Shooting

Different cameras provide different levels of control, ranging from very basic to highly sophisticated. More sophisticated cameras have external mode dials, although the functions that can be accessed via these dials can vary between simple and highly automated and professional standard.

Sooner or later, every photographer is sure to be asked to take a group photo, either at a family get-together or a reunion of friends and/or classmates or colleagues. It’s a daunting prospect and the larger the group you have to photograph – and the more diverse their ages – the more intimidating it can become. Here’s how to handle it and produce a well-admired group portrait…

How to make the most of photo opportunities when you’re close to water.

The histogram display can provide a useful guide for setting exposures because its shape reflects the tonal distribution in your subject.

Smart autofocusing can mean the difference between a usable image and a missed opportunity that will be discarded. Focusing also influences depth of field: the range of distance within a scene that appears acceptably sharp.

Don’t put your camera away once the sun goes down; there’s plenty of magic to record after dark, whether you’re in a bustling city or an isolated landscape. And you don’t require elaborate equipment if you decide to hand-hold your camera.

Professional photographers and serious enthusiasts capture still images as raw files whenever possible. The reason is simple: raw files provide more image data and give photographers much greater control over white balance, saturation, sharpening and contrast in their images.

For Paul Gummer, great photography is all about the expression of feeling.

David Lazar offers some insight into his award-winning travel work.

When you take a picture, you’re juggling three camera settings: the lens aperture, the shutter speed and the ISO setting. You may also need to adjust white balance (which controls colour rendition).