Photography for Beginners - Issue No. 41.Bak

5/19/2018 Photography for Beginners - Issue No. 41.Bak

1/100

Camer mpact System CameraEssential guides for

2 hrTake

Shoot more vibrant landscapes

Capture perfect portraits

ISSUE 41

NEW KIT RAThe latest camereleases review

7 stegreat wi

photos

Shoot & editpanoramas

Guide tanima

Tricks for creatingsweeping vistas

FUN PROJECTSGet creative withperspective & more

IMAGE EDITINGEnhance your colourcaptures in Elements

SAMSUNG

CAMERAWORTH

400

share your sho

Find us on

Plain English award winner Jargon-free photo maga


2/100manfrotto.co.uk


3/100

Photography for Beginner

For more great photo tips, head to hotof beginners.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 skillsyou will learnin this issue

01TAKE BETTER SHOTS

Head to p18 for a crashcourse in your scene modes

02TIPS FOR WILDLIFETurn to p30 and find out how

to take better animal images

03CAPTURE MACROTake detailed close-ups on

your cameraphone on p50

04GUIDE TO PANORAMASShoot and edit impressive

landscape panoramas on p56

05ENHANCE IMAGESDiscover clever editing tricksto enhance colours on p62

If youre ready to get out of auto but still find

manual modes a little daunting,join us on p18 as

we take you on a scene mode crash course.

Youll discover all there is to know about these

easy-to-use shooting modes and learn how to

take better shots in the process.Weve also got a great feature on wildlife this

issue, which starts on p30. Get stuck in and

follow our seven steps for striking shots of

animals today!

Thats not all; youll also learn how to

shoot and edit impressive panoramas

on p56 and take better macro shots

using your cameraphone on p50.

Hayley PaterekDeputy Editor

Follow us at @PFBMag

WELCOM

Issue 4

Photography for Beginner

Capture

thisshoton

Page32


4/100

ContentsIssue 41

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

Aperture:The d

of field of an ima

as an f-number

4 Photography for Beginners

ESSENTIALS06Your photos

Check out our selection of reader shots

10Win slideshow softwareEnter our latest competition to win

12How to share your photosThe best ways to share your shots with us

14Compacts with 4K video Discover the latest in camera technology16Free vs paid software

Which do you use? Join the debate

17 Win a camera worth 400Win a Samsung Smart Camera WB2200F

46Subscribe for free softwareSubscribe to PFBand get PhotoDirector 5

78Your questions answeredYour photo problems solved by the team

82Get to know your cameraQuick start guide to using your camera

84Latest cameras reviewedFind out what camera came out on top!

94Essential travel photo kitEverything youll need for your next trip

96CSC camera bag round-upFind the best bag for your camera

98Flower cheat sheetKey settings and skills for flower photos

DSLR:Usually more

expensive, but

good image quality

Samsung NX mini

and more reviewed

56Practical shooting and editingguide for impressive panoramas

Panorama guide

18

Learn about scene modes & take better shots!

24hr cameracrash course

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

84Camerason test

74Showcase your shots onlineShare on Flickr


5/100

SUBSCRIBE TO...

46 GET MONEOFF ISSUESHOOT1824hr camera crash cours

Capture better shots using scene mo

30Steps to great wildlife shSecrets to taking fantastic animal ima

36Tips for better compositioDiscover the top three composition r

38Shoot & share holiday shTake better group snaps and display t

42Creative portrait projectCreate a mind-bending portrait in a fl

44Capture a miniature scen Add a creative twist to your capture48Tricks for low-light photos

Get great still-life shots in candleligh

50Take detailed close-upsPractical steps to better macro imag

54Shoot & edit with VSCO cTake impressive shots on your phon

56Guide to great panoramaLearn to shoot and edit sweeping vis

EDIT62Enhance colour captures

Improve your colour images in Eleme

66Convert to black & white Steps to converting in PhotoDirecto

68Remove marks from photMaster spot healing & the Clone Sta

SHARE73Order photo prints on the Get lasting keepsakes of your best s

74How to share shots on FlSteps to set up and share your shot

76Share shots wirelesslyTips on sharing straight from the cam

CONTENTIssue 4

For back issues & more go to

50

Steps to takegreat macroshots

Capturedetailedclose-ups

Ensure

sharp

shots on

p35

Lighting tips on p51

30

Fantastic tips and

tricks to shoot great

animal images today!

7 secretsto better

wildlifeshots

Share

your

shot

photof

orbeginn

e

Orsearch

forPF B

What to shoot &

when on p32

Guide to

settings

on p34


6/1006 Photography for Beginners

Your photosWe love seeing your fantastic photos eachmonth. Send in your best shots and youcould see them appear on these verypages in a future issue!

ASamsung16GB

memorycardEveryissue,

onewinnerwillreceive

a

Samsung16GBSDHCm

emorycard

oraprizeofequalvalue

www.samsung.com/uk

Fulltermsandcondition

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availableonline

Stockholm Waterfront

Congress Center

Monteliusvgen is a quiet,local trail where you can catch

a great view of Gamla stanand downtown Stockholm.

Shot on:Nikon D7000, ISO

100, f14, 10sec, 18mmSent in via: Email

Reader: Ian Fong


READERS GALLERY


7/100

YOUR PHOTO

Readers galle

Photography for BeginnerShare your shots at:

photoforbeginners.comShare your shots at:

photoforbeginners.com Photography for Beginner

YOUR PHOTO

Readers galle


8/100

Reader: Joseph CosentinoEarly Winter Sunrise On Moss Lake

This was taken at sunrise from the

shore of Moss Lake in the Southern

Adirondack Mountains in New York

State. The sky and lake just lit up.

Shot on: Nikon D7000, 24-70mm

lens, ISO 100, f11, 1/40sec, 70mm

Reader: Helen ClarksonPine Cone

I took the shot in beautiful

bluebell woods near Ashford,

Kent, and liked the effect of the

bluebells in the background.

Shot on: Canon EOS 550D, ISO

200, f7.1, 1/25sec

Reader: Kevin ThorntonHarbour View

This was taken during a trip to

Mevagissey Harbour. On seeing

the lobster pots and lighthousebehind, I knew I had a shot.

Shot on: Nikon D90, ISO 200, f9,

1/320sec, 30mm

Reader: Amy-Lee WinfieldPoppy Fields

This was a 'snap shot' taken on my

way back from a shoot. It was raining

at the time and I saw this poppy field

as I drove home. I popped a bag over

the camera, climbed into the field

and snapped this!

Shot on: Nikon D7100, 18-105mm

lens, ISO 100, f5.6, 1/160sec

Reader: Sandra BaileySweep A Boo

I was taking portraits of my

kids when our dog jumped

into the basket. He must havewanted to get in on the act.

Shot on: Nikon D90, ISO 200,

f4.5, 1/200sec, 40mm

YOUR PHOTOSReaders gallery



9/100

Reader: Lynsey HousTay Rail B

This is a photo of the suover the Tay Rail Bridge, Dunde

November last yShot on:iPhon

Reader: Vicky Insea

Title:A Bright Bunch

Reader: Nicole Murdoch

Title:Silhouette Of Edinburgh

Reader: Eliot Bradshaw

Title:Youve Got Something On You

Reader: Carol Hogg

Title:The Clock

Reader: Louise Aldridge

Title:The Shard

Share your shots at:

photoforbeginners.com Photography for Beginner

Win cameraphoneSend us your cameraphone shots and you could win a ManfrottoKLYP 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]


10/100

Fast-paced action is great for producing striking

and dynamic images, but is notoriously difficult to

photograph well.Its quite common to be left with

blurry shots if you dont know how to set up your

camera properly, but once you know what youre

doing then its actually very simple to get right.

