Photography for Beginners Issue 36 - 2014

10 STEPS TOGREAT SHOTS Practical hands-on shooting advice Master important exposure settings Discover your camera bag essentials Top tips & techniques

COMPOSITIONEasy tricks for better

Learn the photo rules Use fresh perspectives Work with leading lines Experiment with zoom

SAMSUNG CAMERA WORTH250

Switch to RAW nowWhy you should leave JPEGs behind forever

Shoot the moon How to capture the night sky

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Essential guides for

Plain English award winner Jargon-free photo magazineISSU

E 036

WELCOME

Photography for Beginners 3

For more great photo tips, head to photoforbeginners.comGet in touch with us Ask questions, leave feedback on the magazine or share your shots via the following social sites

For more great photo tips, head to photoforbeginners.com

@PFBMag PFBMag PFB Magazine [email protected] photoforbeginners.com

Welcome5 essential skills you will learn in this issue01 ACE COMPOSITIONDiscover how to take striking shots in-camera on p18

02 CREATIVE PORTRAITSHead to p38 to shoot, edit and share a creative avatar

03 SHOOT THE MOONTurn to p42 to capture sharp shots of the night sky

04 PERFECT VISTASLearn to capture landscapes on your cameraphone on p50

05 DISCOVER RAWFind out how to shoot and edit RAW images on p56

As its my rst issue taking the reins of Photography For Beginners, we thought we would pack it full of fantastic features, practical tutorials and useful tips to help kick-start your springtime shooting. Theres a great Beginners Guide to composition on p18, where youll discover how to compose stunning shots in-camera, and a helpful ten-step guide to perfect photos of any subject on p28. Weve also got an ten-page feature on why you should switch to RAW, along with advice on shooting landscapes using your cameraphone and more.

I hope you enjoy the issue. Dont forget to share your shots online!

Hayley PaterekDeputy Editor

Follow us at @PFBMag

WELCOMEIssue 36


ContentsIssue 36

Shutter speed: The time your shutter is open for, in seconds

Compact system camera: Good image quality, lightweight

Cameraphone: Smartphones that are always with you

Compact: Small, low-cost and easy-to-use cameras

70

Aperture: The depth of field of an image, as an f-number

4 Photography for Beginners

ESSENTIALS06 Your photos

Send us your shots for a chance to appear in the section thats just for you!

10 Readers challenge Get your hands on some slideshow software by entering our competition

12 How to share your photosWays to send your shots to the PFB team for advice and to share with our readers

14 Need to knowCheck out Olympuss latest camera and win a landscape masterclass in Argyll

16 Join the debateWould you share your shots online without a watermark? Tell us your thoughts now

17 Win a camera worth 250Be in with a chance of winning a fantastic Samsung WB350F by entering today

46 Subscribe!Save money on your copy of Photography for Beginners with our exclusive offer

78 Ask the teamYour questions answered and problems solved by our panel of photo experts

82 Quick start guideAll you need to get to know your camera in just ve minutes

84 Upgrade On test: Nikons latest DSLR, the Sony RX10, the Fuji lm X-A1 and more

92 AccessoriesLatest cameraphones reviewed, essential landscape accessories and more

98 Architecture cheat sheetLearn the key things you need for incredible architecture shots

DSLR: Usually more expensive, but good image quality

Choosing the right

cloud storage

18Nikon D5300 and more rated inside

38Create a cool online pro le pic

Discover how to capture stunning shots in-camera with our top tips

Creative portraits

Tricks for better composition

42Capture sharp shots of the night skyShoot the moon

Your quick-start guide to all the icons youll see in Photography for BeginnersWHAT THE ICONS MEAN

Learn composition rules on p20

84Latest kit reviewed

SUBSCRIBE TO...

46 GET MONEY OFF ISSUES!SHOOT18 Easy tricks for better

composition nowShoot images with more impact by following our composition tips and tricks

28 10 steps to great shots Discover the secrets behind getting a great shot with our step-by-step guide

36 5 tips for natural portraitsImprove your people pics in an instant

38 Shoot, edit and share a creative portraitTransform your online pro le with a mind-bending avatar image

42 Shoot the moonGet sharp shots of the moon tonight

44 Capture a backlit still lifeHow to take a photo with a difference

48 Story behind the shotFind out how to photograph light trails

50 Take stunning landscapes on your cameraphoneTips for capturing fantastic vistas

54 Retouch phone captures A step-by-step guide to using the Handy Photo app

EDIT56 Get to grips with RAW

Discover the bene ts of shooting in RAW for bigger and better quality shots

66 Add a light leak How to create a retro camera effect

68 Use the History paletteLearn how to undo editing adjustments

SHARE70 Choosing the right cloud

storage service A roundup of the best cloud storage options that are available online

74 Organise your shots by location in ElementsAssign places to your images

76 Print your photos5 tips for printing your photos at home and on the internet

Share

your

shots a

t...

photo

forbe

ginne

rs.co

m

Or sea

rch for

PFBM

ag on

...

CONTENTSIssue 36

For back issues & more go to

56Find out how RAW can transform your shots

Switch to RAW capture today

Adjust shutter speed on p31 Master metering on p32

Enhance exposure on p62

28A practical guide to getting fantastic images every time

10 steps to great shots


Your photosTake a look at our favourite photos taken by our talented readers this month and be inspired to send in your own

WIN!A Samsung 16G

B memory card

Every issue, one winner will r

eceive a

Samsung 16GB SDHC memo

ry card

or a prize of equal value

www.samsung.com/uk

Full terms and conditions

available online

Fair eld Church, KentI set the camera to bracket and red ve shots with different exposures, then used Photomatix to turn them into an HDR image.Shot on: Nikon D7100, 35mm lens, ISO 100, f8, 1/30sec Sent in via: Email

Reader: Damien Harrow


READERS GALLERY

YOUR PHOTOSReaders gallery

Photography for Beginners 7Share your shots at: photoforbeginners.comShare your shots at: photoforbeginners.com Photography for Beginners 7



Reader: Lisa DonoghueA Break From Life I had no intentions of taking any photos, but towards the end of the day, the clouds and the light took on a strange look. I decided to race home, grab the camera and basically chase the strange clouds in the sky.Shot on: Sony Alpha SLT A-65, ISO 100, f10, 1/125sec

Reader: Ian AngusYoung BirdThe was taken on the path down to Threave Castle. He sat on the fence post and I managed to get four shots from three feet away.Shot on: Fuji lm FinePix HS30EXR, ISO 100, f5, 1/60sec

Reader: Matthew WoodhouseThe Dark HedgesThis was taken at 5:10am, before sunrise. The trees were all in shadow, so I decided to park my car in the middle of the road (there was no traf c at that time), turn on the car lights full beam and take the shot using a remote release.Shot on: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f22, 20sec

Reader: Gareth Cheshire-WhatleyLily On A Duck PondI saw the lily and was attracted by the colour and petals. After having your magazine delivered to me with an article on zoom burst, I felt inspired to give it a shot as my rst editing experience.Shot on: Nikon D3100, ISO 400, f9, 1/160sec

Reader: Shazz Hooper Disco BallI wanted to try something creative, so I set up a disco ball in a dark room, placed it against a wall to get the light to bounce back and got this effect.Shot on: Canon EOS 70D, ISO 100, f8, 1.3sec



Share your shots at: photoforbeginners.com Photography for Beginners 9

Reader: Kaye Amos Gentle Blues

These beautiful blue rams are recent morphs of the common rams. These

sh are very sensitive to certain environments and need extra care. I

love how vibrant they are and how chilled they are.

