No. 1 for beginners
Great shots with any camera www.photoforbeginners.com
Find us on… and share your shots!
Essential guides for Cameraphone | iPad | DSLR | CSC | Compa
Great photos in a weekend ✔Master natural lighting ✔Pick the right modes ✔Perfect compositions
Top portrait tips Easy steps to better pictures
10 CREATIVE PROJECTS M
S A ✔ Fake infrared ✔ Fun still life
✔ Light painting ✔ Time lapse
P
KEY SETTINGS
FOR AMAZING SHOTS
Essential features explained
MACRO EDITING HOLIDAY SHOTS LATEST TECH
Small tweaks for a big impact on close-ups
Practical tips for your best ever travel snaps
Touch screen kit gets put to the ultimate test
ISSUE 028
Focal length: 270mm Exposure: F/6.3, 1/640 sec, ISO 250
Focal length: 18mm Exposure: F/4.0, 1/2000 sec, ISO 250
One lens for every moment
18-270mm
F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD This Tamron Megazoom-Lens is an unbeatable combination of flexibility and performance. Thanks to the 15x zoom the right focal length for every situation is available anytime. The VC image stabilization and fast, almost silent PZD autofocus completes the package. The low weight and compactness of this lens leaves even enough room in your travel bag for souvenirs. Available for your digital APS-C SLR from Canon, Nikon or Sony *. * The Sony mount does not include the VC image stabilizer.
www.tamron.co.uk www.facebook.com/TamronUK
WELCOME Issue 28
Welcome!
Meet the team… Improve your skills with
Photography for Beginners
Annabelle Sing
Alicea Francis
Adam Smith
Jo Stass
Photoshop expert Annabelle designs the mag and provides you with editing advice to enhance your shots
Writer Adam from Advanced Photoshop magazine is here to help you manipulate your photos with ease
Alicea is our sub editor, and makes sure that all of our tutorials are clear and really easy to follow
Our staff writer Jo is on hand to give you the best tips and shooting tricks to improve your images
We all love taking photos of friends and family – it’s one of the reasons why a lot of us get started with photography in the first place. But our cameras are often full of dull shots of people sat on the sofa or against a plain wall, so this issue we’re encouraging you to get outside and shoot some portraits on location. Turn to page 22, where we teach you about using natural light, interacting with your location, composition and more. We also have some tips for great holiday shots on page 30 and plenty of creative projects to get stuck into, including light painting on page 36, creating a time-lapse journal on page 38, and faking an infrared effect on page 66. We hope you enjoy learning some new skills to help you shoot, edit and share, and don’t forget to get outside with your camera!
Amy Squibb Editor Follow us at @PFBMag
For more great photo tips, head to photoforbeginners.com Get in touch with us… Ask questions, leave feedback on the magazine or share your shots via the following social sites…
@PFBMag
PFBMag
PFB Magazine
[email protected]
photoforbeginners.com Photography for Beginners 3
Contents Issue 28
ESSENTIALS 06 Your photos A showcase of photos sent in by PFB readers for you to be inspired by
10 Readers’ challenge Win some slideshow software by getting involved in our monthly shooting challenge
12 How to share your photos
PRACTICAL STARTER SECTION! P50
AUTO
CAMERA SCHOO Learn how to use your camera and take your best photos ever!
Get to know your camera Key settings explained ● Why does noise appear? ● ●
BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO…
22
Outdoor portraits
Find out how to use natural light, compose and more for fantastic portraits on location
Discover the best ways to share your photographs with the PFB team
13 Win a camera! Enter to be in with a chance of winning Samsung’s WB250F compact camera
Discover the right modes for great shots
14 Need to know Pentax release a new DSLR and you could win an evening with David Attenborough!
18 Ask the team Your questions answered and problems solved by our panel of photo experts
46 10 inspirational images Learn from these amazing wildlife images and get some ideas for your own shots
49 Win a 2-day photo course! Improve your skills on a black-and-white landscape course by entering now
74 Subscribe! Save money on your copy of Photography for Beginners with our exclusive offer
84 Upgrade
CREATIVE PROJECTS… Fun still life
44
Get creative with flower photos in five easy-to-follow steps
Fake infrared on p66
Canon’s any-way-up PowerShot N, the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 & more on test
96 Accessory reviews We show you some great solutions for backing up your shots
98 The great photo hunt
Paint with light on p36
Win a fantastic forex print by sending us your sunset shots!
76
Create a gallery
Create a time lapse on p38
Showcase your shots in style
What the icons mean… Your quick-start guide to all the icons you’ll see in Photography for Beginners Cameraphone: Smartphones that are always with you
4 Photography for Beginners
Compact: Small, low-cost and easyto-use cameras
DSLR: Usually more expensive, but good image quality
Compact system camera: Good image quality, lightweight
Shutter speed: The time your shutter is open for, in seconds
Aperture: The depth of field of an image, as an f-number
74
HANDS-ON Contents Issue 01 PROJECTS INSIDE
SUBSCRIBE TO...
Get money off issues!
30
SHOOT
Your best ever holiday shots
22 Beginner’s guide to… Outdoor portraits Key tips for shooting on location
Use our tips to take amazing landscape, architecture and people shots while on your travels
30 Your best holiday photos Tricks to capturing great memories
36 Light painting tricks How to get creative with light
38 Shoot, edit & share a time-lapse journal Document change on your device
42 The story behind a shot How this landscape was captured
44 Take creative flower shots A fun still-life project to try at home
48 Add drama to landscapes Make your vistas really stand out
52 Master key settings The settings beginners often overlook
56 Why can shots be noisy? The implications of ISO explained
58 Using LED lighting How to use LEDs for great effects
EDIT LEARN EASY LANDSCAPE TRICKS P48
60 Tips to improve close-ups MASTER OVERLOOKED SETTINGS P52
Adjust exposure, sharpen and more
64 Increase contrast Add more range to make shots pop
66 How to fake infrared An easy effect for arty images
68 Ideas for creative editing Make some fun images in no time
70 Convert to black and white Make rich and deep monochromes
72 Edit shots on the go Use Pixlr Express to tweak your shots
SHARE
LATEST KIT REVIEWED P84
76 Create a stylish gallery Use Whip to share from your tablet
78 Print at unusual sizes
Sh are ph Or oto yo se fo u arc rb r h f eg sh or in o PF ne t BM rs s ag .co a on m t. .. ...
Use OddPrints.com for unique sizes
80 Share from a camera Tips for getting connected
82 Use Pages to create a photo postcard
For back issues & more go to…
A great way to display snaps
Your photos
Send us your best shots and they could feature here!
! N I W GB A Samsung 16 memory card
receive a e winner will Every issue, onGB SDHC memory card 16 Samsung ual value or a prize of eq
/uk sung.com www.sam ons s and conditi Full term le online availab
6 Photography for Beginners
Reader: Jim McSweeney Dawn Crossing “This photograph was taken at dusk at Newport Transporter Bridge in Newport, South Wales.” Shot on: Fuji Finepix HS20EXR bridge camera, ISO 100, f2.8, 1/30sec Sent in via: PFB website
yOUR PHOTOS Readers’ gallery
Photography for Beginners 7
Reader: Andy Dodds
YOUR PHOTOS Readers’ gallery
Waterfall “The photo was taken at Roche Abbey near Rotherham. I didn’t know the waterfall was there until I walked through the woods at the back of the Abbey.” Shot on: Canon 550D, ISO 400, f22, 30sec
Reader: Joseph Parry
Flower “I decided to invest in a new 50mm f1.8 prime lens and this was the first shot I took with it – flowers in my living room." Shot on: Nikon D3100, ISO 100, f3.2, 1/320sec
Reader: Pernille Stafford
Oil Floating In Water “It took a lot of shots to get one where the detail is correct. The water is constantly moving, so it is difficult to get good focus.” Shot on: Canon EOS 400D with macro lens, ISO 400, f4, 1/60sec
Reader: Michelle Yorke
Snail “I bought some extension tubes to try out macro photography. I went exploring in the garden and came across this little guy.” Shot on: Canon EOS 7D, ISO 200 f4, 1/1000sec
Share your shots at...
photoforbeginners.com Or search for PFBMag on... Reader: Emma Molle
Flower Girl “This is of a friend, outside in my garden. She started laughing and I managed to quickly snap the photo when she wasn't looking.” Shot on: Canon EOS 450D, Portrait setting
8 Photography for Beginners
Win cameraphone kit! R
y
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] Reader: Gavin Davies Title: Dusk At Shwedagon Pagoda
Reader: Isabelle King Title: Strawberry Plant
Reader: Laurajane McDowall Title: Mother’s Day Rose
Reader: Phoebe Pearce Title: Mum's Roses
Winner!
Reader: Harry Turnball Title: The Writing's On The Wall
Reader: Stuart Bagnall Sunset On The Reservoir “This was taken at Belmont Reservoir in Bolton at about 9.30pm." Shot on: iPhone 5 using an app called Filters
Reader: Yvonne Warriner Title: The Algarve
Photography for Beginners 9
READERS’ CHALLENGE Action
We challenged, you delivered…
Action photography Our Beginner’s Guide to action photography can be found in PFB Issue 27. Get back issues from…
Your camera is great for capturing split seconds of action that may be too fast to see with the naked eye. You can then preserve those fantastic moments forever in the form of a dramatic and stunning photo. Manipulating your camera’s shutter speed lets you achieve some really creative results when photographing moving subjects. A fast shutter speed will freeze them in the frame, while slowing it down will let you capture some motion blur to imply speed. You can also try panning with your subject to keep them in focus
but create directional blur in the background. In Issue 27, we gave you all the tips and advice you need to take fantastic photos of action, including some fun projects to try at home and test out your skills. PhotoStory on Then we challenged DVD software you to send us your Send us your shots for a chance to win a copy of MAGIX PhotoStory on DVD, courtesy of www. best shots. Here is a magix.com. This software, which allows you to turn your photos into fantastic slideshows, is worth £70/$70. selection of our favourite ones.
WIN!
Winner!
Reader: Gemma Clark Spinning Ride “I took this photo at a funfair in Shoreham, West Sussex, capturing the movement of the ride.” Shot on: Canon EOS 1100D, 1/13sec, ISO 100, f36 Sent in via: PFB website
Your next photo challenge
Send us your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
Search for PFBMag on...
Outdoor portraits
Test out our tips for taking great portraits on location in this issue’s Beginner’s Guide and send us your best shots by 6 August 2013 for a chance to win a MAGIX PhotoStory on DVD 2013 Deluxe.
Prize may be substituted for an item of equal value. Full T&Cs available online.
READERS’ CHALLENGE Action
Reader: Michelle Scoplin Title: Water Sport
Reader: Steven Beck Title: Paralympics Reader: Laura Ann Wood Title: Puddle Jumping
Reader: Clinton Harvie Title: Scooter Boy
Photography for Beginners 11
Share your shots Here’s how to show us your stunning snaps Share on our social sites Join the Facebook, Twi er and Flickr communities PFBMag
@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!
Click the Compose New Tweet box and select Add An Image. Find your shot and click Open. Write some text, include @PFBMag, then click Tweet and we will see your photo!
PFB Magazine
Hit Upload to add images. Click on the image you want to share, then click Share>Grab the link. Email it to pfbteam@imagine-publishing. co.uk or post it to us on Facebook or Twitter.
Also share on our website Head to www.photoforbeginners.com now Create a gallery
You can showcase your favourite images by creating your own gallery page on our website. It’s quick and simple to set up.
Be inspired
Browse through all the different categories to be inspired by other readers’ photos and get ideas of your own.
Become our favourite! We pick our favourite shots to highlight in our Featured Image section. This could be you soon, so get uploading!
Also online… The best of the rest on our great website Competitions
Head to www.photoforbeginners.com and enter our weekly competitions to win some really fantastic prizes!
Enter the Face-Off
Your shots are entered into our Face-Off section and pitted against other people’s – have fun watching your score rise!
Tips and tutorials
Our website is piled high with step-by-step tutorials and useful tips to help you take better photos of any subject.
News and debate
We help you keep up to date with the latest industry news and releases. You can also get stuck into hot topics with our debates!
12 Photography for Beginners
Share your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
Search for PFBMag on...
Need to know A snapshot of what’s exciting us this month
Get colourful with the new Pentax DSLR Choose from 120 different colour combinations for the K-50 Pentax has launched a new entry-level DSLR that really stands out from the crowd. The K-50 is available in a choice of 20 body colours and six grip colours that you can mix and match to customise your kit, or you can opt for the more traditional black design. The compact and lightweight camera is also weather-sealed for safe shooting in adverse conditions. The 16MP sensor has a maximum ISO of 51,200, so you
can get some great quality images even in low light, and there are 19 creative filters to experiment with for arty shots. The RRP of the K-50 is £530 (approx £790) for the body only and £600 (approx $896) with an 18-55mm lens. Pentax has also recently announced the launch of the K-500 DSLR and Q7 CSC, so there is a lot to be excited about from the camera company.
Freeze the action
A maximum shutter speed of 1/6000sec and 6fps shooting will help you to get great shots of fast-paced action
Sharp shots
Shake reduction and dustremoval functions are on hand to ensure your shots are clear and sharp
Shoot in RAW
The K-50 lets you shoot in RAW, and you can process your images in-camera to save you time at the computer
Take HDR images
The HDR mode lets you combine several images taken at different exposures to produce a single dynamic photo
14 Photography for Beginners
NEED TO KNOW News
This month on… photoforbeginners.com
How to get sharp shots
Getting your photos sharp can be tricky, and it is practically impossible to bring a shot back into focus in post-production. Learn how to master focusing techniques and prevent fuzzy photos with our tips.
Things your camera sees that you don’t As well as recording a replica of the scene in front of you, cameras can also capture things that are not possible to see with the naked eye. Get to grips with your camera’s settings for breathtaking shots.
Plus all this…
• Master your camera’s flash • How to shoot portraits in bright sunlight • Competitions and the latest photography news
Win an evening for two with Sir David Attenborough
Enter the SaveWaterSaveMoney Wonderful Water competition
Enter your best water shots for a chance to win
The money-saving advice company SaveWaterSaveMoney has teamed up with The Gorilla Organization to offer you the chance to win a prize worth over £1,000. Submit your watery shots to their Wonderful Water photo competition at www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk, and the person with the best photo will receive two tickets to the VIP, celebrity-packed Hope 4 Apes gala dinner at The Savoy Hotel in London on 27 September 2013.
As well as two tickets to the event, which is hosted by Sir David Attenborough, the prize also includes transport, a champagne reception, music by, among others, Brian May of Queen and a deluxe twin room at The Savoy Hotel. The deadline for entries is 17 August 2013, and the competition will be judged by a panel of experts that includes members of the Photography For Beginners team. Enter now for your chance to win!
See incredible photos from the past in All About History magazine Fascinating stories illustrated with old photographs Photography allows us to document events that occur in our lifetime, and gives others a sense of what it was like to be there. We can learn a lot from old photographs, and a brand new history magazine from Imagine Publishing aims to use them to help tell fascinating stories from the past.
All About History magazine is available from all good retailers and www.imagineshop.co.uk. There is also a companion website, www. historyanswers.co.uk and digital editions for Android, iPhone and iPad available from www.greatdigitalmags. com. Follow @AboutHistoryMag on Twitter and like the All About History Facebook page today. Photography for Beginners 15
NEED TO KNOW Join the debate
Join the debate
Do you print shots or keep them digital? In the days before digital photography, the only way to see and share your photos was to get them printed. There are still plenty of printing services around, and it’s now also possible to print highquality images in your own home thanks to developments in home printer technology. But
these days, digital photography and the internet allow us to show our photos to friends and family, or even the entire world, in just a few clicks. Not only is this method quicker and easier, it’s also better for the environment and your pocket. So is there any need to print your photos?
Things we love…
01
#PFBLoves
Lowepro Transit Backpack 350 AW
Web: www.lowepro.com Price: £98/approx $150 This great new camera bag from Lowepro gives you fast access to your gear, and the interior can be customised to suit your kit.