The secret to taking great action shots is often

down to choosing the right shutter speed. If you

use a fast shutter speed then you can freeze

fast-moving subjects in the frame to keep them

sharp. Alternatively, you can use an Action scene

mode for the same effect. Youll also need to focus

accurately to prevent fuzzy photos.

Our action photography feature in Issue 40

contains all of these

tips and more,

including fun

projects to try out.

We also asked you

to send in your best

action shots. Here

are our favourites.

Action photographyRead more about capturing theaction in PFBIssue 40. Find thisissue and more at

WE CHALLENGED, YOU DELIVERED

Your nextphoto challenge

Wildlife photographyUnlock the secrets to taking fantastic photos of wildlife inthis issue, then send us your best shots by 6 August 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

DeluxesoftwaSendusyourshots forachance towinacopofMAGIXPhotoStory2014Deluxe,courtesywww.magix.com.Thissoftware, whichallow

youto turnyourphotos into fantasticslideshows, isworth70/$70.

Focus RSThis was my first attempt atpanning. It was a massive

step outside my comfort zone

of architectural shots.

Shot on:Nikon D3200, ISO

100, f8, 1/125sec, 55mm

Reader: Stuart Sinclair


READERS' CHALLENGEAction photography


11/100

Reader: Sian Humphrey

Title:Catch!

Reader: Paul Ridges

Title:Colour Splash

Reader: Lisa Donoghue

Title:Flying

Reader: Stuart Bowes

Title:Flying Without Wings

Reader: James Walsh

Title:Refreshing

Reader: Bo Che

Title:The Last Fe

Share

yourshotsa

t

photoforbegi

nners.com

orsearchPF

BMagon

Share your shots at:

photoforbeginners.com

READERS' CHALLENG

Action photograph

Photography for Beginners


12/100

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

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and click Post for it to appear on our wall!

Also share on our website Head to www.photoforbeginners.comnow

Become our favourite!We pick our favourite shots tohighlight in our Featured Imagesection. This could be you soon,so get uploading!

Create a galleryYou can showcase your favouriteimages by creating your owngallery page on our website. Itsquick and simple to set up.

Enter theFace-OffYour shots areentered into ourFace-Offsection andpitted againstother peoples have funwatching yourscore rise!

Be inspiredBrowse through all the differentcategories to be inspired byother readers photos and getideas of your own.

The best of the reston our great website

ALSO ONLINE

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!


SHARE YOUR SHOTSHeres how to show us your stunning snaps

Share your shots at: photoforbeginners.com


13/100

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7. Light IIColour and Intensity

8. Light IIIIntroduced Light

9. Composition ISeeing Well

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14/100

It used to be that HD (high definition) was the

pinnacle of video recording quality, but now 4K

has burst onto the scene.This new movie formatallows you to record video that is four times the

resolution of full HD, capturing even more detail in

your footage. There have been a few DSLRs and

CSCs released with 4K video recording capabilities,

but Panasonic are the first to launch a 4K compact

camera, the LUMIX FZ1000.

While recording high-quality movies, you can

also take 8MP still images from the footage, letting

you choose the exact moment of the action you

want to keep without relying on the speed of your

shutter finger. The camera also has a 25-400mm

superzoom lens that lets you fit plenty into your

shots or get closer to far-off subjects, plus it is

smooth and quiet to zoom to ensure your videosflow nicely.

As well as producing high-quality video, the

FZ1000 can also create detailed photos, thanks to

its 20.1MP one-inch sensor that is four times

larger than a standard compact sensor. The lenss

maximum aperture of f2.8 at its widest setting

and f4 at the telephoto end of the scale will also

allow you to capture bright shots in low light and

create a smooth background blur. The Panasonic

FZ1000 has an RRP of 750/$900. For more

information, please visit www.panasonic.com/uk.

Wi-Fi and NFCScan a QR code on screen ortap an NFC-enabled device withthe camera to connect themand start transferring images

Edit in-cameraNot only can you shoot in RAWformat, but you can alsoprocess the files in-camera

Compact and lightweightThe FZ1000 is a third of theweight of a DSLR and lens witha similar focal range

Get creativeThe camera features 22 in-builtcreative filters for enhancingyour shots, including a newrange of monochrome effects

Create a collageThe Panasonic app nowfeatures a collage function thatlets you combine severalimages together before sharing

Shoot high-qualityvideo with a compactPanasonics FZ1000 is the first compact to take 4K video

We got a sneak peak at the newPanasonic FZ1000 and had achance to test it out. To find outwhat we thought of it, head towww.photoforbeginners.comandsearch Panasonic FZ1000.

OUR FIRST

IMPRESSIONS


NEED TO KNOWA snapshot of whats exciting us this month


15/100

Keep shots together with irista

Get the bes

Canons cloud service helps you curate all of your image libraries in one place

Download the Greatest Ever P

In the age of digital photography, it can be

easy to leave your shots scattered across

several devices and even lose them

altogether. Canon is hoping to change all this

with their new cloud-based imagemanagement platform, irista. The sleek

user-interface features a powerful search

index that lets you locate an image based on

a wide range of criteria, including the date or

location it was shot in and even the type of

lens that was used to take it. As well being a

safe place to store and access your photos,

irista can also be used to share them

directly to Facebook and Flickr, and it will

even let you keep track of the likes and

comments your shots get.

irista is available to everyone, not just

Canon users, and offers up to 10GB of photo

storage for free, up to 50GB for 4.49/month

and 100GB for 9.99/month. For more

information, please visit www.irista.com.

Your cameraphone is great for snapping photos while on the go, and

you can even download apps to help you shoot, edit and share your

best ever shots. However, with so many apps out there to choosefrom, it can be difficult to decide which ones to download. Thats why

we have put together the Greatest Ever Photo Apps digital

bookazine. It contains our favourite iOS and Android apps for

improving your shots, along with a handy step-by-step guide that

shows you how to use each one.

The Greatest Ever Photo Apps & How To Use Thembook is

available to download now onto your iOS device for just 1.99/$2.99

from the App store. Simply download the free Photography For

Beginners app first and then purchase this new special edition within

it. For more information on the app and book, please visit www.

greatdigitalmags.com.

Quick tips for using flashYour cameras flash is great foradding a bit of illumination intootherwise dark shots, but it can be

difficult to get really natural-lookingresults. Our quick tips will show youhow to soften the light.

This month on photoforbeginners.comHow to take a colourful still-life photo

Bright subjects will help make yourstill-life shots really stand out andgrab peoples attention. Our guide

will show you how to set up andshoot a really striking shot at homewithout expensive equipment.

