sensitive your cameras sensor is to the light. Raising the ISO will make your sensor more sensitive and brighten up shots, but it can create digital noise that reduces the quality. If you are shooting in bright conditions, keep your ISO on its lowest setting. When shooting in low light, try using a wider aperture (smaller f-number) and slower shutter speed to brighten up your shots instead, and only increase your ISO as a last resort.
Why use manual?

Manual modes not only let you ne-tune exposures, but they also let you produce creative effects. Try capturing motion blur using a slow shutter speed, or creating a blurry background with a wide aperture. Get to know your camera and you'll produce much more pleasing images.
Auto has its place

Although mastering manual controls is great for producing creative effects, Auto mode has its uses. If an unexpected photo opportunity arises, you may not have time to pick your settings, so switching to Auto will mean you wont miss out on the shot.
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Correct exposures
When you are using Aperture or Shutter Priority mode, there is a quick way to correct shots if they are coming out under or overexposed. Find the exposure compensation button and move the marker to +1 or +2 on the dial to brighten up a dark shot. If your shot is too bright, move the marker to -1 or -2 to darken it. It works by getting your camera to adjust the exposure settings for you, so you dont have to ddle with the aperture and shutter speed yourself. Read on for other great ways to perfect your exposures now.
One way to im pr skills is to take ove your photography a an image th look at the EXIF data of at you used to ta s the camera settings ke it you should do and work out what diffe It can be foun rently next time. d in-c editing softw amera or in are on your computer
Learn from yo ur photo mista kes
Explore metering modes

Metering refers to how your camera measures light to then set the correct exposure. Matrix/ Evaluative metering reads light for the entire scene, Centre-Weighted reads the light for the centre of the frame, while Spot Metering will expose for your focus point.
Ideally you want a histogram that peaks in the middle Use your histogram
The histogram is a graph that appears on your camera's screen to help you take well-exposed shots. The right side of the graph shows the number of bright pixels in your photo, and the left side shows the number of dark pixels. If its bunched up at either end, your shots exposure could need adjusting. Ideally you want a histogram that peaks in the middle and tapers off, as this means that it has an even spread of tones.
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Keep it sharp
Your cameras standard autofocus mode will perform well most of the time, but to ensure the most accurate results, it's a good idea to explore your other focusing options. Selective autofocus lets you pick a specic part of your shot to keep in focus. Manual focus is particularly useful for macro photography, when your cameras autofocus can sometimes struggle to lock onto your subject up close. Continuous autofocus will track a moving subject to keep it sharp in the frame. You can also try prefocusing your camera for an action shot. Half-press the shutter in autofocus or focus manually on the area you know your subject will move into, then fully press it to take the shot when the subject is in the frame.
Continuous focus
This focus mode is one of the most overlooked modes by beginners, and its often the secret to getting sharp shots of moving subjects. Select it and the camera will continually hunt for focus, meaning moving subjects remain pin-sharp.
Stay steady
Secure your camera onto a tripod or rest it on a sturdy surface when using a slow shutter speed to prevent blur. If you want to shoot handheld, keep the shutter speed above 1/60sec, hold the camera with both hands and keep your elbows tucked into your sides.
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It is often a case of less is more when it comes to photography. Make sure that the main focal point really stands out in the frame and that there are no distracting elements surrounding it. Also try to include no more than three main colours within the scene.
Rememb r to take your camee ra w it h you Get into the ha bit of taking
your with you wher ever you go, as camera yo know when a photo opportu u never nity arise. Take yo ur time getting may the shot right an d think about your composition before you re the shutte r
Go off-centre
The rule of thirds involves imagining a nine-section grid over your image and positioning the main focal point over one of the intersections for a balanced photo. You can even bring up gridlines on most cameras to help with this.
Get a better composition

How you frame your shot is really down to your own personal style, but there are a few commonly used guidelines that can help you if youre struggling. Look for some foreground interest in your shot to avoid boring, open expanses and look for lines that will draw the eye through the image. Natural frames also work well. When shooting, think about what aspect ratio you are using (square format, panorama etc), as this can dictate how you compose. You can often set this in-camera, or you can crop in afterwards in editing software.
Focal lengths
For landscapes, zoom out to give the viewer a sense of the entire scene. When shooting portraits and architecture, zooming in a little will help you avoid lens distortion, which can exaggerate features.
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le W A R d e s s e c Unpro
Shoot RAW
Most beginners wont consider what le type they are shooting in, but delving into this area can make a big difference to your nal photos. If you shoot in RAW you will be able to capture a lot more information in the le, meaning when you come to edit your shot you will have much more to work with. You can control things like the white balance more easily, as well as being able to recover more from shadows and highlights. Its essentially an unprocessed le, much like a digital negative, so youll need to spend some time tweaking and converting each le. The results are worth it, though.
After processing
Shoot in RAW
The benets of RAW are vast. They dont lose information in the same way a JPEG does, so you can recover more from your image, as well as being able to take extra control of things like colours, exposure and noise reduction. The drawbacks are that they take up a lot of space on your memory card and you have to spend the time editing each one to get usable results.
w ware allo Various soft e Camera Ra ch as Adob ), GIMP and su s, le CS RAW or ts Elemen ur (available in eck online to see if yo Aperture. Ch orts RAW, then go to pp software su ginners.com and for photoforbe cess RAW search Pro torial! tu ll a fu
I process How do W les? s my RA w es you to proc
JPEG benets
Shooting in JPEG format is great if you want to share shots straight away, as they are processed and ready to go. A JPEG also takes up less space on your memory card, but it will never hold the amount of information a RAW le can. You can still edit JPEGs but with a RAW le you have much more control.
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SHOOTING Group portraits
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Great group portraits

WHAT YOULL NEED
Digital camera Tripod
WE USED
Nikon D3200 Adobe Photoshop Elements 11
Essential tips for taking perfect group shots
YOU COULD USE

Any camera GIMP
WHAT YOULL LEARN

How to take a great group portrait How to perfect and enhance your photo How to create a personalised card
rs in the scene. Try to g to coordina et your subjects te their clo thin and make sure that th g e backdrop d oesnt clash eithe r
Match olo urs for a perfc e c t shot Think abou t the colou
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Getting the whole family or an entire group of friends together is a great excuse to practise your group portrait skills, and is particularly important for preserving precious memories if these occasions are rare. Group portraits can be trickier to get right than single portrait shots, as you need to pay attention to several subjects instead of just one. This can increase the chances of mistakes, such as people blinking or looking away from the camera in your photos. Luckily, there are some foolproof tricks that you can use to guarantee great photos quickly and easily, which is very useful when trying to keep the attention of small children. Using blink detection or Burst mode will help you to get a photo where everyone is looking at the camera, and some cameras even have a smile detection function. It is also important to make your shoot fun for everyone, so you could try out whacky poses and introduce humorous props to keep everyone entertained. This will also help you to evoke natural
smiles and facial expressions that convey your subjects personality instead of forced and cheesy grins. You could even give your shot a theme, maybe getting everyone to wear festive jumpers to give the shot a winter feel. In the rst part of our guide, we will show you how to set up your group portrait shot and get yourself in the picture too. Then discover how to edit your photo for attering results, learning how to whiten teeth, remove blemishes and smooth problem skin. You can then nd out how to turn your photo into a great card to send to your loved ones and give your message a personal touch. Alternatively, you could turn your shot into a canvas print to place above the mantelpiece or simply print it out for your photo album. So whether you are shooting a family portrait in the living room, or photographing your best mates at the local park, follow our step-bystep guide to producing fantastic shots.
You could try out whacky poses and introduce props Shoot! Get everyone together for a group portrait
Position your subjects
Control your aperture
01
Find a suitable location, considering your backdrop, and then get everyone into position. Try getting your subjects to sit or stand at different levels to avoid a dull shot with everyone in a straight line.
02
Set your camera to Aperture Priority mode and choose f8. This should be narrow enough to keep everyone in focus, but wide enough to create some background blur. Keep the ISO low to avoid noise.
Use Burst mode
03
If your camera has a blink detection function, use this to prevent the risk of blinking eyes in your shot. Alternatively, use Burst mode to take a series of shots and increase your chances of getting a good one.
Use the zoom
Light the shot
Get into the frame
04
To ensure everyone is in the frame, you may need to zoom your lens out. This may also capture some of the scenery to add context. If you can, though, take a few steps back and zoom in to avoid distortion.
05
Try to make use of natural light by shooting outside or by a bright window. If you cant or any of your subjects faces are in shadow, re your ash to ll in these areas, or use a reector to bounce light back in.
06
If you want to be part of the shot, set the camera up on a tripod or sturdy surface and then switch on the self-timer. Once you press the shutter, quickly get into position before the shot is taken.
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Edit! Perfect your portrait using Photoshop Elements
3 OF THE BEST
Items of kit for portraits
Flashgun
Sometimes the ash on your camera can be quite harsh. External ashguns usually have tilting heads that are perfect for bouncing the light off of the ceiling, for softer results.
Brighten it up
Bring out the detail
07
If your shot looks a little dark, go to Enhance>Adjust Lighting>Brightness/ Contrast and boost the Brightness slider. You can tweak the exposure further by going to Enhance>Adjust Color>Adjust Color Curves.
08
You may need to sharpen it up a bit. Go to Enhance>Unsharp Mask and increase the Amount slider to sharpen, the Radius slider to determine the area and the Threshold slider to set the amount of contrast.
Camera with articulated LCD

If you want to get yourself in the shot, a camera with an LCD that ips out or tilts up is great for framing. If your camera doesnt have this feature, set it up on a tripod and use the self-timer.
Remove imperfections
Whiten the teeth
09
Reector
Fill in any unattering shadows in your shot by bouncing the light back into the dark areas with a reector. Different colours create different effects gold, for example, will cast a warm light.
To remove blemishes or stray hairs, select the Spot Healing Brush tool. Make sure the Content Aware option is on, adjust your brush size and then click or drag your cursor over the problem area.
10
Select the Dodge tool and set the Range to Midtones. Set the Exposure value to 50% and then brush over the teeth to whiten them. The longer you hold down the cursor, the whiter they will get.
3 OF THE BEST
Portrait editing applications

Facetune From 1.99/$2.99 (iOS)
This app lets you make basic edits such as teeth whitening and skin smoothing, as well as enhancements like reshaping facial features.
PhotoWonder Free (Android & iOS)

PhotoWonder has a Beautication section for specically enhancing portraits. Remove blemishes and even enlarge eyes with a tap of your nger.
Brighten the eyes
Smooth the skin
Photo Editor Fotolr

Free (Android & iOS) This app has options for face and body trimming, wrinkle removing and hair colouring on top of the usual lters.
11
You can use the same technique to brighten the whites of the eyes. Just make sure that you use a small brush size to avoid brightening the iris and pupils of the eye too for an unnatural effect.
12
To smooth out areas of skin, select the Blur tool, set the Mode to Normal and set the Strength to around 40%, but it depends on how smooth you want to go. Now brush over the skin to get it looking perfect.
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Share! Create a card with Snapsh
Choose a template
Go to www.snapsh.co.uk, click on the Cards tab and choose the style of card we chose Greeting Cards then select the card template. We went with Full Photo. Select an orientation and then click Create Card.
Upload your photo
Position your shot
13
14
Click the Upload button and create an album to upload your photo into and pick an upload speed. There is an automatic photo correction box you can tick if you want Snapsh to make basic edits to your shot.
15
After you have uploaded your photo, click on the Front tab and drag and drop the photo onto the front of your card. Click in the centre of your photo to drag it into a position you are happy with.
ur Consider yo le g n a g n ti shoo m a high
fro Take your shot el for the lev angle or at eye results. A most attering centuate low angle will ac s chins and nose
Extra space
Add some text
16
Click on the Text button and position the text box where you want it on your card. Select the Edit Text icon and type your message, choosing the font, size, colour and alignment of the text. Now click Done.
Make sure you leave enough room for the message on your card when you take the shot
Natural smiles
Interact with your subjects to help them relax and get natural smiles
Simple backdrop
Find a simple yet colourful backdrop to complement your group of subjects
Order your card
Get together
Make sure everyone is close together to close up any gaps and create an intimate photo
17
Select the Inside and Back tabs to edit the rest of your card. You can even add more photos inside. Finally, go to the Review tab and choose where you want your card to be posted, then click Add To Cart.
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Capture One Pro 7
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THE PROFESSIONAL CHOICE IN IMAGING SOFTWARE