02
ShotHotspot.com location search
Web: www.shothotspot.com Price: Free This website helps you find fab photo locations worldwide. Enter a destination and it will tell you where to get the best shots.
03
Our staff writer Jo says: “I very rarely print my photos. Printer ink isn’t cheap, and neither are online printing services. Sharing my photos on the internet is quick and easy, and I can show them to friends and family abroad without having to pay for postage. I also
like the fact that people can leave feedback on my photos online to help me improve my skills. I have a digital photo frame for displaying shots at home, and save printing for photos that are truly special and that I want to show off in style.”
What I see when I look at… blog
Web: www.whatiseewhenilookat.com Price: Free Designer Robert John encourages you to take photos of everyday things and then edit them in an imaginative way.
04
Manfrotto PIXI tripod
What Photography For Beginners readers have to say… Tony Woodward
“I save all half-decent photos to my PC, share selected ones on Facebook or Twitter and print my favourites to frame and hang up.”
Sent in via PFB website
Matt Doogue
“I like sharing my images digitally. The option of having a bigger viewing audience via social media and photo sharing websites is great.”
Sent in via Facebook
Charlotte Talbot
Kirsty Baigent
“I keep all my photos in digital format on my external hard drive and print out my favourite ones to put in frames or give to people.”
“Sharing shots digitally is great for receiving worldwide and instant feedback, but you can’t beat seeing your work as a print.”
Sent in via PFB website
Sent in via PFB Twitter
The poll stands at 67% keep digital, 33% print and frame. Cast your vote today! 16 Photography for Beginners
Web: www.manfrotto.co.uk Price: £25/approx $38 The PIXI tripod is incredibly compact and lightweight so you can take it anywhere, plus it will support a wide range of devices.
Search for #PFBLoves on Twitter to see what we love
Join the debate at...
photoforbeginners.com
Search for PFBMag on...
Ask the team questions at photoforbeginners.com
4 of the best…
Ways to avoid distractions in your photos
Make sure you have space on your memory card so you never miss a great shot
Shallow depth of field
Use a wide aperture (low f-number) to create a shallow depth of field and then focus on your main subject. Any distractions surrounding it should then be blurred to ensure that your subject stands out.
New angles
Sometimes, simply shooting from a different angle will eliminate a distraction from your shot. Experiment with shooting from low down or up high, keeping an eye on your camera’s LCD display to see what works.
Which memory card should I buy? I currently have a 4GB memory card, but I take so many photos these days, including RAW files, that I often find it gets full quite quickly. There seem to be lots of different types of memory card available, but I’m not sure what all of the jargon means. Can you explain it for a beginner? Valerie Walker, via Facebook
Go back later (or earlier)
The most important thing to look out for when buying a memory card is the capacity – that is, how much data it can store. The number of photos a memory card can store will depend on
If the distraction in your shot is other people, then try visiting the scene at a quieter time of day, like late in the evening or early in the morning. You may even capture a great sunrise or sunset!
3 of the best... Memory card types
Crop it out
SD (Secure Digital)
Of course, you can always just crop the distracting element out of your shot using editing software. Just make sure that cropping the photo will not negatively affect the overall composition or remove important features.
SD cards are the most common type of memory card and are compatible with most digital cameras. They are often very cheap but can only store up to 2GB of data, and have slow read and write speeds.
the resolution of the images and the file type, as RAW files take up more space than JPEGs. Up to 8GB should be large enough for most beginners shooting in JPEG. You also need to note the speed of the memory card. The write speed describes how fast images can be saved onto a card, so if you’re doing action photography, especially with a continuous shooting mode, you will need a card with a fast writing speed. The read speed describes how fast data can be retrieved from a card and transferred to a computer or printer, so if you take a lot of photos, then a card with a fast read speed is useful.
SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity)
SDHC cards have a higher capacity, as they can store up to 32GB of data, and often have faster processing speeds. Not all digital cameras support SDHC cards though, so check that your camera is compatible before you buy one.
SDXC (Secure Digital ‘Xtra Capacity’)
SDXC cards have an even higher storage capacity of up to 2TB and much faster read and write speeds. These cards are more expensive, and again, you will need to check that your camera will support them as not every model does.
Photography for Beginners 19
This month we
Like
Post your photo to our Facebook page and we’ll share it with the world
Search for ‘PFBMag’
Helen Holmes
Including water in your landscape shots allows you to capture fantastic reflections.
Select the image size you wish to shoot in by finding the Aspect Ratio menu
3:2
Which aspect ratio should I use?
Bett Atherton
Zooming in so that your wildlife subject fills the frame can make for a striking shot.
I recently invested in a new compact system camera and have been exploring all the different menus. One thing that I have discovered are the options for different aspect ratios. I’m not entirely sure what they do and which one is best to shoot in. Can you explain it for me please? And is there any way I can change print sizes in post-production? Paul Freeman, via email Aspect ratio describes the ratio between the width and height of an image and determines the overall shape of your photo. It is expressed as two figures, with the width first and the height
Stuart Brotherton
second, and a colon between them. Most DSLRs have a default aspect ratio of 3:2, where the frame is one and a half times as wide as it is high, or the other way around if you are shooting in portrait orientation, and most compacts shoot in 4:3. Both are suitable for creating standard prints, although you may find that the top and bottom of an image shot using the 4:3 aspect ratio is cropped when printed. Your camera may also allow you to shoot in a 1:1 aspect ratio, which will produce a square image, or 16:9, which produces an ultra-wide image that is useful for landscapes or panoramas. You can also change the aspect ratio of your images by cropping them in an editing programme.
Change the aspect ratio Crop images to different print sizes with Photoshop Elements
This was taken on an iPhone, proving that cameraphones can shoot stunning images.
Gareth James
The surrounding foliage has beautifully framed this fantastic coastal landscape.
20 Photography for Beginners
01 Use the Crop tool
Open up your image in Photoshop Elements and go to Image>Crop. A highlighted box should appear over your image that shows the area of the photo that you want to keep.
02 Select a preset
In the Crop menu at the bottom of the screen, you can select from a number of preset aspect ratios, including the Photo Ratio to maintain the original ratio of the shot.
03Choose measurements
Alternatively, you can select the Custom option from the menu and then type in your own measurements, letting you resize your photo as you wish.
Ask the team questions at photoforbeginners.com
Twit Twitpics The best photos tweeted to us @pfbmag
All sorts of wild creatures can be found in your garden @caroleha rry
Summertime is great for captu ring vibrant landscapes @southpol e171
s of s lot 1983 give oast @carlnix c e to th tunities uring or Vent ting opp o o sh
Ladybir d macro s can make fo subjec ts @Bu r fantastic ttyuk
Let us recommend
Tough compact cameras
Get great shots anywhere in the world with these rugged compact cameras I am going travelling this summer and will be visiting a variety of different locations, including sandy beaches and snowy mountains. I don’t really want to take my DSLR, as I am worried about it getting damaged,
but I definitely want to take photos of my adventure. Can you suggest a good, tough camera that will withstand all environments and isn’t too expensive? Ryan Jones, via email
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT5
Fujifilm FinePix XP60
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-2
£296/$400 Panasonic’s 16.1MP tough compact is waterproof to 13m, usable up to -10°C temperatures and can be dropped from up to 2m, plus it has plenty of creative modes.
£180/$200 The 16.4MP XP60 can be submerged to depths of 6m, frozen to -10°C and dropped from a height of 1.5m. It also has a 5x optical zoom.
£330/$380 This 12MP rugged camera from Olympus is waterproof up to 15m, freezeproof to -10°C and shockproof from 2m. It also has Aperture Priority mode and GPS tagging.
What’s good about it…
What’s good about it…
What’s good about it…
✔ ✔
✔ ✔
✔ ✔
It is waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and dustproof, so you really can take it anywhere Built-in Wi-Fi means you can share your shots via your phone, and GPS lets you tag your location
What could be better…
✗ ✗
More manual modes would be useful, but Auto and scene modes are available Some of the buttons are quite small and fiddly, especially for gloved hands
The rugged design makes this compact ideal for shooting, even in adverse conditions Burst mode lets you shoot up to 60fps, which is great for getting a brilliant shot of the action
Microscope Mode lets you use a focal length of 200mm when you are just 10mm away There is slow-motion video playback to observe action that is too speedy for the naked eye
What could be better…
What could be better…
✗ ✗
✗ ✗
There are no manual modes, and the lack of a mode dial is a little frustrating Image quality could be better, with noise appearing at a low ISO 200
The price matches that of many CSCs, so is quite expensive for a back-up holiday camera The 4x optical zoom is adequate, but a larger focal length would be useful
Photography for Beginners 21
Shooting
Share at... yourorsbhegointnsers.com
photof BMag on... F P r fo h c r a Or se
P25
Discover the most flattering focal length for photographing people on page 25
P26
We tell you how to make the most of the location you’re shooting in on page 26
P26
Learn tricks for composing your shots and lighting your subject on page 26
P28
Take inspiration from our easy-to-follow outdoors portrait projects on page 28
22 Photography for Beginners
In association withShooting Stunning land Make use of colour
When choosing your location for your outdoor portraits, try and look for areas of colour like this field of flowers, for a fun, summery style
✔
1/500sec
F2.8
BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO
Outdoor portraits
Essential tips for shooting on location When it comes to portrait photography, the most important factor is, of course, your subject. However, the setting should also be considered, as this will affect the lighting, composition and overall mood of your image. Rather than photographing your subject against a plain wall, think carefully about an interesting backdrop for your shots. This could help to reflect the personality of your subject, tell a story in a single photo, or simply serve
as an attractive background that will really complement your model. Shooting outdoors lets you work with plenty of space and natural light that can be really flattering for your subject. Different times of year can also present you with different opportunities for styling up your shots. Exploring your local area will uncover some fantastic outdoor locations, but you can also get some fab shots in your own back garden.
Over the next seven pages: Learn how to pick the best locations, as well as how to compose and light stunning outdoor portraits
Gear guide Recommended kit for great outdoor portraits
Lens with a flattering focal length
Powerful flashgun
Reflector for bouncing light
Compact with portrait modes
Look for a lens with a focal length of 80-100mm. This NIKKOR 85mm f3.5G lens (£523/$530) has a wide aperture too to get a nice blurry background.
A reflector bounces light into the shadows on your subject’s face. This Lastolite 30-inch reflector (£42/$52) has gold side to add a glow to your shots.
A flashgun helps light your subject at night or when they’re in shadow. Nikon’s SB-700 (£295/$330) lets you bounce light and has an LCD for easy operation.
Many compacts have useful modes, such as a smile timer and blink function on Nikon’s COOLPIX S9400 (£230/$300). Find out more at www.nikon.co.uk.
Photography for Beginners 23
In association withShooting Beginner
02. FOCAL LENGTHS
Choose the right focal length for your photo Shooting at different focal lengths and distances from your subject can have a big effect on the way your photos look. When you zoom right out and use a wide focal length, you will need to stand uncomfortably close to your subject to get a head and shoulders shot. Standing at a more comfortable distance from your subject will mean that you capture a lot more of the scene, but if your
background is distracting, then this will leave you with a busy photo. The wide angle can also result in lens distortion that will exaggerate your subject’s features for an unflattering image. Zooming in to use a longer focal length will allow you to take a few steps back and get a fantastic close-up shot with everything in proportion. Take a look at our guide to see the results of zooming in and out for your portraits.
Zooming in to 50mm and upwards will be the most flattering for your subject. You can adjust the focal length by twisting your lens barrel
Photography for Beginners 25
in association with
Low angles
Avoid low angle shots as they can draw attention to your subject’s nostrils and chin and make them appear unattractive
✗
Use natural light
Avoid harsh sunlight
01
Shooting on a sunny day can create harsh shadows across your subject’s face, and it may also cause them to squint. To avoid this, try and find a shaded area to shoot in.
Keep it natural
Encourage your subject to interact with the location and keep on snapping for lovely candid shots with natural facial expressions
✔
Shoot on cloudy days
02
Cloudy or overcast days are better for shooting outdoor portraits as the light is softer and more flattering. Alternatively, you could shoot at dawn or dusk for a nice golden glow.
Bounce the light
03
If you notice shadows on your subject’s face, use a reflector to bounce the light back into the dark areas. Face it at the light source and turn it until the shadows disappear.
Avoid distractions
03
Even though you are in an interesting location, your subject still needs to be the main point of focus in your image. Avoid distracting backgrounds and try to find somewhere quiet so that other people won’t be in your shots.
Auto
Shade
Think about the backdrop
04
When you are at your location, look for interesting backdrops to sit or stand your subject in front of. Try and find somewhere with some colour, interesting patterns or a bit of texture to add some extra interest to your shot.
Fire your flash
04
If your subject is backlit and you don’t have a reflector to hand, fire your flash to make sure that they are not in shadow. Soften the light by holding a piece of paper in front of it.
Photography for Beginners 27
Introducing the all new range of Tripods from MeFoto The MeFOTO range of Tripod Kits provide an exceptional combination of materials, construction and features - plus a splash of colour! Great for point & shoot, mirrorless, micro 4/3 and DSLR cameras with larger lenses. The RoadTrip and GlobeTrotter models also convert into a monopod in seconds. Available in both Aluminium or Carbon Fibre and 8 different colour options, you are sure to find a perfect model.
So small you will take it everywhere
Cool. Colourful. Compact.
Rugged & Professional
For more information please visit www.profoto.com/uk/mefoto
Photography for Beginners Passport
TAKE YOUR BEST EVER
HOLIDAY PHOTOS Going on holiday presents you with a brilliant opportunity to shoot fascinating new locations. Whether you travel to an exotic far-away land, or explore a new area a little closer to home, there is sure to be lots of shooting inspiration wherever you look. However, it is a good idea to do a bit of research about your destination before you travel, so you know exactly where to go to get your most impressive photos yet. When you arrive, pay a visit to the tourist information centre to get some insider knowledge from the locals about great places to shoot, and some useful tips about the best time of day to go. As well as taking wonderful photos, your camera lets you preserve precious memories of your adventure forever, so make sure you pack your camera and a copy of this issue to help you capture fantastic photos in new and exciting places.
“Your camera lets you preserve precious holiday memories forever” 30 Photography for Beginners
Photography for Beginners Passport
THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY KIT
All you need to capture precious moments
Lightweight tripod
Solar charger
A tripod is useful for taking stunning low-light shots with long exposures, but a full-sized model will take up a lot of room in your luggage and be a pain to carry around. Take the smallest and lightest tripod you can that will still support your camera.
01
02
Waterproof case
Zoom lens
03
Water, sand, dust and dirt can damage your expensive camera kit, so be careful when you are out and about with it. You could take a tough camera that is able to withstand extreme conditions, or you could get a waterproof case to protect your kit from the elements.
Your camera running out of battery when you are on your travels could mean that you miss a once-in-a-lifetime shot. Make sure you charge your camera regularly, or invest in an extra battery or a solar charger for keeping your power topped up on the go.
04
A lens with a large focal range is a versatile option for travelling, as it will let you shoot wide-angle landscapes and get great close-ups without having to change lenses. Only packing one will also save space in your bag, making it much more practical.
Photography for Beginners 31
Photography for Beginners Passport
CAPTURE STUNNING LANDSCAPES “Look for foreground interest and position it off-centre”
Choose your settings
Switch to aperture priority mode and select a large f-number to keep your entire shot in focus. If you are shooting in low light, your shutter speed will be quite slow, so use a tripod to avoid camera shake.
Find a vantage point
Before you set off, research the best places to capture the view from. Checking Google Earth or looking at existing photos is a good way to do this – a bit of forethought can make all the difference.
32 Photography for Beginners
Consider composition
Look for some foreground interest, such as a building or landmark, and position it off-centre in the frame. You could even use the vista as a beautiful backdrop for a portrait of your travelling companion.
Take a panorama
Choose Panorama mode, or if you can’t fit the entire scene into one picture, take a series of photos and then stitch them together using a program like Photomatix or Photomerge in Photoshop.
