Review Digital Camera World 09-24-2013

Digital Camera World

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Best circular polarizer filter: 5 top models tested and rated Sep 23rd 2013, 23:01, by jmeyer A circular polarizer filter can help you boost the color and contrast in your images. In our latest group test we seek to find the best circular polarizer for your needs, testing out five of the top filters available. When you browse sites like Flickr or the pages of a magazine and spot really striking landscape shots taken during the day, with bright blue skies, defined clouds and strong contrast, the chances are they've been taken by a pro using a high-quality circular polarizer filter. So what is a polarizer filter? Polarizing filters are a great addition to any photographer's kit bag, because they're brilliant at enhancing saturation and contrast, helping you to produce more vibrant images – while avoiding the need to use Photoshop! They work by selecting which light rays reach your lens, and will cut through haze, deepen blue skies and boost contrast to give your landscape and scenic shots added impact. They're perfect for shooting buildings and cities on bright sunny days because they boost blue skies and increase edge contrast for more dramatic results. A polarizer filter can also cut through reflections in water – should you want to see river beds to give your landscape shots a different feel – and reduce unwanted reflections when shooting non-metallic shiny objects. A polarizing filter will also help to reduce the reflection and glare of bright, white light, meaning you don't burn out your highlights so much. More vibrant photos For the best results, shoot on sunny days with blue skies and a little cloud, with your scenes or subjects at 90 degrees to the direction of sunlight. Once screwed on securely to the end of your lens, rotate the outer ring of the filter to adjust the intensity of its polarizing effect. To ensure your DSLR doesn't try to counteract the work of the filter, set your white balance to a fixed setting such as Daylight. You may also need to dial in a little negative exposure compensation to avoid overly bright results: around -2/3-stop to -1-stop should do it. So, we picked a sunny day, rounded up five circular polarizers from five different makers (with prices from £25 to £132 for 58mm sizes) and set out on location in Somerset to see which one is best. Best circular polarizer filter: 01 Kood Circular Polarizer Price: £25 (58mm) £42 (77mm) At the budget end of the camera filters scale is this affordable circular polarizer from Kood International. It comes in a plastic case to protect it when not in use. Polarizing filters like this prevent your photos from being spoiled by unwanted reflections from glass, water, and other surfaces that scatter light. Image results using the Kood filter were fine and it boosted blue skies well, but didn't lift contrast and detail radically in other areas of our shot. As it's quite thick it also reduced our shutter speeds by 2 1/3 -stops at full intensity. This Kood polarizing filter is certainly good value at just £25 – which is less than half the price of the Hoya in this test – but the quality of the filter itself and the functional (not stunning) effects are unfortunately reflected in that price. We learned using this filter that it's best to turn the circular polarizer outer ring clockwise when adjusting the intensity of the effect – otherwise you end up undoing the filter from the lens! Verdict Pros: Well priced for beginners, boosts skies capably enough; decent overall image results Cons: Feels lacking in quality; thickness means a noticeable impact on shutter speeds; results not outstanding Score: 72% PAGE 1 – Best circular polarizer filter: 01 Kood Circular Polarizer PAGE 2 – Best circular polarizer filter: 02 Hoya PRO1 digital filter PAGE 3 – Best circular polarizer filter: 03 Cokin P164 Circular polarizer PAGE 4 – Best circular polarizer filter: 04 B+W Digital MRC F-PRO PAGE 5 – Best circular polarizer filter: 05 Tiffen Digital HT READ MORE Best graduated neutral density filters: 6 models tested and rated How to choose the best ND filter: free photography cheat sheet 10 tips for using your 10-stop ND filter Camera filters: which type is right for you? 10 landscape photography mistakes every photographer makes The Photography Show unveils new website, first ticket sales for 2014 event Sep 23rd 2013, 16:27, by jmeyer The Photography Show, a major new consumer photography event in the UK, has announced a new website and the first ticket sales for next year’s inaugural event. Set for 1-4 March at The NEC in Birmingham, England, The Photography Show will take the place normally held by Focus on Imaging, which announced its closure earlier this year, and photographers can now register their interest to attend once tickets go on sale next month via The Photography Show’s new website. Organised by Future Publishing, which publishes this website as well as our sister titles in print, Digital Camera, N-Photo and PhotoPlus, The Photography Show is being supported by The Royal Photographic Society, PMA, the British Institute of Professional Photography and the Master Photographers Association. The event will feature stands from many of the nation’s top retailers, as well as manufacturers like Nikon, Fujifilm and