PLUS ALL THISHow to use a reflecto

to light your subjects

How to remove lens

flare in post-productUp-to-date news and

fun competitions

Photography for BeginnersShare your shots at:photoforbeginners.com

NEED TO KNONew


16/10016 Photography for Beginners

NEED TO KNOWJoin the debate

Join the debate at...photoforbeginners.com

Search forPFBMag on

Editing software can help you fix all

sorts of photo problems and enhance

your shots with creative effects, but it

doesnt have to cost a fortune. There

are lots of free programs that you can

download or use online that have plenty of tools and are

easy to use. However, if you have the cash to spend,

then paid for programs will give you the complete

package with advanced functions and everything you

could possibly need for perfecting your shots. Theyre

not massively expensive either, as Photoshop Elements

costs just 78/$100.

Do your pay for yourediting programs?

Editing software is a fantastic tool for

photographers, as it can help you fix photo

mistakes and transform your shots into brand

new creative works of art.There are plenty of

different programs to suit any budget, with free

options such as GIMP and Picasa, and paid for

software such as Photoshop Elements. Both have

their benefits, but which do you use? Join our

debate and see what our deputy editor and

readers think.

THE POLL RESULTS SAY 33% PAY, 67% USE FREE PROGRAMS. CAST YOUR VOTE!

OUR DEPUTY EDITOR HAYLEY PATEREK SAYS

What Photography For Beginners readers have to say

01XSories Me-ShotDeluxe

Web:www.xsories.co.ukPrice: 64/$80This handy monopod for your

compact or cameraphone helpsyou shoot over the crowds and

take self-portraits. It also comes

with a Bluetooth remote.

02SprucedUp!

Web:www.spruced-up.comPrice: From 2.50/$4.25Have your photos retouched byexperts with the Spruced Up!

app. Theres a free online

service that let you send off yourproblem photos to be fixed.

03Tamron 14-150mmf3.5-5.8 Di III

Web:www.tamron.eu/ukPrice: 390/$590A compact zoom lens for CSCs

that weighs just 285g and has astylish black or silver finish. The

10.7x zoom makes it ideal for

taking on your travels.

04Lowepro ToploaderZoom AW

Web:www.lowepro.comPrice: From 30/approx $51Lowepros popular camera bag

series has had an update. They

are lighter in weight, have brand

new zippers and pockets, andtheyre available in three sizes.

JOIN THE DEBATE #

Search for #PFBLoves onTwitter to see what we love

Barry KenchSome of the free

programs are OK, but the

paid ones give far better

results if you know how to

use them properly.

Sent in via Facebook

Dave TurnerThe paid for programs

are very good, but not

everyone can afford

them. There are many

good free programs.

Sent in via website

Stephen PearceI use Lightroom 5 mainly,

although I do occasionally

use GIMP and Picasa

when I want to do really

quick edits.


THINGSWELOVE

Terry QuinnI have to use free

software because I'm

unwaged, but I still get

amazing results. My

favourite is Picasa 3.



17/100Photography for Beginn

A Samsung SmartCamera WB2200FPlus three lucky runners-up will each geta Samsung 16GB EVO SD memory card

Samsungs new Smart Camera

WB2200F makes it easy to frameyour shots in creative ways. The

Dual Grip system lets you shoot

comfortably in either orientation

and also gives you extra battery

capacity so that you can keep

shooting for longer. The 20mm

wide-angle lens has a 60x optical

zoom that is ideal for capturing both

sweeping vistas and close-ups of

far-off detail, and then you can

share shots via your smartphone

with Samsungs Tag & Go system,

which features built-in Wi-Fi and NFCcapabilities. For a chance to win this

fantastic camera, enter our

competition now! The winner and

runners-up will also receive one of

Samsungs brand new 16GB EVO SD

memory cards that can store up to

9,310 8MP photos, and boasts

ultra-high-speed performance for

capturing images and transferring

them to a PC quickly. To find out

more, visit www.samsung.com.

Terms and conditionsThis competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom and Ireland.Imagine Publishing has the right to subst itute the prize with a similaritem of equal or higher value. Camera colours may vary. Employees ofImagine Publishing (including freelancers), Samsung, their relatives orany agents are not eligible to enter. The editors decision is final and nocorrespondence will be entered into. Prizes cannot be exchanged forcash. Full terms and conditions are available on request. From time totime, Imagine Publishing or its agents may send you related material orspecial offers. If you do not wish to receive this, please state clearly onyour competition entry.

HOW TO ENTER:Send your name, contact details and your

best shot to us by 21 August 2014.

Email:[email protected]

Website: www.photoforbeginners.com

PLUS!A16GBSamsungSDcard

WIN!


18/100

Discover how to take perfect shots of anysubject using your camera's scene modes

Any scene, any cameraEvery digital camera has scenemodes, including some models ofcameraphone. Many Android andWindows smartphones offer easyshortcuts for shooting a variety oftricky scenes to help you takeperfect shots on the go. However,if your phone doesnt have scenemodes, then you can downloadalternative camera apps that do,such as Camera+ (iOS,1.49/$1.99).

24hr cameraoursWhen youre taking your very first steps

into the world of photography,Automode is a safe place to sta t and often

produces impressive results. However, if

you ant to get a ittle more creative with

our shots but still find manual m des a

little daunting, exploring your cameras

scene m des i a great next step.

Scene modes give your camera an

extra helping hand in working

out the optimum settings

o use. In Auto, the

came a has to gues the

type of photo you w nt

o take, but all it has to

go on is the available

light in the scene

a d position of

your subject. This

is why it can

sometimes

get it a bit wrong and produce a

disappointing photo thats only goodenough for the delete button. Scene

modes give you the chance to tell your

camera the type of shot youre hoping to

produce, so it can then pick the best

settings for the job. Even if youve already

ventured into manual shooting, scene

modes are still great to fall back on if

youre in a rush or having trouble capturing

the perfect shot.

Most cameras offer a large selection of

scene modes that cover the most

common shooting scenarios. Theyre

incredibly simple to use, but its often

not clear exactly what they do. Inthis guide, we will explain

everything you need to know

along with some projects

to help you put your

skills into practice.

SHOOTING24hr camera crash course



19/100

Low-light scenes

Shooting in low light can be tricky, butnight-time scene modes will help you

take perfect shots every time. Find out

how on page 26

Perfect portraitsMaster simple techniques for taking

flattering people shots with a helping

hand from our guide to Portrait scene

mode on page 22

Stunning sunsetsFind out how to shoot spectacular

sunsets to capture breathtaking

images with minimal fuss on page 28

Luscious landscapesDiscover all you need to know aboutLandscape scene mode and how to

compose perfect shots of stunning

vistas on page 20

Dynamic actionLearn how to use Action scene mode

to take fantastic shots of sports,

wildlife and other moving subjects on

page 24

Incredible close-upsGet closer to interesting and intricate

subjects to reveal their fascinating

details. For more on Macro scene

mode, head to page 25

SHOOTIN24hr camera crash cours

Photography for BeginnersShare your shots at:



20/100

Use Landscape scene mode to capturevivid images of spectacular vistas

Shoot stunninglandscapesLandscape scene mode is found on most

cameras and is sometimes even included

on the mode dial. It sets up the camera to

keep the entire scene in focus, from front

to back, so that your shots will be detailed

throughout. It usually also boosts the

natural blue and green tones in the scene

to make sure that your photos are vivid

and vibrant. As the scene mode picks the

settings for you, you can take your time

framing the shot and put your

compositional skills into practice. It gives

you the perfect opportunity to train your

creative eye and really think about how to

make your image as engaging and visually

pleasing as possible.