Check the exposure
Change your playback display options to show the histogram – a graph that details the amount of light and dark areas in your shot. If it is bunched up at one end, adjust your settings accordingly.
Don’t hog the view
There may be other tourists looking to get the same shot. Set up your camera before getting into position so that you don’t block their view for too long, or maybe come back later when it’s quieter.
Photography for Beginners Passport
SHOOT ARCHITECTURE
TOP KIT TIPS
Holiday hints for your gear
Keep charged up
Extend the battery life by keeping your batteries warm, switching off unused functions and avoiding use of your LCD screen.
Consider your angle
Visiting new places lets you discover unusual and awe-inspiring buildings. Try getting close to the ground to shoot them from a low angle and produce dramatic photos.
Follow the rules
Make sure you check the rules, as some places, particularly religious structures or museums, ban the taking of photos. If you are unsure, ask someone official for permission.
STANDOUT LANDMARKS
Insure your gear
Normal holiday insurance may not cover your camera, so try specialised gadget companies like www.photoguard.co.uk.
Use a sunset app
Find out where you need to be to shoot a spectacular sunrise or sunset by using an app like Sunrise Sunset Pro or Sunset Finder.
Make it different
Landmarks are photographed frequently, so try to make your shot different from all the others by shooting from an unusual angle, or at a time that is not usually caught on camera.
Include people
Another way that you can make your landmark shot more personal is to include a friend or family member in the frame. This can also help to show a sense of scale in your photo.
Create extra space
Carry a spare memory card and shoot in JPEG rather than RAW to save space, although this could limit your editing capabilities.
Photography for Beginners 33
Photography for Beginners Passport
PHOTOGRAPH THE LOCALS
Be brave and ask
Street portraits are great for capturing the community spirit and traditional clothing of your location. Be polite and ask if you can take their picture, then offer to show them the results after.
Shoot from the hip
Alternatively, use your camera’s zoom and shoot from a distance to get a great candid portrait. To be more discreet, hold your camera by your hip and use Live View to compose on the screen.
Find a busy place
Busy areas of town, particularly local events or festivals, are great places to photograph the locals. Use a fast shutter speed and continuous autofocus so that you can snap quickly and get out of the way.
CREATE A HOLIDAY PHOTO BOOK Share your snaps with Blurb
Select your tools
01
Click Make A Book on the Blurb.co.uk homepage and you will be given three options. Each one gives you a different level of control over how your book will appear.
34 Photography for Beginners
Choose your method
02
You can select an arty design template, or create your book using your Instagram or Facebook photos to really speed up the process.
Set your size and style
03
You can now choose how big you want your book to be, with five different options available for a range of prices. Then you can select a style.
SHOOTING Light Painting
Create this shot!
Light Painting
Draw with torchlight and slow shu er speeds What you’ll need… ✔ Camera with manual mode ✔ Tripod ✔ Torch
We used…
✔ Canon EOS 50D ✔ Coloured sweet wrappers
You could use…
✔ GorillaPod or flat surface ✔ Cable release ✔ Acetate sheets
What you’ll learn…
✔ How to create simple yet effective light painting techniques
Choose the location
Avoid brightly lit areas, as darker environments allow for longer shutter speeds and more time for creativity. Also avoid areas with clutter, as you will be moving around in the darkness.
Use a torch
To paint with light you’ll need a torch. Use lights with standard bulbs or LEDs and begin by using just one or two. For a touch of flair, cover the torch in coloured acetate or sweet wrappers to add colour.
As well as a tripod, you can use a remote trigger. These are both essential to ensure images are free from camera shake
Start off simple
To draw with light, you’ll need to move the torch around in front of the camera as the shutter is open. Try something easy to begin with, like a smiley face, so that it’s easier to correct if you go wrong.
36 Photography for Beginners
SHOOTING Light Painting Illuminate the scene where you will draw, switch to manual focus and use the focus ring on the lens until the area you are painting is sharp
P
A
S
AUTO
Aperture: f5.6 ISO: 100 Shutter speed: 77sec
Go manual
Select an aperture between f5.6-8 and an ISO from 50-200. Select a slow enough shutter speed to give you time to paint or use Bulb mode to tell the camera exactly when to open and close the shutter.
Be a ghost
Stand still for long enough and the sensor will capture you. As you paint, slowly move your body to keep it from being fully exposed. If parts of you appear in the end result, don’t worry – it adds to the charm.
Keep all of your movements flowing and evenly paced. The slower your body moves, the more intense the light trail
Share your shots at...
Search for PFBMag on...
photoforbeginners.com
Photography for Beginners 37
SHOOTING Big project
A time-lapse journal
Track progress with photos on your cameraphone or tablet
Watch things grow documented the ✔ We growth of our chilli
plant, but you can create a journal about any subject that changes in some way over time
38 Photography for Beginners
SHOOTING Big project What you’ll need… ✔ A cameraphone or tablet ✔ A changing subject to photograph
We used…
✔ iPhone 5 ✔ Photo Journal App
You could use… ✔ An iPad ✔ Piary app for Android
What you’ll learn… ✔ How to create a photo journal using apps ✔ How to share a time-lapse diary with friends
Photography not only allows us to preserve a precious and possibly fleeting moment, it can also help us to see how things grow or change over time. Creating a photo journal is a great way to document the progression of something or someone over several days, weeks, months or even years. Whether you want to record your children or pets as they grow, or track an ongoing project such as a home renovation or personal weight loss effort, taking photos at regular intervals will help to demonstrate the change. As your cameraphone is always with you, it is a great tool for creating
your photo journal. You can set notifications to remind you to take each shot, and there are some great apps available to lend you a helping hand. We recommend Photo Journal App: Once Daily 365, which is available for iPhone or iPad for £1.49/$1.99 from the App Store. As well as allowing you to set reminders, it also lets you turn your images into a time-lapse movie that you can share with others. In this project, we used the app to document the growth of a chilli plant, but you can follow along with whatever subject you like! Read the simple steps below to find out how.
Take a before shot
Taking a before shot helps to show how much your subject has changed
Shoot! Take a series of shots for your photo journal
Make an album
Compose your shot
Find a light source
Once you have downloaded the Photo Journal app, open it up and select the Add Photo Journal option at the top of the screen. Give your photo journal a name and then select the orientation of the images you would like to take: either portrait or landscape.
01
Now set up the first shot in your photo diary. It is important to keep your photos consistent, so find an uncluttered space and remove any distracting objects. Perhaps set up a piece of coloured card as a backdrop that you can use for every photo.
02
03
Focus on your subject
Set a reminder
Take the next photo
04
Once you have framed the shot, you need to focus on your subject. Simply tap where it appears on the screen to set the focus point. If you are taking a portrait, set the focus point over your subject’s eyes, as this is the most important part of the shot.
05
Once you have taken your first shot, you can set a notification to remind you to take the next one. Tap the Spanner button at the top of the screen and choose how often you want to be reminded and at what time, for example, weekly at 5pm.
Share your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
If you can, try to make use of natural light by placing your subject near a window, or photograph outdoors. If this is not possible, then either set up a desk lamp to light your shot, or turn on your device’s flash to illuminate your subject.
06
When it is time to take your next photo, position your subject in the same place as before and repeat Steps 3 and 4. Try to use the same lighting technique you used for the last photo, otherwise it will look different and appear odd next to the other shots.
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 39
SHOOTING Big project
3 of the best… Photo journal subjects
Children
Kids grow up fast, so why not document their childhood to preserve your precious memories of them as they grow?
Edit! Perfect your shots so that they fit in a sequence
Align your shots
Crop and resize
When you tap on an image in your photo journal, you can select the Align function in the bottom left-hand corner. An imprint of the previous photo will appear over the top so that you can drag your image to realign it so that it fits in with the sequence.
07
08
Rearrange your photos
Set the playback speed
Pinching the screen lets you zoom in or out of your photo to crop in to your subject or make the photo smaller. You can also tap the Gridlines button in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen to help you recompose or straighten your shot.
Pets
Track your beloved pet as they develop from being a playful puppy or kitten to a fully grown dog or cat.
Yourself
Take self-portraits to see how much you change over several months or years. This is also good for documenting weight loss!
Back on your photo journal home screen, you can drag your shots around to change the order of your sequence. You may prefer to display them in reverse order to create the illusion of turning back time, or simply switch a few around to mix things up.
09
10
Edit elsewhere
Import your shots
Tapping the Spanner button at the top of the screen lets you select the speed at which your photo sequence will play. You may wish to display each photo for just 0.3 seconds to create a speedy time-lapse film, or select five seconds to produce a slower video.
3 of the best… Photo journal apps Collect Free
This app sets a daily reminder for you to take your shots, plus you can display them as a calendar and share straight to Instagram.
Piary Free
Record the time and location of each photo you take and display them in chronological order. You can also add text and filters to your photos.
Days Free
Create a visual diary that you can either keep to yourself or share as an animated GIF. You can post it to Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr.
40 Photography for Beginners
11
To make further edits to your photos, like boosting the colours or adding creative filter effects, tap the Export button. Tapping the Image button will then copy your individual photos back to your Camera Roll so that you can edit them using other apps.
12
Once you have edited your photos, you can transfer them back into the Photo Journal app by tapping the Plus button and selecting the Album option. When you have imported your shots, you will need to delete the old ones from your photo sequence.
SHOOTING Big project
Share! Show your photo journal to friends online
Export your photos
13
Once you have created your photo journal, there are a number of ways to share it. If you would prefer to share your shots as individual images, then tap the Export button and choose the Image option. This will copy your shots to your Camera Roll.
Export as a video
14
Tapping the Export button and selecting Video will save your photo journal to your device as a time-lapse video. You can then keep it for yourself, or share it in any way you like, such as on a social networking site or simply on your phone or tablet.
Use a guide
The Guide button brings up an imprint of the previous shot, so you can line up your current shot with it
Share on YouTube
15
The Share button on the Photo Journal app gives you three sharing options. The first lets you post your time-lapse video straight to YouTube. Just tap the YouTube icon and log in to your account, then follow the steps to post your video.
Handy functions
Going back to the home screen gives you plenty of options for editing and sharing your time-lapse photo journal
Capture the detail
Make sure you capture every stage of your subject’s progression so that your photo journal is complete
Great composition
You can use the gridlines to help you position your subject in the shot, for a smooth time lapse and a pleasing composition
Post to Facebook
16
The second sharing option lets you share your photo journal video on Facebook. Once you have tapped the Facebook icon, click Connect to log in to your account and follow the instructions to share it with your friends.
Email your video
17
Finally, you can choose to send your video to friends and family via email. Tap the Email icon and type the email address of the people you wish to send it to in the To section. The video will be included as an email attachment that they can download and view.
Share your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 41
SHOOTING Story behind the shot
Story behind the
shot
Photographer Mark Bauer tells us the secrets behind his stunning sunrise landscape
When and where was this beautiful shot taken?
What essential kit and settings did you use to get it just right?
Why did you decide to frame the shot in the way you have?
This was taken at Swanage beach in Dorset back in May. The night before, I checked the direction of the sunrise using the app The Photographer’s Ephemeris, which helped me to choose a suitable location to shoot from. I got up early and arrived at the beach about 25 minutes before sunrise so that I had time to prepare the shot.
I used my Canon EOS 700D and 16-35mm wide-angle zoom lens. I also used my 3-stop neutral density graduated filter to control the bright sky, and a 3-stop neutral density filter to allow me to extend the shutter speed and capture a sense of movement in the water. The picture was shot in Aperture Priority mode at f16 for front-to-back sharpness.
I really wanted to get in closer to the groyne and frame it pointing out to sea, abstracted from its surroundings. However, I felt that it was important to have some interest in the sky, so I changed the composition to include the cloud over the headland. The shot also needed some foreground interest, so I waited for a wave to wash up over the shore.
42 Photography for Beginners
SHOOTING Story behind the shot
2.5sec
F16
Colourful composition
When composing your photos, look for lines that will guide the viewer’s eyes through the frame. For landscape photos, also try to position the horizon one or two thirds of the way into the shot
What elements do you like the most about the photograph?
Is there anything you would have done differently?
Do you have any tips to help others capture a shot like this?
I really like that the movement of the waves during the 2.5sec exposure has created a smooth texture on the water. I also think that the warm, vibrant colours in the sky and reflected in the water are very attractive. The cloud over the headland has caught the colour of the sun really well, and overall the shot has a lovely calm and tranquil mood.
I would have liked a more acute angle on the groyne, which would have made a more dynamic composition. I also took the shot a little late, as the sun is a bit too high over the horizon and is rather bright, leaving a larger area of blown-out highlights than I would have liked. However, I wanted to wait for the cloud to drift into the right position.
Preparation is key. Select a location and work out compositions in advance. Get up early and arrive half an hour before sunrise to allow yourself plenty of time to set up. Graduated filters are essential, as at sunrise the contrast in the scene will be too great for your camera to capture the full range of tones without darkening the sky.
Share your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 43
SHOOTING 5 minute project
Photograph creative flower shots at home
five minute project
Learn how to capture beautiful photos of flowers suspended in water in an inexpensive home studio
What you’ll need… ✔ Coloured paper ✔ Glass vase ✔ Desk lamp ✔ Flowers ✔ Digital camera
We used…
✔ Canon PowerShot SX1 IS ✔ A tripod
You could use…
✔ A stack of books for support
What you’ll learn…
✔ How to photograph flowers in water in an improvised home studio
Perfect timing
Photographing in a home studio environment gives you time to experiment with your camera’s settings, and re-shoot if necessary
✔
44 Photography for Beginners
SHOOTING 5 minute project Flowers make for great photography subjects, because variations in their colours, shapes and textures offer you a wide range of creative possibilities. Employing a few simple techniques means you can go beyond standard still-life photos, to produce engaging images that look as if they’ve been shot in a professional studio. This project allows you to capture a bright flower with pearly bubbles on its stalk and petals. This is done by photographing the flower through a glass vase as it is dunked in the water. You can create a low-cost, improvised studio using a desk lamp and art paper or cloth to form a clear, colourful background. Safety is always the key concern, so ensure that water from your vase will not splash onto your lamp.
3 of the best…
Attention to detail is just as essential as a good photographic technique when producing high-quality images. Everything should look right before you start shooting, so ensure your vase is clear of dust particles and there’s no glare on its surface. Experiment with a range of different aperture settings (f-numbers) to see the effect you can have on the depth of field (the part of the photo that’s in focus). You may also want to use continuous shooting mode and get someone else to dunk the flower for you, for a better chance of getting that perfect shot. The flower you’ll be photographing will be upside down when you dip it in the vase, but you can invert it during post-production using photo editing software for an unusual and creative shot.
Settings for great flower photos
Use aperture mode
Aperture mode lets you select a high f-number and create photos with lots of depth, while the camera chooses the rest of the settings for you.
Capture detail Shooting flowers in water
Turn off your flash
Switching off your camera’s automatic flash will prevent it firing and throwing glare and reflection onto the glass surface of the vase.
Create a studio
01
Create a studio with a desk lamp and a coloured background – although an offcamera flashgun will freeze more bubbles if you have one. Preview the scene through your camera from the angle you’ll be shooting to ensure there’s no light reflecting into the lens.
Use your zoom
03
Zoom in to fill the frame and get close to the subject. Try using your zoom at a variety of lengths, then compare the photos you’ve taken. Photos taken using a longer lens setting tend to have a flatter perspective than those using wide-angle settings.
The right white balance
02
Lamps can give photos an orange cast. You can control this by selecting the most appropriate white balance for the light conditions. Selecting the Tungsten option will help to keep your colours true when you are photographing indoors under artificial light.
Keep your ISO low
04
Increasing the ISO makes the camera’s sensor more sensitive to light, meaning there’s less chance of blurred photos in low light. The downside of a high ISO is noise in your images. Keeping the ISO low will produce sharp shots, but you may need to use a tripod.
Share your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
Use macro mode
Using your camera’s macro mode allows you to get close to the subject you’re photographing and capture a high level of detail.