Olympus, with more confirming their attendance everyday. In addition to these exhibitors The Photography Show will feature talks from photographic legends and world-leading photographers, workshops and a range of situations for you to photograph, ranging from classic cars, Bollywood dancers, Stormtroopers and even a flower garden complete with wind machine and rain! Click here for information on tickets READ MORE Banish bad pictures: 9 quick fixes for common camera complaints Famous Photographers: 100 things we wish we knew starting out 10 things photographers can do to stop wasting pictures 15 common photography questions from beginners (and how to solve them) 44 essential digital camera tips and tricks 6 self-portrait ideas for every occasion (and how to take them) Sep 23rd 2013, 11:45, by jmeyer From classic headshots to light-hearted Facebook snaps, we have 6 quick and easy self-portrait ideas to liven up your photography. Self-portrait photos, or 'selfies', are huge on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Sharing what you're doing and where you've been with your friends and followers has become fun, easy and virtually instantaneous. But self-portraits don't have to be shaky instant shots taken with a smartphone. Since the earliest days of photography, self-portraits have been taken seriously as a way of expressing a photographer's creativity, improving camera skills and practising techniques. In fact, one of the first photos ever taken of a human, produced on a daguerreotype plate in 1839, was of early photographer Robert Cornelius' own (rather grumpy-looking) face. Most photography students are now regularly given self-portrait tasks and coursework, as it's a brilliant way for them to hone their skills. It can seem a little intimidating to plan and take a shot of yourself, but our six simple, easy-to-set-up self portraits are a great way to get started. You don't need more kit than your DSLR, a kit lens and a tripod, but the latter is essential as you'll need to compose your photos carefully in advance and have freedom to move about in front of the camera. When it comes to taking a self-portrait from a distance, a wireless remote makes focusing and shooting a whole lot easier. Don't worry too much if you haven't got one, though – we've got all the info on how to take shots with a self-timer or intervalometer instead. Ready to go to Selfie School? We're going to look at how to set up a simple monochrome headshot which is perfect for a CV, some silly ideas for Facebook profiles that are a cut above the rest, and some more unconventional self portraits that play with props, weird angles and other creative ideas. 6 stellar self-portrait ideas you really have to try 01 Classic headshot A simple, formal monochrome headshot is a really useful photo to have, and it makes the perfect addition to a CV, LinkedIn profile or a business website. Sit or stand in front of a plain wall with your camera on a tripod in front of you. Siân used a handheld Manfrotto LED light to illuminate one side of her face, but natural light from a window would work just as well.   02 Go wide Pep up your Facebook profile with a fun, cartoony, wide-angle shot. You could use a kit lens for this, but if you can get your hands on a wide-angle lens the distortion will be much more pronounced. You can take the shot handheld as the camera needs to be fairly close to your face for the effect to work.   03 Shoot your reflection Shots taken in a mirror are a great way for photographers to snap self-portraits. Plus, focusing and composition are simple when you can see what you're shooting. Flip the final image horizontally in post-processing so that the camera logo reads the right way.   04 Add props Raid the fancy dress box! The beauty of self-portraits is that you're completely in charge, and you can be as creative as your imagination allows. Think about how you want to express your personality – perhaps you could embody a favourite film or hobby. Face paints, hats and comedy glasses are all fantastic for transforming how you look and adding an element of humour to an otherwise plain selfie.   05 Head to the great outdoors Get brave and head outdoors to take a full-length natural photo in a park or garden. It can feel daunting to snap yourself in public, so take a friend for moral support. Don't let them press the shutter button though – if they do, it's no longer a self-portrait. Try different poses, and lean towards the camera and angle your body sideways for a natural, relaxed portrait.   06 No face needed Who says a self-portrait has to include your head? Try shooting just one part of your body. This is a great technique if you're uncomfortable standing in front of the lens instead of behind it. Hands are expressive, or you could take a close-up of one eye, or a shot of your feet in the environment. PAGE 1: 6 self-portrait ideas you really have to try PAGE 2: Three ways to take a self-portrait READ MORE 10 portrait photography mistakes every photographer makes Free family portrait photography cheat sheet Classic Portrait Ideas: how to take pictures of people from all walks of life Portrait composition: how to compose a portrait that is classic and timeless Family photo ideas: make a striking family portrait from individual faces in profile

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