Capture One Pro 7 is the worlds best raw converter rendering precise colors and incredible detail with support for over 300 camera models. With an array of powerful tools to help you organize, edit and showcase your work, Capture One Pro 7 is your new digital assistant giving you the freedom to create and to capture your vision.
WITH CAPTURE ONE PRO 7 YOU GET:

An Image Quality Revolution World-class raw conversion High ISO noise reduction A Quantum Leap In Productivity Comprehensive digital asset management Instant tethered capture Customizable user interface
25
www.phaseone.com
SAVE
WHEN UPGRADING TO CAPTURE ONE PRO 7

To claim your discount, go to www.phaseone.com/pfb and download Capture One Express 6 free of charge using the voucher code: PFB2013 Then go to www.phaseone.com/upgrade and upgrade Capture One Express 6 to Capture One Pro 7
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TOP 3 FEATURES
Before
TOP 3 BENEFITS
After
COLOR EDITOR
Before
Achieve amazing colors through selective color adjustments.
After
NOISE REDUCTION
Before
before. Capture One Pro 7 will produce a crisp and noise-free image.
After
BLACK & WHITE CONVERSION
Adjust color channels and create beautiful Black & White images.
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Jaime DeMarco
Jeppe Skjerning
Paul Fawley
SHOOTING 5 minute project
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five minute project
Use ND grad filters for better landscapes

WHAT YOULL NEED
Camera that has a lens with a lter thread Graduated neutral density lter
We show you how to use lters to capture all of the tones and retain details in a scene
Fujilm X-E1
YOU COULD USE
Tripod Polariser
WE USED
WHAT YOULL LEARN

How to retain details in a bright sky
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When we look at a scene with the naked eye, we see detail in the full tonal range, from the deep shadows right through to the bright highlights. Unfortunately, cameras are not as sophisticated as the eye, and cant cope with the same range of contrast. In landscape shots, for example, they will often overexpose bright skies. One simple solution is to use a graduated neutral density lter to balance the light in-camera. These lters have a neutral grey half and a clear half, with a transition zone where the two halves meet. By placing the dark half over a bright sky, you can reduce the contrast in the scene to the point where your detail is retained in both the bright and dark parts. There are two types of lter: screw-in lters, which screw into the lter thread at the front of the lens, and square or rectangular lters, which slot into a dedicated lter holder attached to the lens via an adaptor ring. The advantage of the slot-in lters is that its easier to combine two or more. In the case of graduated lters, placing the transition zone accurately on the horizon is essential for good results. If the transition line is too low, the dark half of the lter will cut into the land, and if it is too high, there will be a bright band of sky above the horizon. Slot-in lters can be moved up and down in the holder, allowing you to position the transition zone precisely where you want it, and so are the best choice.
SHOOTING 5 minute project
3 OF THE BEST
Landscape accessories
Tripod
A tripod keeps everything steady and prevents camera shake when using long exposures, and also slows you down to help you achieve a more considered composition.
Perfect skies Use graduated lters for great shots

Wide-angle lens
With a wide-angle lens (focal length between 12-18mm) you can get in close to foregrounds and create a dramatic perspective.
Get set up
Set your lowest ISO to get maximum image quality with minimum noise. Set your exposure mode to Aperture Priority (A or Av). Choose a small aperture such as f16 to get maximum depth of eld and the camera will set the shutter speed.
Compose your shot
01
02
Use a tripod to prevent camera shake and allow small adjustments to framing. Position the horizon a third of the way up, with strong foreground interest and an obvious focal point in the background. Focus a third of the way in, to maximise depth of eld.
Polarising lter
A polarising lter reduces surface reections, which helps to boost colour saturation in landscape photos and reduce the glare off water in seascapes.
Take a test shot
Attach the lter
Align the lter to the horizon
03
Once you have composed your shot, shoot a test frame and check the results. As well as checking composition and sharpness, check the histogram for any over or underexposed areas (they are shown by blinking). Here the sky is overexposed.
04
Screw the adaptor ring into the lter thread. Different lenses have different lter sizes, so look for the symbol on your lens to nd out what you need. Clip the holder onto the ring; it should be able to rotate freely around it.
05
The transition line of the lter should sit on the horizon. Its not always easy to see this through the viewnder; if you have difculty, try wiggling the lter up and down in the holder. Review your shot, and if necessary, re-position the lter and re-shoot.
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SHOOTING Create this shot
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Fantastic fireworks
Capture a night full of celebration
WHAT YOULL NEED
Camera Tripod Torch for nding camera settings in the dark
01 Positioning
Its tempting to get up close to firework displays and enjoy the vibe of the show, but your job is to capture exciting and vibrant skies bursting with light. Step back from the action and fill the frame with lots of sky.
WE USED
Canon EOS 50D
YOU COULD USE

Gorillapod or at surface Cable release to prevent camera shake
02 Composition
Capturing spectacular reworks is half the battle. What you also need to consider is the environment you are in. Look for interesting landmarks or elements that will add another point of interest to your nal image.
WHAT YOULL LEARN

How to capture reworks
Setting a high ISO will make your camera more sensitive to light, but it will cause noise to appear. Its better to select an ISO from 50-200 and a use a tripod and slow shutter speed
03 People
Firework displays attract a lot of people. Set up where you know you wont be interrupted by passing foot flow. People will be looking skywards, and wont necessarily be looking out for your camera equipment in the dark.
Use a sturdy tripod. One with independent moving legs means you can angle it better to include the sky in the shot
OUR SETTINGS: APERTURE: F8 ISO: 100 SHUTTER SPEED: 10SEC

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SHOOTING Create this shot
04 Set your white balance

To ensure the colours in your shot are accurate, try setting a white balance of white fluorescent. This should produce warm firework colours yet retain a cool hue for the night sky.
05 Focus
Switch to manual focus and use zoom to the maximum. Find a point on the ground close to where the fireworks will be set off and use the focus ring to fine-tune the point of focus.
06 Settings
Choose an aperture of f5.6-f8 and a shutter speed of 3-10sec. If youre not confident in Manual, try Shutter Priority mode where you just need to set the shutter speed. Use a torch to do this.
Have a go with Manual or Shutter Priority mode, but if youre not sure of these yet, your camera may have a Fireworks mode. Its worth using this if youre worried about missing the moment when hunting for settings
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APP OF THE MONTH Blipfoto
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APP OF THE MONTH
Share a photo a day with the Blipfoto app

Edit and share only your very best photos with followers on the Blipfoto community Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch Price: Free
WHAT YOULL NEED
iOS device Blipfoto app
WE USED
iPhone 5S
YOU COULD USE

iPad iPod touch with camera
WHAT YOULL LEARN

How to share special shots with others
Blipfoto is a simple app that is designed to let you share only one photo a day with anyone else who uses the service. You can follow other users and they can follow you back, which gives you the opportunity to enjoy the snaps other people have taken, but the main focus is on letting you show off your favourite photos in an easy way. It is unusual to only allow one photo to be shared each day, but the advantages of this are numerous. The quality tends to be better because it makes people consider only posting a photo that is well shot and interesting, and of course you will not want to waste
your daily opportunity on any old moment you happen to capture. A varied range of useful lters is included, which are exceptionally easy to use, and you can also add a long description to fully explain what each photo means to you and why others will enjoy viewing it. The lters are demonstrated as you select each one, so you can be sure that they add to the overall effect. There are few other features to get in the way of what is a very simple but effective service that will keep you thinking about what you post online. We will show you how to make the most of the app and how to ensure that you gain followers for your work, but most of you should be able to pick it up and use it straight away.
Share daily photos Treasure every shot with Blipfoto
Take a photo
Control the camera
Choose a lter
Add a title
01
Once you have set up an account, you will be asked to take a new photo or choose one from your library. Take your time selecting one to share.
02
If you opt to shoot in the app, you can tap the icons at the bottom to change aspect ratios, put up gridlines and control the ash.
03
Once you have selected the photo, the app will ask you what lter you would like to use. It defaults to No lter, but feel free to experiment.
04
Why not come up with an interesting title for your photo that offers a pointer to the moment that it is capturing? Be as precise as possible.
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A busy interface
You can view the photos of other users with ease thanks to the clear and informative thumbnail layout. Just click on the thumbnail to be taken to the image, where you can read the description and add your own comments
APP OF THE MONTH Blipfoto

APPS FOR ANDROID
FlickFolio for Flickr HD
1.99/$2.99 (Android)
Comments
Comments that are posted about your photos will be shown here with an obvious indicator to alert you. Click on this icon to read what other people think of your shots. It's a great way to get some feedback
Use the map

This icon takes you to the map. Here you can view where images have been taken. To add your shot to this, click the 'Show on Map' option before you tap publish. Click the compass icon to be taken to your current location
Search
Tap the magnifying glass icon to search for particular images. Type in a keyword to search for titles, descriptions and tags. Tap on the words at the bottom to switch your search from journals to entries or people
Flickr is an advanced photo-sharing service that lets you show the world your creations, but this app also lets you automatically upload new snaps and view them with ease. The way it works on Android devices makes it ideal for sharing on the go or when that special moment hits you.
Taking photos
Use this button to quickly take a photo or to choose one that you already have stored on your device. Among others, there is an option here to change to the forward-facing camera on your phone for self-portraits
Your information
Detailed stats and account options are available through this icon. Here you can see how many views your photos have had and you can tweak many different settings in seconds too
Describe the shot
Where to share
Publish it
Photo feedback
05
You have the option of writing a long description to sit alongside the photo. This will help to add meaning and more depth to the image.
06
In this menu you also have options for sharing elsewhere such as Twitter, Facebook or via email. Simply tick the option you require.
07
Add tags to help others search for your photo, then tap Publish entry to upload it to the site for others to view. The whole process is very simple.
08
You may get comments from followers or other Blipfoto users who come across your shot. You can choose to follow people at any time.
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SHOOTING Aperture
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Using a wide aperture will create a narrow area of focus and blur any background detail or light, for artistic shots
By narrowing the aperture, you will start to see more of the image come into focus
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SHOOTING Aperture
aperture?
Find out how this setting can affect your images and learn how to use it to take professional-looking shots
The word aperture might not mean all that much to you as a beginner, but we are here to tell you why you should care about and even treasure this vital setting. There are many settings you have to learn about in order to master your camera, but use aperture as a starting point and youll see an instant improvement in your shots right away. Choosing the right aperture value can mean the difference between a bad and a good shot, so well tell you how to pick the best one every time. Over the next few issues, we will be showing you how to get to grips with some of the other vital settings in photography, such as shutter speed and ISO, and how these alongside aperture help to form perfect exposures. In this feature, though, we will concentrate on aperture and how this affects how much of your image is in focus, as well as controlling how much light is let into the lens. Read on to find out just what an f-stop is and which one to use in certain shooting scenarios, as well as how Aperture Priority mode can help you to get out of Auto in a much easier way than diving headfirst into Manual. With our help, youll soon be able to put this skill to good use, resulting in artistically blurred backgrounds or pin-sharp shots from front to back.
control of
Why take
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SHOOTING Aperture
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What is aperture?
Brighten your shots and blur out backgrounds
Your aperture works a lot like the iris of a human eye. Positioned inside the lens, the aperture blades can open wide or remain narrow, depending on how much light you want to capture in your image. Wider apertures (f1.2-f8) let in more light and also create whats known as a shallow depth of field effect. This is popular with portraits, as it blurs out the background while the subject still appears sharp. As wide apertures also increase the amount of light let in, a faster shutter speed may need to be set to avoid overexposing your image. Narrow apertures (f8-f22), on the other hand, increase depth of field so that the entire image appears sharp, which is popular with landscape photographers. However, as less light is let in through the lens, a slower shutter speed may be essential to avoid underexposing your image. This is a prime example of how aperture and shutter speed work together for an even exposure. Your aperture will first collect the light inside the lens and then, depending on how fast your shutter speed setting is, the sensor will be exposed to a large or small amount of light over a set period of time. To find out whether a wide or narrow aperture is appropriate for your subject, turn to page 56 to our aperture setting guide.
Very wide apertures completely blur out the background
If you increase the aperture, you can expand the area of focus
A narrow aperture will keep the foreground and background sharp
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SHOOTING Aperture
Aperture Priority
Your rst steps into manual control
If youre keen to get out of Auto mode and want to explore the creative possibilities that aperture control has to offer, switch to Aperture Priority, which is marked as A on Nikon and other mode dials or Av on Canon. This mode is only available on higher end camera models, however, so check your camera manual to see if its available to you. Aperture Priority mode is a great starting point for those who are keen to experiment with manual settings. Using this mode, you can select your desired aperture setting while the camera takes care of the other exposure settings. The camera will do this by metering the light in the scene and taking into account the aperture settings youve selected, so that it can then set an appropriate shutter speed for an even exposure. Before long, youll be able to explore full Manual mode.
In Auto mode your creative options are limited, as the camera will focus on setting the aperture and shutter speed evenly for an exposure
In Aperture Priority mode, you can set a wider aperture to get a shallow depth of eld, while the camera does the rest
What is meant by an f-number?