Shot on: iPhone 4S

Reader: Eleanor PayneTitle: Sunset Silhouette

Reader: Teri HumphreyTitle: Amazing Mother Nature

Reader: Jai CrawfordTitle: Innocence

Reader: Alun ClintonTitle: Old Pier

Reader: Jo Cantelo Bond Title: The Tower Of Gold

Share your shots at: photoforbeginners.com Photography for Beginners 9

Win cameraphone kit!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 [email protected]

You might think that low-light situations are not ideal for photography, as photography is essentially the recording of light. However, there are plenty of great photographic opportunities to be discovered as the light begins to fade. In actual fact, the hours of the day when the sun is low in the sky are best for outdoor photography, as the light is soft and golden at these times. You can also get creative with arti cial light indoors, experimenting with different setups for your still life and portrait photos to produce really creative

results. In our Beginners Guide to Low-light Photography in Issue 35, we showed you how to shoot landscapes, portraits and still life when there is little or no natural light around. We then asked you to send us your best low-light photos, and here is a small selection of our favourites.

Low-light shooting

Learn how to make the most of fading light in PFB Issue 35. Find this issue and more at

WE CHALLENGED, YOU DELIVERED

Your next photo challenge

Composition Follow the guidelines from our Beginners Guide to Composition feature in this issue and send us your

favourite photos by 18 March 2014 for a chance to win MAGIX PhotoStory 2014 Deluxe.

Prize may be substituted for an item of equal value. Full T&Cs available online.

WIN!PhotoStory

Deluxe software Send us your shots for a chance to win a copy

of MAGIX PhotoStory 2014 Deluxe, courtesy of www.magix.com. This software, which allows

you to turn your photos into fantastic slideshows, is worth 70/$70.

Stockton In nity BridgeThis was taken at sunset. I knewwith the sky being clear the white bridge would look good againstthe blue sky.Shot on: Nikon D3200, ISO 100, f3.8, 3sec

Reader: Darren Price

YOUR PHOTOSReaders galleryREADERS' CHALLENGELow light


Reader: James WalshTitle: Notre Dame Basilica

Reader: Melinda CrouchTitle: On The Lakeside

Reader: Barry LinerTitle: Light Trails North

Reader: Michael AtkinsonTitle: Redcar Beacon Light Trails

Reader: Kathryn BowlesTitle: Smoking Dragon

Share

your shots at

photoforbeginn

ers.com

or search PFBM

ag on

Reader: Steve MartinTitle: Re ection

Share your shots at: photoforbeginners.com

READERS' CHALLENGELow light


SHARE YOUR SHOTSHeres how to show us your stunning snaps

Share on our social sites Join the Facebook, Twitter and Flickr communities @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 MagazineHit Upload to add images. Click on the image you want to share, then click Share>Grab the link. Email it to [email protected] or post it to us on Facebook or Twitter.

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!

Also share on our website Head to www.photoforbeginners.com nowBecome our favourite!We pick our favourite shots to highlight in our Featured Image section. This could be you soon, so get uploading!

Create a galleryYou can showcase your favourite images by creating your own gallery page on our website. Its quick and simple to set up.

The best of the rest on our great website

ALSO ONLINE

Enter the Face-OffYour shots are entered into our Face-Off section and pitted against other peoples have fun watching your score rise!

Be inspiredBrowse through all the different categories to be inspired by other readers photos and get ideas of your own.

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

News and debateWe help you keep up-to-date with the latest industry news and releases. You can also get stuck into hot topics with our debates!

CompetitionsHead to www.photoforbeginners.com and enter our weekly competitions to win some really fantastic prizes!


One of the latest cameras to be launched by Olympus has a particularly handy function for photographing wildlife and sports. The SP-100EEs built-in Dot Sight helps you keep track of moving subjects in the frame, even when you are fully zoomed in, so that you wont miss a great shot opportunity. The Dot Sight is featured on the camera body, rather than being an optional and bulky accessory, and automatically pops up above the view nder when you switch the camera on.

The cameras 50x optical and 100x digital zoom will also help you get fantastic close-up shots of far-off subjects, while the 24-1200mm focal range is versatile enough for shooting a range of different

scenes. The deep, textured grip on the front of the camera makes it very comfortable to hold for long periods of time, and the single- nger-operation control dial allows you to change your settings quickly and easily. Inside the camera is a 16MP CMOS sensor, which promises high-resolution images, and built-in image stabilisation is on hand to keep shots sharp even at full zoom.

The Olympus SP-100EE has an RRP of 350/$400. Olympus has also launched a new feature-packed CSC, the OM-D E-M10, and a super-tough compact camera, the TG-850. For details on these other new releases, head to our website, www.photoforbeginners.com.

Reasons why we cant wait to get our hands on this camera

01We want to see just how useful the Dot Sight is for taking shots of fast-paced action

02Were going to see if the built-in image stabilisation really does keep shots steady

03Well discover how easy this camera is to use for beginner shooters

THE TOP 3

Never miss an action shot with Dot Sight The new Olympus SP-100EE has an innovative feature

Record HD videoCapture high-resolution full HD (1920 x 1080) 60p movies to record even more of the action and accompanying sound

Add art ltersYou can choose from seven different art lters to apply to your photos, including pop art, soft focus and grainy lm

Share your shotsUse the optional FlashAir card to wirelessly connect the camera with any Wi-Fi-enabled smartphone, tablet or PC

Frame with easeThe built-in Dot Sight is

positioned above the electronic view nder and helps you frame

shots of moving subjects

Shoot super macroThe cameras Super Macro mode lets you focus on subjects up close and 1cm away from the lens


NEED TO KNOWA snapshot of whats exciting us this month

WIN a landscape photography masterclass in Argyll! Get one-on-one photo tuition on the stunning west coast of Scotland

If you want to brush up on your landscape photography skills, then the breathtaking scenery of Scotland is a fantastic place to do it. Knowing where to start might seem a little daunting though, so we are giving you the chance to learn from a pro. If you enter our competition, you could win your very own one-on-one photography masterclass with Bill Baillie from Rainy Cloud Images (www.rainycloudimages.com). He lives in Argyll, Scotland and feels very fortunate that he has such a beautiful landscape to use as his classroom. Bill says: Photography provides me with the perfect medium to capture the outstanding beauty of Argyll. Its rugged coastal landscape, the passing seasons and the history that seeps through the land are the ever-changing backdrop for my work.

The winner of our competition will not only win Bills expert photography tuition, but also get a free two-night stay for two in the beautiful Loch Melfort Hotel (lochmelfort.co.uk), set in 17 acres of gardens and beach on the romantic coast of Argyll, plus a delicious dinner for two. Please note that travel expenses are not included and that accommodation at Loch Melfort Hotel is subject to availability. The winner will liaise with Bill Baillie at Rainy Cloud Images on a mutually convenient date for the workshop.

For your chance to win this fantastic prize, all you need to do is send your name, contact details and your best landscape photo to [email protected] by 3 April 2014 and include Scottish photo course as the subject header of your email.

Capture fun photos of oil and waterA great photo project to try at home is to take creative close-ups of oil and water. The two do not combine, leaving perfectly circular drops for you to photograph, and our guide will show you how to get great results.

This month on photoforbeginners.comTake great photos of aeroplanes

Aeroplanes in ight provide you with a great opportunity to practise your action photo skills, but knowing how to get sharp and well-exposed shots can be tricky. Let us show you the best settings for striking photos.

PLUS ALL THIS Complete guide to

camera modes Street photography

step-by-step Great competitions

and exciting news

Terms and conditionsTravel expenses will not be paid by Imagine Publishing or Bill Baillie. The winner must be of reasonable mobility, as some walking will be involved. The two-night stay at Loch Melfort Hotel is subject to availability. This competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Imagine Publishing has the right to substitute the prize with a similar item of equal or higher value. Employees of Imagine Publishing (including freelancers), Bill Baillie, their relatives or any agents are not eligible to enter. The editors decision is nal and no correspondence will be entered into. Prizes cannot 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 on your competition entry.