Shooting in autoIn Auto mode, your camera wont know that

you are shooting a landscape so your shots

could look a little dull with not enough detail

throughout the frame.

SHOTINAUTO

Sharp focusIn this mode, the camera will ensure

the landscape appears sharp front to

back using a narrow aperture setting

Bold green huesGreen hues are enhanced when

using this mode, so landscapes

appear much more vibrant

SHOTINLANDSCAPEMOD




21/100

Compositiontricks

Lead the eye

01Including natural lines in shots wguide the viewer through thephoto and towards your main focal poi

Add foreground interest

02Avoid photographing an emptyhorizon and large expanse of sby including a bit of foreground interest

Reflect the scene

03Reflective surfaces, such as lakand ponds, allow you to includemirror image of the scene in your shot.

Use natural frames

04To really draw attention to themain focal point of your photo,look for frames to position around it.

Useanarrowaperturetokeepeverythinginfocus.Ifyoureshootinghandheld,useashutterspeedofatleast1/60sec.Ifyoureusingatripod,slowitdowntoblurmovingwater

Doityourself

Switch on gridlinesMost cameras give you the option to switch on a gridline

display, which shows a nine-section grid on the back LCD

screen. This will help you follow some of the

compositional tricks such as the rule of thirds. To follow

this rule, position your main focal point along one of the

vertical lines and the horizon roughly along one of the

horizontal lines.

Bright blue skyLandscape scene mode will

enhance the blue hues so that

skies really stand out





22/100

Shoot flattering people shotsof yourself or others with help

from Portrait scene mode

Take

perfectportraits

Portrait shots are important to

get right, as you want to create

the most flattering image

possible of your model. Portrait

scene mode will

automatically detect

your subject and

keep them sharp

and well

exposed, even if

youre shooting

in tricky lighting

conditions. It willalso create a

shallow depth of field

effect by setting a wide

aperture to produce creative

background blur, which can

make your subject stand out

and eliminate any distractions in

the scene. Some portrait scene

modes will even add a soft-

focus effect to smooth your

subjects skin for a

flawless finish. Using

this scene mode is

particularly handy

for taking self-

portraits, as it can

be tricky to make

adjustments behindthe lens when you also

need to be in front of it. Just

follow our easy tutorial below

and take a fantastic selfie for

your profile pages.

Ifyouwantmorecontrolovertheshot,switchtoAperturePriorityandchooseawideaperture(smallf-number)toblurthebackground.ThenselectSpotmeteringandfocus

ontheeyes

Doityourself

Shadowy subjectAuto mode may struggle to pick out your

subject and can leave them underexposed,

particularly if they are backlit.

SHOTINAUTO

Snap a self-portrait

Choose a focal length

02For a flattering shot, set up your cameraabout two meters away from where you areplanning to stand, then zoom in to use a focal length

of about 50mm. This should produce a well-

proportioned close-up with no distortion.

Select your mode

01Set your camera to Portrait scene mode sothat it will do all the hard work for you. Thisshould automatically detect your face to keep it

bright and in-focus in your shots, so that you can

concentrate on smiling and posing.

Set the timer

04Find your cameras self-timer mode and setit to shoot with a delay of a few seconds.This should give you enough time to get into position

and pose after youve pressed the shutter. Make

sure you know where to stand.

Use a scene mode and put yourself in the frame

Takeyourshot outdoors

ornearabrightwindow

tousenaturallight. Use

areflectororflashtofill

inanyharshshadows




23/100

Flip the screen

05If your camera has an LCD that can flip outor upwards, use it to help you frame thephotograph. If you dont have this option, then it

may take a couple of attempts to get yourself in the

right position.

Use a tripod

03Now set your camera up on a sturdy tripodor rest it on a flat surface such as a table.You could take your shot by holding your camera at

arm's length without self-timer, but for a more

natural image it is best shoot hands-free.

Smoother skinPortrait scene mode will

smooth and even out skin

tone for a flattering result

Sharp resultsThe camera will detect

the face and ensure the

features appear sharp

Soft backgroundThe background will softly

blur to isolate your subjec

and make them the focus

SHOTINPORTRAITMODE





24/100

Let Action scene mode help you

shoot sharp shots of fast subjects

Freezethe actionGetting blur-free photos when your

subject is moving around can be

quite a challenge, particularly if you

dont have much time to get your

camera ready. Action scene mode is

a simple solution, as it will

automatically set a fast shutter

speed to freeze your subject in the

frame and keep them blur-free. It will

also try to track them as they move

and continually re-focus to make sure

they are sharp. This scene mode is

typically suggested for shooting

sports, but can also be used for a

variety of other shooting situations.

Its great for getting perfect

photographs of your kids or pets as

they run around, and can also be

used for capturing fantastic images

of unpredictable wildlife.

Ifyouwantt

ochoosethe

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Doityourse

lf

Shoot a burstSome action scene modes will automatically

take a burst of images, but if yours does not,

set it to shoot continuously to increase your

chances of getting a great shot.

Photograph the wildlifeAction scene mode isnt just for

photographing sports it will also help you

capture great images of wildlife, too.

Blur-free shotsIn Action mode the camera

will use faster shutter speeds

so that movement is frozen

SHOOTING

24hr camera crash course



25/100

Take marvellous macro photos using theclose-up scene mode

Get up closeGetting close to your subject can help you

reveal intricate and fascinating details that

may otherwise be invisible to the naked eye.

Macro mode will tell your camera that youre

photographing an object very close to the

end of the lens, so it will help you focus up

close to keep your subject sharp. The

minimum focusing distance will depend on

your camera, but it will help you get a little

closer than you would be able to in standard

auto mode. It should be able to detect your

subject to keep it sharp but may also create

a bit of background blur to separate it from

the backdrop.

Get even closerIf you want to shoot even closer to your

subject than your camera will allow, you willneed to add a special macro accessory, suc

as a macro lens or extension tubes. To find

out more about your options, visit www.

photoforbeginners.comand search Macro

photography kit options.

Pin-sharp focusThis mode assists with focus

and softly blurs backgrounds

to add emphasis to your subject

Intricate detailsClose-up mode enables you

to focus closer to subjects so

that details are magnified

Ifyouwantmorecontrolotheshot,switchtoApertuPriorityandchooseawideaperture(smallf-number)tblurthebackground.ThenselectSpotmeteringandfocusonyoursubject

Doityoursel





26/100

Whenshootingstillscenesor

creatingmotionblur,setyour

cameraonatripod,choose

ShutterPriorityandpicka

shutterspeedbelow1sec.If

not,useafasterspeed

andraiseyourISO

Doityourself

Take a low-light portraitMany cameras have a special Night Portrait scene

mode in addition to a landscape one. This will have

many of the same functions as standard Portrait

scene mode, but also helps you control the flash. It

will usually employ a slow sync technique, using a

slow shutter speed to record the ambient light in

the scene, and then firing the flash to illuminateand freeze your subject in the shot. This ensures

that both the background and foreground of your

image are well lit, rather than showing a bright

subject on a dark black background.

Creative resultsIf your night scene mode usesslow shutter speeds, experiment

with light trails in a busy town or city

SHOOTING

24hr camera crash course



27/100

Use the Night Landscape scene mode tocapture bright images in low light

Shoot at nightShooting in low light can be very tricky, so

night-time scene modes are particularly useful.

