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PLUS BUYERS’ GUIDES Issue 102 • July 2015
manual vs auto challenge
dial m for
manual
Learn when it’s best to manually control your DSLR and when you can rely on auto settings
FREE OFFICIAL CANON CITY GUIDE No.1
London’s unique photo spots
The magazinneo.1 for
CANON users!
expert canon skills
escape to the country How to take charming village
free! PORTRAIT POSING GUIDE See Page 149
and countryside scenic shots
more in-depth tests
mighty macros Eight dedicated close-up lenses get our new lab test treatment
MASTERING MANUAL MODE
It’s the holy grail of DSLR photography, but how does Manual mode stack up against the fully auto modes? Find out which is best overall on page 32
Our Guarantee
Welcome...
Y Peter Travers Editor
our Canon DSLR is a highly evolved machine, but is it really clever enough to beat a man (or woman) when it comes to photography? This issue we’ve created a great Canon challenge; a man using only manual modes versus a DSLR’s automatic settings. From shooting modes to exposures, we reveal when it’s best to control your camera manually and when you can safely rely on auto settings – see page 32. Down in delightful Dorset, this month’s Apprentice gets expert Canon tuition learning how to take beautiful photographs of the Great British countryside, from rural village scenes to country manors, all while dealing with typical UK summer weather; there was sun, clouds, heavy rain showers, and even a hailstorm! See page 8. Also inside your bigger, better PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine we continue our new regular articles, including a new Canon pro interview with top UK portrait photographer of the rich and famous, Harry Borden, new Canon School technical advice about apertures, new readers’ Photo Stories, and our Canon columnist David Noton talks about shooting California’s giant sequoia trees and Hanging Rock. We also test a bunch of new Canon gear, as eight of the latest macro lenses get our new lab testing treatment, we test six variable ND filters, plus the new EOS M3 compact system camera. We have new video guides, with more Canon skills, and Photoshop, Lightroom and Canon DPP software editing guides. There’s part three of our free and collectable Portrait Posing Guides, plus we give away the first of six digital Canon City Guides. Turn the page for full content details.
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32
CONTENTS 50
Manual vs auto
Dial M for Manual mode
Learn when it’s best to manually control your DSLR and when you can rely on auto settings in the ultimate Man vs Camera challenge
8
Essentials
20 Inspirational Canon imagery 30 Subscribe today 32 Dial M for Manual mode 78 Photo Stories 84 Focus Point 136 Back issues 145 Next issue 146 Canondrum
The top ten best Canon shots from our latest ‘dawn light’ photography competition
Save money when you subscribe, plus get a free Manfrotto LED light worth £45 Discover when to manually control your DSLR and when auto settings are best
Readers showcase a gallery of their images and reveal how they bagged the shots Your views on the new-look magazine plus Shot of the Month, fun stats and more
Missed a mag? Didn’t get our special 100th edition? Details on back issues here
A sneak peek at what’s coming up in the August issue in just four weeks time… Put your Canon photography knowledge to the test in our monthly quiz
4
Canon pros
8 The Apprentice 42 David Noton On Location 70 The Canon Conversation 86 My Kit
Learn how to photograph Great British countryside scenes during ‘summer’ weather
Our globetrotting columnist heads to a big US national park to shoot giant sequoias
Award-winning portrait pro Harry Borden reveals how he shoots famous faces Oliver Wright explains the kit he uses when shooting Arctic wildlife and landscapes
New tests
108 Gear Update
Our roundup of all the latest shiny new kit to accessorize your Canon camera
112 Full Test: EOS M3
We test Canon’s new compact system camera: it’s 24Mp, but is it better than the M?
Test: 114 Mini Variable ND filters
Affordable lens filter solutions for extending your shutter speeds from seconds to minutes
Super Test: 116 macro lenses Canon School 90 Canon DSLR Essentials The complete Software Solutions 130 Buyers’ Guide 96 for DSLRs and lenses Take control of your apertures to reach new heights with your creative photography Our essential Canon Digital Photo Professional software tutorials continue, plus how to use Canon’s EOS Remote app
101 EOS S.O.S
Your Canon queries answered and photos appraised in our EOS Q+A section
We test eight of the latest and greatest Canon-fit close-up lenses – which is best choice?
116
Every current Canon EOS DSLR – plus every available Canon-fit lens from Canon, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and more!
