Explore your camera’s creative modes to enhance your shots       Compacts and hybrids have amped up the fun factor of late. In addition to the traditional filters of ‘black-and-white’, ‘sepia’, and ‘negative’, now you can make adjustments that would normally demand the use of editing software, or even special lenses. The most popular creative shooting options include Fish-eye, Miniature, and Colour Accent, which can be f

Colour vs Black and White Why, When, and How to Use it   Black and White Classic, enigmatic, and atmospheric – black and white is timeless. The pioneering photographs of the 19th Century, and its subsequent association with famous figures of photography like Ansel Adams, glamorises this process with an artistic allure. It’s not as easy as turning your camera to ‘Classic’ mode, or converting a colour image later in post-production,

What You’ll need Sunrise and sunset times – knowing these are crucial as the best photographic opportunities are ½ hour either side of the set or rise. Tripod – Long exposure times means a tripod is a must. Manfrotto make good tripods for outdoor photography.  Camera – This type of photography is easier with a DSLR however some compact models have manual controls. Torch – This will come in handy once the sun has set!  

What you’ll need: Camera Preferably with manual modes Macro lens Between 50 - 200mm Tripod For steady, stunning shots   Skills you’ll learn:     Macro in the field Seize outdoor opportunities Indoor lighting Set-up your own studio Capture and edit Master the art of macro       There’s a whole world waiting to b

No matter what you’re shooting, these tips will ensure your best ever photos. Here’s our top 10 shooting tips of all time… 1. Composition rules When you’re setting up your shot think about the rule of thirds, and try to place your horizon on the top or bottom third line, and not through the middle. Look for leading lines to guide the eye, like fences, tree lines or meandering rivers. Place points of interest like castles or dominating trees on the third cross

Celebration! As we celebrate issue 100 of DCE we show you how to take inspirational party images What you’ll need Camera – DSLR or compact. Manual controls are useful however not fully necessary. Light source. Whether you are using flash, natural light or dealing with sunlight learn some simple techniques. Tripod. For lowlight light photography and light trails a tripod is an essential item.  Skills you’ll learn Portrait t

Want to know what essential accessories to buy for your digital camera? Look no further than our top 10 digital camera accessory countdown… 1. Filters Relatively low cost, a filter can enhance your photos no end and can prevent hours of post-production work too. The square filters from Cokin are easy to change and come in a variety of strengths and colours. Click here to read a review of Cokin filters 2. Tripod No matter whether you’re worki

Discover the top 10 ways to edit your photos and create your best ever shots… 1.Soften… Modern digital cameras apply sharpening in-camera (unless you shoot RAW), but often it’s too much, or not enough. To remove over-sharpened edges, copy the layer and add a small amount of Gaussian Blur. Reduce the opacity of the blurred layer to blend with the original. 2. …or  Sharpen To add sharpness to digital images, copy the layer and go to Filter> Sha

Ever wanted to know what the top 10 DSLR cameras of all time are? For the enthusiast or professional photographer, the DSLR offers top image quality with full manual controls. Here are our top 10... 1. Canon EOS 5D Mark II The Canon EOS 5D MK II DSLR is one of the most popular pro DSLR bodies of all time. The full-frame sensor with full HD video for a reasonable price means it's loved by enthusiasts and pros. Read our Canon EOS 5D Mark II review 2. Nikon D3X The D3X D

We reveal the top 10 digital compact cameras of all time, to help you decide which one is best for your needs… 1. Canon Powershot G11 Winner of TIPA’s Award for Best Expert Compact Camera, the Canon G11 boasts a high-sensitivity 10MP sensor, a wide-angle zoom lens, and a 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD screen. Click here to read our review of the Canon G11 2. Ricoh CX3   Ricoh doesn’t rest on its laurels, releasing the CX3 compact camera only six mon