There are different varieties of this type of

scene mode, and each one will help you

achieve a different effect. A standard night

landscape scene mode will set a slow shutter

speed to allow plenty of light through the lens,

but will mean that you have to use a tripod to

avoid camera shake. Some cameras have a

handheld night scene mode that will pick a fast

shutter speed for blur-free shots and increase

the sensitivity to brighten things up. This could

result in grainy images through, depending on

how well your camera deals with digital noise.

Capture light trails

Set your white balance

02 Your cameras auto white balance settingmay struggle to compensate for the warmcolour temperature of the car headlights. Set it to

Incandescent or Tungsten mode to cool down the

shot and prevent an orange colour cast.

Find a location

01 Find a busy road and set up your camera ona tripod so that you can shoot the trafficfrom an angle. Bridges over motorways are ideal, but

try to shoot oncoming traffic as the front headlights

are brighter.

Blur traffi c headlights for creative effect

Get ready to shoot

03To prevent causing camera shake when ypress the shutter button, set up yourcameras self-timer or use a remote release. Then

when it is suitably dark, fire the shutter and leave

the camera until it has finished the exposure.





28/100

Record spectacular images of the settingsun using Sunset scene mode

Capture

stunning sunsetsShooting as the sun is setting is a great

way to capture a wonderful golden light in

your photographs. If you spot a breath-

taking sunset, then Sunset scene mode

will help you get your camera ready to

shoot in no time at all. It will make sure

that the entire scene is in focus, much like

Landscape scene mode, but may also use

a slow shutter speed to capture plenty of

light. This means you will need to use a

tripod. Sunset scene mode will also boost

the colours in your photo to make them

more vibrant, particularly any reds, oranges

and yellows.

When taking photos indoors, there is quite often very little natural

light to work with, which can leave you with dull-looking shots. Indoor

scene mode, sometimes known as Party scene mode, will help you

keep your shots bright by increasing the camera's sensitivity to light.

Be aware that this can result in grainy images, depending on your

cameras sensor quality and size. It will usually also set a fast shutter

speed so you can shoot handheld and still capture blur-free shots.

Shooting in white snow or sand can sometimes confuse your camera

and leave you with disappointing shots. It tends to read these

surfaces as overly bright and then underexposes your shot to

compensate, which is why snow and sand can often look grey in your

images. Beach and Snow scene modes will tell your camera that

these surfaces are supposed to be a bright white, so it will then

adjust the exposure accordingly and record the scene accurately.

Take photos indoors Shoot sand and snowUse indoor or party scene modes to takebright shots in dimly lit rooms

Take perfect shots no maer where in theworld you are

Vibrant vistasSelect Sunset mode to

enhance the saturation

so that colours really stand out




29/100

Not just for

dummies

A clear, comprehensive series for people who want to start learn

about iPhone, iPad, Mac, Photoshop, photography and more

BUY YOUR COPY TODAYPrint edition available at www.imagineshop.co.uk

Digital edition available at www.greatdigitalmags.com

facebook.com/ImagineBookazines twitter.com/Books_Im

Available on the following platforms


30/100

7 secretsto betterwildlifeshotsUncover the essential steps to takingamazing animal imagesWhen it comes to photographing wild

animals, its important to remember the

three Ps: planning, preparation and

patience. Before you even pick up your

camera, do a bit of research into yoursubject so that you can learn their habits

and figure out the best way to track them

down. After the planning, you can then start

preparing for your shoot, making sure that

you have all the kit youll need.

Getting the perfect shot is often more of a

marathon than a sprint, because you cant

direct an animal like you would a humanportrait subject. However, if youre well

prepared, it will be worth the wait and youll

get some fantastic shots to be proud of.

Essential wildlife kitUseful kit for getting great shots of animals

Camouflage coverKeeping your cameracamouflaged will help you blendin with your subjectssurroundings. Wildlife WatchingSupplies make reversiblecamera and lens covers in arange of sizes and patterns(from 31/approx $53).

Telephoto lensA lens with a long zoom is greatfor getting wildlife close-upsfrom a distance. Sigmas70-300mm f4-5.6 DG MACROlens (170/$270) has a lengthyfocal range and is also good fortaking macro shots of tinycritters and detail.

Sturdy tripodUsing a tripod will allow you toshoot remotely, as well as keepyour shots steady at long focallengths. Manfrottos CompactAction tripod (60/$70) islightweight and has a joystickhead for making quick andsmooth adjustments.

Remote releaseControlling your camera from adistance while its on a tripodwill help you shoot withoutdisturbing your subjects. NikonsInfraRed ML-L3 remote control(20/$21) can fire the shutter ofmost Nikon cameras and is verycompact and easy to use.

1

Set up and shootTurn to page 34 to discover the perfect

settings for taking striking wildlife shots, no

matter what camera kit you own

Edit and perfectFollow our editing tips for fixing common

wildlife photo mistakes on page 34 and

transform your shots into professional-

quality pictures

SHOOTINGWildlife photography



31/100

Find a subjectLearn the best times of day to find and

photograph popular wildlife subjects and

discover useful tips for enticing them into

view on page 32

Frame the shotMaster top tips for composing

willdife photos to avoid distracting

backgrounds and create really

engaging shots on page 33

IfthelensonyourDSLRorCSCwontzoominfarenough,youcanextenditsreachwithateleconverter.Thesefitbetweenyourcameraandlens

Getevenclosertoanimals

SHOOTINWildlife photograph




32/100

What to shoot and whenDiscover the best times of day to track down wildlife2No matter what time of day it is, youllalways find a great wildlife photographysubject somewhere among the flora and

fauna. However, if you want to track down

a specific animal, then it is a good idea to

find out when they are at their most

active. This is often when they are out

looking for something to eat, so finding

their food source is a good place to start.

Of course, you could make it a little

easier by putting some food out to entice

them to you, but make sure that it won't

be harmful to their health. And if youre

struggling to find animals in your garden,

you can always go looking for

them at your local

nature reserve

or zoo.

AM

Rabbits Mice Ferrets Bees Lizards Squirrels HedgehogsButterflies

Stay undetectedKeep still and quiet to bag the shot3

If you make yourself known to your

wildlife photography subjects,

then they are likely to run, fly or

scamper away before you have a

chance to get the shot. To make

sure you dont scare them off, do

everything you can to stay

undetected. Avoid wearing bright

clothing that stands out against

your surroundings and dont make

any sudden movements or loud

noises that will draw attention to

you and your camera. Turn off your

camera sounds and flash, too.




33/100

Consider compositionHow to frame your animal images4When youre busy tracking down your

wildlife subject, it can be easy to

forget about the composition.

However, dont be tempted to use the

point, shoot and hope for the best

method. Instead, put a bit more

thought into how you want the shot to

look. It is best to photograph animals

from their eye-level to capture a more

natural and majestic image, but you

will also need to make sure the

background isnt too distracting. The

best way to remove a cluttered

backdrop is to zoom in for a close-up

shot. Fill the frame with your subject

and try to capture them looking dow

the lens for a really intimate and

engaging photo.