F-numbers determine how wide or narrow your lens aperture is. Wide apertures are represented by small f-numbers (f1.2-f8) and create a narrow depth of field. Narrow apertures are represented by high f-numbers (f8-f22), which keep everything in focus. This can be confusing, but with a little practice youll soon get the hang of it. Once youve selected Aperture Priority mode, you can adjust your f-number setting. However, not all lenses offer extremely wide aperture settings, such as f1.2, but most kit lenses will enable you to shoot as wide as f4. You can purchase whats known as faster lenses that have wider apertures, but they can be pricey.
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SHOOTING Aperture
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Choosing apertures
Discover which setting to use for different subjects
Macro (f1.8)
Close-up captures of your subject are ideal if you want to show more detail and texture. Using a macro lens, youll be able to focus in closer to your subject and create a shallow depth of field effect by using a wide aperture (small f-number). Experiment with your aperture settings in Manual or Aperture Priority mode, but start with the lowest f-number youve got to let in more light and blur out the background. Youll need a tripod for steady shots, and always ensure youre using the correct focus settings.
Low light (f3)

Challenging low-light conditions make it difficult to shoot without your cameras flash automatically firing. This isnt always ideal, as your on-camera flash can be harsh and drown out nice, warm tones from natural light. To overcome this, turn your flash off manually and select Aperture Priority mode. Work with wider apertures (low f-numbers) in order to get a brighter exposure. You could also up your ISO settings if necessary to avoid slow shutter speeds that can create shaky shots without a tripod.
Portraits (f4)
A good portrait should always highlight your model as the focus of the frame. Wide apertures (low f-numbers) are ideal for this as they blur out distracting elements in the background. F4 is a good aperture starting point as its wide enough to create a shallow depth of field effect, but not too wide that the focus area is greatly reduced, which means more of their features will appear sharp within the image. For group portraits you may need to use a narrower aperture, as you need a wider point of focus. Start at around f5.6 in this case.
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SHOOTING Aperture
Next issue: Shutter speed mastered
Buildings (f11)
When youre photographing architecture, youll need a relatively narrow aperture (high f-number) to ensure that most of the structure appears sharp in your image. Work in Aperture Priority mode with the f-stop set to around f11 or higher. The camera will determine the shutter speed, but you may need to increase your ISO settings if youre not using a tripod. As a rule, only shoot handheld when the shutter speed is above 1/60sec to avoid camera shake. If you havent got a tripod, rest your camera on a wall or other nearby structure.
Scenery (f16)
A good landscape should appear sharp from one end of the frame to the other. Youll need to increase the depth of field to ensure this by using a narrow aperture of around f16. If youre planning to photograph a landscape, always use a tripod, especially when shooting in Aperture Priority mode, as the camera will compensate for less light by setting a slower shutter speed. To ensure optimum sharpness, focus a third of the way through the scene and turn off image stabilisation if your camera or lens has this option.
Motion (f22)
Capturing movement is a great way to illustrate time or motion in your images, and you dont always have to work in Shutter Priority mode to do this. By setting a narrow aperture in Aperture Priority mode, the camera will automatically slow down the shutter speed for you. Ensure your camera is set up on a tripod, however, so that the rest of the image appears sharp. Next issue, we tell you all about how you can use shutter speed to capture motion another way, but for now, using Aperture Priority mode can be effective.
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EDITING
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Master Photoshop Elements 12 today

Learn to use the great features in Elements 12, making editing and viewing snaps on the move easier than ever
WHAT YOULL NEED
Start images Adobe Photoshop Elements 12
WHAT YOULL LEARN

How to use ContentAware Move How to easily create a jigsaw effect A simple way to correct the colour of pets eyes How to share albums with your smartphone or tablet How to create simple one-click effects
Every time Adobe releases a new version of Photoshop Elements, were impressed with the scope of features that the company has managed to pack in. Far from being a lighter version of Photoshop, Elements is a photo-editing powerhouse in its own right. It takes the most cutting-edge technology introduced in Photoshop and repackages it to make it more userfriendly for beginner and advanced shooters alike. Elements 12 is no exception. In this version, the Straighten tool has been enhanced, now automatically lling in backgrounds left bare by the straightening process. Also, the new Content-Aware Move tool lets you roughly select any object in a scene and then move it to a new location Elements lls the gap and blends in the object without any input from the user.
And this is another thing that Elements does well; it takes all of the legwork out of actually doing long-winded edits and effects. Guided Edits has been around for a long time, but there are new ones in each and every version. For Elements 12, this includes Zoom Burst, Puzzle Effect, and the ability to restore old photographs to look like new. For any Guided Edit, all the user needs to do is follow the instructions on the screen. Elements 12 retains the interface that weve got used to, which is good as it is so user-friendly. There are subtle changes though, such as the addition of a Share option directly from the Editor, and there is further integration with Camera Raw, meaning that snappers can shoot RAW les and edit them in this one software. Sharing is becoming more a part of the Elements experience, something that is helped with the new Mobile Albums function, which uses the Adobe Revel app to view shared albums from Elements on the move. There is also the capacity to share an image on Twitter. Photoshop Elements 12 is available now from www. adobe.com for 78/$100; owners of previous versions can upgrade from 63/$80.
Elements 12s best bits The top features in this latest version
Intuitive interface
New Guided Edits
01
The Elements interface is split into three key modes: Quick, for simple touch-ups; Guided, for step-by-step tutorials on common edits or creating cool effects; and Expert, which unleashes the full editing power of the program into your hands.
02
Rescue old images
One of Elements best features has always been the Guided Edits, which enable you to make complex-looking creations without a vast knowledge of Photoshop tools. New edits have been added to the old favourites, including Puzzle and Zoom Burst.
03
Restore Old Photo is a Guided Edit that enables you to scan in old photos and make them look as good as new. This includes removing scratches and blemishes and even dust removal! There will be a full tutorial on how to do this in a future issue.
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EDITING Photoshop Elements 12
The Elements 12 interface Locate all of the softwares key features
JARGON BUSTER
Content Aware
Content Aware was introduced to Photoshop a few versions back. Its a technology that analyses a scene and predicts what should ll a gap to make it blend in with the rest of the image.
Expert mode
To access the Content Aware Move and Red Eye Removal tools, you need to be in Expert mode. The Red Eye tool has been enhanced with the addition of a Pet Eye checkbox
The organizer
Hit this icon at any time to access the Organizer features, like the map view and Mobile Albums. This helps you to manage your photos and how you view them
Photo effects
In Guided mode you can click here for some fantastic creative effects to be applied to your image. We particularly like the Old Fashioned Photo option for a quick retro look
Guided Edits
The Photo Play section in Guided mode is where you can access Puzzle Effect. Elements will talk you through the process, and weve got a full guide on p61 its so easy!
Frames, Effects & Textures
04
View photo locations
Camera Raw integration
In Quick mode, if you look in the bottom-right of the screen you will see options to access Frames, Effects and Textures. These can be easily applied to your photographs to add a personal touch to them in seconds.
05
In the Elements Organizer, you can see a map view that shows you where each of your images has been taken, as long as the information is available in the metadata from your camera. You can also manually drag and drop your photos onto the map.
06
If you prefer to shoot in RAW format, then you can still open and edit your images in Photoshop Elements. This is because it works with Adobe Camera Raw, enabling you to make edits and bring them into Elements for further work.
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How to use Content-Aware Move
Correct yellow pet eyes
Find the tool
01
Open an image of a pet that has yellow eyes. Zoom in so that you can see the eyes clearly. Make sure you are in Expert mode, and then go down to the Red Eye Removal tool in the toolbar.
Pet Eye mode
Find the tool
Make a selection
02
You will see a box in the tool Options panel labelled Pet Eye. Tick this and set the Pupil Radius to around 70%. Click on the rst eye and Elements will attempt to correct the discolouration.
01
Open up the image that you want to edit in Elements and make sure that you are in Expert mode. Select the new Content-Aware Move tool, located in the Modify section of the left-hand toolbar.
02
Zoom in and draw around the object that you want to move. The selection doesnt have to be very accurate, but it does need to include everything you want to move, including the smoke trail in this image.
Adjust if needed
Move into position
Adjustments needed
03
You may nd that the whole of the eye isnt recoloured. If so, hit Undo, adjust the Pupil Radius and try again. You might need to alter where you click as well. When youre happy, do the other eye.
03
You can now drag the object to the new position. Once you let go of the mouse, Elements will analyse the scene and replace the background, then integrate the object into its new position.
04
There may be some areas that still need tidying up. We used the Clone Stamp tool and covered over any patches. Some images will need more editing than others, but it saves a lot of time.
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Create a fantastic puzzle effect
Add effects in Elements 12
Picture Stack
01
This Guided Edit slices up your photo to make it look like lots of photos that piece together to form a whole image. You can adjust the border and the background to suit.
Open the edit
Pick your puzzle
01
Open the image that you want to add the effect to and make sure that you are in Guided mode. Scroll down the panel on the right-hand side to nd Puzzle Effect. Click on it to open the Edit interface.
02
Guided Edits walk you through the whole process step by step. The rst thing that you need to do is pick the size of the jigsaw pieces you want to use. If you apply one and want to change it, just undo it.
Lomo Camera Effect
02
Give your image a twist by making it look like it was taken with a Lomo camera. Click once to apply the effect and then you can choose to add a vignette, which we have done here.
Select and Extract
Finish the effect
Old Fashioned Photo
03
The next two steps let you take out pieces from the puzzle and stack them on top. Click on the Select Puzzle Piece button, then click on a piece in your image. Click Extract Piece and it will be removed.
04
Reposition the piece where you want it. You can repeat the last step to remove more pieces. If you remove two pieces next to each other, a line will remain between them, so use the Eraser tool to remove it.
03
Choose from the Old Fashioned presets, add a tint and texture to age it further, and nally adjust the hue and saturation. Lots of customisation leads to great effects.
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View albums on your smart device with Organizer
Set up Mobile Albums
Open the Organizer
Activate your account
Mobile options
01
Open the Elements Organizer. Make sure that you have some photos in there to start off with you can import from an existing library or just drag and drop from your desktop. Click the Mobile Albums option.
02
Click on the i icon next to Mobile Albums and you will be asked to sign into your Adobe account. You would have set this up when you bought the software. It might take a moment to verify your details.
03
Elements will ask you whether you want all of your albums in Elements Organizer to be available to your mobile devices, or whether you want to select them individually. Make your choice and hit Next.
Add pictures
04
Back in the Organizer, you can now drag photos into your Mobile Album. Once they are in here, they are available to any of your mobile devices. You can create new Mobile Albums using the + icon.
Access on the move
05
If you have an iPhone or iPad, then download the Adobe Revel app. Open it and then sign in again with your Adobe ID. Your Mobile Albums are ready to view and you can make simple edits on the move.
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Available from all good newsagents and supermarkets
ON SALE NOW Striking imagery Step-by-step guides Essential tutorials

