How do you set up your camera when lights are low? Switch on the flash? Adjust the ISO sensitivity upwards? Reach for a tripod? These are all valid reactions and all have their ‘plusses’ and ‘minuses’.
Photo Review tips section
Margaret’s Kimberley Trip: Days 1 and 2
Wanting to see more of outback Australia, my partner and I decided to visit the Kimberley region in Western Australia, lured by the promise of spectacular scenery plus a taste of the ‘real’ outback. Our visit was timed to ensure the waterfalls were flowing but in advance of the peak tourist season, which covers July and August.
JPEG vs RAW Files
All digital cameras record images in JPEG format and JPEG is the only file format that can be viewed in all viewing devices and edited by all image editors. For this reason, JPEG is known as the universal file format.
Recent Developments in the RAW File Format
All DSLRs and many recent highly-featured digicams support two capture formats: JPEG or Raw. TIFF may also be offered. Raw is quite different from the other two formats in several ways:
File Formats Revisited
Digital photography has come a long way in the past decade. Cameras are offering higher resolution, better performance at high sensitivity settings and greatly reduced power consumption. More user-friendly functions (like live viewing) are being packed into ever smaller bodies, and prices are now affordable for even cash-strapped buyers. But file formats are one of the few features that have not changed.
Improving the Odds
From the Archive: Don’s Editorial, Photo Review Issue 9 Feb/Mar 2003
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