Thebestlightforyourshotscanusuallybefoundatdawnorduskasthesunlightissoftandgolden,oronovercas

t

dayswhenitisdiffusedbytheclouds

Therightlight

PM

Zoom in to get closer

to your subject without

disturbing them

Wide-angle focal lengths

could cause your subject

to appear lost against a

busy backdrop

Use a telephoto focal

length to remove

distraction and create an

engaging close-up

Ifyoursubjectismovinlookingawayfromthecamleavesomeactiveorlookspaceinfrontofthemtogivetheshotsomecontext

Leavesomespace

Deer Foxes Badgers





34/100

If youre not entirely happy with yourshots, dont worry. Wildlife

photography can be a

challenge, so you wont

always get great

photos that are ready

to share with the

world straight away.

Luckily, all sorts of

mistakes can be fixed

with a few basic editing

tricks, so it wont take long to

transform your problem shots intoperfect pictures. Unfortunately,

correcting a photo that is

completely out of focus is

practically impossible, so

focusing accurately is very

important. However, slightly

soft details can easily be

dealt with, along with many

other common photo issues.

Read our quick tips on the right

to find out how.

Get set upPick the perfect settings for photographing animals5

Before you fire the shutter to capture

your perfect wildlife photo, you first needto set up your camera. It is best to do

this as soon as you arrive at your

location, or even before, so that you will

be ready to shoot when you spot your

subject. Once you have got it all set up,

leave your camera on so that you will be

able to shoot at a moments notice ifyour subject unexpectedly appears. Make

sure that it is fully charged up beforehand

and bring spare batteries. If you're

unsure which settings to choose, read on

to discover our secrets

Ifyoureonabudgetthenyoucanusefreeprogramssuch

asPicasaorGIMP,ordownloadfreeeditingappsandtweakshotsonyoursmartdevice

EdityourimagesforfreeCorrect the tonesTo enhance the colour tones inyour shot, go to Enhance>

Adjust Lighting>Levels. Adjustthe arrows underneath thehistogram graph until your shothas more impact, or use the

colour picker tools to select asimilar tone in your shot and doit automatically.

Adjust the exposureIf your shot is too bright or toodark, you can quickly fix the

problem by going to Enhance>Adjust Lighting>Brightness/Contrast. Adjust the Brightnessslider to bring back detail in the

shadows or highlights andboost the Contrast slider a littleif necessary.

Perfect shots laterFix mistakes with easy edits7

Actionsce

nemodei

suseful

forphotogr

aphingwild

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willensure

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Usea

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de




35/100

Choose your modeSwitch to Shutter Priority modeand select a fast shutter speedto freeze your subject in theframe. 1/250sec is a good

starting point for blur-free birdand animal photographs.

Make final tweaksIf there are any sections of yourphotograph that still look too

bright or too dark, then use theDodge and Burn tools to fixthem. Set the Exposure toaround 60% and then brush

over the problems areas inorder to bring out more detail inyour image.

Sharpen it upTo sharpen up any soft detailsin your shot, go to Enhance>

Unsharp Mask. Increase theAmount slider to sharpen theimage until you start to seefiner details in the preview

window. Keep the Radius andThreshold values low for anatural effect.

Adjust your ISOIf youre shooting in brightconditions, keep your ISO low toavoid grainy shots. However, ifyour shots look too dark, use a

higher value to boost yourcameras sensitivity to light.

Shoot a burstTo increase your chances ofcapturing the perfect shot,switch on your cameras Burst or

Continuous Shooting mode. Thiswill take a series of shots as youhold down the shutter.

6

Continuous AutofocusIf your subject is moving, switch toContinuous Autofocus mode. This will gyour camera to continually refocus the

shot as the animal moves around so ththey will be perfectly sharp when youpress the shutter.

Focus the shotKeep your subject sharp in your photos

Perhaps the trickiest part of taking

great wildlife photos is keeping your

subject perfectly sharp. As you cant

direct them to stay still, its quite

common to be left with blurry shots

as they move quickly and

unexpectedly. This is why selecting

the correct focusing mode is so

important, as it can be the differen

between a fuzzy photo and a

pin-sharp masterpiece. The crucia

part of your shot to keep sharp is

your subjects eyes, as these will b

the main focus of your image.

Selective AutofocusWhen your subject is staying still, switchto Single or Selective Autofocus mode.Either use the central autofocus point and

keep your subject central in the frame, orchoose the autofocus point that is overyour subjects eye.





36/100

Composition can make or bre

an image, which is why its on

of the first photo skills every

beginner should master. An

image with a strong

composition should be visual

pleasing and balanced. These

traditional composition rules,used by artists and

photographers, are still relied

on today

Leading linesLeading lines are a great way to draw the

viewers eye into the frame and onto a focus

point. When composing, look for natural

leading lines in a landscape such as

pathways and fences.

Foreground focusA vast, open landscape can look a little flat

without a focal point. Always try to frame

something within the foreground to give the

impression of depth and give the viewer

something to focus on.

Rule of thirdsThe rule of thirds helps to balance an image.

Envision a nine-section grid over the scene

and position your focal point on one of the

intersecting points. Many cameras have

gridlines that you can use to help.

Discover some of the rules andstart taking better shots

3 tips for better

compositions


SHOOTINGQuick tips

Share your shots at: photoforbeginners.com


37/100

2. Canon EOS70D DigitalSLR

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38/100

Display several shots at oncewith a stylish photo block

Create a photocube from yourholiday snaps

SHOOTINGCreate a photo cube



39/100

Along with your sun cream and flip flips, your

camera is one of the most important items to

pack for your holiday.Taking photos of the places

you visit will help you preserve your memories of

the trip and share your experiences with your

friends and family back home. To find out how to

capture images of the spectacular views, stunning

sunsets and beautiful night-time scenery, turn to

page 18 and read our guide to using scene modes.

However, youll also want to take photos of

yourself and your holiday companions enjoying your

visit to new and exciting places, so its a good idea

to brush up on your portrait photography skills too.

When travelling to warmer climates, youll have to

deal with bright lighting conditions that can cause

your subject to squint in your shots or leave harsh

shadows across their face. To prevent these

unflattering issues, youll need to master shooting

backlit portraits that keep your subject and their

surroundings well exposed. The simple solution to

the problem is to move your subject into the

shade, but if this isnt possible we will show you

another way to deal with it using flash. However, if

you cant get to grips with the technique, all is not

lost. By turning the page you can discover how to

fix common holiday photo problems, such as bad

exposure and distracting backgrounds caused by

other holidaymakers walking into the shot.

By the time your holiday is over, you will probably

have a memory card or two full of fantastic shots.

Sharing them on your favourite social networks is a

great way to let all your friends see what you got

up to, but dont be tempted to leave your shots as

digital files. Printing them off and putting them into

a stylish photo cube is a great way to display

several of your favourite photos at once.

WHAT YOULL NEED

Digital camera with fla

Editing software

Printer & photo paper

Scissors & glue

Photo cube

WE USED

Fujifilm S9400W

Photoshop Elements

Harrison Cameras

Acrylic Photo Cube

YOU COULD USE

Any digital camera

External flashgun

Picasa

Artsy Couture Cube

Dcor

WHAT YOULL LEARN

How to take, edit anddisplay holiday shots

Shoot! Get set up to shoot a backlit group shot

Set your mode

02Set your camera to Aperture Priorityand choose an aperture of about f5.6.This should keep everyone in focus but create

a bit of background blur to make your subjects

stand out. Alternatively, use Portrait mode.