The breathtaking scenery in Argyll is a photographers dream

Enjoy a tasty dinner for two

Photography for Beginners 15Share your shots at: photoforbeginners.com

NEED TO KNOWNews


NEED TO KNOWJoin the debate

Join the debate at... photoforbeginners.com

Search for PFBMag on...

If Im sharing my photos publicly online, I

always add a watermark to them so that

if someone does copy them, at least

they will still be accredited to me. It is

easy to create a watermark using

editing software or free online tools, but the tricky part

is making the watermark look discreet so that it does

not compromise the photo too much. However, you also

have to make sure that it cant be easily cropped out

and that it doesnt just blend into the photo, so I usually

put it in the centre but make it a very pale colour for a

more subtle effect.

Do you share shotswithout a watermark?The internet is a fantastic tool for sharing your photos with the world, but it also leaves them vulnerable to being copied and used by others without your permission. Adding a watermark to your images will help you protect them online, but

this can also compromise the look of your shots. Would you share your photos online without adding a watermark rst? Take a look at what our Staff Writer has to say and what some of our readers think.

THE POLL RESULTS SAY 44% YES, 56% NO. GIVE US YOUR VOTE ONLINE TODAY!

OUR STAFF WRITER JO SAYS:

What Photography For Beginners readers have to say

01Nikon COOLPIX S32

Web: www.nikon.com Price: 100/$130This family-friendly compact is waterproof and shockproof, and it has bright, colourful and simple menus for kids. Plus it comes in a great range of fun colours.

02Sigma 18-200 f3.5-6.3 lens

Web: www.sigma-imaging-uk.comPrice: 350/$500Sigmas new lens, compatible with many cameras, has a very versatile focal range for shooting both wide-angle landscapes and far-off wildlife and action.

03FaceFilter 3editing software

Web: www.reallusion.comPrice: 21/$30This photo retouching tool lets you apply make-up to portrait shots for really attering results. Smooth skin, remove blemishes, and even reshape facial features.

04Booq Python Mirrorless bag

Web: www.booqbags.co.ukPrice: 68/$80Protect any CSC or small DSLR with this stylish bag. Made from water-resistant nylon to protect your kit against the elements, it can also store a small tablet.

JOIN THE DEBATE #PFBLoves

Search for #PFBLoves on Twitter to see what we love

Simon KittI've dropped my watermark due to nding my pictures were still getting stolen anyway and cropped down.

Sent in via Twitter

Bob SlassorI am not prepared to sit back and let thieves not only steal my images but potentially make money from them.

Sent in via Facebook

Tim MarshallI don't see the point, as most people have editing software and can remove watermarks unless you completely cover a shot.

Sent in via website

THINGS WE LOVE

Richard DavisIf someone really wants to remove your watermark they will nd a way to do so, so why ruin a viewers experience?

Sent in via website


A Samsung WB350FPlus three lucky runners-up will each get a Samsung 16GB SDHC memory card

Samsungs new SMART Camera WB350F makes sharing shots on the go seamless. This cloud-enabled camera features Wi-Fi and NFC technology, which means its possible to send images straight from the camera over to your smartphone, tablet or home computer in an instant, which is ideal for both sharing and backing up your shots.

The WB350F also features a 16.3MP backside-illuminated sensor, which enables you to shoot

better quality captures in low light without the use of ash.

Its sleek and lightweight build also makes it the perfect pocket companion, and the 21x optical zoom lens, which offers a focal range between 23-483mm, will ensure you can capture a range of photographic subjects.

To nd out more about this new SMART camera, simply visit www.samsung.com/uk. For a chance to win this fantastic camera, enter our competition now!

Terms and conditionsThis competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Imagine Publishing has the right to substitute the prize with 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 cannot 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.

HOW TO ENTER:Send your name, contact details and your best shot to us by 3 April 2014.Email: [email protected]: www.photoforbeginners.com

PLUS!A 16GB Samsung memorycard

WIN!

Its possible to take several great shots of one scene. Just experiment with different compositions

Gear guideKit to help you with composition

High megapixel cameraUse a camera that can produce high-resolution photos so that you can crop to recompose without losing image quality. The Nikon D3200 (650/$600) has 24.2 effective megapixels.

Lens with a versatile zoom A large focal range will give you lots of scope for shooting wide-angle scenes and great close-ups. The NIKKOR AF-S DX 55-300mm lens (260/$400) has a versatile 5.5x zoom.

Articulated LCD screenBeing able to tilt and ip your cameras LCD screen is useful for framing shots creatively. The Nikon COOLPIX S6600s (199/$369) vari-angle LCD ips outwards so you can tilt it at any angle.

Tripod with spirit level A tripod with a spirit level will help you steady your camera and keep horizons straight. The Manfrotto MT190XPRO3 (185/$245) also has a tilting centre column for even more framing options.


Composition is one of the most basic skills of photography, and yet it is often the secret to turning a good shot into a great one. It refers to what you choose to include in your photo and how you position it within the frame. A visually pleasing composition should typically be simple and engaging, showing off your subject in the best way possible. There are a few tried-and-tested rules that you can use to help you decide what to include and where to place it.

Although we call them rules, they are actually more like guidelines, as the way you frame your shots is ultimately a matter of personal opinion. However, these rules come in useful as a great starting point for when you get stuck and can also help to inspire you when youre looking for something to shoot. Then if you decide to bend or break them, you can follow your own artistic instinct to decide what you think is best for the shot.

Unlike modes and settings, composition is a technique that can be applied no matter what camera you are using, whether its a DSLR or even a cameraphone. It can also be used with any photography genre, as many of the rules we will show you over the next few pages can be applied when shooting anything from landscapes to action. If you dont get it quite right in-camera, well also show you how to recompose your image using editing software.

Easy trickscomposition Discover how to capture eye-catching shots in any genre

for better

Take time composing by using a tripod

SHOOTINGBeginner's guide


The rule of thirds is perhaps the most popular compositional technique, as it is very easy to master. It involves imagining a nine-section grid over your scene and using the lines to help you position your subject. It

is suggested that you place the main focal point over one of the intersecting points of the grid, as this is where the viewers eye is likely to be drawn to first. If you are taking a landscape photo, then you can also use the

horizontal lines of the grid to position the horizon in either the top or bottom third. If youre struggling to picture the grid, many cameras have a gridlines display function that you can switch on and use instead.

Where should I put the horizon? Top tips for composing landscapes

Top of the frame

01 If the foreground is the most important part of the scene, position the horizon in the top third of your photo to draw attention to it and remove any expanse of dull sky.

Bottom of the frame

02 If your vista has an interesting sky, position the horizon in the bottom third of your photo to show it off, but be sure not to cut out any important foreground detail.

Middle of the frame

03If the sky and foreground are equally important, position the horizon along the centre. If your scene is re ected in a lake or river, this will also help to create symmetry.

Use gridlines to help you frame your shotRule of thirds

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Including lead-in lines in your photo is a great way to help guide your viewers eye through your photo or towards your main subject. Look out for natural lines made by pathways, fences, bridges or anything else you can spot, and carefully position them in the frame. You could even use the lines of a building or other structure, or introduce your own lines into a still-life photo.

Foreground interestAvoid shooting just the land and sky of a

landscape, as this can make for a dull shot. Look for something of interest to

include in the foreground, such as a building, colourful flowers or other

inanimate object. This will serve as the main focal point, giving the viewer

somewhere to first direct their gaze before they explore the rest of the photo.

Golden ratioThe golden ratio is a traditional

compositional technique often used by artists. It follows a design that is

commonly found in nature and is universally pleasing to the human

eye. The idea is to position the most important part of your photo

towards the centre of the spiral and the rest of your main focal point within its curve. It can be

tricky to master, but some cameras and editing programs

have a spiral display function that you can use to help.