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Issue 102 July 2015
THIS MONTH’S
FREE videos
70
10 ways to improve your photography today
46
42
Project 1: Capture a wider view by merging shots into a big panorama
50
Project 2: Take great close-ups of flowers with just your zoom lens
52
Project 3: Shoot a high-key portrait indoors using an external flashgun Photoshop elements
56
58
64
Canon software
free! Official canon city photo guides
Project 4: Combine panning Project 5: Learn how to mimic the colourful Harris with flash to capture shutter effect high-speed action Photoshop CC
Lightroom
No.1 London’s unique photo spots
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Tutorial 2: Combine a portrait with a sketching hand for an arty effect
Tutorial 3: Discover Lightroom’s Map module to organize your photos
Tutorial 1: How to master the PSE’s variety of Intelligent Selection tools
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Canon School: Recover shadows and highlights in Digital Photo Professional
READ THE TUTORIALS… THEN WATCH OUR EXPERT VIDEOS
Look out FOR THIS ICON!
52 The Canon Magazine
ideo view the v Download the first of six Canon photo guides for Europe’s best cities from our Video Disc or from this web link: http://downloads.photoplusmag. com/City_Guide_-_London.pdf
To view our ‘pop-out’ videos, tap these badges that appear alongside the tutorials inside the magazine, or type the link that appears alongside into your web browser.
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THESE VIDEO TUTORIALS ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND NOT ENDORSED OR SPONSORED BY CANON OR ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
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Meet the team... Print 20,240 Digital 4,289 The ABC combined print, digital and digital publication circulation for Jan-Dec 2014 is
24,529 A member of the Audited Bureau of Circulations
Who we are, what we do, and our personal highlights of issue 102…
PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, Future Publishing, Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA Editorial +44 (0)1225 442244 photoplus@futurenet.com
Peter Travers
Adam Waring
peter.travers@futurenet.com
adam.waring@futurenet.com
Editor • 5D Mark III
Operations editor • 7D
Peter enjoyed photographing the Great British countryside and rural scenes around Dorset, along with our Canon expert and Apprentice. Page 8
Adam has a soft spot for ballet and was thrilled when he saw this issue’s Photo Stories, so much so, he came to work in his pink, sparkly leotard. Page 78
Hollie Latham
Martin Parfitt
hollie.latham@futurenet.com
martin.parfitt@futurenet.com
Technique editor • 60D
Art editor • 600D
Hollie has a sweet tooth and enjoyed chomping through several punnets of strawberries while shooting her Harris shutter effect project. Page 58
Martin is a secret bean counter but gets confused when it comes to aperture digits, so he loved this month’s Digital SLR Essentials in Canon School. Page 90
Angela Nicholson
Chris George
angela.nicholson@futurenet.com
chris.george@futurenet.com
Head of testing • 5D Mk III
Group editor-in-chief • 650D
Nature nut Angela enjoyed our macro lens Super Test. Page 116 Plus she was excited about Hähnel Captur, which sets up infrared traps. Page 108
The big boss has a penchant for panoramas and loved this month’s project, but was glad it wasn’t him camping out overnight on Helvellyn. Page 46
This issue’s contributors… John Fanning
Our Canon expert guided our Apprentice around Dorset capturing the Great British countryside. Page 8
Oliver Wright
Landscape and wildlife photographer Oliver Wright reveals what kit he couldn’t be without. Page 86
Marcus Hawkins
This issue our camera hero battled an evil Canon EOS robot in our tough Man vs Camera challenge. Page 32
Andrew James
Confused about your apertures? Our expert Andrew explains all you need to know. Page 90
Advertising & Marketing Matt Bailey Account director 01225 687511 matt.bailey@futurenet.com Claire Harris Account manager 01225 687221 claire.harris@futurenet.com Sasha McGregor Advertising Business Manager 01225 687675 sasha.mcgregor@futurenet.com Charlotte Lloyd-Williams Campaign Manager Production & distribution Vivienne Calvert Production controller Mark Constance Production manager Michelle Brock Trade Marketing Manager 0207 429 3683 Printed in the UK by: William Gibbons & Sons Ltd Distributed by: Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PT, Tel: 0207 429 4000 Overseas distribution by: Seymour International Subscriptions & back issues UK reader order line & enquiries 0844 848 2852 Overseas order line & enquiries +44 1604 251045 Online enquiries www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk Email photoplus@myfavouritemagazines.co.uk Licensing Regina Erak International director regina.erak@futurenet.com Management Nial Ferguson Content & marketing director Matthew Pierce Head of content & marketing, photography Chris George Group editor-in-chief Rodney Dive Group art director