Vary depth of field
05
Set the camera to aperture priority – a high f number ensures more looks sharp, while a low one will make the flower’s edges creatively blur. Now set the self-timer and jump over to dunk the flower. It may take a few attempts to get the timing right.
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 45
SHOOTING Inspirational images
10
Inspirational images of... Wildlife 02
01
46 Photography for Beginners
SHOOTING Inspirational images
04 01 Stay well back
Set up your camera on a tripod and use a remote trigger. That way, you won’t disturb the wildlife and you’ll get natural shots.
02Keep it sharp
To keep moving subjects sharp, use a fast shutter speed of 1/200sec or higher and continuous autofocus to keep up with them.
03Manually focus
Focus on an area you know the animal is likely to move into, so that all you have to do when they’re in position is press the shutter.
04Get up close
Use your zoom to get in near to the animals. A telephoto lens really helps, as you can fill the frame without getting too close. Great wildlife shots are all about timing. If you can, wait until the animal makes eye contact with you before taking the shot.
05
Sh are ph Or oto yo se fo u arc rb r h f eg sh or in o PF ne t BM rs s ag .co a on m t. .. ...
03
05Wait for eye contact
shOOting Quick tips
5 tips for adding drama to landscapes Make your landscapes stand out with these easy tricks Add impact to your landscapes with a few simple changes to your shoot. Once you’ve chosen your location, pack a tripod to avoid camera shake and don’t forget to use a small aperture (high f-number) to keep your shots sharp from front to back. You could even set your camera to landscape mode.
Use a filter
Avoid sunny days
Create a dramatic sky using an ND grad to darken it down and bring out detail in the clouds. An ND filter will also allow you to use a slow shutter speed and create blur in the clouds to add to the mood.
Bright, sunny skies can make for great colourful landscapes, but if you want a moodier look, rolling black skies before a downpour can add drama to your shot. Shooting during mist can also work well.
Find your angle
Time it right
Tweak the image
Try and look for a good vantage point to take your shot from, think about your angle and experiment until your subject looks its best. Dramatic low angles can work well if you have a focal point in your landscape.
A landscape photo can change drastically depending on what time of day it is taken. Many photographers wait for the Golden Hours of sunset and sunrise, as the soft, golden light can transform a scene.
You can tweak the contrast and colours in editing software to make it really pop from the page. A black-and-white conversion can make an ordinary landscape look gritty, as can adding in some noise.
48 Photography for Beginners
! IN W
CompetItIoN 2-day workshop
A place on a 2-day workshop
Improve your skills with pro photographer Keith Moss Do you look through books of landscape photos and wonder how the pros get just the right exposure, find just the right angle, or capture just the right amount of movement? Wonder no more with this exclusive chance to win a two-day workshop with pro photographer Keith Moss. Having worked as a professional photographer for over 20 years, Keith’s passion is for black-and-white and landscape photography. He includes both of these styles in this course, letting you in on the best techniques for getting those perfect shots. Exploring the Northumberland region, you’ll be treated to visits to Holy Island,
Lindisfarne Castle, Bamburgh Castle and Dunstanburgh Castle, to name but a few of the stops. As well as the training, you’ll get the chance to feature in the magazine alongside your printed images. Lunch will be included and a local pickup will be arranged, but accommodation and travel expenses must be covered by the winner. If you’re available on 28-29 September 2013 and are able to get to Bamburgh in North Yorkshire on those days, then enter now! Check out Keith Moss’s courses at www. photographycoursesandworkshop.co.uk.
How to enter:
Send your name and contact details and your best blackand-white shot to
[email protected] by 25/08/13. Please put the subject of your email as ‘Photo training competition’.
Terms and conditions Travel expenses will not be paid by Imagine Publishing or Keith Moss. The winner must be of reasonable mobility, as some walking will be involved. The training day date cannot be changed. 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), Keith Moss, their relatives or any agents are not eligible to enter. The editor’s decision is final 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.
Photography for Beginners 49
Ask the team questions at photoforbeginners.com
your camera Menu
Viewfinder
For options such as formatting your memory card
An optical viewfinder shows the image through the lens
Zoom
Zoom in on your image to check it’s in focus
Camera icons explained
Make sure your camera is always on the correct se ing by following this guide If you’re using a compact camera, then most of your controls will be on the back. A DSLR or Compact System Camera will usually have a mode dial on top. Either way, the icons for setting the camera to shoot in different conditions and for basic operation such as deleting images are usually universal.
Landscape
Boosts saturation in blues and greens for vivid outdoor shots
Auto
If all else fails, let your camera do the hard work for you
Program
Customise your most used settings in Program
P S
AUTO Controls
Use the control panel to change settings, scroll through menu options or move around a photo when in Playback mode
Jargon buster Aperture
Affects the amount of your image that is in focus – the ‘depth of field’
CSC
Compact system camera
DSLR
Focal lengths
Wide-angle – a wider angle of view than normal, eg 28mm Telephoto – a magnified view of distant subjects, eg 200mm
Focus
Digital single lens reflex camera
Autofocus means your camera focuses for you; Manual puts you in control
Drive mode
ISO
Continuous or Burst mode, single shot and self-timer
Dynamic range
The term used to refer to the amount of detail in the highlights and shadows
Exposure
A balanced exposure has detail in light and shadow areas alike
Exposure compensation
Adjusts the tonal range of your photo, lighter or darker
Refers to how sensitive the sensor is to light and affects the visible grain or ‘noise’ in a photo
LCD
The display screen on the rear of the camera used to compose images
Live view
An electronic view of the scene in front of the lens
Metering
Refers to the way the camera reads the light in the scene
Megapixels
Number of pixels on the sensor, in millions
Noise
Refers to the visible digital grain in a photo
Macro
A
Displays an electronic view of the scene in front of the lens
For shooting close-ups such as flowers and insects
Shutter priority
Select the shutter speed and the camera will change the aperture
Sports
Portrait
Uses a fast shutter speed to capture action without blur
Aperture
For super-flattering Select the aperture shots of your friends while the camera and family chooses shutter speed
Shutter speed
Fast speeds freeze action while longer ones blur any motion
Viewfinder
Optical – shows you the view through the camera lens and is good for accurate framing Electronic – shows the view on an LCD in the viewfinder
Delete – found on all cameras
Drive modes including Burst
Self-timer for self-portraits etc
Playback – use to review photos
Metering modes
Image stabilisation
Exposure compensation
Landscapes – for wide angles
Night-time/ low-light scenes
Video mode on stills cameras
Portrait – perfect for people
+
Zoom in on your photos
Macro or closeup modes
Manual mode – for control
–
Zoom out of your photos
Sports or Action mode
▼
LCD screen
Flash – switch it on or off
White balance
Affected by the ambient light around you, your camera can alter this to ensure a natural colour result
Zoom
Optical – the magnification provided by the camera lens Digital – a camera crop factor
+
–
button – for shortcuts Fn Function
Photography for Beginners 51
CAMERA SCHOO
MASTER OVERLOOKED
SETTINGS
DON’T FORGET ABOUT THESE IMAGE-ENHANCING FUNCTIONS
GET ACCURATE EXPOSURES Choose Aperture or Shutter Priority mode Instead of diving into manual mode, don’t forget you can dip your toes in the water first. Shutter Priority mode is ideal for motion, as you choose the shutter speed while the camera sets the aperture. Aperture Priority lets you choose the aperture while the camera sets the shutter speed. Choose a low f-number for portraits or a high f-number for scenery.
Utilise Exposure Compensation
As well as aperture and shutter speed, you can also control how bright your image is using Exposure Compensation. Locate the option on your camera, then use the sliding scale on your camera’s display.
52 Photography for Beginners
Get more freedom in Program
Check the histogram
Use Auto ISO in tricky lighting
Use the right metering mode
This is a semi-automatic mode that allows you to make some subtle changes such as ISO, white balance and focus while the camera manages the exposure. This is ideal for beginners looking to take more control.
In this mode, the camera will analyse the available light and choose an appropriate ISO setting. You can set a maximum ISO too, which prevents the camera choosing one that is too high, causing noise.
This can be found on the camera’s display screen; the left side represents the black tones in the image and the right shows the white. If the graph is bunched up at one end, the image is incorrectly exposed.
For accurately exposed images, don’t forget to adjust the metering mode to suit the scene. Evaluative Metering measures tones across the entire image, while Partial/Spot works well for backlit subjects.
Ask the team questions at photoforbeginners.com
THINK ABOUT COLOURS Try Monochrome Picture Style
Black-and-white effects can be applied later using photo editing software, but you can save yourself some time and use your camera’s Monochrome Picture Style.
Transform images with filters
In-camera art filters are often perceived as a gimmick, but if they’re used correctly they can transform a photograph without you having to open any editing software.
Be creative with white balance
Why not try breaking the rules and dare to change the white balance setting to the opposite of the scene you’re shooting? When photographing a sunset, select the Cloudy preset and trick the camera into injecting more warmth into the picture, enhancing the reds and oranges. Alternatively, if you set the white balance to Tungsten for a shot taken in natural daylight, you will get much cooler tones.
KEEP IT IN FOCUS Activate the AE-Lock
Half-press the shutter and then hold down the AE-Lock button on the back of the camera, usually labelled ‘AE-L’. This will only lock the exposure, enabling you to release the shutter button and recompose the shot, then press it again when you’re ready to take the photo. This will ensure that all subsequent pictures have the same exposure, which is useful for panoramas.
Use Live View focusing
By using the Live View on the camera’s LCD screen, you can magnify your image and then move the focus point across your subject. It reveals the out-of-focus areas.
Make use of MF Assist
The Manual Focus Assist function allows for more accurate focusing, as it zooms into your shots to help you see it better. Use the focus ring to magnify and adjust sharpness.
Photography for Beginners 53
CAMERA SCHOO GET CREATIVE Create a zoom burst
You will usually adjust your zoom before taking a photograph, but this technique requires you get to grips with your lens barrel during the exposure. Select Shutter Priority and choose a speed of a second or longer, using a tripod or a sturdy surface to lean on. Then press the shutter release button and zoom with the other hand to distort reality and create something that looks like a space vortex on Doctor Who.
Capture ambient light
Slow Sync Flash mode tells your camera to use a slow shutter speed in conjunction with the flash. This will capture the ambient light in the background, often creating light trails.
Prevent camera shake
To capture creative long exposures, set your camera on a tripod, then press the selftimer button. This will trigger the shutter without you touching the camera.
WORK WITH FILES Explore different file formats
If you are able to, shooting in RAW gives you much more control over how your finished image looks because the files are larger and more detailed. It’s easier to correct a multitude of sins, from incorrect white balance to sharpening up focus. RAW files need to be processed on your computer before printing, however, and the files are considerably larger, so if memory capacity and time is an issue, it’s best to stick with JPEG.
Reduce image size
By reducing the resolution, you can cram more pictures onto your memory card, and if you’re producing photos for a website, then you won’t notice any drop in image quality.
Format your memory card
This option within the camera’s menu will wipe your card completely to save you deleting images one by one. This is the only way to ensure it is completely rewritten. 54 Photography for Beginners
Ask the team questions at photoforbeginners.com
Why do some images become noisy?
Make grainy and noisy pictures a thing of the past. We explain what noise is and what you can do to stop it appearing Brought to you by…
How It Works magazine, on sale now from all good newsagents
No one wants grainy pictures that reduce the overall quality of an image. This ‘noise’, as it’s known, is caused by the image sensor inside of your digital camera, which captures light and converts it into electrical signals that are then changed into pixels. When we use a higher ISO setting, such as 400 or more, we are amplifying that signal so that the sensor can capture even more light. It’s incredibly useful for low-light scenes, but there will inevitably be some noise. This is because when we boost the signal, we’re also increasing any background electrical noise that exists in an electrical system. Some cameras record more noise than others, depending on the size of the camera’s sensor. The larger it is, the more capacity it has for recording light in the
first place, and that’s why DSLRs generally offer noisefree images at much higher ISO settings (but this does depend on the model). Compact cameras usually come with smaller sensors, because larger ones require a bigger lens. If a small sensor is combined with a large number of megapixels, this can also introduce more noise than if there were less megapixels, because the pixels will be closer together. As manufacturers tend to compete for big megapixel numbers, it’s worth being aware that this isn’t always a good thing. Most models have noise-reduction features built-in, which can help, but you can also reduce it by using editing software, as we show you below. It's always good to try and use a low ISO where possible, though.
HOW TO FIX NOISE There are a number of free noise-reduction programs available to download, such as NoiseWare Community Edition or Helicon Filter. These won’t eliminate noise entirely, but they will make it less obvious in your pictures. Photoshop users can also achieve this by clicking Filters>Noise>Reduce Noise.
NO NOISE Use a low ISO and noise is kept to a minimum. You’ll need to use a tripod, though
56 Photography for Beginners
NOISE With a high ISO you can shoot handheld, but noise may end up ruining your shot
Not just for dummies
TM
A clear, comprehensive series for people who want to start learning about iPhone, iPad, Mac, Photoshop, photography and more
BUY YOUR COPY TODAY
Print edition available at www.imagineshop.co.uk Digital edition available at www.greatdigitalmags.com Available on the following platforms
facebook.com/ImagineBookazines
twitter.com/Books_Imagine
SHOOTING LED lighting
Use LED lighting for well-exposed images Tech focus
Find out about this fun and easy-to-use alternative to flash What you’ll need… ✔ Any camera with a hot shoe
We used…
✔ Manfrotto ML360 LED light
You can also use… ✔ Any LED light
What you’ll learn…
✔ How to use LED lighting and expose images correctly
Photographers have long used flash to capture great images in difficult, low-light situations, or even to create special effects that would be impossible to achieve using just natural light. However, there are now even more options available to photographers who want to take control of the light. LED lights are an increasingly popular alternative to using flash, and though they don’t have the same power potential as a flashgun, they do actually offer a few advantages. The first plus point of LED lighting is that it’s what is usually referred to as continuous lighting. This term distinguishes it from flash lighting, in which the light is
3 of the best… Apps to turn your phone into a light source Brightest Flashlight Free Free
It might eat into your phone’s battery and can’t be dimmed, but this great app will turn your smartphone into a no-fuss flashlight that is just as bright as the real thing.
Flashlight 5 Free
iPhone 5 optimised, Presselite’s Flashlight 5 app can be used to turn your iPhone, iPod and iPad into a powerful torch in a flash.
LED Strobe Torch Free
A simple LED torch app which also has a powerful strobe light effect and information about light, including a wavelength calculator.
58 Photography for Beginners
only present for a very brief moment when the image is actually being taken. With continuous lighting, you can see the exact effect of the lighting on your subject before, during and after you take your photo. So with LED lighting, you can predict precisely how your image will turn out, which is much harder to do with flash lighting. There are many different sizes and types of LED lights available for a variety of cameras. Here we show you how one product – the Manfrotto ML360 – works, and how it can improve your low-light images. It’s available for £85/$140 from www.manfrotto.co.uk and is suitable for use with compact cameras or entry level DLSRs.
Flexible shooting lights can be ✔ LED attached to your
camera’s hotshoe, allowing you to keep taking photos in a range of lighting conditions
SHOOTING LED lighting
Shoot with LED
How to use continuous lighting
Take the light off-camera Using a continuous light rather than a flashgun has benefits, but it suffers from similar problems – the light can be harsh when it hits your subject front on. LED lights can be used off camera, though for softer effect.
Position the LED
01
The Manfrotto ML360 LED can be safely and easily attached to your camera’s hotshoe and secured via a screw-lock mechanism. They’re incredibly lightweight considering their capability, so can easily be used with a CSC or small compact.
Turn on the power
02
Be aware that the bulbs are surprisingly powerful, so it’s best to avoid looking straight into them or shining them too close to people’s eyes, particularly when the unit is turned on full. However, the light produced is quite soft, making it ideal for photography.
Handhold the lights
01
Because LEDs offer continuous lighting and you don’t need to synchronise the light with the moment you press the shutter button, you can use the LED light off-camera.