Leading lines



Look for symmetry

Symmetry is automatically appealing to the eye and can be found everywhere, be it in

nature or man-made structures. It also gives you

permission to ignore the rule of thirds, as it works best if

you centre yoursubject in the frame.

Eye-catching elementsLook out for visually pleasing compositions

Find patterns and texture

Interesting patterns and textures can add to your existing photo or serve as the main subject of your

shot. Shoot them close-up to capture as much detail as possible, and keep an eye

out for repetition too.



Include re ectionsIncluding reflections allows you to double up your main subject and can also create symmetry in your shot, or you could just shoot the reflection on its own for a different perspective. Look out for mirror images in lakes, puddles and even the windows of buildings.

Compose with colourBright colours will help to grab peoples attention, and so they make a great compositional element for ensuring your photos get noticed. Try not to include more than three different colours in your shot, as this can leave it looking cluttered and overwhelming.

Frame your subject

Look for something else in the scene that you can use to frame your main subject. This could be

a natural frame such as tree branches or a man-made frame

such as an archway. It might just be a case of shooting from

a different angle.



Sometimes the best way to shoot your subject is up close so that they fill the frame. If your subject is surrounded by lots of empty space that doesnt add anything to the shot, then zoom in to take a more striking image. Similarly, a close-up will eliminate any distractions in the surrounding scene to ensure your subject is the main focal point of the shot. This can also make for a really intimate image, particularly for portraits, so get your subject to look right into the lens for a really engaging photo.

Fill the frameTake an intimate close-up

A longer focal length will allow you to keep

your distance and prevent lens distortion

If your subject

is lling the

frame, use a n

arrow aperture

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Recompose your shotSolve compositional problems in Photoshop

Straighten horizons

01If your horizon is wonky, select the Straighten tool and choose if you want it to automatically crop your shot or keep it the original size. Then draw a line across the actual horizon of your shot.

Crop in

02 The Crop tool lets you choose a grid to help you recompose your shot. You can use the rule of thirds or the golden ratio and highlight the section of your image you wish to keep.

Flip or rotate

03 Go to Image>Rotate and choose from the menu options. You can rotate by a set number of degrees, choose a custom amount, or ip your image horizontally or vertically.

Leave some active spaceLeaving active space in front of your moving subject will help the viewer to visualise where it is moving to. Without it, your shot can look a little static and create the illusion that your subject isnt moving. If you are struggling to achieve this, zoom right out to leave lots of space around your subject that you can crop into later. It is a good idea to leave a large enough space for your subject to fit into again.

Consider the backgroundWhen taking your shot, watch out for anything in the background that could divert attention away from your subject, and re-frame if you need to eliminate distractions. You could simply change your position to capture a different background, or add your own backdrop with plain card or curtains. Another way to simplify the background is to use a wide aperture (small f-number) to create a shallow depth of field and blur it out.

It's not uncommon to open an image on your computer and realise that a horizon is not completely straight, or that a tighter crop would work better. Here's how to recompose quickly in Photoshop.



High angle

01 Shooting from a high angle is attering for portraits, as you avoid accentuating the nose and chin, but it's also great for shooting a birds eye view of landscapes.

Low angle

02 Taking your photo from a low angle can create a really dramatic shot, particularly when shooting buildings and structures, as it emphasises their height.

Eye level

03 Taking photos of people at eye level will create a natural shot with everything in proportion. Try this when photographing children and pets too.

Experiment with unusual angles Shoot from fresh perspectives

Break the rules Sometimes you need to trust your instincts

Centre your subject Although following the rule of thirds and positioning your subject off-centre in the frame works for most situations, try placing your subject in the middle to make them really stand out, particularly so if this also helps you to create some symmetry.

Cut off your subjectSometimes including only a small section of an object will encourage the viewer to focus on that area of detail and leave them guessing about what you didnt include. This can leave you with an artistic abstract photograph of an ordinary subject.

Break eye contact Capturing your portrait subject looking away from the camera isnt always a bad thing. Although eye contact is more engaging, a candid shot of someone looking away can still make a big impact. It can also help to show your subjects natural emotions without the forced and cheesy smiles they typically give when they are told to look at the camera.

Don't add a focal pointBy not including an obvious focal point, you force the viewer to explore the entire photo and make up their own mind about it. This will enable you to concentrate on using other compositional elements to make your image stand out, such as bright colour, patterns and texture.



Not just fordummies

A clear, comprehensive series for people who want to start learningabout iPhone, iPad, Mac, Photoshop, photography and more

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So you want to take some great photos, get in a bit of practice and improve your camera skills, but where do you start? It can be a little daunting when youre just starting out and lacking con dence behind the lens, so the best solution is to break the process down into simple steps. Thats what were going to do for you over the next few pages, as weve worked out that there are actually only ten steps to taking the perfect photo.

We will start with the tricky decision of what to actually shoot, because if youre not already inspired to photograph a particular subject, then it can be dif cult to decide what to point your camera at. However, there is always something to photograph and we will show you a few simple ways to kick-start your creativity.

Once youve found an interesting subject to shoot, we will guide you through what kit to use and which settings to choose, before showing you how to actually take and then edit your photo. Everything will be broken down into bite-sized chunks that are easy to follow and understand, plus well be busting some of that confusing photography jargon along the way. So pick up your camera and let us show you how to take your best-ever photos step-by-step.

Follow along to get perfect photos of any subject

STEPS TOGREATSHOTS

SHOOTING10 steps to great shots


Find a subjectSearch for photography inspiration

Pick a themeTry choosing a t

heme for your photographs and

then nd subjects

that will represent it. For examp

le, you could choose the theme

of

love, happiness or friendship, o

r even set yourself a speci c co

lour

or shape to look for.

Choose a genre You could narrow down your choice of subject by picking a speci c genre to focus on, such as portraits or wildlife. Then you can start searching for a subject, maybe asking a friend to model for you, or going to a zoo to photograph the animals.

Set a spaceForce yourself to really look for something to

photograph within a small space. That could be your living room at home, a corner of your garden or an area

of your local town. Youll be amazed at what you can nd to shoot.

Go from A to Z

Challenge yourself to only photograph things that be

gin with a certain

letter, picking a different letter each day until you hav

e completed the

alphabet. You could even look out for your chosen le

tter in nature or

man-made structures and photograph it.



Choose your kit Load up your kit bag with everything youll need

As well as making sure your camera is charged up and that you have enough space on your memory card, you may need a few other accessories to help you take great shots. If youre going to be photographing in low light, then a tripod will come in handy for keeping your camera steady and your shots sharp while you capture as much of the light as possible using a slow shutter speed. An external ashgun will be useful for adding a more powerful burst of light than your cameras ash when taking portraits, and can be bounced off of the walls or ceiling for a softer and more attering effect.

If you have more than one lens in your kit bag to choose from, then make sure you choose the best focal length for the scene you will be shooting. A short focal length of 18-35mm is best for landscapes, architecture and group shots, but zooming in to between 50 and 200mm will be useful for portraits, sports and wildlife.

The next step to taking your photo is choosing

the best shooting mode for your scene or

subject. Those available to you will depend on

the camera you are using, but can usually

be found by twisting the mode dial or

delving into your camera menus.

Auto mode will do everything

for you, picking the best

settings based on the light

so that you can concentrate

on simply taking the photo.

This is useful for

unexpected photo

opportunities,

when you dont

have time to

ddle with all

the buttons.

P stands for program mode, and this gives

you a little more control. It will take care of the

main exposure settings, but you can adjust

your ISO, white balance, metering and ash,

which well explain later.

