March 2009
Issue 28
On sale 14 April
Our March 2009 issue includes:
Beginner's Guide: Learn all about perspective
Creative Digital Technique: Using ND filters to affect blur
Photo DIY: Use multiple exposures and paint with light
Beginner's Guide: Using Perspective
It’s unlikely that you give it much thought when you lift a camera to your eye and take a picture, but photography is a two-dimensional medium, and there’s no getting away from it. Whether viewed on a computer monitor, a projector screen, or as prints, photographs are flat; so while they can give an accurate representation of height and width, they can’t show depth. Fortunately, the human brain is very clever and can make assumptions based on information presented to it; so when we look at a photograph, even though we know it’s two-dimensional, we can visualise the missing third dimension by analysing the elements in a scene and deciding which are close to the camera and which are further away. This ‘spatial’ relationship between objects is more commonly referred to as perspective and, when harnessed, it can make an enormous difference to the visual success of an image. In this month’s Beginner’s Guide, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at perspective in its various forms and showing you how it can be applied to different subjects, from landscapes to portraits, to ensure that even though your photographs are flat, you feel as though you could stand up and walk right into them!
Digital Convert: Colin Bell
Celebrity portrait photographer is a career many dream of, and Colin Bell is at the top of the game. Stewart Bywater talks to him about his work, his clients and his conversion to digital, and reveals how his job is one of the most challenging in professional photography
One Hour Photo reader challenge
Reader Jennifer McGregor wrapped up warm and braved the cold to join Lee Frost on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne for the final One Hour Photo challenge of the series
Photo Adventures: Bhutan
Travel photographer Pete Adams reveals how on his recent trip to Bhutan, he fell in love with the beautiful landscape and the wonderful people of a country that has remained virtually unaffected by globalisation
Creative Digital Technique: Motion Studies
Using exposures of several seconds to record motion is a popular photographic technique, but what happens when seconds become minutes? With the aid of a ten-stop neutral density filter, Lee Frost shows how it’s possible for you to create amazing motion studies in the middle of the day – and transform everyday scenes into beautiful fine-art images
Photo DIY: Simple steps to improving your skills
Our major new technique section ensures that you’re never stuck for ideas and inspiration for your next personal photographic challenge. Every month, our dedicated team of experts shows you how, with a little preparation and creativity, it’s possible to produce stunning images with minimal effort. This month we show you how to shoot misty mornings, create a colourful and unusual still-life, shoot a multiple exposure, paint with light and create a virtual glass prison in Photoshop!
Main camera test: Olympus E-30
Olympus has re-entered the highly competitive enthusiast/semi-pro sector of the market with the release of its E-30. With a resolution of 12.3-million pixels, it offers more megapixels than any other model in its E-series system – although Olympus will continue to recognise the E-3 as its flagship model, thanks to the higher durability and waterproofing. As well as the high resolution, the E-30 is also being promoted by Olympus as a DSLR that can inspire its users to be more creative with their photography through the use of its six Art Filters, which offer the chance for in-camera image manipulation without the need of a computer. We investigate whether this concept works, and how the other aspects of the E-30's performance rate
Digital Darkroom: Image editing software packages
Processing in the digital age may seem more complicated than in the days of film, but it’s actually far easier than producing images in a chemical darkroom. As long as you have the right equipment, the process needn’t be taxing – and the result is far more satisfying than leaving it to your lab to do. In this series we look at each stage of the image workflow process.
THIS MONTH'S MAJOR REVIEW IS IMAGE EDITING SOFTWARE: The vital link between taking a great shot and producing stunning images, your software choice can make your life easier, and help you achieve better results.
EXPOSURE: Latest news and reviews
Our new-look news section provides an exciting insight into what's new in the photo world, from books and exhibitions to product launches.
Archive
In This Issue
- Our new-look news section provides an exciting insight into what's new in the photo world, from books and exhibitions to product launches.
- Processing in the digital age may seem more complicated than in the days of film, but it’s actually far easier than producing images in a chemical darkroom. As long as you have the right equipment, the process needn’t be taxing – and the result is far more satisfying than leaving it to your lab to do. In this series we look at each stage of the image workflow process. THIS MONTH'S MAJOR REVIEW IS IMAGE EDITING SOFTWARE: The vital link between taking a great shot and producing stunning images, your software choice can make your life easier, and help you achieve better results.
- Olympus has re-entered the highly competitive enthusiast/semi-pro sector of the market with the release of its E-30. With a resolution of 12.3-million pixels, it offers more megapixels than any other model in its E-series system – although Olympus will continue to recognise the E-3 as its flagship model, thanks to the higher durability and waterproofing. As well as the high resolution, the E-30 is also being promoted by Olympus as a DSLR that can inspire its users to be more creative with their photography through the use of its six Art Filters, which offer the chance for in-camera image manipulation without the need of a computer. We investigate whether this concept works, and how the other aspects of the E-30's performance rate
- Our major new technique section ensures that you’re never stuck for ideas and inspiration for your next personal photographic challenge. Every month, our dedicated team of experts shows you how, with a little preparation and creativity, it’s possible to produce stunning images with minimal effort. This month we show you how to shoot misty mornings, create a colourful and unusual still-life, shoot a multiple exposure, paint with light and create a virtual glass prison in Photoshop!
- Using exposures of several seconds to record motion is a popular photographic technique, but what happens when seconds become minutes? With the aid of a ten-stop neutral density filter, Lee Frost shows how it’s possible for you to create amazing motion studies in the middle of the day – and transform everyday scenes into beautiful fine-art images
- Travel photographer Pete Adams reveals how on his recent trip to Bhutan, he fell in love with the beautiful landscape and the wonderful people of a country that has remained virtually unaffected by globalisation
- Reader Jennifer McGregor wrapped up warm and braved the cold to join Lee Frost on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne for the final One Hour Photo challenge of the series
- Celebrity portrait photographer is a career many dream of, and Colin Bell is at the top of the game. Stewart Bywater talks to him about his work, his clients and his conversion to digital, and reveals how his job is one of the most challenging in professional photography
- It’s unlikely that you give it much thought when you lift a camera to your eye and take a picture, but photography is a two-dimensional medium, and there’s no getting away from it. Whether viewed on a computer monitor, a projector screen, or as prints, photographs are flat; so while they can give an accurate representation of height and width, they can’t show depth. Fortunately, the human brain is very clever and can make assumptions based on information presented to it; so when we look at a photograph, even though we know it’s two-dimensional, we can visualise the missing third dimension by analysing the elements in a scene and deciding which are close to the camera and which are further away. This ‘spatial’ relationship between objects is more commonly referred to as perspective and, when harnessed, it can make an enormous difference to the visual success of an image. In this month’s Beginner’s Guide, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at perspective in its various forms and showing you how it can be applied to different subjects, from landscapes to portraits, to ensure that even though your photographs are flat, you feel as though you could stand up and walk right into them!