Set the white balance
03
LED units like the ML360 are usually daylight balanced, meaning that they have a colour temperature of 5600K to match daylight. If you are using your LED with natural light, use your camera’s auto White Balance mode or set the white balance to Daylight.
Control the light
05
To control the power of the LED, you merely have to turn the main power dial up and down and observe the effect that it has on the subject you are photographing. You can easily take a test shot and check the results if you’re unsure.
Try shooting in RAW
04
If, for example, you are shooting in mixed lighting conditions with the LED, it may confuse your camera’s white balance. Try shooting in RAW mode to ensure that you can fix any colour problems that might arise using your favourite image editing software.
Attach to a stand
02
LED lights can be attached to a portable lighting stand so you don’t have to hold them when you want them off-camera. This means you can move them further away from your subject.
Let metering take over
06
While with flash you often need to use exposure compensation to get the right results, with continuous lighting your camera’s metering can see the light exactly as it is. In Aperture Priority mode, dial in your aperture and let the camera’s metering do the rest.
Share your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
Combine LEDs
03
The Manfrotto ML360 LED can be connected to other LED units like the ML240 using its two shoe attachments, which is great for getting a more powerful light.
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 59
Tips and tricks to improve close-ups What you’ll need… 4 Editing software 4 Close-up photo
We used…
Discover our selection of the top techniques for editing macro and close-up images in Photoshop
4 Photoshop CS6
You could use…
4 Photoshop CS2 and above 4 Photoshop Elements 9 and higher versions
What you’ll learn…
Adjustment layers
These feature as their own layers and contain all the adjustments you need for improving your close-ups. Manipulate colour, tone and contrast
4 How to enhance close-up shots
60 Photography for Beginners
History palette
History states are records of the editing process, so you can jump back at any time to undo mistakes or compare revisions
Layer masks
Used with adjustment layers, masks look to hide parts of an effect. This makes selectively editing your close-up subjects easier
Jargon buster Layer masks
Masks appear as a white rectangle thumbnail on your layer and are automatically applied to an adjustment layer. You can edit this mask with a black colour Brush tool, targeting effects to specific image areas.
EDITING Tips for close-ups
Adjust exposure Take control of lighting with Shadows/Highlights
Non-destructive edits
Shadow details
Control highlights
Photoshop’s Shadows/Highlights adjustment is perfect for making close-up detail stand out. Make a copy of your Background layer by pressing Cmd/Ctrl+J. This will let you make non-destructive edits.
01
In the image menu, go to Adjustment> Shadows/Highlights. Drop the Shadows Amount slider until the lighter parts of your image look correct. Boost the Shadow’s Tonal Width slider to keep the detail in darker parts.
02
03
Reduce Tonal Width
Colour correction
Adapt opacity
04
Reduce the Highlight’s Tonal Width to about 15% and boost up the Radius slider for Highlights to 157px. This will help to balance the overall tonal ranges of the images. These settings will vary from image to image, so experiment for the best results.
05
Use the Color Correction slider at the bottom of the adjustment to control the strength of colour. Increasing this to about +20-30 should be enough. Slide the Midtone Contrast adjustment up to +60 to bring the effect together.
Share your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
To make the exposure more lively, increase the Highlight Amount slider. Keep it around 15% to prevent distortion. This slider will help to control the contrast of the image before you adapt the midtones.
06
Hit OK in the adjustment and head to your Layers palette. You can lower the strength of the effect by controlling the Opacity slider at the top of the palette. Setting this to 50% will soften the changes made to Shadows/Highlights.
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 61
editing Tips for close-ups
Recompose your shots
Boost colour Call up the Hue/Saturation adjustment
Unconstrained crop
01
The Crop tool will help you create the best possible composition. If using it, select Unconstrained in the top Options bar to control the height and width of the cropping boundary.
Choose guide
02
The Photoshop CS6 Crop tool has helpful guides and patterns to make for an even better composition. The Rule of Thirds, Golden Ratio and Triangle are just some of the possibilities.
Try a preset
03
Use the grid overlay to match up intersections with the main focal points on the subject. Use the boxes along the edges to readjust, crop in tight and cut out excess background.
62 Photography for Beginners
Load adjustment
Steady as you go
First, head to Image>Adjustments>Hue/ Saturation. With the adjustment set to Master, all colours in your image will be affected by any changes. Increase the Saturation slider to around +15-30 for a more vibrant image.
01
02
Select colour
Control methods
03
If you want to improve just one colour, change Adjustment from Master to a colour of your choice. When the Saturation slider is adjusted, only the parts of your image with those colours in will become more vibrant.
Be careful not to go too high with the Saturation slider, otherwise colours will start to lose definition and quality. If at any point you want to reset the changes made in this adjustment, Opt/Alt-click on the Cancel button.
04
Controlling the value of the Saturation slider for each colour gives complete control over the balance of colours in your macro shot. When you’re happy with the result, click OK and then save your shot.
EDITING Tips for close-ups
Improve detail Use the High Pass filter for intricate shots
3 of the best…
Plug-ins
Always keep a plug-in or two waiting and ready. These program ‘add-ons’ focus on an area of editing that would require more time in Photoshop. Here’s our selection of the top three…
Color Efex Pro 4 £96 approx/$149
A creative reduction plug-in that specialises in adapting the colour and exposure of images and lets users make localised changes.
Duplicate layer
01
Harder blend
First, create a copy of the Background layer (Layer>Duplicate Layer). Head to the Filter menu and choose Convert for Smart Filter. The layer has now been converted to a smart one, meaning any changes can be re-edited.
02
Preview filter
More details
03
Go back to the Filter menu and find the Other filter options. From here, select the High Pass filter and a dialog box should pop up showing a closer inspection of your image. Tick Preview to show the effect on your image.
Share your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
Change the blend mode of this smart layer from Normal to Hard Light, using the list in the Layers palette. This will increase the exposure and contrast of the image, but only until we apply the High Pass filter.
04
Set the Radius slider between 3 and 9px. Any higher and the image will appear abstract. Hit OK and then double-click on the High Pass section in the palette to open the filter again to increase the effect if needed.
Bokeh 2 £64 approx/$99 Applies a lens effect to make images more expressive. Change the focusing, grain and vignette for the ultimate macro effect.
Film Stocks £62 approx/$95 Images can be made to look as if they were shot on traditional film. Layers and blend modes form a big part of this plug-in.
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 63
EDITING Increase contrast
Increase the contrast Add more tonal range to your shots to make them stand out What you’ll need… ✔ Editing software
We used…
✔ Photoshop Elements 11
You could use…
✔ GIMP ✔ A variety of apps ✔ Photoshop CS
Contrast is simply the difference between the light and dark tones of a photo. Ideally, you want deep and rich tones where blacks are black rather than grey, and whites are pure white rather than an off-colour. This adds more tonal range to the shot and makes the image ‘pop out’, but you don’t want to take it too far and start
to lose the detail in your image. One way to add more contrast into your shot is to take advantage of the available light, making sure that you use it to create areas of light and dark and use shadows in a flattering way. You can increase contrast in editing software, though, as we show you in this easy-to-follow tutorial.
What you’ll learn… ✔ How to increase contrast between your photo’s tones
Striking images Learn to add contrast with Photoshop Elements
Increase the contrast
Tweak the Levels
Go to Enhance>Auto Contrast for an automatic boost, or tweak it yourself via Enhance>Adjust Lighting>Brightness/ Contrast. Move the Contrast slider to the right to increase it.
Go to Enhance>Adjust Lighting>Levels and move the points below the graph to where the peak starts. The one on the left controls shadows, the middle controls midtones and the right controls highlights.
01
64 Photography for Beginners
02
Adjust the Curves
03
Now head to Enhance>Adjust Color>Adjust Color Curves. Move the highlights slider to the right and shadows slider to the left to create an S-curve, which will help to add more contrast.
Share your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
Search for PFBMag on...
CREATE THE IMPOSSIBLE w w w. p h o t o s h o p c r e a t i v e . c o . u k
Available from all good newsagents and supermarkets
ON SALE NOW Striking imagery Step-by-step guides Essential tutorials PHOTO EDITING
DIGITAL PAINTING
PHOTO ART
TOOL GUIDES
BEGINNER TIPS
BUY YOUR ISSUE TODAY
Print edition available at www.imagineshop.co.uk Digital edition available at www.greatdigitalmags.com Available on the following platforms
facebook.com/PhotoshopCreative
twitter.com/PshopCreative
EDITING Infrared effects
02
Set the Channel Mixer>Output Channel to Red, then set Red at 0%, Green at 0% and Blue at 100%. Set Output Channel to Blue, then set Red at 100%, Green at 0% and Blue at 0%. Now apply a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.
03
Add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer, then set Color to Red (Opt/Alt+3), lower Saturation to 70-90% and increase Lightness. Repeat with Yellows (Opt/Alt+4). Now apply a Photo Filter adjustment layer, setting Filter to Cooling Filter (LBB) and Density at 10-25%.
04
02
Once inside the Selective Gaussian Blur dialog, choose a Blur radius setting of 5.00 and Max Delta of 10, using the Preview window to check the blur strength. If happy with these settings, click OK. Proceed and choose Colors>Components>Channel Mixer.
03
In the Channel Mixer dialog, tick the Monochrome and Preserve Luminosity options. The Preview image will now become greyscale. Next, set Red and Green Output channels to 110. Set the Blue Output channel to –110. Now click OK.
04
02
03
04
First, we want to blow the highlights in the trees and ground. Most of the time these areas will include greens, yellows and browns, so enhance highlights by decreasing the Orange, Yellow and Green sliders until you have suitable effects.
Decrease the Blue slider, blacking out the sky and counter-balancing the newly applied highlights. If the edges where the sky and trees meet look too soft, tweak them by also decreasing the Aquas slider until you have the desired look.
Share your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
Add a Levels adjustment layer. In the Levels dialog, set Shadows to 0, Midtones to 0.95 and Highlights to 225. Set Levels channel to Blue (Opt/Alt+5), then Shadows to 0, Midtones to 1.00, Highlights to 225 and Output Levels to 8-255.
Back inside the Layers panel, all that’s left to do is hide the duplicate layer and set its Opacity between 20% and 30%. Also set this layer’s blending mode to Grain merge. All these settings combine to create an infrared effect.
In the Basic panel, improve any details lost by decreasing the Temperature and Tint sliders. Create authenticity by decreasing the Clarity slider to –10 and selecting the Effects panel, setting Amount, Size and Roughness sliders to apply grain.
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 67
EDITING Quick tips
5 great ideas for creative editing Use Photoshop to create some fun masterpieces! Editing software is great for fixing your photos, but it can also help you to produce creative shots. Here, we give you some simple ideas to have fun with your photos in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Most of these effects can be applied using other editing software too.
Swap backgrounds Play with colour
Take it retro
Selective colouring Make a work of art
Retro styles are popular right now and you can recreate them in most editing software. In Photoshop, create a colour cast in Image>Adjustments>Color Balance, then add noise using Filter>Noise>Add Noise.
Colour just one area of your image by duplicating the original layer and converting to black and white. Then, add a layer mask and use the Brush tool set to black to paint in the original layer’s colour in a select area.
68 Photography for Beginners
Choose an image with a fun background, copy and paste it into your photo document and add a layer mask. Then, with the Brush tool set to black, paint away parts of this layer to reveal the original layer below.
Get creative with colour by adding a Gradient (which creates a gradual colour blend) or using Hue, Color Balance and Levels to alter the tones in your shot. You can also paint on colour with the Brush tool.
There are many fun effects that can be applied in Photoshop. From the Filters menu, choose Artistic to turn your photo into a watercolour, Texture to add a mosaic tile effect or Render to add lens flare.
DISCOVER THE PAST! w w w.histor yanswer s.co.uk
Available from all good newsagents and supermarkets ON SALE NOW ● Exploration ● Cuban Missile Crisis ● The Vikings ● Genghis Khan KEY EVENTS
GREAT VOYAGES
EYE WITNESS
ILLUSTRATIONS
YOUR HISTORY
BUY YOUR ISSUE TODAY
Print edition available at www.imagineshop.co.uk Digital edition available at www.greatdigitalmags.com Available on the following platforms
facebook.co.uk/AllAboutHistory
twitter.com/abouthistorymag
EDITING Black and white
Convert your images to black and white
five minute project
What you’ll need… ✔ Photo editing software ✔ High-resolution colour image
Transform shots into monochrome masterpieces without losing the depth of your original image
We used…
✔ Adobe Photoshop Elements 11
You could use…
✔ Adobe Photoshop ✔ Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
What you’ll learn…
✔ Lighting adjustment ✔ Black-and white conversion
Non-destructive editing
Shooting in colour and then converting to black and white gives the option of having one image both ways
70 Photography for Beginners
EDITING Black and white Black-and-white imagery may have started as a necessity, but even after the invention of colour photography, it still holds value. Colour can be a distraction, so a good black-and-white image focuses the viewer’s attention on what is important in the frame without using colour to draw the eye in. Most digital cameras have the option to shoot in black and white, but shooting in colour and then converting the image during the editing process gives a much stronger result. In standard editing software, such as Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, there is a Grayscale mode that quickly takes your image from colour to monochrome. But this method should be avoided, as it throws away all the colour information and leaves you with nothing to get your image to really pop out.
Go monochrome
Duplicate the layer
Dramatic Black & White
£0.69/$0.99 Choose from a variety of black-andwhite effects and adjustments such as Grain, Vignette and a variety of filters.
Photoshop Express Free
For editing on the go, this app gives you the bare basics of Photoshop and includes a black-and-white effect, making it perfect for creating stunning shots.
Instagram Free
Instagram offers two different instant black-and-white effects: Inkwell and Willow. Each gives your image a monochromatic edge.
Convert to monochrome
01
02
Boost intensity
Adjust the lighting
03
Black-andwhite converter applications
Edit your colour photos
Open your image in Elements, Ctrl/ right-click it in the Layers panel and select Duplicate Layer. Doing this means you can perform non-destructive editing and is useful to compare before and after shots.
Use the Red, Green, Blue and Contrast sliders to add your own tweaks. Here, the Red value and Contrast have been boosted slightly to give the image an added edge. Click OK.
3 of the best…
Using a function like Photoshop Element’s Black and White Converter gives you more options to customise your monochrome result. The converter separates out the colours in your image into Red, Green and Blue. Even though the image is black-andwhite, you can still control the intensity of the original colours. For example, if you have a landscape scene, you can choose to increase the intensity of the green areas. This means that the resulting image will be monochromatic, but the areas that had green in them will be much darker than other areas. Converting an image to black and white instead of shooting it that way lets you play around with your final image, and put the colour you captured to good use as you produce a stunning two-toned image.
From the top menu, select Enhance and then Convert to Black and White. Click this and then choose the appropriate option from the list of preset conversion styles, in our case we chose Portrait.
04
Go back to the Enhance menu and this time select the Adjust Lighting option. Under this option you will see three settings which allow you to alter lighting effects. Select Shadows/Highlights.
Share your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
Edit shadows and highlights
05
Play around with these settings to pull out shadow detail. We lightened the Shadows by 5% to give more light to the subject’s face and darkened the Highlights by 3%, keeping the Midtone Contrast at 0.