Position your subjects

01The last thing you want is a shot ofeveryone squinting at the sun, soposition your subjects so that the light is

behind them. This is likely to leave them in

shadow, but we will fix that later by using flash.

Choose a focal length

04To fit everyone in the photo, you willneed to zoom out to use a wide-anglefocal length. However, try to avoid using the

widest setting as it can create distortion. Take

a few steps back and zoom in a little instead.

Use face detection

03Keeping more than one subject infocus can be tricky, but many camehave a face detection mode that will help yo

You can use manual focus instead, or positi

the autofocus point in the centre of the fram

Shoot a burst

06When taking a group shot, it is likelythat at least one person will blink. Toavoid this, switch to Burst mode to take a

series of shots when you press the shutter.

Chances are one of them will be perfect.

Fire your flash

05With the light behind your subjects,they will probably be silhouetted inyour photo. To fill in the shadows, switch on

your flash. This will keep the foreground and

background of your shot illuminated.

SHOOTIN

Create a photo cub




40/100

Holidayphotographytips and tricks

Clear some spaceBefore your holiday, back up the shots on your

memory card and format it to make sure it is

empty. Take spare cards if you have them, and

shoot in JPEG instead of RAW to save space.

Preserve powerMake sure you charge your camera regularly and

take spare batteries to avoid running out of

power. You can also switch off unnecessary

functions and reduce the monitor brightness.

Protect your gearKeep your camera attached to a camera strap at

all times to prevent any accidental knocks, bumps

and drops. You may want to get your gear insured

before you travel, just in case it gets damaged.

Apps for travelphotography

3 OF THE BEST

Sun Seeker 4.99/$6.99 (iOS)If you want to get the perfect sunsetphotograph, then this app will showyou exactly when and where youllneed to be.

Instagram Free (Both)Instagram is not only a great app forediting and sharing your holiday shots,it can also be used to find inspiringimages taken in your location.

Google+ Free (Both)The Google+ app automatically backsup your shots when connected toWi-Fi, so you dont have to worryabout losing them.

Add a gradient

02Select the Gradient tool and set it toLinear. Open the Gradient Editor andchoose a foreground to transparent gradient

and set the colour to blue. Drag your cursor

from the top to just below the horizon.

Edit Perfect your holiday snaps in Photoshop Elements

Select the sky

01If the sky looks a little washed out inthe background of your shot, you caneasily add some colour back in. Use the

Selection brush to select it, neatening up your

selection with the add and subtract tools.

Adjust the levels

04Go to Enhance>Adjust Lighting>Levels.You could use the colour picker toolsfor an instant fix, or bring the left and right

arrows underneath the histogram graph

inwards and move the centre arrow right.

Brighten the shadows

03Go to Select>Inverse to select theforeground, then Enhance>AdjustLighting>Shadows/Highlights. Lighten the

Shadows to bring some detail back into the

dark areas and increase the Midtone Contrast.

Remove the distraction

06With a plain section of your shotselected, now click on the backgrounddistraction to paste it over the top and watch

it disappear. You may need to repeat the

process a few times to get rid of it completely.

Clone the backdrop

05To remove any distractions in thebackground, select the Clone Stampand set the Opacity to 100%. Hold down the

Opt/Alt key and select part of your shot you

want to copy and paste over the distraction.

SHOOTING

Create a photo cube



41/100

Reflect thelightInstead of using

flash to fill shadows,

bounce the light

with a reflector

Props andposesMake your portra

shoot more fun b

experimenting wi

poses and props

Pick yourshotsUse landscapes as

well as group

portraits for your

photo block

Find softlightAvoid harsh

shadows in your

shots by shooting at

dawn or dusk

Measure them out

02Now measure out the sections to cutout your photos. You could measureout the correct dimensions of one side of the

cube, or simply place one side of the cube

over your photo and draw around it.

Share Display your photos in an acrylic cube from Harrison Cameras

Print your shots

01Choose six of your favourite holidayphotos and print them out at home ororder prints online. You will need to make sure

the shots you pick can be cut into a square

without cropping off any important elements.

Stick them on

04Take the cardboard inner cube out ofthe outer acrylic cube, and stick yourphotos onto it with glue or sticky tape. Make

sure that they will be the right way up when

you put your photo cube on display.

Cut them out

03Next, cut out the sections of yourshots that you have measured outwith scissors or a Stanley knife. Cut just ins

of the lines you have drawn so that they wo

be visible in your photo cube.

Assemble the cube

05Once your photos are stuck onto thecardboard inner cube, take the twopieces of the acrylic outer cube and slide

them together around it. You photo cube is

then ready to put on display for all to enjoy.

Avoidgettingyoursubject

s

tosaycheeseasthiswill

evokeforcedgrins.Chatt

o

themandgetthemlaugh

ing

formorenatural shots

Evoke

naturalsmiles

SHOOTINCreate a photo cub




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Discover how to playwith perspectiveto capture a reality-altering photo

Create

a mind-bendingportrait

imageWHAT YOULL NEEDDigital cameraWE USED Canon EOS 600D with

24-70mm lens

YOU COULD USECompact camera

Cameraphone

WHAT YOULL LEARN How to capture an

image with forced

perspective

fiveminuteproject

SHOOTINGPlay with perspective



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Choose a location

01The key to making this shot work isfinding the right kind of location. Ifyoure going to attempt a hanging shot like

ours, the edge of a wall or a street sign pole

are both good places to start.

Use Aperture Priority

02With your camera turned on, switch toAperture Priority mode (A or Av on themode dial), then set an aperture of f8. Using a

small aperture (large f-number) will ensure

your image stays sharp from front to back.

Position your model

03Ask your model to lie on the groundand grip onto the wall youre shootingagainst. To make your shot look more realistic,

ask them to stretch out as much as possible

and raise one leg in the air.

Shoot low down

04Get down low on the ground and moveup so that youre close to your model,making sure that you can fit all of them in the

frame. If you struggle to do this, try using a

wider angle lens.

Photographers have experimented with

camera trickery since the dawn of

photography, and there are a number of clever

ways that you can successfully trick an

audience into believing the unbelievable.One

of the easiest but most effective ways of doing

this is by creating the appearance of someone

hanging onto the edge of a building or object

for dear life, when in reality theyre simply lying

on the ground. The effect works by taking a

photo as you would normally, but then tipping

the image onto its side using Photoshop or

other editing software to create the illusion of

gravity pulling against them.

Youll be pleased to hear that very little is

actually needed in order to pull off this type of

shot; all you need is a camera, a suitable

location and a willing model. In terms of your

camera, you dont necessarily need to use a

DSLR to achieve this effect, as it will still work

using a compact or even a cameraphone,

though a DSLR will usually provide higher

quality results. As for your location, the edge of

a pavement, the corner of a wall, or a street

sign are all good choices, though in truth just

about anywhere will work provided theres a

ledge for your model to hang from. Speaking

of models, if you dont have a willing volunteer

available to lend a hand then why not try

photographing yourself instead?

Simply follow the steps as weve listed

below, but be sure to set up your camera on a

tripod and use the cameras self-timer function

to give you enough time to get into position

before the shot is taken. It may take a few tries

to get it right, but the result will make a truly

eye-catching avatar ideal for your social

networking pages.