Aperture Priority mode (A or Av) will let you

pick the same settings available in Program

mode, as well as your aperture. The camera will

then choose a shutter speed for you based on

the adjustments you make. Shutter Priority

mode (S or Tv) does the opposite, letting you

pick the shutter speed while the aperture is

chosen for you.

Manual mode (M) leaves everything up to

you. You have to pick the aperture, shutter

speed, ISO and all of your other settings and

nd the perfect balance between them. Dont

worry if it takes some time to master.

Pick your settingsMaster camera modes for well

-exposed shots

Pack your camera bag with all the essential kit before

you venture out on a shoot



Think about

lighting Get the light right for your shots

Use natural lightNatural light is often the most attering for photography. Shooting when the sun is low in the sky will also provide you with a lovely soft light.

Add arti cial light Using a single light source

such as a lamp when shooting indoors will cast

shadows across your subject. You could ll in

these shadows by adding another light source or

bouncing the light back into the dark areas with a

re ector or piece of paper.

Fire your ash Use your ash to illuminate subjects in poor lighting or to ll in shadows when your subject is backlit. Try bouncing your ash off of a piece of white paper to soften its effect.

Control your apertureThe size of the opening in

your lens is controlled by your

aperture. Aperture is

measured in f-numbers, with

a small f-number creating a

wide opening and a large

f-number creating a narrow

opening. Therefore, a wide

aperture (small f-number) can

be used to let in more light

and brighten up your shots,

while a narrow aperture (large

f-number) will let in less light

to darken them.

Set your shutter speed

The length of time your cameras shutter stays open for after

you press the shutter button is set by your shutter speed. To let

plenty of light reach your sensor, use a slow shutter speed of

1/60sec to 30sec, but youll need a tripod to prevent camera

shake. A shutter speed faster than 1/60sec will let in less light

and allow you to shoot handheld without getting blurry shots.

Adjust your ISOYour ISO can be used to adjust

the sensitivity of your cameras

sensor to the light available. To

make it more sensitive and

brighten up your shots, use a

high ISO value, but watch out

for noise as this will reduce the

quality. Some cameras are

better at dealing with high ISOs

than others, so test yours out

to see how far you can push it.

However, its best to keep your

ISO as low as possible and only

raise it if you cant use a slower

shutter or wider aperture to

capture more light instead.



Explore your camera menusDiscover more essential settings to get even better looking photos

Change your metering mode to suit the scene and

get even exposures

Prevent colour casts in your captures by selecting the correct white balance

Adjust white balance settings in the menu

Master metering Every time you half-press the shutter button, your camera measures the available light in the scene so that it can pick the best settings for you in auto and semi-manual modes. This is known as metering, and adjusting your metering modes lets you control which part of the scene your camera measures the light for. Evaluative/Matrix metering reads the light for the entire scene, so is commonly used for shooting landscapes. If your subject is in the centre of the frame, use Centre-weighted metering, as this will measure the light for the middle of the scene. Spot metering measures the light for whichever part of the scene you focus on and so it can be used to choose which part of the scene you want to keep well-exposed (for example, the bright background to create a silhouette).

Learn about white balance settingsIf youve ever noticed that the colours in your photos dont look quite right, then it is probably a white balance issue. Your camera can sometimes struggle to read the colour temperatures of different sources of light. To avoid strong orange or blue colour casts, change your white balance setting to suit the scene.



Focus your shotKeep your subject sharp by choosing the right setting

Experiment with your cameras focus settings

and get pin-sharp results

Follow the photo rules and

youll have well-structured

shots that really stand out

Continuous autofocus If you are photographing a moving subject, then this is a handy mode to use. Your camera will continuously re-focus the shot to keep your subject sharp, even if they are moving erratically. This is very useful for if you are trying to capture animals or children on camera.

Single-point autofocus Many cameras will let you choose which part of your image you want to keep in focus, which is particularly important for when you are using a wide aperture (small f-number). Position the focus point over your main subject so that it stays sharp and only the background blurs.

Manual focusFocusing manually is only possible on some cameras, but can be helpful in certain situations. For example, autofocus can struggle when your subject is very close up, so use manual for macro shooting. Simply twist the focus dial until your subject is sharp.

Pre-focusYou can also use manual focus when photographing moving subjects. If you know the path of your subject, such as a car travelling along a road, then you can pre-focus on an area it is going to move into and then take the shot when it moves into view.

Learn compositionDecide where to position your subject

Before you come to take your shot, it is important to think about how you are going to frame it that is, how are you going to position your subject in the photo. Composition is of course subjective, so it is up to you to decide what works best. However, there are few tried-and-tested guides that you can use to help you. Check out our Beginners Guide to Composition on page 18 for an in-depth look at these compositional rules and see how you can apply them to your photo. Then, once youve taken your shot, try a new approach and see how many different ways you can photograph your subject.



Take your photoChoose the right mode and get into position

Now youre all set up, the time has come to take your photo. However, rst you need to consider your drive modes. If youre taking an action shot, then Burst mode will take a series of images while you hold down the shutter button, increasing your chances of getting a great result. If you want to create a HDR image, choose autobracketing (if your camera has it) to take a series of shots at once with different exposures. If you want to put yourself in the picture and your camera is on a tripod, then youll need to use self-timer to delay the shutter so you have enough time to get into position. However, if you just want to take a standard photo, then you can stay on the default single shot mode, which will take one photo as soon as you re the shutter. Now all you need to do is hold the camera steady with your feet shoulder-width apart and your elbows tucked into your sides, and press that shutter button.

Select a drive mode that suits your subject and start shooting fantastic photos

Rather than just packing your camera away after youve taken your photo, make sure you check it in Playback mode on your LCD screen. Zoom in to make sure that its sharp and analyse the exposure and colours to determine whether you need to adjust your settings and take it again. You may even be able to check the images histogram, a graph that shows you how many bright and dark pixels are in your photo. If its bunched to the right, your shot may be overexposed, but if its bunched the left, your shot could be underexposed. Try changing your exposure compensation setting until you get the graph to peak in the middle, as this shows that your image has an even spread of tones throughout.

Review your photoCheck the image and learn from your mistakes



Boost the colours

04 Go to Enhance>Adjust Color> Adjust Hue/Saturation. Increase the Saturation slider, but avoid pushing it too far as the results can appear unnatural.

Sharpen it up

05 You cant x an out-of-focus shot, but if some of the details in your photo are a little soft, go to Enhance> Unsharp Mask and increase the Amount.

Correct composition

06 Finally, use the Straighten and Crop tools to recompose your image. You can even use gridlines when cropping to help you reposition your subject.

Correct the exposure

02 To x an over or underexposed shot, go to Enhance>Adjust Lighting> Levels. Drag the arrows to boost the blacks and whites and brighten or darken it up.

Remove a colour cast

01 If an incorrect white balance setting has caused a warm or cool colour cast, go to Filter>Adjustments>Photo Filter and select a warming or cooling lter.

Shadows and highlights

03Next, go to Enhance>Adjust Color>Adjust Color Curves and move the Highlights and Shadows sliders, and give the Brightness and Contrast a boost.

If youre completely happy with how your photo looks straight from the camera, then you can choose to skip this step. However, most photos will bene t from a few basic tweaks to get them looking completely perfect. Editing software can work miracles for correcting common problems such as bad exposure, inaccurate colours, soft details and unwanted distractions. If youve chosen to shoot in RAW, an unprocessed le

format that retains a lot more information than a standard JPEG le, then processing your photo is essential and youll have much more control over adjusting your exposure and white balance. However, JPEGs need some love and attention too, so here are some basic edits that you can apply to get the most out of your shot. Weve used Photoshop Elements, but most editing software will have the same adjustments.

Process the shot

Improve your photo with simple edits



5 tips for shooting natural portraitsThere are some key ingredients that go into a great portrait image, including great lighting and a good choice of location. However, your model will make all the difference, and with good direction and plenty of natural smiles, you cant really go wrong. To help you get some great natural portraits this spring, check out the top tips below.

