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KIT LIST
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Change the aspect ratio
Learn to see differently by using the camera in different
aspect ratios. The beauty of these modes is that they
teach you to spot compositions and encourage a more
interesting approach to an image, a bit like choosing
different time signatures in music. Most cameras have
additional aspect ratios such as 4:3, 16:9 and my
favourite, 1:1. Learning to see square is one of the most
powerful lessons and creates a wonderful alternative
portfolio. Remember to shoot in raw, as this will ensure
you can revert to 3:2 when processing.Really Right
Stuff BH-55
There is no ballhead
more sturdy or more
heavyweight than this
one. It’s the most stable
of platforms and essential
for my long-lens
landscape work.L-bracket
By keeping the centre of
gravity over the centre of
the tripod, the L-bracket
ensures the most stable
of images, whether you
are using landscape or
portrait orientation.Levelling base
I’m a panoramaholic, so I
use a levelling base – it
ensures a flat plane
of rotation in one
motion, without
all the faff of
levelling the
legs individually.Image stabilisation
Sometimes you need to use all the tools you can get to
achieve that sharp shot, so image stabilisation saves you from
reaching for the tripod. My record for a pin-sharp handheld
shot at 400mm is 1/3sec! Image stabilisation (IS or VR)
works by using gyroscopic elements to correct any physical
movements, operating a lens element to move in the
opposite way to that direction. When on the move, or in
failing light, let IS help you get that successful shot. Leave it
switched on all the time, but not when on a tripod, although
some professional lenses recommend leaving it switched on.Ride the colour
temperature
Rather than relying on a
pre-programmed white
balance value (like sunny
or cloudy) to set your
white balance, choose the
K setting and learn to set
your white balance to
match the scene you are
shooting. Higher values
of K warm the scene up,
whereas lower values cool
your picture. It’s a great
idea to match your
live-view screen to what
you see, as this really helps
to provide you with a great
starting point when it
comes to your processing.