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“prepare to get dirty” 5 tips for extreme sports shots

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macro lenses

budget buys to get shots this good

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readers’ top

locations Your favourite photo hotspots

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Welcome A new dawn has broken – welcome to the first issue of Digital SLR Plus! This free monthly mini mag is packed full of additional content to enhance your enjoyment of Digital SLR magazine. Tell your friends to sign up to get this and future versions.

For the grand sum of zero pence, we’re giving you some top-quality, jargon-free features. This issue starts by sharing our readers’ favourite UK photo locations.

We’ll also be taking natural-looking outdoor portraits, which may seem like a tricky thing, so we’ve put together some simple posing tips to make it easier. And if you’re thinking of buying a macro lens, we review six affordable optics that will give you frame-filling close-ups without breaking the bank.

We love seeing your photos at Digital SLR. This month reader Owen Franssen shares his top tips for shooting mountain biking action.

I hope you enjoy this slice of bonus content. If you want to see more, seek out a copy of Digital SLR, and our cracking subscription deal that will save you a load of cash.

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Your favourite photo locations We asked you to name your favourite photo locations. Here are the results

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n Digital SLR magazine this month we unveiled 44 amazing locations that you just have to visit with your camera. But, since we believe in reader power, we also wanted to give you the chance to suggest the scenes you think are worth shooting. We put the call out on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/DSLRMag) and you duly answered…

Nick McClelland

“The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is the perfect location for some great landscapes.”

Matty Graham, Editor mattygraham@ bright-publishing.com

Sarah Miners

“Warwick Castle has lots of p opportunities all in one place. walk into the town centre to g

Andrew Pettey

“Clovelly in North Devon. A lovely spot and a well-kept secret.”

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LOCATIONS

what the numbers mean

they’re the 44 photo hotspots in our latest issue. buy it today or subscribe and get it free

7

Get the issue free Find 44 more photo hotspots – and how to shoot them – in our latest issue. Get it FREE if you subscribe by Direct Debit today at just £6.50 per quarter

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M Morrison

6

“The Callanish Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis.

They’re best viewed at night under a bright moon.”

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Mike Lewis

“Tarn Hows in the Lake District. Simply a stunning place to be on a still day – the reflections on the lake have to be seen to be believed.”

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19

15

27

16 23

36 18

37-44

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26

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photo . You can then get some more.”

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29 31 Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DSLRMag

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9 21 35 11 James Farley

“I’ll steer clear of the countryside and say central London. Brilliant for cityscapes, as well as street photography.”

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equipment

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5 of the best:

macro lenses

Want to get closer to your subject, but haven’t got a huge budget? Ian Fyfe gives the low-down on five of the best affordable macro lenses on the market…

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our kit lens will let you get pretty close when shooting butterflies and dragonflies, but if you really want to capture the intricate details of these beautiful creatures, then it’s worth considering a macro lens. These

optics reproduce your subject at lifesize on the sensor so that the final image blows up something the size of your fingernail to the size of your computer screen.

Macro lenses come in different focal lengths and at different prices,

but you don’t have to spend a fortune. There’s a great choice below £500, and I’ve taken a look at five of the best to see which are best for photographing some fluttering friends. See, you can shoot macro without breaking the bank!

Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM £422 here’s a lot about this lens that makes it ideal for insect close-ups – the 100mm focal length lets you keep your distance, the ultrasonic autofocus motor means it makes virtually no noise, and the focusing mechanism is internal so there’s no movement. Image quality is decent too, with apertures of between f/4 and f/8 giving the best results in terms of detail, and an ultra low dispersion glass element prevents coloured fringes. The only drawback is its price – since its performance is no better than cheaper alternatives, it’s not the best value. It’s obviously only of interest to Canon users too.

T

Specification Focal length 100mm Aperture range f/2.8f/32 Minimum focusing distance 31cm Length 119mm Diameter 79mm Weight 600g Fittings Canon

“The ultrasonic motor means there is virtually no noise when focusing”

Tamron SP AF 60mm f/2 £354 his lens has a wider maximum aperture than most at f/2, meaning that you can achieve a shallower depth-of-field. This is great if you want to focus on a specific detail like the eyes and leave the rest of the image blurred. Internal focusing means the lens barrel doesn’t move so won’t scare your subject, although the focal length means you have to get quite close. Images taken with this lens aren’t the sharpest, so you might find that detail’s a little soft, but performance at apertures between f/2.8 and f/5.6 is better than most of the other lenses. In short, for sharp images with such a shallow depth-of-field, this is your best option.

T

Specification Focal length 60mm Aperture range f/2-f/22 Minimum focusing distance 23cm Length 80mm Diameter 73mm Weight 390g Fittings Canon, Nikon, Sony

“internal focusing means the barrel won’t move, so it won’t scare subjects” 4 DIGITAL SLR Plus

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O ad shoo sub

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Our latest issue is packed with dvice on using macro lenses to ot butterflies. Get it FREE if you bscribe by Direct Debit today at just £6.50 per quarter

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Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di £348 he focal length of this lens means you don’t need to get too close to your subject – great for insects you might think, until you frame one up and engage the autofocus. With the angry wasp-like buzz of the focusing and the extension of the lens barrel that means it’s moving within a few centimetres of your subject, insects might not hang around. The manual focusing ring is smooth though, so you can use this to eliminate the noise.