Warp perspective Turn the world on its side

Capture and review

05Looking through the viewfinder, framup your shot and set the focus on yosubject. Take a few shots and review the

results. Make adjustments to the composit

and/or the models position if necessary.

How to rotateyour shot inPhotoshop

Rotate 90 degreesWith the image successfully opened, go up to

Image>Image Rotation>90 CW, which will rot

your image to the left by 90 degrees to give th

desired effect.

Open in PhotoshopWith Adobe Photoshop opened up, go up to

File>Open and locate your photo. Click on the

image to highlight it, then click Open to bring i

into Photoshop.

Save your shotWith the image now positioned in the correct

orientation for the effect to work, head up to

File>Save to quickly save the changes youve

made to your work.

SHOOTIN

Play with perspectiv




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SHOOTINGStory behind the shot


Is there another way to createthis look?Many digital cameras come with creative

modes, and the miniature effect is one of

the most popular. However, if your camera

doesnt have this option, it is easy to create

yourself with editing software. All you have to

do is blur the top and bottom of the shot,

but keep the middle portion sharp. Visit

www.photoforbeginners.comand search

How to create a tilt-shift effect.

When and where was thisbrilliant shot taken?I went for a day out in London with some

friends and as it was such a lovely day, we

went for a walk along the River Thames.

There was so much to photograph so I made

sure that I had my camera set up and ready

to go at all times. I took some shots of the

architecture and famous landmarks such as

Big Ben and St Pauls, but I also enjoyed

capturing the people and boats going by.

How did you achieve theminiature effect in the photo?I was using my Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark

II advanced compact, which has lots of

creative modes. I was experimenting with

the different effects and decided a miniature

filter worked best for this shot. The effect is

sometimes known as tilt-shift, as it can be

achieved by using a special tilt-shift lens. It

works by blurring the top and bottom of the

image to make the scene look miniature.

behind

theshotStory

Photography for Beginners seniorstaff writer Jo Stass reveals thetricks to her miniature masterpiece
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SHOOTINStory behind the sh



What do you like most aboutthis shot?I love the way that the miniature effect has

made the boat look like a toy. I tried the

effect out in a few other locations and it was

fascinating to re-create a miniature version

of each scene. I also like how the camera

has boosted the colours to accentuate the

toy town look even further. The whole

image looks like it could have been taken of

a miniature model of the city.

Is there anything you wouldlike to have done differently?I would have loved for there to be some

people visible on the boat, as I think it would

have been great to capture little miniature

figures of people too. Other than that, I think

shooting from a higher vantage point would

have helped improve the miniature effect, as

it would have made it look as though I was

towering above the tiny scene. Maybe next

time Ill try and shoot from the bridge.

What tips would you give toothers wanting a similar shotIf youre using an in-camera miniature mod

make sure that your main subject is in the

sharp portion of the frame, which is usual

in the centre. It is also a good idea to take

the shot again without the miniature effec

so that if you decide you dont like it, or wa

to have a go at creating the effect yourself

with editing software, you have a standard

shot that you can work with.
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Get creative with shadows and take a low-light shot

01 Blur the backgroundIf you want to bring some creative background

blur to your shot, switch to Manual or

Aperture Priority mode and choose a wide

aperture (small f-number) to create a shallow

depth of field.

Candle-lit still life

04 Compose creativelyTake time arranging your subjects andexperiment with different angles. Arranging

candles in a line helps guide the viewer

through the frame and works well with a

shallow depth of field.

03 Support the cameraWhen using shutter speeds slower than

1/60sec, you wont be able to shoot handheld

without causing camera shake. Use a tripod

or set your camera on a sturdy surface to take

the shot.

06 Create some shadowsShadows will create depth and interest instill-life images, so position your subjects for

the best effects. Use patterned

candleholders, or introduce extra subjects to

create some shadows.

05 Get set upTo get the shot looking like our one here, youll

need to find a dark location so that the

candles become your only light source. You

can either shoot at night, or in a room with

blackout curtains.

02 Keep it sharpTo ensure the main subject of your shot is

sharp, select Single Autofocus mode and

position the focus point over it. Alternatively,

use Manual Focus and twist your lens until it

appears sharp.

WHAT YOULL NEED

CandlesCameraSturdy surface

WE USED

Olympus E-PL3

Tripod

WHAT YOULL LEARN

How to shoot in low light

How to get creative with

shadows

SHOOTING

Candle-lit still life



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If your shots appear too dark, tryusing a slower shutter speed or raise

your ISO to make them brighter. Just

watch out for grain

Switch to Shutter Priority and choose

a relatively slow shutter speed to let

plenty of light through the lens.

Alternatively, use a low-light mode

To ensure the candlelight is the only

light source for your shot, switch off

your cameras flash. If its in Auto, it

will automatically fire in low light

APERTURE:F2.5ISO:800 SHUTTER SPEED:1/50SECOUR SETTINGS:

Shadows willcreate depth

and interest inyour shot

SHOOTIN

Candle-lit still li


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Close-up photography is a popular hobby for

many because it brings to life areas of the

world often unseen, whether thats intricate

patterns in leaves, the eyes of a tiny insect

or the texture of skin. By focusing in on the

smaller things around us, we can discover

beauty and intrigue in places we wouldntnormally consider of interest. Camera

manufacturers have dedicated time to

developing high-end macro lenses and

in-camera modes to help photographers get

close to their subject and capture them at

optimum sharpness, but you dont have to

spend a fortune on kit to get some truly

stunning shots.

While your cameraphone wont be getting

in as close or as sharp as an expensive lens,it can still produce some great results you

just need a few tips and tricks to get you

started. Over the next few pages, we explore

the best shooting methods for getting

fantastic close-ups, including composition,

lighting and focusing. Well even reveal a few

easy tricks you can apply with a simple

sheet of paper or cardboard, as well as let

you know about some affordable extra

accessories you can get to help you on yourway. Dont forget to post your results up on

the gallery atwww.photoforbeginners.com,

and you could see your shots in the mag.

Discover how to take great close-ups with some easy tips

Composingclose-upsIts just as important to think about the

composition of a close-up as it is with a

sweeping landscape. For stronger shots, try to

think about where youre placing the mostimportant part of the photo for instance, you

could use a gridlines option on your

cameraphone to position the centre of a flower

along where two lines intersect (known as the

rule of thirds). Also think about the background.

Without manual modes on your cameraphone,

youre not able to blur this out, so if you cant

eliminate distractions by changing your shooting

angle, the best option may be to block it out

entirely. Create your own background by putting

up a piece of paper behind the subject.

Get closer with

Position your

subject by a

window and use a

reflector to

bounce light

your cameraphone

SHOOTINGCameraphone macro

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Perfect the focus

Getting your cameraphone to produce sharp shotssmall subjects isnt easy. If you get too close it w

struggle to focus, so its best to back away u

the point that it focuses itself and then cr

in later so the subject fills the fram

You can, however, buy spec

macro lenses designed

cameraphones that allow you

focus much clos

The other reason your sho

might not be sharp is came

shake. When youre focus

at such short distances, a

movement on the phone c

cause a great deal of b

Using a portable tripod w

help to keep it stea

otherwise lock in yo

elbows

Documents

Photography for Beginners - Issue No. 41.Bak