Review Digital Camera World 07-13-2013

Digital Camera World

11 ways to build confidence as a photographer Jul 12th 2013, 23:01, by jmeyer For many of us, the most difficult part of photography isn't learning the technical details of how to take a great picture, it's finding the confidence in our own ability. Confidence, or the lack of it, is a more common dilemma in photography than you might realise. In their latest guest blog post, our friends at Photoventure have put together a list of 11 ways we can all build confidence in our photography. 1. Positive feedback Positive feedback from peers on your work can have a lot of impact on your perception of yourself as a photographer and can go a long way to improving confidence in your trade. Of course, we can't always rely on people to give us positive feedback, but even if the feedback you receive is negative it's important to remember that it's not always a bad thing. Take constructive criticism on board and learn from it – this will also help to build your confidence. 2. Read tutorials It's all too easy to become complacent and assume that we know enough in order to take good shots, but we'd be foolish to think this is the case. The learning experience is ongoing and there's always more you can learn to help you capture fantastic images. Read as many tutorials as you can, and then put what you have learned from this into practice. 3. Test your knowledge So you've read tutorials and your camera's manual, but unless you have a photographic memory it's unlikely you'll instantly be able to remember everything you've learned straight away. You need to apply what you've learned to your photography, testing yourself on what you have learned. Being sure that you have a good working knowledge of what goes into taking a picture can have a big impact on your confidence. 4. Compare old work with new As we take pictures it's inevitable that our style and technique will develop over time. It's always a good idea to take a moment every once in a while to look back through the shots you took at the start of your interest in photography and see how much you have developed since. Are your pictures heading in the direction you want them to take? Be confident that they are and press on. 5. Photograph strangers Many people avoid photographing strangers out of shyness, but you might be surprised how many people are willing to have their picture taken. Most photographers have to photograph people they don't know on a daily basis, whether it's models for commercial shoots, family portraits, or wedding shots. For these, directing and working with people is the key to their success, and it's a very valuable skill to learn. Approaching strangers on the street to take their picture can help you to develop these interpersonal skills, increasing your confidence in shooting people. 6. Photograph your friends Of course it can be difficult to direct strangers you've just met out on the street into poses that will make your image pop. If you want to practice directing your subjects into just the right poses, taking time over lighting and composition, it's a good idea to find a few willing friends. This can be invaluable in improving your photography techniques and can help you learn just what it is you're looking to achieve from a shoot, giving you the confidence you need when working on a commissioned shoot. READ MORE 11 SEO tips for photographers: how to get your photos seen online 10 common camera mistakes every photographer makes How to use a camera: exposure modes made simple 15 common photography questions from beginners (and how to solve them) Camera tips: how to photograph in extreme contrast and retain detail Jul 12th 2013, 10:30, by jmeyer Extreme contrast during the summertime can prove a challenge for many photographers. In this tutorial we explain how to keep it under control to avoid exposure problems and retain all-important detail. Unlike the human eye, your camera's sensor is unable to deal with extreme contrast. The result of this is that images taken in high contrast light either have no detail in the shadow areas or in the highlights or both. In some circumstances you might be prepared to compromise and forego detail in some areas but it's never an ideal solution and your images will usually suffer as a result. As cameras improve, so does the range of tones that they are able to render – but even the most sophisticated models haven't resolved this issue altogether. So, here are our suggestions to help you control high contrast situations. Three easy ways to deal with extreme contrast light in your images Shoot in raw While not solving the problem completely, shooting in raw means that you can recover detail in both highlights and shadows to some extent during processing. However, don't rely on this and be especially careful about blown highlights, which are more difficult – or impossible – to recover.   Use backlighting Although backlighting can increase the level of contrast, if you expose for the shadow areas you will capture a more evenly lit picture of the main subject. There may be some over-exposed highlights around the edges of the subject but the overall effect can be very striking.   Take an HDR approach To increase dynamic range and capture detail in deep shadows and bright highlights, take several images at different exposure settings. Use your camera's auto exposure bracketing function (AEB) plus a tripod and cable release . Combine the images using HDR software. READ MORE See the light like a pro: everything you were afraid to ask about using natural light Creative landscape photography: master the dark art of shadows and shade Break the rules: become a pro at using backlight to add drama to any photo Golden Hour Photography: tips for making magical landscapes at dawn Win a spot on a high-profile photo shoot – enter the Children With Cancer UK Photography Competition Jul 12th 2013, 09:00, by jmeyer One of last-year’s highly commended images, shot by Anna Resner a 2013 judge of the Children with Cancer UK Photography Competition. Your camera is a powerful tool, but it might be even stronger than you thought. Children with Cancer UK, the leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against all childhood cancers, is calling on all of you talented photographers to help them with their important work. What do you have to do? It couldn’t be easier. Simply enter your best images that represent the theme of ‘childhood’ into the organisation’s new Children with Cancer UK Photography Competition. Your image might depict a special moment in a child’s life, an image that illustrates the innocence of childhood or even snapshot from your own youth. Photographers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to enter one of the competition’s two categories: Young Photographer, for children aged 16 years or under; or Adults, for any photographer aged 17 or older. Judges will select 12 images to feature in Children with Cancer UK’s 2014 calendar, which will be sold to raise life-saving funds and help children with all forms of cancer. What’s more, a first-prize winner from each category will be selected to attend a photo shoot with judge and celebrity photographer Nicky Johnston. The first prize winner will also take home a £50 Amazon voucher. A second-prize winner will get the opportunity to attend a family photo shoot with fellow judge and owner of Little Bunny Photography, Anna Resner. This photographer will also claim a £25 Amazon voucher. A third prize will consist of a £25 Amazon voucher. Image by Teresa Kadlubek, last year’s winner of the Children with Cancer UK Photography Competition. To enter, send your image(s) to photos@childrenwithcancer.org.uk and be sure to include a short description of why it represents the competition’s theme of ‘childhood’. The closing date for entries is Monday 2 September, 2013. Entry is free for children, with a suggested donation of £5 for adults. Judge Nicky Johnston says: “I was very flattered when Children with Cancer UK asked me to judge their photography competition again this year. I was a mess judging last year’s entries! “I came in from working with celebrities all day, printed them all out and laid them on the floor, thinking I will get this done before dinner. What I wasn’t expecting was firstly to be so shocked at how amazing these pictures were, and secondly how emotional I would become looking at them. “I think we all carry on with our lives without thinking about what others are going through, and for me this was a real wake up call. I can’t wait to see all the fab entries for 2013.” Along with Johnston and Resner, Digital Camera magazine editor Geoff Harris will also judge the 2013 entries. Children with Cancer UK has raised more than £150 million since 1988 to help the fight against childhood cancer, and aims to determine the causes, find cures and provide care for children with cancer. Because it receives no funding from the government, the organisation relies entirely on voluntary donations to invest millions of pounds in the fight against childhood cancer. Thanks to the support of thousands of people volunteering their time and money, the group can help event more children with cancer and save every young life that might otherwise be lost forever. To learn more Children with Cancer UK’s important work, visit their website, ‘Like’ their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter under @CwC_UK.

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