Chief executive Zillah Byng-Maddick Non-executive chairman Peter Allen Chief financial officer Richard Haley
David Noton
Our David continues his travelogue, visiting the iconic Sequoia National Park in California. Page 42
Brian Worley
Our technical wizard Brian gets to the bottom of your Canon queries in our EOS SOS Q+A section. Page 101
Harry Borden
This top UK pro portrait photographer tells us how it all started on his father’s pig farm in Devon. Page 70
Matthew Richards
Matthew loved getting up close and personal with eight macro lenses for our Super Test. Page 116
Our contributors Ben Andrews, Harry Borden, George Cairns, David Clark, John Fanning, Jonny Gawler, Pete Gray, Marcus Hawkins, Andrew James, Adam Lee, Simon Lees, Andrew McLaughlin, Andy McGregor, Mike McNally, David Noton, James Paterson, Matthew Richards, Tom Welsh, Brian Worley, Oliver Wright
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The PhotoPlus team Peter Travers Editor Adam Waring Operations editor Hollie Latham Technique editor Martin Parfitt Art editor Shona Cutt Deputy art editor Angela Nicholson Head of testing Ali Jennings Lab manager Shutterstock Cover photo
Tel +44 (0)207 042 4000 (London) Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244 (Bath) Printed in the UK by William Gibbons and Sons Ltd, on behalf of Future. Distributed by Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PT. Tel 020 7429 4000. Overseas distribution by Seymour International.
PhotoPlus is an independent publication and is not in any way authorised, affiliated, nor sponsored by Canon. All the opinions expressed herein are those of the magazine and not that of Canon. ‘EOS’ and all associated trademarks are the property of Canon. © Future Publishing Limited 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Registered office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath, BA1 1UA. All information contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. You are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price and other details of products or services referred to in this publication. Apps and websites mentioned in this publication are not under our control. We are not responsible for their contents or any changes or updates to them. If you submit unsolicited material to us, you automatically grant Future a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine, including licensed editions worldwide and in any physical or digital format throughout the world. Any material you submit is sent at your risk and, although every care is taken, neither Future nor its employees, agents or subcontractors shall be liable for loss or damage.
We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from well managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free manufacture. Future Publishing and its paper suppliers have been independently certified in accordance with the rules of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).
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PHOTOPLUSApprentice
GREAT BRITISH
COUNTRYSIDE Our Apprentice learns how to photograph stunning rural scenes in Dorset, in typically unpredictable British ‘summer’ weather...
Words Peter Travers Location shots Simon Lees
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www.digitalcameraworld.com
SHOOT WITH An expert
canon expert Name:
John Fanning Camera:
Canon EOS-1D X Although he has a full-time job as an environmental engineer, 54-year-old John has an awardwinning portfolio more impressive than some full-time pros; it’s even more impressive when you realize he’s only been taking photos since 2007 (his first Canon DSLR was a 300D) and is entirely self-taught. John is an expert at photographing the landscape around his home town of Weymouth – for details of his photography workshops, and to see his portfolio, visit www.johnfanning.co.uk.
The Canon Magazine
APPRENTICE Name:
Brendan Waterman Camera:
Canon EOS 6D Brendan, 30, is a gas engineer from Tonbridge, Kent. He’s been hooked on photography since he was 16, and has been a PhotoPlus subscriber for two years. Brendan bought his first Canon DSLR, a 550D, five years ago, and now uses a full-frame 6D. Although he’s sold photos, and has a strong portfolio at www.photowaterman.co.uk, he asked for our help to improve his landscape shots.
9
PHOTOPLUSApprentice TECHNIQUE ASSESSMENT
Canon expert John gave Brendan two key tips to improve his basic setup for shooting landscapes
FIX YOUR FOCUSING “Brendan is a very good amateur photographer, but he just needed a little fine-tuning to make his technique perfect,” says John. “He was focusing manually, using Live View and zooming in to ensure his shots were sharp – all of which is fine. But he was focusing too far into scenes, which could mean his foregrounds would appear soft. I got him to focus one-third up the frame instead, for sharper scenes from front to back – that way everything one-third before and two-thirds after his focus point will appear acceptably sharp.”