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 71
EDITING xxxxxxxxx App of the month
★ App of the month ★
Edit and enhance your shots in Pixlr Express Fix photos and add impact to your images using this free smartphone app Available on: Android, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad Price: Free What you’ll need… ✔ Smartphone ✔ Images
We used…
✔ Pixlr Express
You could use…
✔ Photo Editor by Aviary ✔ Photo Effects Pro ✔ PicSay Pro
What you’ll learn… ✔ How to improve your images in just a few taps
Personalise pics app lets you ✔ The add titles,
captions and messages to your favourite shots
Image-editing apps are some of the most popular programs available for iOS and Android. Although most of the newer smartphones come with editing capabilities built-in, they don’t offer the wealth of features and functions provided by third-party apps. A quick trip to Google Play or the App Store will grant you access to a range of programs that can help you to get more from your images. One such app is Pixlr Express. A free download, this app is packed with more features than you’re ever likely to use. Starting off with basic corrections such as cropping, adjusting brightness, removing red eye and tinkering with saturation sliders, you can quickly and easily improve any image stored on your device or that you’ve taken with the camera, and all with a tap or swipe of your finger. The next step is to apply effects and overlays, allowing you to instantly transform any shot from the hundreds of options available. You can really get some creative results in no time at all. After that, there are stickers, borders and typography to play around with to your heart’s content, and when you’ve finished you can share your masterpiece with the world by sharing it on Twitter, emailing it to friends and family and much more. With apps like Pixlr Express, you never need to worry about desktop editing suites again. Instead, you can turn your regular mobile phone into the ultimate camera and editing combo. We’ve used an Android device for the following tutorial, but the app is also available on iOS devices. Follow along with our steps here to work your way around this fantastic app and start creating some photos today! It’s easy After standout when you know how.
72 Photography for Beginners beginners
01
Pixlr Express is packed with editing options. Select how you’d like to adjust your image, then choose the level and style of the edit.
02
03
04
Tap on the Border option, download the packs on offer and choose something that frames your picture perfectly.
To add an effect to an image, tap the Effect tab, pick from the options available, and watch the shot transform before your eyes.
From the Sticker menu, select one and place it where you want. Pinch your fingers together or spread them apart to change the size.
EDITING App of the month Adjustments
From whitening teeth and removing red-eye to blurring and cropping, this tool is packed with features to improve your shots
Borders
Frames can be the perfect finishing touch for your pictures, whether it’s a film effect, grunge or something simple like rounded corners
Text
Simply select the style of text you wish to add to the photo and type in a caption or title using the on-screen keyboard
Save changes
Once you’ve applied effects or edited your image, tap here to save the new image to your gallery or share straight from the app
3 of the best… Apps to help enhance your photographs Photo Editor by Aviary Free
Editing is made really quick with this feature-packed app. It’s simple to use and has a clean interface that’s easy to navigate. You can also draw and add text to create your own memes.
Photo Effects Pro Free
This app from developer Gravity Labs allows you to apply incredible effects to your images in just one touch. These include Pencil Sketch, rounded corners, tint image and shaded image.
PicSay Pro £2.99/approx $4.50
One of the most popular photo-editing apps, PicSay Pro can do everything you’d expect and more, and it supports hi-res images up to 13MP. Apply effects like Cross Process, Lomo, Vignette and faux HDR.
Apps for iOS Pixlr-o-matic Free Focused on providing the best effects and overlays, Pixlr-o-matic is the perfect tool for iPhone and iPad users. The smart-looking interface is only topped by the results delivered by this app, offering you simple and effective ways to instantly transform your favourite images. Try the Randomizer and the app will select an effect, overlay, and border for you. Get editing today!
Effects
With over 100 different effects to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice with what’s on offer from Pixlr Express
Overlay
Transform any image by applying one of the many overlays available, although you’ll need an internet connection to access them
Photography for Beginners 73
OR H DE UR R N RY OW
SUBSCRIPTION VOUCHER ✔ YES I would like to subscribe to Photography for Beginners ■ YOUR DETAILS Title Surname Address
First name
Postcode Telephone number Mobile number
Country
Email address Please complete your email address to receive news and special offers from us
DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENT ■ UK Direct Debit Payment I will receive my first three issues for just £1, I will then pay only £21 every six issues thereafter. If, however, I do not love what I see, I can cancel at any time.
Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit Please fill in the form and send it to: Photography for Beginners Subscriptions Dept, 800 Guillat Avenue, Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne ME9 8GU Originator’s Identification Number
Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society
To: The Manager
Bank/Building Society
5
0
1
8
8
4
Address Reference Number
Postcode Name(s) of account holder(s)
Instructions to your Bank or Building Society Please pay Imagine Publishing Limited Direct Debits from the account detailed in this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with Imagine Publishing Limited and, if so, details will be passed on electronically to my Bank/Building Society Signature(s)
Branch sort code
Bank/Building Society account number
Date A6 instruction form
Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit instructions for some types of account
PAYMENT DETAILS
YOUR EXCLUSIVE READER PRICE, ONE YEAR (13 ISSUES)
■ UK: £41.50 (Save 20%) ■ Europe: £70.00 ■ World: £80.00
FANTASTIC SUBSCRIBER OFFER
Subscribe today and get your first three issues for £1 (save £13.97)
Cheque
■ I enclose a cheque for £
(made payable to Imagine Publishing Ltd)
Credit/Debit Card
Signed
■ Pay only £3.50 for every future issue – a 30% saving on the store price ■ Free UK delivery to your door ■ Never miss an issue ■ Money-back guarantee
Date
Terms & Conditions
■ Visa
■ MasterCard
■ Amex
Card number
■ Maestro Expiry date
Security number ■■■ (last three digits on the strip at the back of the card) Issue number ■■ (if Maestro)
Code: PCG028 Please tick if you do not wish to receive any promotional material from Imagine Publishing Ltd by post [ ] by telephone [ ] via email [ ] Please tick if you do not wish to receive any promotional material from other companies by post [ ] by telephone [ ] Please tick if you DO wish to receive such information via email [ ] Terms & Conditions apply. We publish 13 issues a year, your subscription will start from the next available issue unless otherwise indicated. Direct Debit guarantee details available on request. This offer expires without notice. I would like my subscription to start from issue:
Return this order form to: Photography for Beginners Subscriptions Department, 800 Guillat Avenue, Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne, ME9 8GU or email it to
[email protected] You will be able to view your subscription details online at www.imaginesubs.co.uk
This offer entitles new UK direct debit subscribers to receive their first three issues for £1. After these issues, subscribers will then pay £21 every six issues. Subscribers can cancel this subscription at any time. New subscriptions will start from the next available issue. Offer code PCG028 must be quoted to receive this special subscription price. Details of the Direct Debit guarantee are available on request. Offer expires 30 November 2013. Imagine Publishing reserves the right to limit this type of offer to one per household. Source Code PCG028 Web address: www.imaginesubs.co.uk/p4b Tel 0844 245 6957
TAKE THE COMPLETE COURSE TO BECOMING A BETTER PHOTOGRAPHER
TRY
ISSUES OF
FOR JUST
GET YOUR FIRST 3 ISSUES FOR JUST £1, THEN SAVE 30% OFF THE SHOP PRICE
THREE EASY WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE 1. Online
www.imaginesubs.co.uk/p4b And enter PCG028
2.Telephone
0844 245 6957 And quote PCG028
3. Post or email
Please complete and post the form to Photography for Beginners Subscriptions Department 800 Guillat Avenue Kent Science Park Sittingbourne ME9 8GU Or alternatively, you can scan and email the form to
[email protected]
Create a stylish photo gallery on your tablet Show off and share your captures with the Whip app What you’ll need… ✔ Whip app ✔ Compatible device
We used… ✔ iPad 2
You could use… ✔ Android device ✔ Windows 8 ✔ Flickr ✔ Facebook
What you’ll learn… ✔ How to set up and share a gallery
If you’ve taken a series of photos at a party or event, or you’ve just had a successful shoot, then presenting them in a gallery is the best option. There are hundreds of gallery websites and apps available out there to display your photos. However, if you’re looking for a gallery with a difference, then look no further than Whip. This is a free app that’s available for iPad, Windows 8 or Android devices, and comes with a huge set of sharing features. You can show off your shots to other Whip users, and even on Facebook and Twitter in an album (or ‘whip’) that incorporates music, text and
Make an album
a gallery of ✔ Create your shots and
then view them as a slideshow set to music
76 Photography for Beginners
images. Your friends and family don’t need to be using the app to view your whips either, as they load independently, making sharing even easier. You can flip through the album pages by swiping with your finger, or for the true Whip experience, press the play button to hear the music and see a slideshow of images. You can also check out other users’ whips, hit the Like button, leave comments, add friends, or simply enjoy checking out what’s hot in the Whip community. Whip makes sharing experiences easy, so read on to find out how to get started using this awesome app.
SHARING Photo gallery
Create the gallery Set up a unique selection of photos
Pick a template
01
Download, install and launch the Whip app. You’ll then see the ‘Welcome to Whip’ screen, where you can log in with your Facebook or Twitter account. Alternatively, you can choose to create a new Whip account. Enter your details and hit Create My Account.
Explore the community
02
You’ll see three swipeable sections on the homepage. The top one is the WhipStream – swipe right to check out what other Whip users have been uploading. Below this is the HotWhips section, featuring the most viewed and commented on whips.
Time to get creative
03
The bottom section of the homepage is the MyWhips section where all of your albums are kept. Hit the Create button to get started with your first whip. You’ll then need to choose where your images come from: either your Facebook or Flickr account.
7 of the best… Photo-sharing and gallery applications
Picasa Photo Albums £1.49/$1.99
Select your shots
04
Whip will show you your albums to select images from. Simply tap one to use. Then you can select multiple images to add to your album (7-24 shots fit in a whip). When you’ve selected your images, hit Choose Your Style in the top-right corner.
Style it up
05
Choose from ten styles plus variations to customise your album just the way you want it. When you’re done, hit the Whip It! button in the top-right corner. On the next screen, you’ll see your whip built, and you can then add finishing touches.
This app links your Picasa images to your smartphone for easy sharing. You’ll need to create an account at www. picasaweb.google.com first. There are plenty of Picasa apps available for Android too.
Flickr Free
Flickr is one of the most popular photo gallery and sharing sites around, with plenty of great features to show off shots. It also guarantees a terabyte of space, letting users share their shots in full resolution.
Pixable Free
Pixable is ‘your photo inbox’ – sync it with your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts to keep up with your friends’ photo uploads. It also ranks and sorts them based on popularity and connections.
Photo Gallery (Fish Bowl) Free
This is the go-to gallery and sharing app for Android devices. Organise photos and videos, plus create slideshows to share with friends. You can also use it to set wallpaper and compare multiple photos.
NeroKwik Free
This unique app lets you create stunning photo collages called ‘Tapestries’. Share your Tapestries privately via email or publicly through Facebook or Google+ to get feedback on them.
Adobe Revel Free
Add music and text
06
Tap on text boxes to add titles and captions. You can pinch shots to zoom, or tap Pages at the top to shuffle the order. You can also hit Change Style to alter how the album looks and use the Change Background Music option to select a tune to accompany it.
Save it and share it!
07
Once your masterpiece is complete, hit the blue Finish button in the top-right corner. You’ll see the Save and Share dialog box appear. Here, you can add comments about your whip and share it with friends on the WhipSteam, Facebook, Twitter or via email.
Share your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
Use this app to sync photos across your iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web so that your photos are always with you, wherever you are. Also make use of the albums, sideshows and editing features.
iPhoto £2.99/$4.99
This great app for iOS lets you edit to your heart’s content. You can create slideshows, albums and photo journals, which let you add dates, captions, maps and even the weather to your photos.
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 77
SHARING OddPrints
Print at unusual sizes using OddPrints.com Resize images with this fantastic printing service It’s a shame to leave great shots lazing about on your hard drive, so when you find the ideal frame, you want to make sure your image is a snug fit. Although the majority of photo frames come in standard sizes, you may find that the best surround for your shot has awkward dimensions. Or perhaps you want to crop your shot to show off just a part of it, which can be the difference between a dazzling image and a dull capture. Quirky dimensions can add to the charm of your photos, yet they can also be a hassle when it comes to printing.
78 Photography for Beginners
But gone are the days of being stuck with the choice of standard 4 x 6 or 5 x 7-inch sizes just to get your photos on display. Now you can have a photo printed for any size of frame, ready to show off to family and friends, thanks to the great service from www.oddprints.com. You can use OddPrints’ online editor to scale your image to fit a frame and then download the finished result to print yourself. Alternatively, you can order the print directly from OddPrints.com. It is completely free to use and has no watermarks or similar hindrances added in.
What you’ll need…
✔ A photo frame ✔ Digital photos ✔ Internet connection
We used…
✔ OddPrints.com
You could use…
✔ picresize.com ✔ scaleyourimage. com ✔ webresizer.com
What you’ll learn…
✔ Scale and print quirky-sized images
SHARING OddPrints
Size up shots
Print photos with unusual dimensions
Get online
01
Launch your internet browser and head to www.oddprints.com. When the site loads, explore the homepage. There’s plenty of explanation about the OddPrints service and what great features it has to offer, so have a browse around to see what you can do.
Upload a shot
02
When you’ve finished exploring and are ready to get stuck in, click on the Get Started button on the homepage. On the next screen, hit the Choose File button. A window will then open where you can locate your digital image, and then click Open to upload it.
Play with the sample
03
If you don’t have a specific shot in mind that you want printed, but you want to see what OddPrints has to offer, then you can always play with the sample image that the website provides. On the upload screen, simply click Sample Photo.
Extra handy features from OddPrints
Size it up
04
In the editing area, your shot is displayed on a grid. The centre part is the final size, so anything outside of this area is cropped out. You can zoom, drag and drop to manipulate your shot any way you want. Have a play about to get the hang of it.
Fit to frame
05
If you have a frame that you’re printing the photo for, you can enter its height and width. This will scale the centre box to the proportions of your frame. Our frame is 11 x 3 inches and our image is 37 x 12 inches, so we need to scale and crop it to fit.
Passport photos
Upload your photo and choose Passport, then select your country from the preset options. OddPrints will scale your shot to the official size so that you can print a sheet of passport images.
Panorama printing
To print a panorama for just £5/$8, upload your shot and then click the Panoramic – 18 x 4 inches preset. You can scale as normal if need be, and then OddPrints will deliver your panorama.
Download the image
06
Once you’ve scaled and cropped your image, you can download it or order prints. To download, hit the Download button and you’ll see your shot with crop lines placed on it. Cut out the centre part and you’ll have a perfect fit for your frame.
Order prints
07
To get the print sent directly to you, just hit the Order Prints button. You’ll then see a summary of your order. To request more custom-sized prints, click on the Upload More button, or to complete your order, choose to pay with either Google Wallet or PayPal.
Share your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
READER DISCOUNT Get 15% off your prints by going to www.oddprints.com/ pfb. The offer is valid until 1 September 2013.
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 79
5 tips for sharing from a camera The best ways to share photos on the go Many new cameras come packed with the latest tech, including Wi-Fi. This is fantastic for sharing photos while you are out, just like you would with your cameraphone. Check out these ways for sharing straight from your camera and read the manual to find out what connectivity your model has.
From the camera
Transfer across
Share with apps
Many Wi-Fi cameras allow you to wirelessly transfer photos from your camera to your smartphone or tablet, wherever you are in the world. Then you can share shots online using your mobile’s internet connection.
There are some cameras that let you download apps to use for sharing your shots. Android ones like the Samsung Galaxy Camera will post straight to social networks via their dedicated apps.
Some cameras have Wi-Fi connectivity that lets you post your shots online straight from the camera, without having to transfer them to your phone. You just need to find a Wi-Fi hotspot, and then you can share away.
Make use of NFC Near field communication is making connectivity easy. You don’t have to input the device name and password each time you want to transfer from your camera to your phone – simply bump them together!
Memory cards Even if your camera does not have built-in Wi-Fi, compatible devices let you wirelessly share your photos using memory cards like the Eye-Fi Mobi card, which lets you transfer shots straight to your smartphone.