You can get some crisp, detailed shots too – at apertures of f/4 and above, image quality could barely be better. It’s also one of the cheapest of the six, so great value too.

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Specification Focal length 90mm Aperture range f/2.8-f/32 Minimum focusing distance 29cm Length 97mm Diameter 71.5mm Weight 405g Fittings Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax

“This lens is the cheapest in our guide, it offers good value for money”

Nikon 60mm f/2.8 G AF-S ED £404 ick up this lens and it’s immediately clear that it’s well built – one reason for its high price. That’s not all you get for your money though; it has an internal focusing mechanism and the motor is all but silent – two big advantages with insects. The autofocus is also fast, so if your subject’s moving it’ll help you capture your shot.

Image quality is disappointing for the price though – even at its sharpest aperture setting, detail is soft. On the plus side, it’s excellent at controlling chromatic aberration and there are no coloured fringes at any aperture setting. This makes it seem expensive, but you get speedy autofocus and high build quality for your money.

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Specification Focal length 60mm Aperture range f/2.8-f/32 Minimum focusing distance 18.5cm Length 89mm Diameter 73mm Weight 425g Fittings Nikon

“It’s clear that this lens is well built – one reason for its high price”

Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG £369 the focal length of this lens means you W hile can keep your distance to some extent, the autofocus motor isn’t quiet and won’t be appreciated by insects. Thankfully, the focusing ring is extremely smooth, so if you’re happy to do things manually then it makes fine adjustments simple. In terms of sharpness, this lens has the edge over the others. At apertures of f/4 to f/11, detail is extremely crisp and this doesn’t change much as you move towards the edges of the image.

Detail is key for macro, so in combination with its convenient focal length and good build quality, this makes the Sigma 70mm a fantastic buy.

Specification Focal length 70mm Aperture range f/2.8f/22 Minimum focusing distance 25cm Length 95mm Diameter 76mm Weight 527g Fittings Canon, Nikon, Sony, Sigma, Pentax

“This lens has a good combination of a useful focal length and build quality” Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DSLRMag

DIGITAL SLR Plus 5

Top Tips Every month we showcase the work of one reader who goes above and beyond. Owen Franssen is a photographer with a passion for mountain biking

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ou can check out Owen’s cool action photography in Issue 81 of Digital SLR, but if you fancy giving mountain biking photography a try, here are a handful of tips from the man himself. Follow these five tips and you’re on the trail to success!

TOP TIP

1

Be patient “These techniques take time to get right so don’t be disappointed if you don’t get the best results on your first attempt. Keep practising – sooner or later you will get it.”

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READEr’s shots

2

Do your homework “I always spend a bit of time researching the area where I’m going to be taking pictures. Looking on the Internet is good, for instance at Google maps, but there’s no substitute for actually getting in the car and visiting a location and walking the trail. Take your camera along so you can take a couple of test shots and see what the light levels will be like.”

“Use websites like google to recce your location ahead of the photoshoot”

3

Experiment with lighting “Using off-camera flash really brings a fresh look to the images.

You can experiment by placing the flashguns at different angles, to create a different look.

Just remember not to place them where they will distract a competitor, or you’ll be asked to move on pretty quickly.”

SEE MORE OF OWEN’S WORK We showcase Owen’s stunning biking images in the latest issue of Digital SLR. Subscribe today

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5

Be prepared to get dirty “The trails are just mud tracks and the wheels often kick up mud. I try to get as low as possible as this often gets you the good viewpoints, but it does mean getting dirty. Take along some waterproofs and a microfibre wipe to clean the camera. If you’re not prepared to get dirty, you shouldn’t really be doing this sort of photography.”

4

Up the ISO “If you are shooting in the woods, light levels can be poor. In fact, you may be surprised just how dark it can get. Don’t be afraid to increase your camera’s ISO sensitivity to make sure you get a fast shutter speed. This will keep things looking sharp. I use a Nikon D7000, which works well at high ISO settings. I can go beyond ISO 800 without any noticeable difference in the image quality.”

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TECHNIQUE

Strike a pose Great portraits aren’t just down to good camera technique. As a photographer, it’s your job to help the subject pose well too. Here are some tips to get you started

A

s we explained in our main magazine feature, bagging great daytime portraits doesn’t have to be hard work. However, unless you’ve hired a pro model for the day, chances are that you’ll be shooting your partner, kids or a friend, and these subjects may struggle to pull off a relaxed, natural-looking pose without some direction from you, the photographer.

Shoot great portraits Our latest issue has a full guide to taking portraits outdoors.