Use a re ector Use a white re ector or a large piece of white card to bounce light into shadow areas on the models face. Position the re ector at an angle under their chin to create subtle catch lights in their eyes.

Set the focal lengthCheck the focal range your lens has to offer. Most standard zoom lenses are built to shoot a variety of subjects. For a attering portrait, step back and zoom in between 50-80mm for the best results.

Select a mode Set your camera to Portrait mode, which will take care of the exposure and ensure the model appears sharp and in focus. If you want to experiment with manual modes, start with Aperture Priority (A or Av).

Relax the model The secret to getting a natural-looking portrait lies in how relaxed the model is. Dont just direct on how you want them to pose; keep a light conversation going so that you get plenty of natural smiles.

Shoot in the shadeAvoid squinting shots when taking a portrait outdoors by positioning your model under open shade. This way youll be able to get a better exposure and still make use of the bright, natural light within the surroundings.

Capture relaxed photos outdoors

SHOOTINGQuick tips


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SHOOTINGCreative portraits


Create a cool pro le avatarImpress your friends with a fun self-portrait

Perform some digital trickery in editing software



Choose a location

01 Using a location with a chair or bench is a good idea as it will act as a marker, so you always know where in the frame to be. Its also handy if youre holding a heavy frame as it means you can take the weight off.

Set up your tripod

02 Using a tripod will allow you to take the shot and be in the photo at the same time. Once youve set your camera up on a sturdy tripod, frame the image, making sure you leave enough headroom to t in the photo.

Focus the shot

04 Place the picture frame roughly where youll be sitting and focus on it by half depressing the shutter button. Afterwards, switch to Manual Focus (MF) to prevent it re-focusing when you take the shot.

Use the self-timer

05 Activate Self-timer mode to give you enough time to get into position once the shutter button is pushed. Alternatively, you could ask someone else to push it for you or use a remote shutter release.

Self-portraits are becoming increasingly popular in the modern world. This is especially true when it comes to social networking sites, as most require you to upload a photo of yourself to be used as your pro le avatar. This picture is often the rst thing that people will see when browsing your networking page, so why not get creative and try capturing something thats a little bit different?

For some people, the idea of taking a self-portrait might be slightly daunting. This is usually because were so used to being behind the camera that the idea of posing for our own shots may seem alien at rst. But in practice, its actually a lot of fun, and with yourself as the main subject of the picture, its something that you can try out whenever you like.

One of the biggest bene ts of digital photography is that it allows us to perform some digital trickery using editing software. One great example of this is creating a portrait within a portrait. This requires taking a

photograph of yourself holding a large photo frame and then using editing software to cleverly copy the image inside of the photo frame over and over again so that it resembles a never-ending tunnel of images. The result is one thats truly mesmerising and makes for an interesting pro le picture on social networking sites. Whats more, the great thing about this technique is that you dont need any expensive or sophisticated photo equipment either; it can be done using just about any type of camera, including a simple point-and-shoot or even a cameraphone. You will need a tripod, however, to set your camera up on, or alternatively you can rest it on a straight, at surface.

To nd out how to shoot, edit and share your own creative avatar now, just follow along with our simple step-by-step guide below and well show you everything you need to create your very own mind-bending picture-in-a-picture self-portrait.

Shoot We show you how to capture a creative self-portrait

Take your image

06 Fully depress the shutter button and get into place for the photo. Review the shot on the rear screen and make any compositional changes that you need to make. Carry on taking photos until youre happy.

WHAT YOULL NEED Digital camera TripodEditing software

WE USEDCanon EOS 600DSlik tripodAdobe Photoshop CS6

YOU COULD USEAny digital camera Adobe Photoshop Elements

WHAT YOULL LEARN How to create a picture-

within-a-picture image

Select Aperture Priority

03 Set the camera to Aperture Priority (A or Av) and dial in an aperture of around f5.6 this should nicely blur distractions in the background. Dont worry about the shutter speed as the camera will set this for you.

Accessories for takingself-portraits

Wireless shutter releaseA wireless shutter release is a handy tool that lets you take a photo from a distance using a small remote. Whats more, with prices starting at around 20/approx $33, theyre affordable too.

TripodWhen it comes to taking a self-portrait, investing in a sturdy tripod is absolutely vital, as itll allow you to keep the camera held securely in position while youre busy getting ready for the photo!

Flip-out LCD screenIf you own a DSLR with a ip-out LCD screen, try activating the cameras Live-view function and use the ip-out screen to view yourself while you take the shot, to help with composition.

Apps for sharing

3 OF THE BEST

Twitter Free (Android/iOS)Twitter is a microblogging service that lets you send and read tweets from other users, which are either short, 140-character messages or photos.

Instagram Free (Android/iOS)Instagram is a free social networking app that allows you to apply funky lm effects to your images and then share them with other users.

Flickr Free (Android/iOS)Flickr allows you to upload and share your images with other photographers around the world. Creating an account is quick and completely free to do.

Resize to t

02 Head up to Edit>Free Transform, then click and drag one of the corner tabs to resize the layer to roughly t the photo frame. Holding Shift while you resize will make sure that the layer stays in proportion.

Edit Construct your picture-in-a-picture in Photoshop

Duplicate the layer

01 The rst step is to create a duplicate of the image on a new layer in the Layers palette (Window>Layers). Do this by Ctrl/right-clicking the Background layer, choosing Duplicate Layer and then clicking OK.

Rotate the layer

04 Move your mouse to the outside edge of one of the corner tabs, then click and drag to rotate the layer until it matches the angle of the frame. Once the image roughly ts the frame, hit Enter to con rm.

Move into position

03 If the layer isnt in the right position, click and drag in the centre of the image and move it into the right place. If you need to make further size adjustments, you can also do this now.

Repeat until complete

06 Click the eye icon next to the top layer to reveal it again. Now simply repeat steps 1 to 4 but duplicating the top layer instead of the background. Keep doing this until youve lled in all of the frames.

Tidy up the edges

05 Click the eye icon next to the top layer in the Layers palette, then grab the Polygonal Lasso tool and trace the inside of the frame. Go to Select>Inverse, then press Delete before going to Select>Deselect.



Go to your page

02 Once youve successfully logged in to your account, head up to the top-left of the window and locate your current pro le picture. Next to it you should see your name

click on it to visit your personal pro le page.

Share Upload your image as your Facebook pro le picture

Log in to Facebook

01 Open up your web browser and type www.facebook.com into the web address bar. Type in your log-in details at the top and click Log In. If you dont have an account, create one using the Sign Up section.

Upload your image

04 In the File Upload window that appears, navigate through your computer les and locate your picture-in-a-picture image. Click on it to highlight it, then click the Open button at the bottom-right of the window.

Edit your pro le picture

03 Hover the mouse over your current pro le picture in the top left-hand corner of the window and youll see the Edit Pro le Picture option appear. Click on this and from the list of options, select Upload Photo.

Wait for the upload

05 Your image may take anywhere up to a few minutes to upload depending on the speed of your internet connection. Once the upload is complete, youll see your new pro le picture appear in the top-left corner.

ShareClicking Share will allow you, and others to show off your image with other users

UpdateWith your image uploaded, your friends will be informed about your new pro le picture

Gain LikesYour Facebook friends can show their appreciation by hitting Like below your photo

CommentsYour friends can also give feedback about your new photo by hitting Comment



Learn how to take an awe-inspiring shot of the moon thats free from blur

Capture sharp shots of the moonWHAT YOULL NEED

Camera with Manual mode Lens with 200mm focal range or more (equivalent) Tripod

WE USEDNikon D7100Sigma 50-500mm f3.5-f6.3 EX zoom lens Manfrotto 190 with ball

head tripod

YOU COULD USERemote camera trigger

WHAT YOULL LEARN How to take great

photographs of the moon

five minute project

SHOOTINGShoot the moon


Steady your camera

01 As youll be using a high magni cation to bring the moon closer, you need to make sure the camera is supported properly. Use a tripod, ideally with a head you can move to point the camera directly at the moon.