80 Photography for Beginners
Learn to inspire www.dphotographer.com
Available from all good newsagents and supermarkets
ON SALE NOW > Master low light > Landscape techniques > Sony RX1 reviewed LANDSCAPE TIPS
SHOOTING ADVICE
WILDLIFE PHOTOS
PORTRAIT GUIDES
CAMERA REVIEWS
BUY YOUR ISSUE TODAY
Print edition available at www.imagineshop.co.uk Digital edition available at www.greatdigitalmags.com Available on the following platforms
facebook.com/DigitalPhotographerUK
twitter.com/DPhotographer
SHARING Create a postcard
Create a photograph postcard in Pages Turn your photos into customised postcards on your Mac What you’ll need…
✔ A Mac with Pages installed ✔ OS X 10.7 or later to download Pages
We used…
✔ Pages ’09
You could use… ✔ Keynote ’09 ✔ Microsoft Word ✔ Pages for iOS
What you’ll learn…
If there’s one time when you’re more likely to take photos than ever, it’s on holiday. And with a memory card full of snaps to sort through when you get back, it’s always nice to break up those epic nights of organisation with a fun task or two. So how about creating a photo postcard in Pages to share with friends and family, letting you show off your holiday experiences in style. Pages is Apple’s own word processor, designed specifically for the Mac. Though you may have only used it to write letters, it can easily turn its hand to great creative projects such as making cards, newsletters or,
✔ How to create a photo postcard
82 Photography for Beginners
in this case, postcards. If you haven’t already, you’ll need to download and install Pages from the Mac App Store. It’ll set you back £13.99/$19.99, but you can use this awesome app to make plenty of other photo-based gifts and products that will make it worth shelling out for. What makes Pages particularly great for this project is that it integrates smoothly with iPhoto, meaning that all those holiday snaps you’ve been organising are easily imported and available to use in seconds. With Pages at the ready and your holiday photos uploaded, read on to find out how to create your very own photo postcard.
SHARING Create a postcard
Make a postcard Creatively combine your photos and Pages
Pick a template
01
Fire up Pages on your Mac and start a new project by hitting Cmd+N. From the template chooser that appears, click on Cards & Invitations in the sidebar and select the Moving Postcard template. Don’t worry about its design; we’ll remove that later on.
Delete the defaults
02
The default postcard template consists of two pages, with four postcards per page. Start by deleting all of the default content except the dividing lines on the second page – this splits up where you write your note and the address on the back.
Find your photos
03
Click the Media button in the top-right to bring up the media window and find your photos. You can browse both your iPhoto and Aperture libraries (if you use the app) as well as other locations on your Mac. You can use the search bar at the bottom if necessary.
7 of the best… Apps for creating photo postcards Cards Free
Insert your images
04
Drag the images you want to use from the Media sidebar onto the top-left postcard (you’ll copy the design to the others later). Try to think about how your portrait and landscape images will sit together on the postcard itself and adjust them accordingly.
Add some effects
05
Click on the Inspector button in the top-right to bring up the Inspector window, and under the Graphic tab, add borders to your images. We opted for some rustic-looking white frames to separate the images and make the design more exciting.
Apple’s Cards app pulls pictures directly from your iPhone or iPad’s Camera Roll, and even sends the postcards for you. Send multiple cards at once by entering up to 12 recipients, personalising each card individually.
ByPost Postcard Maker Free
As well as being one of the highest-rated postcard apps out there, ByPost also includes postcard themes for a number of special occasions including Good Luck, Congratulations and Wish You Were Here.
Touchnote Postcards and Greeting Cards Free
As the name suggests, Touchnote Postcards and Greetings Cards offers other card types, based on photos imported from your iPhone or Facebook.
Moonpig Free
Moonpig offers plenty of in-app editing tools, letting you edit the text on the front and inside of the card. It also gives users the option to send postcards via express delivery services if needed.
Postagram Postcards Free
Postagram cards are printed on thick, glossy photo paper at 300dpi resolution. This app also allows you to send cards to multiple recipients with very little extra effort on your part.
Red Stamp Cards Free
Finish with text
06
Most postcards have some text on the front. Click on the text box button in the top bar and type your main message to add it to your postcard. Be sure to select a font and colour that stands out from the image it sits on for maximum impact.
Copy and print
07
When you’re happy with the design, select all of the individual elements (hold Shift while clicking each one), then copy and paste them onto the other three cards. Now you’re ready to print your postcards, write your messages and share them with friends.
Share your shots at... photoforbeginners.com
As well as having physical postcards printed and posted, Red Stamp Cards will also send them online via Facebook and Twitter. Postcards are printed on premium, eco-friendly white card stock.
Popcarte
Free Popcarte offers a fast, 24-hour turnaround service for delivering printed photo cards, so you can be sure your postcards will reach home before you do. Sign your card with the tip of your finger!
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 83
Canon PowerShot N £269/$300 | Unique ‘any way up’ design | 8x optical zoom | 12.1MP
BUY THISt toIFs… pice
you wan raphy up photog fun with some snapping
The info… Megapixels | 12.1MP Showing the industry it means business, its MP count is higher than the average compact and smartphone
Zoom | 8x optical, 4x digital Offering a 5-40mm focal length, the camera provides an impressive (35mm equivalent) scope of 28-224mm
Shutter speeds | 1-1/2000sec Better for use during quick events like action shots than long exposures like night photography
ISO sensitivity | 80-6400 Although its sensitivity extends to 6400, we can see evidence of noise from ISO 800
Exp. modes | Smart Auto, Hybrid Auto, Program, Creative Shot A great set of modes for beginners, including an auto mode that can detect 58 scenes Aperture............... f3.0-5.9 Flash modes .... A, Fon, Foff, SS Weight .................... 195g with battery Dimensions....... 78.6 x 60.2 x 29.3mm Batteries.............. Lithium-ion Screen .................... 2.8 inches Storage.................. micro SD, micro SDHC, micro SDXC
84 Photography for Beginners
UPGRADE Canon PowerShot N
How good is it for…
Canon’s ‘any way up’ camera is revolutionary, but is it a case of style over substance? Meet the new PowerShot N from Canon, a much smaller and squarer-than-average camera that features all of the brand’s best compact technology, including a tilting touch screen, 8x zoom, 28mm lens, 12.1MP CMOS sensor, Wi-Fi connectivity, full HD movies, and a Super Slow Motion movie option. Canon’s new device is undeniably bold and has raised a few eyebrows in the industry due to its unique design and control system. In terms of design, the camera is light, weighing in at 195g, and around an inch narrower than its competitors. Available in white or black, the PowerShot N features a moveable touch screen LCD that can be raised up to 90 degrees, meaning you can shoot with the camera upside down. It’s a shame it doesn’t tilt fully out though. The handling takes a little getting used to, as while a shortcut movie button is on the screen, photographers will find the shutter button for stills on top of the front ring. As this is less than a centimetre thick and directly above the lens, it can be fiddly to focus and shoot, and the close proximity to the zoom ring adds further problems. However, the menus aren’t extensive and the touch feature means commands can be actioned
We answer your questions… Is this capable of creative shots? A great feature of the PowerShot N is the Creative Shot mode which takes six captures of the scene, one being the original and five varying in terms of composition, exposure, point of focus and more. There are also five effects such as Fisheye and Miniature, and you can share your creations straight away using the built-in Wi-Fi.
Portraits The Creative shooting mode applies various angles and filters to photos
quickly, including the ability to select the focus area on screen. People upgrading should also know that this takes microSD cards, so you will have to buy new storage if you are an SD card user. As with most Canon PowerShots, image quality is of a very high standard, and given its reasonable price point most customers won’t be disappointed. Colours are strong and realistic, while noise is handled well until around ISO 800, where we begin to see disruption in the darker areas of the image. Details are relatively sharp throughout most of the focal range, but there is some substantial softening at either end (which is to be expected). There is evidence that the camera tends to slightly underexpose shots that are not taken in strong and even light, but this is nothing that should faze the keen photography hobbyist.
Landscapes A maximum wide-angle focal length of 28mm captures vistas well Sports With a 1/2000sec frame rate, it is much faster than the average smartphone Low light A maximum ISO of 6400 and stabilisation technology helps shooters out
Macro A closest focusing distance of a market average 10mm allows for good macro
What’s good about it… What could be better…
✔ ✔
Inspires fun shooting from any angle with its tilting touch screen LCD Higher resolution, better zoom and stronger flash than most smartphones
Our final verdict Features.............................................. ★★★★★ Design and handling....★ ★★★★ Build quality................................★ ★★★★ Image quality............................★ ★★★★ Value for money...................★ ★★★★
✗ ✗
Shooting with the device is a little tricky due to the position of the shutter button Zoom can be jumpy, and it takes practice to smoothly pan in and out during movies
While we applaud the bold step forward in this camera’s design, there are a few handling and image quality niggles that need to be ironed out
★★★★★
Hands-on… The tilting touch screen and ability to shoot any way up
makes composition a breeze, but the shutter button’s position is awkward.
Above Although the camera does underexpose shots a little, colours are fairly true to life and details are strong throughout most of the focal length
Have you used this camera? Share your shots at photoforbeginners.com
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 85
UPGRADE Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2
Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2
£450/$700 (with 14-42mm lens) | 16.1MP | 3-inch touch screen | 25 scene modes
BUY … THu IloSveItoFget
yo ith your w e iv t a cre ographs phot era in-cam
The info… Megapixels | 16.1MP
The large sensor matches that of higher-end models like the E-PL5
Zoom | By lens
You can invest in a variety of lenses to suit every genre
Shutter speeds | 60-1/4000sec It’s flexible for slow shooting and freezing the action
ISO sensitivity | 200-25600 This is an impressive range for low-light shooting
Exp. modes | 25 scenes, plus iAuto, Program, Manual, AP and SP There’s a setting to please all skill levels and scenarios Aperture ............... By lens Flash modes .... Auto, RE, SS, Fill-in, Fon, Foff, Manual Weight..................... 269g with battery Dimensions....... 109.8 x 64.2 x 33.8mm Batteries .............. Lithium-ion Screen .................... 3 inches Storage.................. SD, SDHC, SDXC
86 Photography for Beginners
UPGRADE Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2
Hands-on… The camera is light and comfortable to shoot with for
extended periods of time. We especially liked how few manoeuvres it takes to swap settings, thanks to the thoughtfully laid out menu system.
Left There are 12 art filters to choose from, which can also be used when shooting RAW files, so you can keep an original copy
Small and stylish, but is this compact system camera too good to be true? When it comes to cameras at least, size doesn’t mean a thing. Take the E-PM2, for example; it may be the smallest of the Olympus PEN range, but it’s big on features. The large 16.1MP sensor and the TruePic VI processor have been borrowed from the higher-end Olympus OM-D E-M5, which means that technically you get the same superb image quality in a smaller body for less than half the price. This model is most suited to beginners looking to take their photography a step further, since there’s no mode dial and few buttons to get to grips with. Instead, users can select a shooting mode by using the rear touch screen. This is a great feature for those who are used to swiping and tapping on their smartphone, but there are also buttons for the traditionalists. We found the menu interface really friendly and easy to navigate, since the screen is divided into five columns and the background picture changes according to which one is highlighted. For example, when we hover over the Art menu, the screen changes to a wall of framed photographs. Press OK and you’ll unlock one of the best collections of creative filters we’ve seen. There’s Pin Hole, which lends a fashionable retro feel to your photos,
We answer your questions… How does this camera compare to other ones on the market? The biggest selling point is the compact size. Even the compatible lenses are compact, and because the Micro Four Thirds format was established in 2008, there’s a wide range to choose from. Panasonic also uses this format, so their lenses are compatible, along with third parties like Sigma.
How good is it for…
as well as Dramatic Tone for a bold black-and-white effect that transforms your street shots into really striking images with lots of contrast. It’s fitting that the E-PM2 comes with so many vintage-inspired filters, as the design is equally classic and timeless. You feel proud to be seen with a camera that looks as good as this one, and the image quality is just as impressive. Colours pop and the autofocus is one of the fastest around, quick to lock on targets even in low light. The ISO range is staggeringly flexible, so you can afford to shoot without flash indoors, which is useful for occasions such as weddings. In a crowded market, the E-PM2 stands out for its advanced tech and friendly usability. It offers superb value for money and you can easily grow with this camera, unlocking modes and features as you go.
Portraits Skin tones are flattering and backgrounds are nicely blurred Landscapes Colours are true to life and vibrant, even in bright light Sports The camera is quick to lock focus and produces sharp pictures Low light Images are
impressively detailed and noise-free up until ISO 1600
Macro Unfortunately, the kit lens of 14-42mm isn’t ideal for macro shots
What’s good about it… What could be better…
✔ ✔
There’s a hotshoe and an accessory port for expanding your kit bag The art filters are superbly varied and actually enhance your images
Our final verdict Features.............................................. ★★★★★ Design and handling....★ ★★★★ Build quality................................★ ★★★★ Image quality............................★ ★★★★ Value for money...................★ ★★★★
Have you used this camera? Share your shots at photoforbeginners.com
✗ ✗
The screen is fixed in place, but at least it’s a touch screen It doesn’t come with a viewfinder, but an electronic version can be purchased
The E-PM2 has all the functionality and ease of use that you could wish for from a CSC, perfect for making that first step up from a basic compact camera
★★★★★
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 87
UPGRADE Sony SLT-A58
Sony SLT-A58
£419/$600 (with 18-55mm lens) | 20.1MP sensor | Tilting LCD screen | 8fps shooting
BUY THISveIbFein…g
you lo at able to get gree shots of th action
The info… Megapixels | 20.1MP
A large number of pixels make this perfect for producing larger prints
Zoom | By lens
A wide range of compatible A-mount lenses is available
Shutter speeds | 30-1/4000sec
A broad range for long exposures and freezing action
ISO sensitivity | 100-16000
Capable of producing well-exposed shots in low light
Exp. modes | 8 scenes, plus iAuto, Superior Auto, Program, AP, SP A great selection for beginners and those wanting to take more control Aperture............... By lens Flash modes .... Auto, Fon, RE, SS, plus Rear Flash Sync Weight .................... 492g (body only) Dimensions....... 128.6 x 95.5 x 77.7mm Batteries.............. Lithium-ion Screen .................... 2.7 inches Storage.................. Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Du, Memory Stick XC-HG Duo, SD, SDHC, SDXC
88 Photography for Beginners
UPGRADE Sony SLT-A58
How good is it for…
It has some impressive features, but does the A58 make its mark as a camera for beginners? The Sony A58 is the latest in the company’s SLT range – a selection of cameras that feature translucent fixed mirrors. This means that rather than the mirror moving up, it stays in place and the light passes through it to the sensor. It also reflects some of the light to a phasedetection autofocus sensor. The benefit of this is faster shooting speeds and accurate focusing, so it’s a great option for sports photographers or those wishing to take action photos of their kids and pets. To help even more with action is 8fps burst shooting, using the Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode. This will only give you 5MP images, though, and you’ll have to revert to 5fps if you want to shoot in RAW. The 15-point phase-detection autofocus system will also help to give you accurate focusing, with Lock-on Autofocus letting users track moving subjects. You can even set the Full HD Movie mode to Continuous AF. It’s not just action that the A58 is good for, though. With an ISO up to a high 16000, you can also shoot in low light. As would be expected, at the highest end the images are very noisy, but noise is handled well up to the industry standard ISO 800 and photos are perfectly
We answer your questions… Is it suitable as a first-time DSLR? The A58 is a great camera for beginners getting used to more advanced techniques. Not only is there a variety of auto modes to use until you find your feet, but the menu system is easy to navigate. There are quick-access buttons for common settings, and there’s also a shooting tip button to help you to understand techniques.
Portraits Portrait and Night Portrait scene modes produced flattering results
usable at 1600. It’s also set for landscapes, with Sweep Panorama and Landscape modes joining its collection of eight scene settings. There are manual modes too, for those wanting to progress, and Auto+ mode which combines a burst of six shots to reduce blur and noise. The A58 comes with an electronic viewfinder and a tilting LCD screen that’s a touch smaller than industry average. Its design is compact and although plasticky, the build quality feels robust. At 20.1MP, you can create large prints and the images were of a high quality. Exposures were on the whole accurate, although it leant towards underexposure at times. However, colours were true to life and detail was high. If you’re after a camera that will produce high-quality images while keeping up with the action, the A58 is a solid, affordable choice for beginners looking to advance their skills.