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1

Starting point Here’s what to avoid: without suitable direction, our lovely subject looks a little nervous and awkward. What’s more, standing straight on to the camera isn’t the most flattering of poses. Let’s see what we can do to improve the situation.

8 DIGITAL SLR Plus

2

Fold the arms A lot of the time, your subject will look awkward simply because they don’t have anything to do with their hands.

As a start, simply ask them to fold their arms. Just look at the huge difference this has made compared to the previous image.

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TECHNIQUE

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MATTY SAYS

Always Give lots of positive feedback when shooting

3

Turn threE quarters As we’ve already mentioned, standing square on doesn’t look so great, so ask your model to try turning three quarters on to the camera. This helps slim down their profile.

Placing their hands on their hips also looks good.

4

Experiment with your poses Once you’ve got some decent shots, try mixing up your poses for some fresh images. Here, we’ve zoomed out and shown our model looking back towards the camera.

Asking her to raise one foot helps give a fashion feel to the shot.

Other ideas Been motivated to get out there and shoot some portraits? Here’s some more inspiration for natural and relaxed poses to get you started

Sit them down If your model is really nervous, slow things down by starting the poses with them sat down on a bench.

Crouch down There may be times when you don’t want to emphasise a subject’s height. So, have your model crouch down, folding one leg lightly over the other.

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Push against pillars The advantage of this pose is that the model can tense her arms against the pillars, creating a striking shape.

“Try mixing up your subject’s poses for fresh and more relaxed portraits” DIGITAL SLR Plus 9

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competition

Win yourself a Brian!

In association with

Ordinary in name, extra-ordinary in nature – the award-winning Brian tripod from 3 Legged Thing could become yours to keep

W

hen it comes to choosing a travel tripod, there’s a lot to consider – but ultimately it’s important that your support of choice is lightweight, robust and compact for easy transportation and use on the move.

The award-winning Brian X1.1 tripod from innovative manufacturer 3 Legged Thing (3LT) ticks all those boxes: designed to fold down to a teeny 42cm and comfortably fit into your suitcase, Brian’s unique triple-section ten-core carbon fibre centre column provides functionality not seen in other travel tripods.

For starters, the central column enables extension of the tripod to the maximum height of just over 2m – which is great for use with off-camera flash – and when used in what the company calls ‘Tri-Mono Mode’, where the central column is fully extended while the three legs are retracted, photographers working with larger lenses can use Brian’s legs to easily stabilise their equipment when it’s not in use, without having to prop it up as you would with a traditional monopod.

Prefer working nearer to ground level?

Brian can be employed to get your camera just 120mm from the floor – and when Brian’s being used with the central column inverted, you can lower your camera right down low

for true close-up macro photography. You can even attach a platform or iPad holder to the tripod’s legs so you can work tethered to a screen and avoid scrabbling around on the floor to see what’s in your shot.

Those who enjoy super-long exposures will be interested to hear that the central column can be completely removed and the head or your camera can be mounted directly on the tripod furniture itself for ultimate rigidity and stability – most useful for longer exposures.

Brian was the first tripod dreamt up by the 3LT gang, but this new version is part of the Evolution 2 range that boasts use of a purer carbon fibre in the ten-core, threesection column construction, for smoother operation and re-engineered leg mechanisms for greater stability in use. New Evo 2 Friction Locks offer a safety double break-point and easy-grip rubbers, making Brian easier to adjust when working in slippery conditions – and the retoned bronze coating offers better camouflage when used in the field. Plus, each Brian comes with a five-year warranty – so you can be sure your new tripod will withstand the adventures you’ve got planned for it…

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic tripod (worth £359!) for your very own, just enter the competition below by answering our simple question.

What is Brian’s folded length?

Print out and fill in the form below and send it to: 3 Legged Thing competition, Digital SLR, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridge CB22 3HJ by the closing date of Thursday 4 July.

The first correct entry out of the hat after this date wins the kit.

3 LEGGED THING COMPETITION Entry Form Q: What is Brian’s folded length?

Answer:

Name:

Address: Postcode: Email:

Telephone:

Return to: 3 Legged Thing Competition, Digital SLR, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridgeshire CB22 3HJ Unless you have ticked the relevant box/es below to indicate your objection to receiving such information, you are also consenting to receive marketing information from us and our partners. Please tick if you do not want to be contacted by: Bright Publishing Third parties 3 Legged Thing

Terms and Conditions One winner picked from readers of Digital SLR and Digital SLR Plus will be notified by email/phone by 26/07/13 and the results may be published in the magazine and/or website.

This competition is open to UK residents only. All entrants must be at least 18 years old. Employees of Bright Publishing and the prize provider and their immediate families and agents may not enter. Entries must be received by 4/07/13. Entries not in accordance with these rules will be disqualified: by entering the competition, competitors will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by these rules. The prize must be taken as offered with no alternative. In the event that the prize cannot be supplied no liability will be attached to Bright Publishing. For full Ts & Cs, please visit www.bright-publishing.com.

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