PHOTO EDITING DIGITAL PAINTING PHOTO ART TOOL GUIDES BEGINNER TIPS

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EDITING Colour change
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Adobe Photoshop Elements 11
Available on: Mac/PC Price: 60/$90
Selectively colour change

Alter the colour of an object or area in an image for a perfect palette
Open Elements and select Image Editor. Choose the Expert panel and open your image. Choose the Quick Selection tool in the Select area of the Tools palette [A}. Were going to select the icing in our image.
01
GIMP 2
Available on: Mac/PC Price: Free
Bright and bold

Weve changed the colour of the cake topping from brown to blue to make it really pop out
Open up your image in GIMP and start by creating a new layer using the button in the Layers palette base. Hit Enter to use the default options when the dialog appears. Change the layer mode from Normal to Hue.
01
Colour is one of the most important elements we have in image making to engage the viewers eye, and choosing WE USED colours that complement each Adobe Photoshop other is the key to success. But Elements 11 often its not until youve set GIMP Color Touch Effects app everything up that you realise that somethings not quite YOU COULD USE Color Splash Photo app right. Even if colours dont Photoshop CS clash, you might have been going for a particular feel that WHAT YOULL LEARN How to change the the colour choice just doesnt colour of an object or convey. Fortunately, the beauty an area of an image of digital photography is that you can easily modify blocks of colour to better suit your message or their surroundings. The cake here, for example, has a much more striking feel with blue rather than brown icing. Follow our tutorials to learn how to selectively colour change with any software.
WHAT YOULL NEED
A suitable image An image-editing program
3 OF THE BEST
Color Touch Effects

Available on: Android Price: Free
Apps for changing object colour

Color Touch Effects Free (Android)
Create dramatic images with this Android app by removing colours, bringing colour back into selected areas or changing them entirely.
ColorChange 0.60/$0.99 (iOS)

ColorChange allows you to take any image and manipulate the colours, and features a magic selection tool which automatically selects a coloured area.
Color Splash Photo Free (Android)

Create awesome images by converting photos to monochrome and applying colour. You can also apply fun effects like sepia and vignettes.
Launch Color Touch Effects and choose From Gallery, Use Camera, Cool Photos or From Facebook. We chose our downloaded image from the gallery. The image appears as mono by default. Click the Effects tab along the top.
01
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EDITING Colour change
02
Now click and drag inside the icing area, moving around until all of the topping is selected, then release. To remove the selection from an unwanted area, hold down Opt/Alt until a minus sign appears and drag in that area.
03
If youve missed any parts that you want to include, simply click and drag again in that area without Opt/Alt. Make sure the Layers palette is visible [F11] and add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer using the half white, half black circle button.
04
The layer will appear with a mask so that only the selected area is affected. Now comes the fun part. Simply move the Hue slider until you reach an icing colour that you really like. The hundreds and thousands will change too.
02
Next, click the foreground colour in the Toolbox and choose a complementary colour that youd like to change the cake topping too. Now select the Paintbrush tool in the Toolbox and resize the brush to around 150 in the options below.
03
Select the Zoom tool and zoom into your image a couple of times before changing back to the Paintbrush tool. Carefully brush your chosen colour into the cake topping while trying to avoid the brown sponge and the background.
04
If you go into any areas that you shouldnt have by mistake, switch to the Eraser tool, located in the Toolbox. Size the tool a little smaller again and go in and remove the offending colour, zooming in closer if needed.
02
Scroll down through the effects until you get to Color Rotate and select it. Move the Rotation slider along until the cake topping colour changes to the desired hue. You will see that everything in the image changes at this point.
03
Click OK and then return to the Paint mode using the tab button along the top. Select the Original button along the bottom and roughly brush out the effect from everywhere but the topping. Use the Move tool if necessary.
04
Now pinch to zoom into the image and get closer to areas that you may have missed or moved into by mistake. Click Original and then brush out as needed, or click Effect and brush the colour back in until you are happy with the nal photograph.
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EDITING Correct exposure

WHAT YOULL NEED
Editing software
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WE USED
DxO Optics Pro 8
YOU COULD USE

DxO Optics Pro 9 Photoshop Elements GIMP
WHAT YOULL LEARN

How to easily enhance exposures using DxO Optics Pro Additional ways to boost image contrast
Correct exposure with Optics Pro

Use this DxO software and a simple editing technique to add some punch to your photos
WITH OFFER CODE PHOTOGRAPHY FB2013
SAVE 80!
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Have you ever taken a photo which looked ne on the cameras monitor screen, only to view it on your computer later and nd out that it looks slightly too dark or too bright? Its something that weve all done from time to time when starting out in photography, and even the most sophisticated of modernday cameras can often be fooled into slightly over or underexposing images when presented with tricky lighting conditions. Dont worry though this doesnt mean that your images are destined for the recycle bin, as correcting the exposure of an image is a simple process that can take less than a few minutes to do thanks to the help of editing software. It goes without saying that its always best to get the exposure as near perfect as possible in-camera, but when disaster strikes, editing software can often help salvage the shot. Providing that your image isnt too heavily under or overexposed, you shouldnt have any problems perking up your pictures should they need it. We used DxO Optics Pro 8 for this tutorial, but you can download a copy of the latest DxO Optics Pro 9 software at a discounted price. All you need to do is enter the code PHOTOGRAPHYFB2013 when you head over to www.dxo.com. This special offer is available to all our readers until 31 January 2014, giving you 40 off DxO Optics Pro 9 Standard Edition, making it 79 instead of 119, or 80 off DxO Optics Pro 9 Elite Edition, making it just 159 instead of 239.
EDITING Correct exposure
Additional ways to add contrast
Exposure Compensation
Under the Exposure Compensation option, carefully start to move the Exposure slider to the right to brighten up the image.
Perfectly exposed Use DxO to improve images

Tone Curve
Using the Tone Curve option, click and drag the top of the curve to brighten the highlights, being careful not to burn out ne details.
Open an image
DxO Smart Lighting
01
Load Optics Pro and open the image you want to adjust by locating its folder on the left of the screen, then select it from the Image Browser at the bottom. Double-click the image to enter the Customize screen from here you can ne-tune your image.
02
Locate the DxO Smart Lighting option and make sure that its active by clicking the tick box. Now, click the arrow to reveal the hidden options and move the Intensity slider to the right to bring back some of the highlight and shadow details.
Darken shadows
Click and drag towards the bottom of the curve to create an S shape, which will darken the shadows within the image.
Selective tone
Darken shadows
Boost contrast
03
Click the arrow next to the Selective Tone option to access the sliders. Move the Highlights slider to the right to brighten the image, being careful not to burn out any ne details. Move the Midtones slider to the right to further brighten up the image.
04
Next, move the Shadows slider to the left to gently intensify the darker midtones and create contrast, though be careful not to darken the image too much. Now, move the Blacks slider to the left a touch to add more contrast.
05
Make sure that the Contrast option is activated by clicking its tick box on the left of the screen, then click the arrow icon to reveal the sliders. Move both the Contrast and Microcontrast sliders to the right to boost the contrast for a result that packs a punch.
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SHARING
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Set up a website to showcase your shots

Use SmugMug to create an online photo album and show off your snaps in style Website: www.smugmug.com Price: From $5/approx 3 per month
WHAT YOULL NEED
Mac or PC Internet connection
WE USED
SmugMug.com
YOU COULD USE

Zenfolio Pictage Flickr
WHAT YOULL LEARN

How to share photos and make them last
When it comes to sharing your photos with friends and family, there are plenty of options, but many of them are rather throwaway. Whether youre uploading to your twentieth album on Facebook or publishing photos to Twitter, they are only there for a moment before people move onto something else. Its a shame for all your hard work to just be glanced over, and we think that every shot you take is worth looking at properly. SmugMug is an online service that allows you to upload all of your photos and lay them out in a beautiful gallery or collage. You can create a photo website with all your shots, and then share the site with friends so
that they can view your work without any distractions. The site is completely customisable, too, so even after youve picked your theme from the options available, youll have the ability to change everything from the layout to the font and colouring of your page. Once youve picked your site title and come up with a custom web address that you can send to your friends and family, youre free to publish your site. The service offers a 14-day free trial, and in that time your site can be live with all your shots and ready to view online. If you love the service, you can pay to keep your site live, or just sign up for another trial.
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WorldMags.net
Create your site
Add your photos and share them
SHARING SmugMug
Sign up
Add your photos
Pick a design
01
Head over to SmugMug.com and click the Try It button to set up your account. You can use the trial for free for the rst 14 days and there are no limitations on it, so you can try the site properly before you pay.
02
Click the Upload button to upload your photos. Youll be able to add plenty of shots to your site before you run out of space, and theres a ash uploader if you dont like the drag-and-drop approach.
03
Now you'll need to pick your site design. There are 24 available, so pick whichever you like best to suit your tastes. You can change it later, so dont worry about picking one and being stuck with it forever.
3 OF THE BEST
Websites to share shots
Customise your gallery
Edit your site
04
The uploaded photos will automatically be added to a gallery on your home page. If you click the Customise button, though, and click the photos, you can set options on how you want your shots to display.
05
There are a lot more actions available from the Customise menu. You can change the background and button colours of your site, and even add social networking buttons for quick and easy sharing.
Zenfolio From 25/$30 per year (Mac/PC)

Zenfolio offers beautiful themes and galleries, plug-ins for apps like Lightroom and Aperture, plus an iPad app for business customers.
500px From Free (Mac/PC) While its a great source of inspiration, 500px also offers free uploads and an online store through which you can sell prints.
Preview
Upgrade to paid
06
Before you publish your site online, you can create a preview that only you will see. This will act just like your nished site, so you can see how everything looks and make changes before you hit the Publish button.
07
You can publish your site and leave it live for 14 days. If you like the service, you can upgrade to one of the many paid plans. The site will show you which options you are currently using to help you decide.
Flickr From Free (Mac/PC)

Flickr is a popular sharing site with 1TB of free storage, full resolution shots and mobile apps for ultimate compatibility.
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SHARING Photobook
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Make an album with Facebook photos

Use Blurb.co.uk to create fabulous printed photobooks from your Facebook account albums Price: From 8.99
WHAT YOULL NEED
Facebook albums Internet connection
WE USED
Blurb.co.uk
YOU COULD USE