Brendan’s comment For this shot of Abbotsbury in Dorset we climbed a hill by the chapel for a view back down to the village, with the low sun highlighting the church and hillside perfectly. I zoomed in to 55mm with the EF 24-105mm lens on my 6D, composing the shot to include the most interesting buildings and using an aperture of f/18 for good depth of field, so the whole village was in focus. I also used the tracks and wall as leading lines to the focal point. I cropped to a large postcard-shape 16x9 ratio to complement the panoramic scene.
top gear #1
L-series zoom lenses
MASTER MANUAL “Unlike most enthusiasts who rely on Av (Aperture Priority) mode for landscape shots, Brendan was confident using Manual mode, taking control of his apertures and shutter speeds independently,” says John. “However, he wasn’t half-pressing his shutter button so that his camera could meter the scene before adjusting his shutter speed. Once he did this, the exposure level indicator appeared, and he could then dial in the shutter speed so the indicator moved into the middle for a good exposure.”
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“Zoom lenses give you much greater freedom and control when you’re composing landscape shots,” says John. “My two main lenses are the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM II wide-angle, and the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM standard-to-telephoto zoom. On my full-frame 1D X these cover a good range, from expansive ultra-wide scenes to further-afield shots. I only ever use the lenses at their optimum apertures, between f/11 to f/18, and I find both are super-sharp at these settings.”
www.digitalcameraworld.com
SHOOT WITH An expert
HOT SHOT #1 Lens
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Exposure
1/25 sec, f/18, ISO100
Shoot in the Raw For the best image quality in landscape shots, shoot in Raw – it offers the highest resolution, and the most control for correcting and enhancing images. “Remember, you can often brighten a dark Raw image, but you can’t rescue an overexposed shot if there’s no detail in areas (such as bright clouds) to bring back,” says John. “But bear in mind that the preview on your LCD is JPEG, so while the highlights alert may be flashing, your Raw files will retain more detail which you can possibly recover.”
The Canon Magazine
11
PHOTOPLUSApprentice john’s Top Ten tips for capturing the countryside
1
Location plan Choose a handful of countryside spots that are close to each other but also offer plenty of variety. We had pretty ponds, cottages and lanes, lakes and trees, rapeseed fields with country manors, lone trees, and hill-top views of villages.
2
Watch the weather Every good outdoor photographer watches the forecasts, but bear in mind that you’ll only get a fairly reliable forecast the day before a shoot. And don’t just look for sunny days – mixed weather and stormy conditions can enhance scenic shots.
3
Be flexible We had several photo hot spots lined up, but we had to adapt to the weather conditions, and change our locations and the types of shots we took.
4
Experiment with lenses Don’t always use your favourite lens, whether it’s a wide-angle or a standard zoom – use both at every location to see which captures the scene best. Try a telephoto too, for focusing on interesting details.
5
Shoot all day We often say landscapes are best captured in the ‘golden hour’ light around sunrise and sunset, but don’t limit yourself to these windows – we shot all day in Dorset, and look at our photos!
6
Change direction Try shooting with the sun at your back, at your side, and into the sun – all three shots will look radically different, but one might stand out as best.
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Different depths of field Don’t stick to narrow apertures such as f/16. Try wider apertures, such as f/8 or even f/2.8, for less depth of field to make key features stand out.
8
Pin-sharp shots Getting your focus right, wide lenses and narrow apertures, and a remote control and tripod will help you get sharp shots. Use Mirror Lock-up too.
9
Highlight alert Enabling the Highlight Alert in your Canon’s blue menu will show areas in your shots such as white clouds that are overexposed, so you can adjust your shutter speed, if necessary, to darken exposures.
10
Clean lens, clean images Always carry a micro-fibre cloth – they’re essential for wiping rain from your lenses and filters to avoid smears, and they’re also good for wiping away sea spray when you’re shooting at the coast.
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Brendan’s comment This is a shot of the pretty pond setting in the village of Sutton Ponytz. We dodged many downpours before we could compose carefully, getting under the last tree and closer to the ducks and bridge, to avoid getting any cars in shot. The focal length of 17mm has comfortably captured a wide scene, and I used my Lee Filters 0.6 (2-stop) neutral density soft grad to hold the light back from the bright sky, which was partly blocked by the overhanging branches. The reeds act as foreground interest, then I just waited for the ducks to swim into the centre of the frame.
Digital spirit level setting “It’s important to get your scenic shots level; they’ll look awkward and unbalanced if the horizon is tilted,” says John. “Use the digital spirit level on your DSLR’s rear LCD if it has one – press Info or Display until it appears. I find it’s easier to use this spirit level, as it’s bigger than the smaller one you can display when using Live View.”
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