Review Digital Camera World 09-14-2013

Digital Camera World

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Professional photographers: 18 things we wish we knew as beginners Sep 13th 2013, 23:01, by jmeyer Hindsight is a wonderful thing… or at least it would be if we could go back in time and tell ourselves then what we've discovered since! But perhaps it's not too late for you. In their latest guest blog post, the photo management and Canon Project1709 experts at Photoventure have spoken to the pros and discovered the 18 things they really wish they knew when they were starting out in photography. Take these points on board and learn from their mistakes! 1. Planning before the shoot We can't emphasise enough how important the planning stage is prior to a shoot of any kind. It can be anything from a portrait to a landscape – scheduling and timing is paramount; turn up late for a shoot with a client, and they might never give you work again; turn up late to shoot a landscape, and you'll find that the perfect sunset waits for no one. You might also want to consider putting a checklist together just to ensure that you have all the kit you need – there's nothing more frustrating than getting to your location and finding that you really need an additional piece of kit. 2. You don't need expensive high-end kit to take good pictures Some are convinced that how good your photographs are is really down to the camera you use and believe the principle of 'a photographer is only as good as her camera'. Well, having high-end kit can certainly help make your shots look great, but without the creative eye of the photographer, it will never be a great picture. 3. Don't rely on editing your pictures As photo editing software gets more advanced, it becomes increasingly tempting to get lazier with your photography and edit any mistakes or make further enhancements on your computer. We're certainly not against photo editing here at Photoventure – in fact we advocate it! However we like to remind ourselves not to simply rely on Photoshop all the time – learning how to achieve certain effects in-camera can go a long way to improving our skill as a photographer. 4. Don't get preoccupied with technicalities – capturing the moment is more important In our mission to become better photographers, it can be easy to fall into the trap of over-thinking certain shots with the technical details of your camera settings. Of course, it's important to learn about what your camera is capable of, and to understand what settings to choose for certain shots, but spend too much time thinking about this and you risk missing the moment you're trying to capture altogether. 5. Carry a spare battery It's a simple tip, but easy to forget. Make carrying around a spare battery something that is part of your routine – and make sure it's always fully charged! There's nothing worse than being outdoors somewhere remote, surrounded by amazing scenery, but without the means to capture it. 6. Don't overdo ND and polarising filters Used in the right way, ND and polarising filters can make your shots look stunning and very professional. Overdo it though, and the effect is quite the opposite. READ MORE 55 reasons your photos aren’t working 99 common photography problems (and how to solve them) Famous Photographers: 100 things we wish we knew starting out 49 awesome photography tips and time savers SEO for photographers: tips for sharing photos online Claim a free backpack with a Vanguard ABEO Pro purchase! (Promo Feature) Sep 13th 2013, 15:00, by jmeyer Versatility is incredibly important to photographers these days. No longer do people photograph just one thing. Landscape enthusiasts shoot weddings on the weekend, while many commercial photographers might like a break from meetings and architecture to shoot a quiet coastal scene. Digital technology has broadened our capabilities, and thus our interests, but the common gene that links us all together is the need for a good tripod. Thankfully Vanguard, a global leader in tripods and camera accessories, has a solution in its award-winning ABEO Pro line of tripods. Vanguard’s ABEO Pro range offers incredible versatility with a slew of advanced features designed for rapid setup at any angle – on any terrain – and incorporate the company’s popular GH-300T pistol grip ball head with Hot Trigger shutter release. ABEO Pro tripods also boast a Multi-Angle Central Column with its Instant-Swivel-Stop-N-Lock system, Quick Adjustment central column pivot lock, individually adjustable leg angles with ergonomic release buttons, and 3-in-1 All-Terrain Feet. In particular, you might wish to choose the award-winning ABEO Pro 283CGHT. The multi-functional Vanguard ABEO Pro 283CGHT offers dual panning axes, including a 72-click-point panning base, for landscape photographers who want ultra-precise panoramic photography, and smooth movements that should appeal to wildlife and sports photographers who are constantly tracking moving subjects. Macro photographers, meanwhile, will enjoy its Multi-Angle Central Column system that allows users to move the central column from 0 to 180-degree angles in variable vertical and horizontal positions. Its Instant Swivel Stop-n-Lock (ISSL) System securely repositions the central column in one movement, while maintaining the tripod's stability. Here’s a quick video showing the ABEO Pro 283CGHT in action and how it works in a range of situations. Get a free photo backpack with every Vanguard ABEO Pro purchase Vanguard is offering photographers the opportunity to receive a free photo backpack with purchases of its ABEO Pro line of tripods. From now until 31 December 2013, Vanguard is offering photographers a free The Heralder backpack with every purchases of an ABEO Pro tripod. The Heralder 46 daypack, which you can claim free with any purchase of the ABEO Pro tripods listed below, offers Quick Side Access to your gear and is capable of holding a DSLR with a telephoto lens attached,  up to three extra lenses, a flash unit and a laptop compartment for computers with up to a 14″ wide screen. Other features include a tablet front pocket storage, rain cover, and accessory pockets. And perhaps most importantly, its integrated tripod carrying system allows you to carry your ABEO Pro easily on your back. Photographers will receive a free The Heralder 46 backpack with the purchase of the following Vanguard ABEO Pro tripods: ABEO Pro 283CGHT ABEO Pro 284CT ABEO Pro 283CT Alternatively, you can claim a free The Heralder 33 backpack with the purchase of the following Vanguard ABEO Pro tripods: ABEO Pro 284AT ABEO Pro 283AT ABEO Pro 283AGH ABEO Pro 284AGH ABEO Pro 283AB ABEO Pro 284ATB Claiming your free gift is simple: print off your claim form and send it to Vanguard along with a copy of your purchase receipt – and the UPC bar code [this is the bar code on the product packaging]. Then start planning your next photo holiday! Click here for more details on this offer and how to claim your free backpack READ MORE 49 awesome photography tips and time savers 99 common photography problems (and how to solve them) Famous Photographers: 100 things we wish we knew starting out Digital Camera Issue 143 now on sale! Sep 13th 2013, 11:22, by jmeyer Issue 143 of Digital Camera, Britain’s best-selling photography magazine, goes on sale today! This issue’s main feature is about the top 10 creative effects that every photographer must know. So, we explain how to get nicely blurred backgrounds on portraits, how to slow water, get amazing light trails and more. It’s all explained step-by-step with plenty of guidance for beginners. Another big highlight of this issue is an easy guide to getting cool macro close-ups in September, and a beginners guide to flash photography. Hardware-wise, we test two really exciting new compact system cameras, the Panasonic GF6 and the Samsung NX300, complete with whopping 20Mp sensor. We’ve also got a major group test of 50mm portrait lenses, starting from under £80! We’ve also got three great free gifts this issue, including four new wallet-sized tips cards on creative photo effects, and an all-new disc on landscape photography skills. We’re also giving away a handy guide to animal photography on our disc. Click here to buy the digital edition Click here for details on our range of subscription offers READ MORE 9 creative photo ideas to try in September 10 common camera mistakes every photographer makes 10 common exposure problems every photographer faces (and how to fix them) Breaking bad photo habits: 10 classic blunders and easy ways to improve

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