Snapsh.com Keepsy.com Shuttery.com
WHAT YOULL LEARN

How to turn Facebook photos into an album
For photographers learning the ropes, Facebook is a great tool for showing off your shots. Not only can you present your images to family and friends, you can also get some amazing feedback and advice from other like-minded photographers. However, there will come a time when you may nd yourself wanting a little more than just a digital gallery. And this is where Blurb.co.uk comes in handy. Blurb provides a fantastic printing facility for all levels of photographer, but there are some standout features for beginners. Even if youve never thought about attempting a photobook before, there are amazing tools
for you to make high-quality albums using social networking sites like Facebook and Instagram. Here well show you how to make an Instant Facebook Book. The process is easy and all it takes is a few clicks. Youll need to log into your Facebook account through Blurb, and then the online book-making tool loads instantly. All you need to do is select your photos, arrange the order and then have it delivered to you. Blurbs Instant Facebook Book is a square book with a minimum of 20 pages, so you can show off any album you like to its full effect. The books are very reasonably priced and are a truly great way to show off your photos.
There are some amazing tools to make high-quality albums from Facebook and Instagram accounts
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
SHARING Photobook
Build your book Put your photos on the page with this easy book-building tool
Get online
Choose an album
Add your images
01
Head to www.Blurb.co.uk and have a quick browse to see what other great products Blurb offers photographers before clicking on the Get Started drop-down tab in the top menu. Choose Instant Photo Books.
02
On the Instant Photo Books page, scroll down to view all of the options. Click on Facebook Photo Books, then on the next page hit Make a Facebook Photo Book and sign in through your Facebook account.
03
Blurbs Photo Book Creator will load and youll see all of your Facebook albums on the left. Click on an album and then click to select images to add to your book. The images will be shown on the right.
3 OF THE BEST
Additional features
Create the book
Arrange your images
04
Click Continue. Youll see the cover of your new book with previews of your images (you can edit it on the next screen). You can type in the name of your book and any other information you want on the cover.
05
Your book is now built! Click an image and drag it out of the book to delete, or insert it on a different page. Use the arrows to ip through and organise your shots, or click Arrange Pages to move individual pages.
Ebook for iPad

For an extra 5.99/approx $9.70, you can have your photobook made into an ebook for iPad. It's easy to do and you can take it everywhere!
PDF copy
Another extra to create is a PDF copy of your photobook. This allows you to keep a digital le of the book that can be shared with others easily.
Add captions
Preview and order
06
If your Facebook photos have captions, these will be added in. Beneath the image, click the Caption On button and then you can type in the text box. You can also tweak the texts font, colour and placing.
07
Click Preview to view your book, then hit the Ready to Order button. Youll be asked to sign in or create a Blurb account, then you can choose the printing options. Finally, click Add To Basket to order your book.
Personal bookstore
All of the books you make with Blurb are stored in your personal bookstore, for sharing and selling your creation across all social media platforms!
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SHARING Picture Collage Maker
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Create collages and share them online

With drag and drop editing, Picture Collage Maker is great for displaying photos Available on: Mac/Windows Price: Free (full software: 14/$20)
WHAT YOULL NEED
Picture Collage Maker
WE USED
for Mac
Picture Collage Maker
YOU COULD USE

MyFrames Free
WHAT YOULL LEARN

Create a stylish collage
We all take lots of photos, and while we might share some online, a lot are hidden away on the disk drive of the computer. It can be hard thinking of ways to show them off, but one great way is to create collages. Photos that look ordinary on their own can come alive as part of an attractive collage, and Picture Collage Maker is perfect for the job. You can download the software from www. pearlmountainsoft.com, and there is also a free Lite version available. We used the free Mac version in this
tutorial, which can be found on the Mac App store. It comes with lots of attractive templates that make creating collages from collections of photos incredibly easy, including ones for various events like Christmas, Easter, weddings and birthdays, but more can be created by customising them. Once a collage is nished, there are options to save it, create a PDF document, email it and share it on Facebook. Whatever you choose to do with your creation, its easy with Picture Collage Maker.
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WorldMags.net
Create a collage Combine photos with attractive layouts
SHARING Picture Collage Maker
Choose a template
Add some photos
Customise the design
01
Download Picture Collage Maker and start it up. Go to File>New Page from Template. Select a category on the left and then choose a template. If you cant nd a suitable one, pick one thats close and edit it.
02
The template is displayed on the screen with empty spaces for the photos. Use the folder browser in the top-left, select a location and the photos will appear below. Drag them to the template.
03
Template graphics and borders can be modied and effects can be applied. Select a photo and you will see Rotate and Crop buttons, lters and controls for adjusting the border width and colour.
7 OF THE BEST
Apps for collages

Collage Creator Lite
Free (Mac/Android/iOS) This is a simple collage creator that features default and custom sizes, picture shadows and a random shufe option to create new layouts.
TurboCollage From free (Android, iOS)
Text and calendars
Resize and format
04
You can easily turn a collage into a custom calendar with your own photos by clicking the Calendar button in the top-left. You can also add a title to your collage by clicking Text and typing it into the box.
05
Text is placed in the centre of the screen by default, so click and drag it into position. There are controls at the right for selecting the colour, font, style and size. Click the colour tile to open the Colors panel.
Several collage styles are available, such as Picture Pile, Mosaic, and Picture Grid. There are lots of customisation options to experiment with in order to create personalised collages.
CollageIt 3 Free Free (Mac)

There are lots of templates that will get you up and running quickly and easily. There are some useful photo-editing tools, too, including photo effects, borders and shadows.
Contour Collage LE Free (Mac)

Contour Collage arranges your photos to create shapes or text from them. Use one of the many built-in shapes, the text generator, or supply your own image as a template for the app to use.
Ephnic Photo Collage

10.49/$14.99 (Mac) If you want something a bit better than the free apps, this one has a collection of 60+ professional templates to choose from.
MyFrames From 0.69/$0.99 (Mac/iOS/
Save the collage
Share the collage
06
Click the Export button at the top to view the ways in which the collage can be saved. You might want to save it as a picture to a folder on the disk, send it as an email or add it to iPhoto.
07
Windows) Collage makers usually stick to rectangular and circular shapes, but this one has some really unusual shapes. It makes an interesting change.
After saving a collage youll see an option to share it on Facebook. The rst time a collage is shared, you must sign into Facebook and authorise the app, then you can simply add a comment and post it.
MagicCollageLite Free (Mac)

This is another app that divides the collage up into unusual shapes. There are 40 templates, 12 border styles and much more. You can also use your photos as the collage background.
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Ask the team questions at
Post questions to the PFBMag group at www.facebook.com Tweet any quick questions or tips you may have to @PFBMag Upload your problem pics to our Flickr pool at www.ickr.com/pfbmag
Amy Squibb
PFBs editor Amy is here to help out with our readers shooting concerns
James Sheppard
Photographer and Photoshop whizz James is on hand to solve any editing issues
Jo Stass
Questions & answers, tips & photo-xes
PFBs staff writer Jo is at the ready to answer your camera tech questions
How do I remove lens are?

I have just come back from my travels and noticed that some of the photos I took have these strange white dots on them. A friend told me its known as lens are, but how can I remove them and x my shot?
Dorothy Wiggins, via email Lens are is a common problem caused by light reecting internally off of the elements inside your cameras lens and onto the image sensor. It usually occurs when you are pointing your camera in the direction of the sun or other bright light, and appears as a coloured haze or series of coloured spots in your shots. However, its quite easy to prevent and x. Just follow our easy tutorial below.
C A B
Lens are into the direction of A Shooting the sun has caused distracting
white spots to appear in the photo, known as lens are
Bright highlights shot appears to be a little B The overexposed, a common

problem when shooting on a bright, sunny day
Photo needs rescuing?

Email it to our experts pfbteam@imagine-publishing.co.uk
Washed-out sky sky is overexposed, with C The washed-out colours and

blown-out highlights. It could do with being a brighter colour
Remove lens are
Fix lens are spots in Photoshop Elements
01 Clone it out
Select the Clone Stamp tool and adjust the brush size. Hold down Opt/Alt while selecting a section that you wish to paste over the lens are, then brush it over the problem area.
02 Fix the exposure
Go to Enhance>Adjust Color> Adjust Color Curves. Bring down the Highlights, Brightness and Shadows sliders to correct the overexposure. Then boost the Contrast slider.
03 Correct the sky
Use the Quick Selection tool to select the sky and then select the Gradient tool. In the Gradient box, choose Foreground to Transparent and set the colour to a sky blue.
04 Add a gradient
Adjust the Color and Opacity sliders and click OK. Set the gradient Style to Linear and the Opacity to 100%, then drag a line down from the top of your shot to the horizon line.
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
Ways to avoid lens are in-camera
4 OF THE BEST
Ask the team questions at photoforbeginners.com

Understanding different le types can help you with shooting, editing and sharing
Use a lens hood

A lens hood is a plastic collar that ts onto the end of your lens and stops the light hitting it at an angle to prevent lens are. Its really useful on bright sunny days, and most lenses will come with them.
What does .jpg mean?

Shield with your hand
If you dont have a lens hood on you when youre out and about, or your lens didnt come with one, you could shield the end of your lens with your hand to block the light. Just make sure that your hand isnt visible in the shot.
Im new to digital photography, and am enjoying being able to take so many photos and store them so easily. However, when organising them on my computer, I have noticed that some of the photos have different letters at the end of the le name. For example, some say .jpg, some say .nef and some say .psd. What do these letters mean and should I be paying attention to them? I would really appreciate your help.
Bill May, via Facebook
The letters at the end of le names are known as le extensions and they detail what type of le it is. The most commonly used le type in photography is JPEG, represented by .jpg. These are processed images ready to print and share. RAW les are unprocessed but retain more data, giving you more control when editing them later on. They have different le extensions depending on the camera you use. For example, Nikon cameras produce .nef les and Canons produce .crw or .cr2 les.
Change your position

You can prevent lens are by simply changing your position so that youre not shooting into the light. Try shooting with the light behind you or to the side instead, or take your photo in the shade to be completely sure of a are-free image.
3 of the best File types for sharing photos
PSD Use the are

Lens are can sometimes be a good thing, enhancing your shot with a hazy, dreamy effect to give it some style. If you cant avoid it, try using it to your advantage. You can even fake lens ares in editing software later.
TIFF
If you want to print your photos on a large scale, saving them as .tiff les is a good option as it will retain more detail than a JPEG. However, they take up more room on your hard drive.
GIF
Saving your shot as a .gif le will automatically reduce its size so that you can share it on the internet without fear of image theft. It will be too small to print, though.
If you are editing an image in Photoshop, saving it as a .psd le will retain all the layers youve added to the shot. This means that you can continue editing it later.
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
This month we
Like
Post your photo to our Facebook page and well share it with the world
Its worth venturing out early or late to capture the soft light of dawn and dusk
Search for PFBMag
Abby Ross
Bright and colourful owers make great macro subjects, as they give shots impact.
Can I improve my golden hour shots?