Select a shooting mode

02 Set your camera to either Continuous shooting mode if youre using a remote camera release, or set it to Timer if you arent. This will stop the camera being moved when you release the shutter.

Set your exposure

03 Switch your camera to Manual and set a shutter speed between 1/200 and 1/400sec (depending on the moon brightness where you are). Set an aperture of f8. If youre not con dent in Manual, try Aperture Priority.

Change your ISO

04 The lower the ISO the better the image quality, but you should set it to 800 initially as this lets you use a faster shutter speed, eliminating any motion blur. You can lower this if you nd your moon too bright.

The moon is an awe-inspiring sight, especially when its set among a star-littered night sky. Photographing the moon, however, can be challenging, and particularly so if youre shooting in your cameras Automatic mode, which will often overexpose the moons surface, resulting in a lack of detail. By switching over to your cameras manual settings, you can take more control over the exposure and resulting image.

Although youll be shooting at night, you wont need to use long exposures to get great shots of the moon, as the moon itself is lit directly by the sun. With this in mind, your exposure settings should be suited to daytime conditions as opposed to night. But of course, your exposure settings will also change depending on your location, weather conditions and the phase of the moon you are shooting.

For great shots of the moon, always aim to shoot on a clear night and away from heavily light-polluted towns or cities. You dont always have to wait until dark, however, as the moon can also look fantastic at dusk, and with the extra light around, itll be easier to change your exposure settings on the go. If youre keen to shoot a speci c moon phase, why not check out websites such as www.moonconnection.com, which are great for nding out which phase the moon is currently in.

To help you get started and ensure you get great results rst time round, weve outlined some easy-to-follow steps below. If your camera doesnt feature manual modes, try changing to Spot metering and frame the moon centrally within your image. This mode will work alongside your cameras Auto setting to help ensure you still get a good exposure.

Shoot the moon Get a detailed lunar image

Shoot and review

05 Focus on the moon then switch to Manual focus mode to stop the camera from refocusing between shots. After taking some test pictures, check their brightness and adjust depending on results.

3 OF THE BESTMoon phases to photograph

Half moonThe half moon is a lot dimmer than a full moon, so youll need to slow down your shutter speed a touch to get the right exposure. If it is coming out too dark, try increasing your ISO setting.

Full moon To capture a full moon, consult the lunar calendar to nd out when it will occur alongside moonrise and moonset times. This is when the moon is at its brightest, so you need faster shutter speeds.

Crescent moonThe crescent moon is at its dimmest and is a mere sliver. This means that you will need even slower shutter speeds than when you photographed the full and half moons.

SHOOTINGShoot the moon


Take great shots with the light behind your subject 01 Pick a subjectTranslucent objects are great for backlit photography as you can capture some of the light shining through them. This really brings out their texture, detail and colour in your image, which adds more interest.

Backlit still life

If your subject is looking too dark, nd your cameras exposure compensation function and set it to +1 or +2 on the dial to brighten your shot up

Turn your mode dial to Aperture Priority mode and select a wide aperture (small f-number). This will blur the background of your shot to make your subject stand out

02 When to shoot When shooting outdoors, sunrise and sunset are the best times of day to take your shot. The sun will be low in the sky so you can easily position it behind your subject, and it will cast a lovely, golden light over everything.

05 Reect the lightIf your subject is in silhouette, try using a reflector or tin foil to bounce the light back into the shadows. This will ensure the background and foreground are both well lit and exposure appears even.

06 Set your focusWhen using a wide aperture, its important to focus your camera lens directly on your subject. Use Manual or Selective Autofocus mode to keep your subject sharp and make sure just the background is blurred.

04 Consider the backgroundWhen finding an angle to shoot from, make sure that the background of your photo is simple yet attractive and does not distract attention away from your subject. Using a wide aperture will help to blur distractions too.

03 Avoid lens areIncluding the light source in your photo can create lens flare. To prevent it, keep the sun or lamp just out of the frame, or use your lens hood to shield your lens from the light. Alternatively, work with it for a creative effect.

Spot metering mode will get your camera to measure the light where

you focus, so you can ensure that your main subject, and not just the

background, stays bright

WHAT YOULL NEED A backlit subject Digital camera Reector

WE USEDNikon D3200Lastolite reector

YOU COULD USEAny digital cameraTin foil

WHAT YOULL LEARN How to take a

well-exposed photo of a backlit subject

SHOOTINGBacklit still life


APERTURE: F5.6 ISO: 200 SHUTTER SPEED: 1/640SECOUR SETTINGS:

Sunrise and sunset are the

best times of day to take your shot

SHOOTINGBacklit still life


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SHOOTINGStory behind the shot


Did you face any problems when taking this shot?The trickiest part of the process was finding the best angle to shoot from. I started off shooting the traffic side on, but the shots looked a little dull with just straight light trails running across them. Shooting from an angle allowed me to capture a curve in the trails. It was also a struggle to find enough space to set up my tripod as the pavements were so busy, but I eventually found a spot.

What was the inspiration behind this photo?I travelled up to London with some friends to do a photo walk. We spent the day taking photos of the fantastic architecture and famous landmarks, but before we headed home we thought we would have a go at creating light trails. I had seen them online but had never had a go at one myself, and the busy traffic of the London streets seemed like a great opportunity to try it.

What kit and settings did you use to get this effect?I used my Nikon D800 and set it up on my Manfrotto tripod so that I could keep it steady throughout the long exposure. I set the camera to Shutter Priority mode and selected a speed of 2sec. This enabled me to blur the movement of the lights as the traffic travelled through the scene. I also had to set my white balance to Tungsten, as the first shot I took had an orange colour cast.

behindtheshot

StoryPhotography For Beginners Deputy Editor Hayley Paterek tells us about her creative low-light city shot

SHOOTINGStory behind the shot


What do you like most about the final image?Well the first few shots I took were just of car light trails, which were very low to the ground and meant there was quite a lot of empty space towards the top of the shot. Waiting for this bus to come into view really paid off because it meant I could capture several different light trails at once and fill the frame with them. I think that makes for a more striking image.

Is there anything you would like to have done differently?I would like to have stayed later to get a shot after the sun had completely set, but unfortunately I had to head home. As I was using slow shutter speeds, the sky appeared quite overexposed and blown out. If I had had a graduated neutral density filter I could have used that to block some of the light, but instead I had to sacrifice some of the detail in the sky to create the light trails.

Do you have any advice for capturing perfect light trails?Firstly, you need to be patient, as it takes quite a bit of time to experiment with your settings and angles before you get it right. Find a road with a constant stream of moving traffic so that you have plenty of opportunities to take your shot. Also, try to shoot oncoming traffic, as the front headlights are much brighter, but remember to stay safe and out of the way of the cars.

Shoot stunning

These days, most people have a camera with them at all times. For some it might be a DSLR or a compact, but for most it is usually a cameraphone. As it is always in your pocket or bag, the trusty smartphone is often the go-to device for snapping away when a photo opportunity arises, and now that the cameras on these devices are

getting better and better, it is possible to get some truly great results.

While you may not have much control over your camera settings, there are lots of simple ways to make sure you come away with great shots every time. Then, and this is the best bit about smartphones, you can share your fantastic photos straight away to

keep your friends updated and even get instant feedback on your photo skills.

Landscapes are fantastic subjects for your cameraphone photography, as they are very straightforward to shoot. Let us guide you through the basics and teach you exactly what to do next time you find a stunning vista and have your cameraphone to hand.

