From the Archive: Don’s Editorial, Photo Review Issue 9 Feb/Mar 2003
Photo Review tips section
How Autofocusing Systems Work
There are two ways for cameras to measure the distance to an object: they can fire a beam of infrared light at it and measure the time it takes to return, or they can look at contrast differences in a small area of the object and adjust the lens until you maximise the difference. The former system was common in early compact digital cameras and may still be found in many camera-phones. The latter has always been popular in DSLRs and is becoming increasingly common in digicams, particularly the more advanced models. Many modern cameras combine both systems.
Guide to Street Photography
If you’ve admired the street photos taken by famous photographers and wanted to try your hand at picturing some of the faces you see at events and civic occasions, there are a few key things to consider.
Focus Testing
Reader query: Would you please be able to tell me where I can get an SLR camera/lens tested for optical quality. I am having focus problems and need to know if the problem is the equipment or me – while there is still some warranty.
Getting Colour Balance Right
Although cameras with manual white balance measurement systems can provide almost cast-free colour photographs, there are times when additional colour reference tools should also be used to ensure you achieve a correct colour balance in any shooting situation
Focusing in Difficult Situations
Correct focusing is the key to a successful photograph. But how often have you looked at a shot and discovered that the areas that should have been sharp are slightly blurred? By understanding how your camera’s AF system works – and how to use it effectively – you can take sharply focused pictures more often and control which areas in the image are sharp.
Filters for Digital Photography
There are two approaches to the use of optical filters with digital cameras. The first asserts that any extra glass inserted in the light path between the subject and the image sensor can degrade the image in various ways. The second maintains that filters are as useful to digital photographers as they were to those who captured pictures on film. The truth lies somewhere between these extremes.
Film-based Digital Imaging
Letter from Des Paroz
Eight Days in the Taupo Volcanic Zone – Day 8: Tongariro Crossing
Today we would achieve the main objective of our trip to New Zealand: to walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Renowned as one of the great day walks in New Zealand, this 19.4 km track traverses steep volcanic terrain and climbs upwards through 800 metres vertically then down through 1050 metres of what promised to be quite the spectacular scenery, we booked on the first bus to leave Discovery Village and, accordingly, we arrived at the start of the walk at the Mangatepopo car park by 6.30 a.m.
Eight Days in the Taupo Volcanic Zone – Days 6 and 7
After the strenuous climb of Ruapehu we decided to take the next two days more easily in preparation for the 19.4 km Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which was scheduled for Day 8. Accordingly, since the weather looked like remaining good for the next three says, we opted to explore the area to the south of Mt Ruapehu on Day 6 and go canoeing on the Whanganui River on day 7.