Bo Chetwyn
This autumn-themed still-life shot makes great use of colour and texture.
Ive been taking advantage of the later sunrise and early sunset of the winter months to get some dawn and dusk shots. However, Im a little disappointed with the shots Ive taken so far. Do you have any advice for getting better photos?
Andy Compton, via Email Mornings and evening are the best times of day to take photos, as the sun is low in the sky and
creates long shadows that add depth to your images. It also casts a lovely golden light over everything. The rst step for getting a great shot is to know where to go. Research the direction in which the sun will rise or set and nd a location where you can include it in your shot. Then think about the composition of your image. Try to include some foreground interest, rather than just shooting the plain horizon, and look for lead-in lines or something to silhouette against the sky.
3 of the best Tips for shooting sunsets

Norman Stewart
Candid shots can help to preserve a natural moment, so it is okay to break eye contact.
Set your speed

Switch your camera to Shutter Priority mode and select a slow shutter speed to allow plenty of light to reach your sensor. Anything slower than 1sec should do.
Steady your camera

When using a slow shutter speed, you will need to keep your camera very steady to avoid blurry shots. Use a tripod or rest your camera on a at surface to prevent camera shake.
Lower the ISO

Keep your ISO on the lowest setting possible to prevent digital noise from appearing in your shots and reducing the image quality. Only raise it as a last resort.
Peter Hradisky
Still bodies of water allow you to include reections in your landscape shots.
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WorldMags.net
Twitpics The best photos

tweeted to us @pfbmag
A colourful sky can help to enha nce any photo @pudseyjo Bird photography is a great proje ct to try in your back garden @Lou254
ur e yo reez will f owilson8 d e e rg sp @ma tter tion t shu A fas cts in ac subje
The glo w landsc of sunset wil ape pic l s @me warm up you athead r michae l
LET US RECOMMEND
Camera straps
Carry your camera in comfort with a versatile strap
I have just bought a new camera but the strap that came with it in the box is very imsy and uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. I have been looking for other camera straps online but there are so many different makes and models with different features and selling points, I dont know which one to pick. Can you recommend any to look for? I dont mind splashing out a bit if it means I can keep my camera on me all day without straining my neck.
Jonathan Bailey, via Facebook Camera straps come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. They range from basic neck straps to customisable carrying systems, and you can even get wrist and waist straps too. They are often designed to be much more comfortable than the typical strap supplied with your camera, so you can wear them all day long without them rubbing your neck. You can also buy multi-way straps that you can wear over your shoulder, which some people nd more comfortable. Knowing which one to pick can be a daunting task, so here are some that we recommend.
BlackRapid Metro
45/$40 The Metro strap is one of the lightest in BlackRapids range, designed for photographers on the go, yet is still very sturdy. It is 160cm in length and can be worn around your neck or shoulder.
JOBY UltraFit Camera Strap

41/$50 This UltraFit strap is available in two different versions, one designed specically for men and one for women. The length and width is optimised for each genders body shape, making it very comfortable to wear.
Kata DL C-Strap
12/$15 This Kata strap is designed for use with mirrorless or DSLR cameras and is made from a exible and breathable material that will help to keep your neck cool. It is a no frills choice for those on a budget.
Whats good about it
Whats good about it
Whats good about it

The strap is ideal for travelling. Its lightweight and easily folds away, for compact storage The exterior material is tough nylon, while the underside is padded with 0.4cm-thick foam

JOBYs strap keeps your camera close to your body to prevent knocks and bumps The SpeedCinch system allows you to quickly adjust the strap

The strap is made of breathable material that will be comfortable to wear around your neck The budget price makes this a great value upgrade from the strap supplied with your camera
What could be better

It is 6.5cm wide, which makes it quite chunky, but also helps to spread the cameras weight The strap does not feature any accessory pockets, as you have to buy them separately

The strap attaches via the screw thread, so you have to remove it before you can use a tripod Swivelling the strap to shoot is not as fast as simply lifting your camera from a neck strap

The strap is quite basic and does not feature any pockets for storing additional memory cards It attaches to your camera via the standard loop connection, so is not quick to detach again
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QUICK START GUIDE Get to know your camera
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Get to know your camera in 5 minutes

Your quick start guide to help you master your kit now
Shutter release
This button is used to take the picture. On most cameras, pressing it halfway in Auto will focus the image
Mode dial
Change the settings on the camera using the mode dial
Hotshoe
The hotshoe allows you to attach external accessories, such as a more powerful ash, to the camera
CAMERA ICONS EXPLAINED

Choose the correct setting with this guide
If youre using a compact camera, then most of your controls will be on the back. A DSLR or Compact System Camera will usually have a mode dial on top. Either way, the icons for setting the camera to shoot in different conditions and for basic operation such as deleting images are usually universal.
Landscape
Boosts the saturation in blues and greens for really vivid outdoor photographs
Easily customise your most used settings in Program mode
Program
Select the aperture while the camera picks the shutter speed for you
Aperture priority
Lens
The light enters the camera here. Lenses can be changed on some camera models
Flash
If your camera has an on-board ash, press this button to use it
Lens release
Press this button to remove the lens from your camera
Auto
If all else fails,
let your camera do the hard work for you by using automatic mode
JARGON BUSTER
Aperture
Affects the amount of your image that is in focus the depth of eld
Focal lengths
Wide-angle a wider angle of view than normal, eg 28mm Telephoto a magnied view of subjects in the distance, eg 200mm
Megapixels
Number of pixels on the sensor, in millions
CSC
Compact system camera
Noise
Refers to the visible digital grain in a photo
Sports
Uses a fast shutter speed to capture movement without blur
For super-attering shots of your friends and family with blurry backgrounds
Portrait
Take control in this mode and pick your own shutter speed and aperture
DSLR
Digital single lens reex camera
Focus
Autofocus means your camera focuses for you; Manual puts you in control
Shutter speed
Fast speeds freeze action while longer ones blur any motion
Drive mode
Continuous or Burst mode, single shot and self-timer
ISO
Refers to how sensitive your cameras sensor is to light and affects the visible grain or noise in a photo
Delete found on all cameras Playback use to review photos Flash choose to switch on/off Flash off the ash wont re
Drive modes including Burst Metering modes
Dynamic range
The term used to refer to the amount of detail in the highlights and shadows
LCD
The display screen on the rear of the camera used to compose images
Optical shows you the view through the camera lens and is good for accurate framing Electronic shows the view on an LCD in the viewnder
Viewnder
White balance
Affected by the ambient light, the white balance can be altered to ensure a natural colour result
Exposure
A balanced exposure has detail in light and shadow areas alike
Live view
An electronic view of the scene in front of the lens
W T
+
Zooms lens out for wide angles Zooms lens in for close-ups Exposure compensation Video mode on stills cameras
button Fn Function for shortcuts
Exposure compensation
Adjusts the tonal range of your photo, lighter or darker
Zoom
Optical the magnication provided by the camera lens Digital a camera crop factor
Zoom in on your photos Zoom out of your photos
Metering
Refers to the way the camera reads the light in the scene
Share your shots at: photoforbeginners.com WorldMags.net
S
Select the shutter speed and the camera will change the aperture
AUTO
A
Shutter priority Manual
Self-timer for self-portraits etc Image stabilisation Diameter of lens found on barrel Macro or closeup modes Night-time/ low-light scenes
WorldMags.net Learn to inspire

www.dphotographer.com
ON SALE NOW > Winter wildlife > 50 pro tips & tricks > Camera of the year 2013
LANDSCAPE TIPS SHOOTING ADVICE WILDLIFE PHOTOS PORTRAIT GUIDES CAMERA REVIEWS

BUY YOUR ISSUE TODAY

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KIT BAG Gear for wildlife
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WHATS IN MY KIT BAG?
Great gear for wildlife

Essential accessories for stunning animal shots
age 01Sturdy tripod 02Camou cover
A tripod will help to keep your shots steady while using long focal lengths and also let you shoot remotely, so you dont disturb the wildlife. Avoid scaring away animals by using a camouage cover to blend yourself and your camera in with the scenery.
Compact camera options

Turn your camera s sound and ash off so tha t they do not disturb you r wildlife subjects and scare them away
03Telephoto 04Remote lens release

A lens with a large focal reach will allow you to capture close-up shots while maintaining a safe distance.
Control your camera from a distance using a remote shutter release, so subjects wont know youre there.
02 03
01
04
Love wildlife? Then check out World Of Animals from...
Control your camera from a distance with a remote shutter release

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Capture your creativity

One-off course or a BA(Hons)
Study at your own pace from home and start at a time to suit you. Support from a one to one tutor who is also a practising photographer. Be part of a UK and international student community. MA Fine Art online also available. Find out more from our website.
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Open College of the Arts

0800 731 2116 oca-uk.com
Dewald Botha, OCA student
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UPGRADE WorldMags.net
Sony a3000
Does this DSLR-style CSC make the best of both?
300/$400 (with 18-55mm lens) | 20.1MP APS-C sensor | 9 scene modes | Helpful guides
youre wan more advanced features on a budget
BUY THIS IFtin g
DOES THE A3000 ALLOW FOR CREATIVE SHOTS?

The Sony a3000 comes with 11 Picture Effects including Retro and Miniature, and six Creative Styles such as Vivid and Sunset, so you can have fun with your shots without editing. Theres also a Sweep Panorama mode, which is really easy to use and produces great results.
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WorldMags.net
Below Images were a little soft, but colours were accurate and vibrant. Experiment with the scene modes or manual options to get better results for your subject
UPGRADE Sony a3000
The area around the viewnder is hard plastic having rubber here would be better, but otherwise it feels comfortable to hold
TECHNICAL INFO
Megapixels 20.1MP
A large number for large prints comparable to the size in many DSLRs
Zoom By lens
Sony has a good selection available
Shutter speed 30-1/4000sec

A wide range for freezing action and capturing motion blur
ISO sensitivity 100-16000

A big range that performs well in low light and bright conditions
Exp. modes 9 scenes, plus iAUTO,

Superior Auto, Program, SP, AP, Manual, Sweep Panorama A great tool set for beginners and those wanting to advance their skills
Those acquainted with Sonys range of cameras will be slightly confused by this model being given the Alpha branding, as its much more in line with its NEX series. It aims to combine features of both though, with the sturdy SLR feel of the Alpha range and the compact body of an NEX. Its deep, rubberised grip makes it easy to use one-handed, but those looking towards CSCs for their small nature may be better off looking elsewhere, as smaller models are out there. The Sony a3000 is packed full of great features though, such as full manual control, nine scene modes, full HD video recording, RAW shooting, and helpful guides for beginners. The camera isnt littered with buttons, using just the most often used ones and a mode dial to change settings, but its not the most easy-to-use menu weve come across. Changing lenses is ddly due to the position of the release button and the lack of a control wheel suits its entry-level position, but may put off those used to DSLR controls. The screen is xed and its low-res at 230,400 dots, making it grainy when youre trying to view your shots. It comes with an electronic viewnder, which is good to see at its price point, but its a small,
low-res 201,600-dot one, and it would have been nice if it switched on automatically when you put your eye to it like some models do. The 20.1MP APS-C sensor produces images of great quality, with minimal noise until around ISO 3200. Images were a little soft and would require some sharpening in editing software, but otherwise colours were accurate and well saturated. It wasnt as quick to focus as its competition, but was still perfectly able to keep up with fast-moving subjects. Its build quality is good for its low price, but it feels plasticky, so wont be contending in this respect with its more expensive brethren. You do get a lot of great features for what youre paying, though, so if youre willing to sacrice in the way of build quality and get to grips with how it handles, then its a fantastic option for those looking to upgrade on a budget.
Aperture By lens Flash modes A, Fon, Foff, SS Weight 353g (body only) Dimensions 128 x 90.9 x 84.5mm Batteries Lithium-ion Screen 3 inches Storage Memory stick, SD, SDHC,
SDXC
HOW GOOD IS IT FOR Landscapes

Use a 30sec shutter speed, HDR or Panorama mode for great vistas
Portraits
Smile Shutter, face detection and a soft skin effect all help here
Sports
Its not as fast to focus as some, but tracking AF helps with action shots
Low light

Even at a high ISO of 3200 noise is handled well
Macro
You will need a macro lens to get up close but colours are great
THE PROS & CONS

The images were of excellent quality, despite some softness There are plenty of modes to experiment and get creative with The LCD and viewnder are low-res, but this is a budget model The handling could be improved with an added control wheel
Considering the price point of this camera, you get a lot of features for your money, but you have to compromise on build quality and handling.
VERDICT
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UPGRADE Panasonic LUMIX DMC-SZ9
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Panasonic LUMIX DMC-SZ9

What does this budget compact have to offer?
BUY THIS IF you wa
160/approx $250 | 10x optical zoom | 16.1MP | Wi-Fi connectivity
nt a simple point-and-shoot for everyday snapping
IS THIS A GOOD CAMERA TO TAKE TRAVELLING?