Essential tips for capturing beautiful vistas on your phone

Frame your shot No matter what camera you are using, you can

always control the composition of your photo. In fact, it is often the secret to making sure

your shots stand out from all the others. Before you start snapping, think about

which angle to shoot from to capture the best perspective of the scene, and try to

include foreground interest. Common compositional tricks such as the rule of

thirds and lead-in lines are great to use for landscapes, and you can read more about

them in our Beginners Guide to Composition on page 18. Many

cameraphones will also enable you to switch on a gridlines display when you are shooting,

which will help you frame your scene and keep the horizon straight.

landscapes with yourcameraphone

SHOOTINGCameraphone vistas


Avoid lens are or embrace it

Wait for the right light

Lens flare can occur when using any camera, but smartphone cameras seem to be especially prone to the problem. It is caused by light reflecting internally off of the elements inside the cameras lens and onto the image sensor, and usually appears as a coloured

haze or series of coloured spots in your shots. Typically, it appears when you are pointing your camera in the direction of a bright light, and particularly when you are including the light source in your image. The simplest way to avoid it is to change your position so that

you are not shooting into the sun, or you could try shielding the lens with your hand. However, lens flare is sometimes used deliberately to enhance photos, as the haze it creates can add a dreamy quality. You can even download apps that add lens flare to your shots.

As with any landscape shoot, the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset will give you the best light. At these times of day, the sun is low in the sky and so will project a lovely soft and golden light across your scene. It might even give you the chance to capture some of the fantastic vibrant colours in the sky. However, if you dont manage to catch the sunrise or sunset, you can still get great shots. Bright blue and even moody, cloudy skies will still look great in your images, and you can always rescue dull shots by adding instant creative effects using the thousands of editing apps available.

RECOMMEND APPSun Seeker 4.99/$6.99 (iOS), 3.79/$5.99 (Android)

Find out the exact sunrise and sunset times at your chosen

landscape location using the Sun Seeker app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices.



Set up your shot Choose the best settings for shooting a landscape

Switch on HDRMost cameraphones have an HDR (High Dynamic Range) function which will let you take a photo with added contrast. This is useful for landscape photography as it will prevent your photos from looking flat and dull and prevent blow-out skies. If your phone does not have this function, then you can download an app to re-create it.

Turn the ash offYour ash wont be of much use when shooting a landscape, as the light wont be powerful enough to illuminate the entire scene. If youre shooting in low light or at night-time, switch it off to prevent it from ring automatically.

Pick a scene modeSome phones will give you a selection of scene modes to choose from that will pick the best settings for you. Use the Landscape mode to keep everything in focus and boost the blues and greens in the scene.

Adjust the white balanceIf your cameraphone allows you to change your white balance setting, switch it to daylight, cloudy or shade, depending on the lighting conditions. This will prevent colour casts and ensure the colours in your photo appear true-to-life.

Select a metering mode You might be able to adjust the metering mode, which controls how it measures the available light. Set it to Matrix/Evaluative so that it reads the light for the entire scene and picks the settings accordingly.

RECOMMEND APPPro HDR 1.49/$1.99 (iOS), 1.28/$1.99 (Android)

Create stunning HDR shots that are full of colour and detail on

your iOS or Android device using the Pro HDR app. This is available from Google Play and the App Store now.



Get creativeTake your photography further with panoramas and accessories

Add an accessoryLandscape photography accessories for your cameraphone

olloclip 4-in-1 iPhone LensPrice 60/$70Clip this gadget onto your iPhone and use the wide-angle lens to capture the whole view. You can also use the sh-eye lens to really extend the eld of view and take close-ups with the 10x and 15x macro lenses too.

JOBY GripTight GorillaPodPrice 25/approx $41This mini tripod is exible so that you can stand it on and wrap it around a variety of surfaces. The attachment is adjustable so it can hold any smartphone model, even if it has a case attached.

Holga iPhone LensPrice From 16/$27Clip on this case and use the rotating disk to choose from nine different lens lters to enhance your shots. There are coloured lters, vignettes, multi-image lenses and more, plus you can preview the effect on screen.

Daylight View nderPrice Approx 18/$30Re ections on your iPhone screen on a bright day can make it dif cult to see. This view nder xes to the screen to make things clearer. Attach it with the screw-on suction pad and download the free app.

Find Panorama modeMany cameraphones have a panorama function that will automatically stitch several photos together to create one long image.

Some will even let you create vertical panoramas as well as horizontal ones. If this option isnt available, there are plenty of apps to help you.

Take a step back If you take your photo while standing

too close to the scene you are shooting, then any straight lines in your

vista may appear curved in your panorama. It is best to shoot from a

distance if you can.

Avoid moving subjects If someone is walking through the scene you are shooting, they will appear several times throughout the photo. Wait until they are out of the way before you take your shot to prevent this happening.

Swivel smoothly Start by pointing the camera at the edge of the scene, and then slowly swivel your body around as smoothly as possible until you have captured everything. Using a tripod will create a more seamless image.

RECOMMEND APP360 Panorama 0.69/$0.99 (iOS), 0.62/$0.99 (Android)

If your camera does not have a built-in panorama function,

download the 360 Panorama app and start shooting seamless vistas in an instant.




SHOOTINGApp of the month

Locate the tools

01Open the app and you will see three options on the front screen. Either choose to take a new photo or locate one from your camera roll. Once it has been loaded, you can now tap the top right-hand icon to bring up the main tools.

Highlight the subject

02 Very few landscapes have perfect positioning of the subject matter. Scroll the tool wheel and select the Magic Touch option. You can now drag the corners to crop the image, but try to keep as much necessary content as possible.

Remove unwanted objects

03 If you have objects that you would prefer not to be there, tap the Retouch option and then the centre icon in the bottom-left wheel. Now scrub your nger over the unwanted object and tap the screen to remove it.

Edit your photos Improve and adjust snaps in Handy Photo

+APP OF THE MONTH +

Creatively edit photos with Handy PhotoMove objects, add lters, make precise adjustments and retouch any photo Available on: iOS and Android Price: 1.49/$1.99 (iOS), 1.32/$1.99 (Android)

There are countless photo-editing apps available for mobile devices today, but few are as intuitive and as effective for beginners as Handy Photo. You are offered contextual help as you explore

every feature, and there is always a fail-safe in that you can easily step back to remove any changes you have made.

Every single part of the interface has been designed to take full advantage of the touch-centric nature of iOS and Android devices, and with the ability to zoom in and specically change levels precisely, you can spend as much time as you need creating the perfect result. There are also quick changes available such as lters and textures, which can add personality to a snap, but it is in the more advanced tools that the app truly shines. Unwanted objects can be removed by simply scrubbing them out, and they will be replaced with a perfect

background to offer the illusion of them never having been there. You can make changes to one part of an image and leave the rest alone, and you can even move objects to make them look as if they are in a different location. Even better, you can move objects to new photos and the results are almost always exceptionally realistic.

Throughout the editing process you are shown the changes as they happen in real-time, so you will always know if they are working or if you need to step back. Much care has been taken in the creation of this app, and it has resulted in a solution that will suit beginners and the more experienced in equal measure. The more you delve into the features, the more you will get out of Handy Photo, and its actually very hard to put down.

To give you a head-start, below we have provided you with a simple editing tutorial. Download the app and follow along to get standout photos in a ash.

WHAT YOULL NEED iPhone, iPad or Android device Handy Photo app

WE USEDiPad

YOU COULD USEiPhoneAndroid device

WHAT YOULL LEARN How to enhance your

photos using just touch

SHOOTINGApp of the month

Photography for Beginners 55Share your shots at: photoforbeginner

Documents

Photography for Beginners Issue 36 - 2014