COLLECT YOUR EXCLUSIVE DIGITAL CAMERA TIP CARDS EVERY MONTH
HOW TO SHOOT...
LANDSCAPESSKYSCAPES
APERTURE ISO SHUTTER SPEEDBACKLIGHTING STORMY SEAS
If bright sun causes the camera
meter to underexpose the subject,
use exposure compensationHOW TO SHOOT...
PORTRAITSWATER ART
You’ll need a colourful material
to place over your light source –
cut-out gels work particularly wellWe can’t remind you too many times to place
your own safety first when you shoot in storms!(^) Grab and go
You shouldn’t need too much kit to capture
crashing waves, other than a camera, tripod,
remote, and an optional neutral-density filter.
(^) Getting to grips
In strong gusts, keep your camera strap
round your head in case it gets carried off.
(^) Set the camera
Switch your camera to Shutter Priority mode
and set fast shutter speeds to freeze wave
movement. (Aim for at least 1/1,000 sec.)
(^) Keep the coast clear
Use a lens cloth to wipe away sea spray.
KIT CHECKLIST...
Prime lens, reflector (optional)
FOR YOUR FIRST SHOT, TRY...
TIPS FOR GETTING A GREAT SHOT...
Use Spot Metering mode and place the
point of focus over the model’s eyes.
Shoot during the golden hours (when
the sun is low), and position the sun
just behind your subject’s head.
Bounce extra light onto the subject’s
face with the silver side of a reflector.
f/4 100 ISO 1/200 sec
KIT CHECKLIST...
Macro lens, light source, water, oil
FOR YOUR FIRST SHOT, TRY...
TIPS FOR GETTING A GREAT SHOT...
Create vibrant abstract art by making
reflections in oil and water. Fill a
container with water and add a few
drops of cooking oil. Each drop will
create beautiful patterns and reflections.
Use a macro lens to shoot the droplets,
using a flash or softbox for added light.
f/8 ISO 100 1/100 sec
Sunflowers stay in bloom until late summer,
often long after other flowers have waned. This
gives you more opportunities to capture them.
(^) The right light
It’s tricky to expose the flowers in bright light,
so head out on cloudy days (or periods when
the sun goes in) for a more balanced scene.
(^) Climb up high
You might need to raise your height
(a folding stool will do) in order to
take a decent sunflower shot.
(^) Vary your view
For super close-ups, stick to a dedicated
macro lens. To capture expansive fields
of flowers, try using a wide-angle lens.
HOW TO SHOOT...
NATURE & WILDLIFE
SUNFLOWERS
Study your subject carefully to
decide which details and angles
are most visually interesting
HOW TO SHOOT...
CREATIVE
INFRARED
10 ESSENTIALS YOU NEED
1 Infrared filter: Screw-on varieties are
probably the easiest to work with.
2 Tripod: The filter blocks out light, so use
a sturdy tripod to combat long shutters.
3 Remote: Firing the shutter remotely
reduces the risk of jogging the camera.
4 Location: Shoot somewhere there’s plenty
of photosynthesising foliage, which will be
recorded in white, almost snow-like hues.
5 Sunlight: Bright conditions yield the
most contrasting images.
6 Aperture Priority mode: To
calculate exposure settings.
7 Low ISO: To avoid unwanted noise.
8 Live View: To check focus and composition.
9 Editing software: Try converting your image
to greyscale and bumping up the contrast.
10 Colour conversion: To experiment further,
you could warp the Red and Blue channels.
For a new twist on the classic landscape shot,
leave out the land and capture the ever-
changing patterns of clouds and colours above.
(^) Plan ahead
Check the weather beforehand to ensure
it’ll match your intended shot – deep and
dark rainclouds or delicate wisps at sunset.
(^) Watch the exposure
Take care not to overexpose bright highlights.
(^) Record more information
Underexposing the scene should also
increase the saturation of any colours.
Set the exposure compensation to -1 or -2.
HOW TO SHOOT...
NATURE & WILDLIFE
KINGFISHERS
Set yourself up in a portable hide
and done some camouflaged
clothing so you go unnoticed
KIT CHECKLIST...
Telephoto lens, teleconverter (optional)
FOR YOUR FIRST SHOT, TRY...
TIPS FOR GETTING A GREAT SHOT...
Set up your own perches so that you
know exactly where the birds will appear.
Spend time watching their feeding
behaviour, and shoot when they look
relaxed and comfortable in their habitat.
Keep an eye out for messy backgrounds.
f/4 400 ISO 1/800 sec
HOW TO SHOOT...
MACRO
HOW TO SHOOT...
LANDSCAPES
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HOW TO SHOOT...
ARCHITECTURE
BRIDGES
If you want a night shot, get to
your location early and explore
every vantage point before dark
KIT CHECKLIST...
Wide-angle lens, tripod
FOR YOUR FIRST SHOT, TRY...
TIPS FOR GETTING A GREAT SHOT...
Use Live View while you compose
the frame. Zoom in on the bridge
and check the focus point.
Set a fairly narrow aperture to ensure
that the whole structure is in focus.
Use symmetry and repeating lines
to create a graphic composition.
f/11 100 ISO 1/100 sec
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HOW TO SHOOT...
ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY
MOON ECLIPSES
Try taking a sequence of shots as
the moon moves across the sky –
at different stages of the eclipse
When can I see a moon eclipse?
There are only two or three lunar eclipses
in a full year. Use a dedicated app such as
PhotoPills to find out exactly where it will
be located, and when it will take place.
How do I capture the event?
You’ll need clear skies to take a sharp
photograph of the phenomenon. For
frame-filling shots, a very long telephoto
lens on a sturdy tripod will be required.
The difference in exposure between the
bright and dark sides of the moon can
be up to eight stops. If you expose for the
brighter part of the moon, the dark side
of the moon might not be visible at all.
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Wait for dramatic weather
conditions, as an overcast day
will produce very dull results
As well as checking the weather
and winds, it’s also useful to find
out when high and low tides are
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