As well as the versatile focal range, the LUMIX DMC-SZ9 has lots of other great features for travellers. You can set the world time and travel date in the set-up menu, as well as switch to aeroplane mode. You can also manually log the location of your photos.
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Below Images feature accurate colours but lack crisp detail. The sensors ISO performance is very poor, producing grainy images particularly in low light
UPGRADE Panasonic LUMIX DMC-SZ9
The DSC-SZ9 is lightweight but the buttons are quite ddly
TECHNICAL INFO
Megapixels 16.1MP
Plenty of megapixels for printing your photos in large sizes
Zoom 10x optical, 20x digital

An impressive focal range of 25-250mm for such a small compact

A decent range to suit everyday shooting situations

A useful range for producing bright shots in low light
Exp. modes 17 scenes,

plus Auto, Program Great for beginners, but there is little manual control for those looking to advance their skills
With cameraphones gradually overtaking the trusty point-and-shoot in the camera market, it is often the zoom on compact models that manages to claw back our attention. The Panasonic SZ9 features an impressive 10x optical zoom, providing a focal range of 25-250mm. This versatile lens makes it a great option for taking on holiday or simply keeping in your bag for everyday photo opportunities. When the lens reverts back into the camera body, the SZ9 is slim enough to t into any pocket. The attractive brushed metal nish also gives a quality feel to this lightweight and mostly plastic camera. The camera is easy to use with simple and well laid out controls, although the small buttons are quite ddly for those with big ngers. As it is a simple point-and-shoot, there is not much in the way of manual control for beginners looking to advance their skills. Normal mode will let you change basic settings such as ISO and white balance, but you will otherwise have to rely on Auto or the wide range of scene modes on offer to get the perfect shot. However, you can customise your captures with 12 creative lters, such as retro or
cross process, and even apply auto retouching to shots you have already taken. The only part of this cameras performance that is disappointing is the image quality. Images are a little grainy even at low ISOs and become extremely poor at ISO 800, meaning that low-light shots lack clarity and detail. Even in Handheld Night Shot mode, which merges several images to reduce noise, they still contain a lot of grain. However, the autofocus is fast and can be used when shooting at 5fps, so quick-moving subjects are kept sharp. Once you have taken your photos, you can share them straight away by using the SZ9s Wi-Fi connectivity to wirelessly transfer them to your PC or smartphone or play them on a DLNA-compliant TV. You can even control the camera using your phone for remote shooting.
This simple point-and-shoot has some great features for its budget price, but they are somewhat overshadowed by the poor image quality.
Aperture f3.1-5.9 Flash modes Auto, RE, Fon, SS, Foff Weight 119g without battery Dimensions 96.5 x 56.8 x 21.2mm Batteries Lithium-ion Storage: SD, SDHC, SDXC Screen 3 inches

Colours are bright and vivid, particularly when using Landscape scene mode
Portraits
Beauty Retouch lets you perfect people shots, even adding virtual make-up
Sports
Autofocus is quick and there are four different burst options to choose from
Low light

Low-light images are noisy and the cameras ash is a little harsh
Macro
The minimum focusing distance of 5cm is not ideal for close-ups
THE PROS & CONS

The 10x optical zoom lens is good for wide-angle vistas and close-ups Great options for editing and sharing are available in a sleek, compact body The image quality is disappointing, with lots of grain and lost detail The lack of manual controls restrict anyone wanting to develop their skills
VERDICT
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UPGRADE Nikon COOLPIX S6600
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Nikon COOLPIX S6600

191/approx $303 | 16MP | Wi-Fi | Vari-angle LCD
Capture extreme angles with this feature-packed compact camera
youre a social snapper looking for a stylish compact
BUY THIS IF
IS IT SUITABLE FOR EVERYDAY SHOOTING?

With 18 scene modes to choose from, this compact can adapt to any situation, and the exible LCD lets you easily compose self-portraits as well as high-angle shots that pack plenty of people into the frame. Theres also gesture control for operating the shutter and zoom from a distance.
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Below Image quality is impressive, with a treasure trove of scene modes and art lters to play with to help you get great shots without the need to edit later
UPGRADE Nikon COOLPIX S6600
There are no excuses for not keeping this camera on you, since its so small and light. The controls may be tricky for larger hands to use, though
TECHNICAL INFO
Megapixels 16MP
A large megapixel count for printing big and cropping without loss of quality
Zoom 12x optical, 4x digital

It has a focal range of 25-300mm for a variety of compositions
Shutter speed 4-1/4000 sec

Quick enough to freeze fast vehicles, children and pets

A wide range of settings to suit every scene, night and day
Exp. modes 18 scenes, plus

Auto, Program A good number of auto options for beginners but no advanced modes
Aperture f3.3-6.3 Flash modes Auto, Red-eye

Reduction, Fon, Foff, Fill-Flash, SS
Sometimes theres no more willing or patient model than ourselves, and the Nikon S6600 enables us to compose the best self-portraits. Simply pop out the vari-angle LCD screen and turn the camera around, enabling you to compose the shot using the screen for guidance. This is great news for shooting video blogs too, which record in full HD with the option to upload movies and stills to the internet using the built-in Wi-Fi. Its the social snappers ideal compact, kitted out with features such as Glamour Retouch to instantly make portraits so much more attering. Choose from eight features, from teeth whitening to skin softening, and tapering facial contours to hiding eye bags. We were really impressed with the results, meaning photos could be sent straight to Facebook with no need to spend hours editing. There are plenty of other features to help photographers achieve perfection with minimal fuss by applying special effects. Our favourites are soft portrait, which creates the coveted blurred background in your photos, and eye colour correction for pets to banish the spooky ash
effect. These creative tools give the photographer freedom, despite lacking any manual modes beyond Program. This is ideal for beginners, however, and theres no quibbling that the S6600 would not make a solid everyday shooter. Its body is small, light and comfortable to hold thanks to the textured grip that falls easily under thumb, but the controls are on the small side. The design is stylish and available in a variety of colours. Once turned on, the lens concertinas from the body and is capable of zooming in up to 12x, which is great news for wildlife and architecture fans. The images are sharp up to ISO 800, but the colours needed a little saturation boost to look their best. Its pretty pricey owing to the vari-angle LCD, so if this isnt high on your priority list, there are plenty of other affordable models offering similar quality.
Style meets function in this compact that comes with Wi-Fi, glamorous editing effects and a exible LCD to help you take better pictures.
Weight 165g with battery Dimensions 96.9 x 57.1 x 27.2mm Batteries Lithium-ion Storage SD, SDHC, SDXC Screen 2.7 inches

Images exhibited a good range of light and dark tones for well-exposed vistas
Portraits
Skin tones are attering and Glamour Retouch gives beautiful results
Sports
Any action was stopped in its tracks, with sharp shots of moving subjects
Low light

Noise is well-controlled in low light, up to the ISO setting of 800
Macro
Close-ups are detailed but it can only focus up to 2cm away
THE PROS & CONS

The exible LCD and gesture control help composition, with superb quality Built-in editing tools and Wi-Fi means photos can be uploaded immediately The price is a bit high for a compact with no manual modes The cameras battery life is relatively short at just 150 shots
VERDICT
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UPGRADE Samsung NX2000
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Samsung NX2000
Is this touch screen CSC a good choice for beginners?
500/$650 | 20.3MP APS-C sensor | 3.7-inch, 1152k dots touch-sensitive screen | 3D still and movie recording
you want to ta the next step on from compact cameras
BUY THIS IF ke
WHAT IS SO INTERESTING ABOUT THE LCD?

The NX2000s WVGA display is larger than most screens, standing at an impressive 3.7 inches. Secondly, the camera is almost completely operated via the touch screen, for faster shooting and selecting. Finally, at 1152k dots, it is one of the highest resolution screens on a CSC.
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Below The camera falls short of the mark in terms of colour reproduction, and suffers some problems in regards to metering
UPGRADE Samsung NX2000
The large 3.7-inch WVGA touch screen offers an accessible and feature-rich interface
TECHNICAL INFO
Megapixels 20.3MP
A very high megapixel count for incredibly large photo prints
Zoom Lens dependent

A selection is available from Samsung

A great range for long exposures and freezing action

The maximum ISO will allow low-light enthusiasts to shoot handheld
Exp. modes 14 scenes, plus Auto,

Smart, Program, Manual, AP, SP Dual support here for beginners and advanced shooters alike
Aperture Lens dependent Flash modes Smart, Auto, RE, Fill in,
Fill in with RE, 1st and 2nd curtain, Foff
Weight 228g without battery Dimensions 119 x 64.5 x 35.7mm Batteries Rechargeable BP1130 Storage microSD, microSDHC,
microSDXC, UHS-1 microSD support
The new Samsung SMART NX2000 provides newcomers with a colossal 20.3MP APS-C sensor (like those used in the average low-end DSLR), a huge 3.7-inch high-resolution WVGA touch screen, a sensitivity gamut that runs to ISO 25600, Wi-Fi and NFC, which allows photographers to share les simply by touching another NFC device. There are some noticeable chinks in its armour, however; the camera has no viewnder or built-in ash (although there is a hotshoe to add an optional ash unit), it lacks Android like some new Samsung launches, and it only takes microSD-style cards, which could put off those who already have a set of SD cards. The most dramatic feature of the mirrorless CSCs design, available in pink, black or white, is its ultra-large touch screen. It is incredibly responsive and shares the same navigation actions as commonplace smartphones, such as pinch-to-zoom and swipe to move between captures in playback. The trade-off, however, is a lack of on-body controls, which may faze those stepping up from compacts, although the handy i-Fn button transforms the control ring into a manual dial for changing settings.
The NX2000s shooting performance was mixed, as although its AF was quick to focus in good, even light, it struggled when light levels dipped or when tracking was needed. On the whole, the cameras metering system and white balance meter were unreliable. In even light, colours were realistic and vivacious, with exposures well balanced, but introduce harsh lighting or contrast and exposure values dip and colours become muted. As there is no built-in ash, photographers will have to boost the ISO in low light, and thankfully the camera does a sterling job at keeping noise at bay until ISO 3200. The image quality produced by the camera is adequate, but given its price point, there are arguably stronger performing high-end compacts, CSCs and low-end DSLRs out there that also deliver more intuitive user experiences for less.
The new CSC has a lot going for it in terms of technology, but its sluggish performance and marred image quality give its rivals little to worry about.
Screen 3.7 inches

Users can make the most of the 20.3MP with the Landscape mode
Portraits
Best Face and Beauty Face are two options portrait enthusiasts can enjoy
Sports
Capable of 3D stills and movies, the NX2000 is ideal for capturing action
Low light

Sporting a wide ISO gamut, users can shoot handheld even in near darkness
Macro
Touch AF lets photographers quickly pinpoint the area they want in focus
THE PROS & CONS

Very reasonably priced and offering excellent features and handling Top feature set including 3D stills, movie capture, Wi-Fi and NFC No viewfinder or built-in flash, and no Android technology either Micro storage may mean having to splash out on a new memory card
VERDICT
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UPGRADE Pro compacts
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Pro compacts
Premium pocket-sized cameras put to the test
1 Sony DSC-RX100 II Price 650/$750
The RX100 II (www.sony.co.uk) sports a larger sensor than its group test peers and boasts an extraordinary 20.2MP count. It features a high-resolution tilting screen, Wi-Fi, and like all those seen here, RAW support. But unlike the Nikon and Fujilm, there is no viewnder and it has the shortest focal range at 28-100mm. Handling the device is simple thanks to its dual support for both beginners and pros, and its multi-functioning manual control ring is a nice touch for adjusting values. The AF system is slick and accurate, with faster speeds than most of its rivals here. Images exhibit rich details and strong colour, with noise held at bay until ISO 1600. Undoubtedly one of the strongest shooters in its eld, but its sharp price tag could take the shine off its appeal.
2 Fujifilm X20 Price 520/$600