Landscapes SteadyShot and the fixed mirror make for great long exposures Sports 8fps burst shooting, fast focusing and a sports mode have you set for action Low light A high ISO and
Handheld Twilight mode make for great low-light shots
Macro A macro mode helps get you in closer, but a macro lens is purchasable
What’s good about it… What could be better…
✔ ✔
Fast shooting and accurate focusing for moving subjects Relatively compact design with tilting LCD and clear, bright viewfinder
Our final verdict Features.............................................. ★★★★★ Design and handling....★ ★★★★ Build quality................................★ ★★★★ Image quality............................★ ★★★★ Value for money...................★ ★★★★
✗ ✗
LCD is slightly smaller than most and can’t be flipped out It’s a shame that 8fps shooting is cut down to 5MP images
With high image quality and a comprehensive feature set, this is a good choice for beginners and a great investment for those wanting to advance their skills
★★★★★
Hands-on… With a deep, rubberised grip around the front, you can have a firm purchase with one hand with the control wheel under your finger.
Above The camera has an auto object framing option, where it will crop your image to the dimensions it thinks will suit the scene
Have you used this camera? Share your shots at photoforbeginners.com
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 89
UPGRADE GE J1458W
GE J1458W £70/$90 | 28mm wide-angle lens | 20 scene modes | HD video
Buy thuiswainft a…
yo ly, wallet-friendo p int pocketable o and sho t
The info… Megapixels | 14.1MP Ideal for uploading to the web or printing your photos at home
Zoom | 5x optical, 6x digital A focal range of 5.1-25.5mm is brilliant for landscapes and group people shots
Shutter speeds | 30-1/2000sec You can get creative with long exposures and freezing action
ISO sensitivity | 64-1600
Gives you plenty of scope for shooting in low-light conditions
Exp. modes | 20 scenes, plus Auto and Manual Ideal for beginners who want a little bit more control Aperture............... f3.9-6.3 Flash modes .... A, Fon, Foff, RE, SS, SS+RE Weight .................... 106g without battery Dimensions....... 91.5 x 56.5 x 22.6mm Batteries.............. Lithium-ion Screen .................... 2.7 inches Storage.................. SD, SDHC
90 Photography for Beginners
UPGRADE GE J1458W
How good is it for…
We find out if this sleek budget compact from GE is a bargain buy or best left on the shelf Digital photography is often an expensive hobby, but it doesn’t have to drain your back account. If you shop around, you can find some bargain buys for practising your shooting skills. The J1458W is a truly affordable model that is smaller than some smartphones, perfect for keeping in your pocket ready for an unexpected photo opportunity. The sleek and stylish design has an attractive glossy front, and the camera is simple for beginners to use. However, the back panel has a matte plastic finish that is less aesthetically pleasing, and the buttons are a little small and fiddly. The wide-angle lens is great for shooting landscapes or group shots, and there is a panorama mode for extending your coverage even further. Shooting from a distance proves to be a bit more of a problem, as even though the 5x optical zoom is decent for a camera of this size, you may find that it falls short when capturing wildlife or sports, and you can’t rely on the digital zoom as images will have severely diminished quality. An abundance of scene modes are on offer to lend beginner photographers a helping hand, even when shooting in tricky situations such as through glass or
We answer your questions… Is this good for photos of people? Fitting everyone in the frame for family portraits or group shots is easy thanks to the camera’s wide-angle lens and Panorama mode. Portrait scene modes plus face, blink and smile detection are on hand to make sure you get fantastic shots every time, and there is a red-eye reduction flash option for portraits taken in low light.
Portraits An abundance of functions are available for shooting flattering portraits
using panning techniques. A few creative options are hidden among the scene modes too, as users can play with Fisheye, Sketch mode and themed photo frames. A manual mode is available for those looking to take control, but it doesn’t offer full flexibility, as while you can select slow shutter speeds, there is only one setting for shooting at a faster shutter speed. You also have no control over aperture, but can adjust the exposure compensation to brighten or darken your shots. Image quality is adequate, with an accurate representation of colours, but noise creeps in at ISO 400 and becomes very obvious at ISO 800 and above, producing poor-quality photos in low light. Nevertheless, if you prize price and portability over image quality, then this is a fantastic buy for keen amateur snappers.
Landscapes A wide-angle reach plus Panorama mode help to capture the whole view Sports The continuous autofocus is effective, but the small zoom is a restriction Low light Unless using a
slow shutter speed, shots are very grainy in low light
Macro A 50mm minimum focusing distance doesn’t allow you to get up close
What’s good about it… What could be better…
✔ ✔
A budget price and compact design make this camera great for beginners Plenty of scene modes plus a manual mode are useful in all situations
Our final verdict Features.............................................. ★★★★★ Design and handling....★ ★★★★ Build quality................................★ ★★★★ Image quality............................★ ★★★★ Value for money...................★ ★★★★
✗ ✗
The image quality could be better, as photos are very grainy at high ISOs Manual mode does not give full control, as users cannot change the aperture
With a small price, small design and a big range of features, this is a great beginner camera or back-up option to keep in your pocket and at the ready
★★★★★
Hands-on… It is easy to navigate the menus, but the buttons are small and fiddly. There’s no grip, but as it’s small you can still shoot one handed.
Above Colours are vibrant and tricky shots are a breeze with the help of handy scene modes, including Glass, Night Portrait and Panning Shot
Have you used this camera? Share your shots at photoforbeginners.com
Search for PFBMag on... Photography for Beginners 91
The Ultimate in online framing! Dynamic multi aperture framing at your fingertips!
n A wide range of contemporary and traditional mouldings n Diverse window mount options n Hundreds of multi aperture layouts to choose from n Competitive prices and frames to suit all tastes and budgets
Why not visit our website and start designing your unique frame today
www.onevisionimaging.com/framing Herald Way, Binley Industrial Estate, Coventry, CV3 2NY T: 0845 862 0217 E:
[email protected]
01202 586430
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
Shoot
Learn Photography in Central London Day - Evening - Weekend Beginners welcome
for a new career • Portrait
• Fashion
• Black + White
• Still Life
• Lighting
• Re-touch advanced
25% discount if you book early
• Wedding
20 new courses now available www.media-courses.com 020 7138 2909
London Academy of Media Film and TV
Read anything good lately? To Advertise In
Shop for quality magazines, books and DVDs from Imagine Publishing
Follow @imagineshopuk
on Twitter for exclusive discount codes
Contact Jen on 01202 586430
[email protected]
MAGAZINES
BOOKS
DVDS
DOWNLOADS
GIFTS
UPGRADE Touch screen cameras
Touch screen cameras
Control your camera with just a few taps of your finger
1 Nikon COOLPIX S6400 Price £180/$250 This sleek compact from Nikon has few external buttons, with the touch screen taking up most of the back. Annoyingly, you have to choose between tapping to focus and tapping to fire the shutter, as you cannot do both at the same time like on most other touch screen cameras. Plus, the screen is
01
94 Photography for Beginners
quite slow and you have to apply a lot of pressure to get a response. While daylight photos are reasonable, images taken in low light are very noisy. However, this is a lot cheaper than others on test here, so is great for those on a budget.
★★★★★
2 Sony NEX-5R Price £509/$750 (with 18-55mm lens) The flip-out touch screen of this Sony CSC lets you navigate the camera’s menus, select the focus point and fire the shutter with your fingertip. Unfortunately, the touch buttons for bringing up the menus are a quite small to select with your fingers, but there are plenty of physical
buttons to use. The 5R’s body is small and stylish, yet comes with a DSLR-sized sensor for excellent image quality even at high ISOs. There is also Wi-Fi connectivity, and you can download Sony PlayMemories apps to extend your options.
★★★★★
02
UPGRADE Touch screen cameras
3 Canon EOS 700D Price £750/$900 (with 18-55mm lens) Canon is currently the only manufacturer to produce touch screen DSLRs. The beginnerfriendly 700D lets you focus and take your shot by tapping the vari-angle LCD screen, but there are also plenty of buttons available. It is compact and lightweight for a DSLR, and has handy in-camera guides that
pop up to explain the different settings – handy for beginners. The image quality is high, with noise only becoming apparent at ISO 1600, and there are lots of creative filters to apply. The only thing the 700D is missing is Wi-Fi connectivity.
★★★★★
4 Samsung Galaxy Camera Price £400/$450 The only physical controls on the Galaxy Camera are the on/ off button, zoom lever and shutter release on top, but the on-screen menus are very easy to navigate, so changing your settings is a breeze. Designed as a cross between a compact and a cameraphone, it runs on the Android operating system,
so you can download apps to help you shoot, edit and share. You can also instantly share your shots via Wi-Fi or 3G. Unfortunately, the image quality is a little disappointing and the body is quite chunky so it won’t fit in your pocket.
★★★★★
“The Canon 700D lets you focus and take your shot by tapping the vari-angle LCD”
03
04
Photography for Beginners 95
UPGRADE Back-up devices
Back-up devices Keep all your photos safe with these storage devices
01
1 Toshiba STOR.E CANVIO 3.5 Price From £100/$140
The STOR.E CANVIO 3.5 is designed as a desktop hard drive for backing up your photos at home. The box plugs into your computer via the USB port and comes with a 2 or 3TB capacity for storing your entire photo library. The pre-loaded NTI® Backup Now EZ™ software lets you back up specific files and folders or your entire system, and can also recover lost files. Password encryption is available for preventing others from accessing what is on the hard drive. Transferring your photos onto the device is very quick and easy, and the drive space alert will tell you when you are running out of storage space. It is rather large and heavy, but has an attractive design and can be transported if necessary.
Best for: Backing up everything
2 WD My Passport Ultra Price From £70/$90
This sleek portable hard drive from WD comes with SmartWare automatic backup software. You can choose the files or folders you want to copy, then schedule regular backups or back up new files. Upgrading to the SmartWare Pro software also allows you to back up to the Cloud using a Dropbox account. To make sure your photos are extra safe, you can use password protection and hardware encryption to keep them private. The device is very small and lightweight, so you can carry it around easily. It works by plugging it into your USB port and following the simple on-screen instructions. The My Passport Ultra is available with either 500GB or 1TB capacity, and also comes in four different colours.
Best for: Multiple back-ups 96 Photography for Beginners
02
3 Picture Keeper PK-4 Price £15/$30 Picture Keeper is an incredibly compact storage device that makes the backing-up process very quick and simple. All you have to do is plug the USB stick into your computer’s port, open up the Picture Keeper program stored on it and click Start Backup. The device then scans your computer for your images and copies them all onto the tiny USB stick. Plus,
every time you plug it back into your computer, it will back up any of your newly added photos. The device tested here stores up to 4GB of data, but you can also get 8 and 16GB models, and if one device fills up you can plug in another and it will pick up from where the other one left off. You can also set reminders to prompt you to back up your images regularly.
Best for: Simple, portable storage
4 Digital Foci Photo Safe II Price From approx £98/$149
03
Running out of storage space on your memory card could mean that you miss a fantastic shot. The Photo Safe II from Digital Foci makes sure that never happens. Simply plug your SD card straight into your camera and it will copy your photos, allowing you to free up some space. It is also a very useful holiday accessory, as you won’t have to worry about losing photos if your camera gets lost or damaged. The Photo Safe II is relatively compact, so it will easily fit in your bag. It has a 320GB or 500GB version and can copy many different file formats, including RAW and video files, and the LCD screen will tell you how much space you have left. The device is a little complicated to use at first, but you soon get the hang of it.
Best for: Backing up on the go
Imagine Publishing Ltd Richmond House 33 Richmond Hill Bournemouth Dorset BH2 6EZ ☎ +44 (0)1202 586200 Web: www.photoforbeginners.com www.greatdigitalmags.com
Magazine team Editor Amy Squibb
[email protected] ☎ 01202 586210
Senior Designer Annabelle Sing Staff Writer Joanna Stass Sub Editor Alicea Francis Editor in Chief Dan Hutchinson Photographer James Sheppard Senior Art Editor Duncan Crook Head of Publishing Aaron Asadi Head of Design Ross Andrews Contributors
Matt Bennett, Michael Bosanko, Ella Carter, Natalie Denton, Stuart Forster, Freddie Harrison, Angelica Jopson, Simon Skellon, Adam Smith, Jodie Tyley, Jon White
Locations
With thanks to BoConcept for the use of their premises.
Advertising
Digital or printed media packs are available on request. Head of Sales Hang Deretz ☎ 01202 586442 Advertising Manager Jennifer Farrell ☎ 01202 586430
[email protected]
International
Photography for Beginners is available for licensing. Contact the International department to discuss partnership opportunities. Head of International Licensing Cathy Blackman ☎ +44 (0)1202 586401
[email protected]
Subscriptions
[email protected] For all subscription enquiries Email:
[email protected] ☎ (UK) 0844 245 6957 ☎ (Overseas) +44 (0)1795 592 815 13-issue subscription (UK) – £52 13-issue subscription (Europe) – £70 13-issue subscription (ROW) – £80
Circulation
Head of Circulation Darren Pearce ☎ 01202 586200
Production
Production Director Jane Hawkins ☎ 01202 586200
Founders
Group Managing Director Damian Butt Group Finance & Commercial Director Steven Boyd Group Creative Director Mark Kendrick
Printing & Distribution
Printed by Wyndeham Heron, The Bentall Complex, Colchester Road, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex CM9 4NW Distributed in the UK & Eire by Seymour Distribution, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT ☎ 0207 429 4000 Distributed in Australia by Gordon & Gotch Corporate Centre, 26 Rodborough Road, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086 ☎ + 61 2 9972 8800
04
Distributed in the Rest of the World by Marketforce, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0SU ☎ 0203 148 8105
Disclaimer
The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of Imagine Publishing Ltd. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. All copyrights are recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the magazine has endeavoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein. If you submit material to Imagine Publishing via post, email, social network or any other means, you automatically grant Imagine Publishing an irrevocable, perpetual, royalty-free license to use the images across its entire portfolio, in print, online and digital, and to deliver the images to existing and future clients, including but not limited to international licensees for reproduction in international, licensed editions of Imagine products. Any material you submit is sent at your risk and, although every care is taken, neither Imagine Publishing nor its employees, agents or subcontractors shall be liable for the loss or damage.
© Imagine Publishing Ltd 2013
ISSN 2046-9845
Photo hunt: Sunsets Send us your best shots today for your chance to win the prize!
Send us your shots at...
Search for PFBMag on...
photoforbeginners.com
Sunset is often known as the Golden Hour in the photography industry, and it’s one of the best times to shoot landscapes, portraits and more. The light is really soft and warm, producing some fantastic images. You’ll need to use a tripod, as the low light will require you to have a slow shutter speed, so camera shake can become an issue. Experiment with shooting at this time of day and send us your shots for a chance to win a Forex print! Use the Shadows and Highlights tool to bring out lost detail when editing
Try using a sunset scene mode to enhance the oranges and reds in the shot
WIN!
A Forex print of one of your shots!
To be in with a chance of winning, send us your best sunset shot by 22 August 2013. Winning entries will receive an 18x12-inch Forex print of one of your photos from Pixum. Visit www.pixum.co.uk for more info. Please note, Imagine Publishing has the right to substitute the prize for a similar item of equal or higher value. Full terms and conditions available online. 98 Photography for Beginners
Send us your shots at...
photoforbeginners.com
Search for PFBMag on...
From shattered lenses to Conan’s new chewtoy Photoguard can insure your photography equipment up to £50,000. Simple, flexible and we’ll get you back in the game as quick as a flash.
Call now on
0844 826 2294 (quoting 202140) Mon to Fri 9:00am to 6:00pm or visit
www.photoguard.co.uk Photoguard is a trading style of Thistle Insurance Ltd. Lloyds Broker. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A JLT Group company. Registered office: 6 Crutched Friars, London EC3N 2PH. Registered in England No 00338645. VAT No. 244 2321 96.
THE NEW OLYMPUS PEN
An icon of style – packed with premium image quality. The new PEN E-P5 is an expression of your lifestyle, and built-in WiFi lets you share your creative passion. A beauty in every way – with every picture you share. Find out more at your local dealer or visit www.olympus.co.uk/pen