Separating itself from its competitors as a style icon, the Fujilm X20 (www.fujilm.eu/ uk) exudes a fashionable look and functionality with a retro theme. Presenting a metal build and focused design, the advanced compact, like the Nikon, offers a 12MP sensor. Here, however, we see the removal of the low-pass lter for crisper detail denition, plus it can power out 12fps and delivers an ISO range that scales to 12800, with noise held at bay until ISO 3200. Despite being the second most expensive, offering the smallest and lowest resolution LCD, there is a lot to like here; colours and tones are accurate and rich, with exposures well balanced. Arguably the X20 had the strongest image quality overall, but its a shame its handling isnt as on-point.
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3 Nikon COOLPIX P7800 Price 500/$550
The COOLPIX P7800 (www. nikon.co.uk) joins Nikons range as a premium compact, yet here pitched against its market-leading rivals, its feature set and chunky build fail to impress. It does have the largest focal range here (28-200mm), and includes a built-in ND lter, viewnder and GPS, but at 921k it has the lowest resolution screen (although it is vari-angle), plus its joint third megapixel count of 12MP and its relatively poor sensitivity gamut, which caps at ISO 6400, are disappointing. Its body is littered with controls, which may daunt some newcomers, and its menu system isnt the most accessible. Noise is visible at ISO 800 and images leave the camera soft, colours are cooler than reality, and it tends to overexpose. Entering as the fth camera to join Canons revered expert compact line, the S120 presents an ISO range that tops out at 12800, a threeinch, touch-sensitive LCD, a 24-120mm range and is capable of shooting full resolution (12.1MP) at 9.4fps. This shooter is extremely fast and responsive, and offers arguably the best handling experiences of the four on test here. Image quality is strong,
UPGRADE Pro compacts
4 Canon PowerShot S120 Price 450/$450

with frames leaving the camera sharper than some, and are colour accurate and well exposed for the majority of scenarios, although its tonal range could be stronger. Noise is repelled until ISO 1600, but like all the others featured here, there is evidence of smoothing at play. Visit the Canon website at www.canon. co.uk to nd out more.
Handling the device is simple thanks to its dual support for both beginners and pros
03
04
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ACCESSORIES JOBY Hand Strap
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ant to keep a secure and flexible hold on your camera
BUY THIS IF you w
JOBY UltraFit Hand Strap

Camera straps are useful for keeping hold of your camera wherever you go, but JOBYs UltraFit Hand Strap with UltraPlate offers something more. The top of the wrist strap attaches via one of your cameras lugs as usual, but then the UltraPlate screws into any -20 tripod screw mount on the camera base. This allows you to easily switch between shooting handheld and using a tripod, as the quick release plate is compatible with most tripod brands. The UltraFit strap is quick and easy to attach; however, screwing the UltraPlate into place is a little ddly, so you may need to carry an Allen key with you. This multifunctional strap can also be used in a third way, as it is possible to attach an additional shoulder strap to the UltraPlate for yet another carrying option. The UltraFit strap is very thin and lightweight and it wont get in the way of your cameras buttons and controls. It is ideal to use with a DSLR or CSC with a
Is this strap versatile enough for the price?

grip for a comfortable hold of your camera. The inside of the strap is soft, moulding to the shape of your hand as you shoot, but the outside looks and feels quite cheaply made for the price point. The aluminium UltraPlate feels high quality, however, and adds very little bulk to the strap. Overall, JOBYs innovative strap is a useful accessory for keeping a secure hold on your camera, particularly if you regularly switch between shooting handheld and using a tripod. However, it does feel a little imsy for the price and the addition of the UltraPlate is just extra bulk if you dont use a tripod very often.
A useful addition to your camera for comfortably shooting on the go and keeping your kit secure, but it is rather expensive and could be better made.
THE INFO
Price 41/$50 Weight 58g Dimensions 12.4 x 6.3 x 2cm Used for DSLR, CSC, video camera Connection point Standard
shoulder lug and -20 tripod mount
Materials Nylon, EVA foam,

aluminium, stainless steel
THE PROS & CONS

Quickly move between shooting handheld and using a tripod It is light and doesnt get in the way, so you can leave it on the camera Screwing the UltraPlate onto the camera requires an Allen key It is quite expensive considering its build quality and simplicity
VERDICT
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ACCESSORIES Sturdy tripods
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Sturdy tripods
Keep your camera steady and your shots sharp
1 Slik Sprint Pro II GM Tripod Price 64/approx $103
Sliks Sprint Pro II is the lightest of all the tripods on test, weighing just 940g. It also extends to an impressive 1615mm, and once you unscrew the centre column and move the legs outwards, it can be used at a minimum height of 170mm. Each leg can be moved independently and locked into place, although the locking system is quite stiff and difcult to control. We tested it with the three-way head that has one lever for quick adjustments, but makes precision movements difcult. Despite being lightweight, the Sprint Pro II feels sturdy and the lever lock system on the legs is secure. Each leg also has a foam sleeve for gripping easily in wet weather. Go to www. sliktripod.co.uk for more details.
2 Giottos YTL9253 Tripod

Price 100/$180
The tripod with the tallest maximum height of the four is the Giottos, reaching 1660mm. With the legs spread out, it also has the shortest minimum height of 150mm. We tested the YTL9253 with a three-way head, but other heads are also available. What sets this tripod apart is the innovative Y-shaped centre column that allows it to be more compact when folded down. However, with a folded length of 590mm, this is not the most compact tripod on test here, and it also weighs in at a bulky 1380g, making it one of the heaviest. This does mean that it will support up to 5000g of camera, though. Learn more at www.giottos-tripods.co.uk.
02
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3 Nest Pioneer NT-264AK Tripod Price 80/approx $129
This Pioneer tripod from Nest folds down to just 400mm in length. Its supplied ballhead has a useful bubble level, two adjustment controls and a panning scale so you can position your camera exactly where you want it. Securely adjusting the length of the legs is easy, as the lever lock system feels safe and sturdy, and they will even go horizontal. As the heaviest tripod on test here, the Nest model may weigh you down a little and is also quite bulky. However, it can support heavy DSLRs and lenses and will stay sturdy even in windy conditions. The maximum height of 1500mm and minimum height of 270mm are also decent for most shooting situations. For more information, head to www.nest-style.com.
Imagine Publishing Ltd Richmond House, 33 Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 6EZ +44 (0)1202 586200 Web: www.photoforbeginners.com www.greatdigitalmags.com
Magazine team
Editor Amy Squibb
amy.squibb@imagine-publishing.co.uk 01202 586210

4 MeFOTO BackPacker Tripod
Price 135/$139
Great for shooting on the go, this tripod folds down to just 320mm. The legs can fold independently from each other so you can keep your camera level on tricky terrain, and then you can lock them into place for extra stability. The supplied ballhead makes quickly adjusting the position of your camera easy, and it also features a panning scale and bubble level for precise adjustments. Unfortunately, the twist lock system for adjusting the legs is not very secure and slows you down. This tripod also has the shortest maximum height and tallest minimum height of all the tripods on test. Visit www. mefoto.com to nd out more.
Designer Moe Hezwani Staff Writer Joanna Stass Sub Editor Alicea Francis Editor in Chief Dan Hutchinson Photographer James Sheppard Senior Art Editor Duncan Crook Head of Publishing Aaron Asadi Head of Design Ross Andrews
Contributors
Stephen Ashby, Julie Bassett, Mark Bauer, Michael Bosanko, Thomas Calton, Natalie Denton, Matt Henry, Shaun McGill, Hayley Paterek, Ella Sutton, Jodie Tyley, Roland Waddilove
Locations
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Advertising
Digital or printed media packs are available on request. Advertising Director Matthew Balch 01202 586437 Head of Sales Hang Deretz 01202 586442 Advertising Manager Jennifer Farrell 01202 586430 jennifer.farrell@imagine-publishing.co.uk
International
Photography for Beginners is available for licensing. Contact the International department to discuss partnership opportunities. Head of International Licensing Cathy Blackman +44 (0)1202 586401 licensing@imagine-publishing.co.uk
Subscriptions
Head of Subscriptions Gill Lambert subscriptions@imagine-publishing.co.uk For all subscription enquiries Email: p4bsubs@servicehelpline.co.uk (UK) 0844 245 6957 (Overseas) +44 (0)1795 592 815 13-issue subscription (UK) 52 13-issue subscription (Europe) 70 13-issue subscription (ROW) 80
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Head of Circulation Darren Pearce 01202 586200
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Production Director Jane Hawkins 01202 586200
Founders
Group Managing Director Damian Butt Group Finance & Commercial Director Steven Boyd Group Creative Director Mark Kendrick
Printing & Distribution

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Disclaimer
The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of Imagine Publishing Ltd. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. All copyrights are recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the magazine has endeavoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein. If you submit material to Imagine Publishing via post, email, social network or any other means, you automatically grant Imagine Publishing an irrevocable, perpetual, royalty-free license to use the images across its entire portfolio, in print, online and digital, and to deliver the images to existing and future clients, including but not limited to international licensees for reproduction in international, licensed editions of Imagine products. Any material you submit is sent at your risk and, although every care is taken, neither Imagine Publishing nor its employees, agents or subcontractors shall be liable for the loss or damage. Imagine Publishing Ltd 2013 ISSN 2046-9845z
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CHEAT SHEET Landscapes
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PHOTO CHEAT SHEET
Landscapes
Quick and easy tips for shooting stunning vistas
Its easy to find a fantastic landscape to shoot, and its just as simple to take the photo when you get there. Take some time to scout out your location and find the best vantage point to shoot from for a pleasing composition. A good kit bag is a worthwhile investment, as you may need to carry your gear for a bit of a distance to find the best spot. As you cant control the lighting of your landscape photos, think about the best time of day to go out and shoot. Its also important to remember that different weather conditions can alter the look of your shot. Clouds will add contrast and interest to a plain blue sky, while going out on a stormy day can make for a dramatic and moody image. When you have found a great view, use our cut-out-and-keep guide to help you pick the best settings and frame your shot.
ESSENTIAL PORTRAIT KNOW-HOW

Aperture f8-f22 Shutter speed (with tripod) Below 1/30sec Shutter speed (handheld) 1/60sec or faster ISO 100 Focus mode Multi-point AF Drive mode Single Lens 12-35mm Helpful kit Tripod, neutral density
lter, polarising lter
To light the shot For the best natural light,

shoot just after sunrise or just before sunset when the light is soft and golden
Top Tip Carefully consider your composition.

Look for foreground interest and place it off-centre in the frame for a balanced shot

Wild weather Weather will also affect your shot, but although cloudy skies can add drama to your photo, make sure you are prepared for the rain that follows
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Photography For Beginners - Issue 33, 2014

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Essential guides for

Tricks for great lighting today

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CAPTURE ONE EXPRESS 6

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Find the perfect compact for you

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CAPTURE O EXPRESS 6 NE FO EVERY REA R DE TURN TO P R. 15

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Easy lighting techniques

12 How to share your photos

16 Join the debate

28 Win a Canon EOS 100D

76 Ask the team

82 Whats in my kit bag?

Learn how to use ash on p24, including lling in backlit shots

98 Settings cheat sheet

44 Better vistas 38 Great group shots

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4 Photography for Beginners

WorldMags.net GET MONEY OFF ISSUES!

Unlock essential photo secrets

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29 Unlock essential photo secrets today

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44 Use ND grad lters for better landscapes

50 Share a photo a day with the Blipfoto app

52 Why control your aperture?

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64 Selectively colour change

66 Easily correct exposures using DxO Optics Pro

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