172es mirrorless showdown ag
p
ments e supple with fre any a etter th n Bigger & b tography other pho e! issue 148 magazinMarch 2014
read this before buying a system camera!
The Thedefinitive definitiveguide guide to toSLR SLRphotography photography
Macro skills masterclass
let’s get
Close! Discover great ideas for magical macro shots around your house and garden
Get richer Skies today Everything you need to know about polarisers
10
creative ideas for spring!
Banish camera shake for good Get a grip and learn to focus properly with our easy guide
pro advice
creativity
technique
From prolific author and travel pro Michael Freeman
Use shapes and quirky focus for pleasing effects
Make sure you make the most of the golden hour
words of wisdom
Arty abstracts
LIGHT FAntastic
Editor’s Welcome Who you looking at!
Every issue features the world’s best pros… Michael Freeman
Welcome to your new issue of Britain’s best-selling photography magazine
Travel photographer/writer
With his latest book, Capturing Light, about to be published by Ilex, veteran travel pro and author Michael looks back on a 40-year career on page 88.
Darragh Mason Field Travel photographer
Shooting India is about more than the Taj Mahal and saris. Darragh journeys to the heart of darkness, as he meets the Aghori sect on page 32.
The theme of this issue is ‘creativity.’ It’s very easy to get in a photographic rut, and end up making the same kind of images as everyone else. This is a particular problem with very specific genres and techniques, such as macro. So, Chris Rutter has put together a thought-provoking cover feature on macro skills that covers more than the conventional subjects of close-up photography. Even better, you can take these creative images around
your house and garden. Meanwhile, former deputy editor Ben Brain – the most creative photographer I know – has penned a great column on creativity on page 37. Before I sign off, don’t forget to get tickets for The Photography Show, 1-4 March, Birmingham NEC. See you there!
Plus!
visit the photography show 2014! See page 38 for full details
Geoff Harris, Editor geoff.harris@futurenet.com
Don’t miss our new-look digital edition The digital edition of Digital Camera for the iPad and iPhone is now even better!
Contents issue 148/March 2014
experT phoTo adviCe
16 10 Things
ideas to inspire you, including a-ha video effects and macro with shallow depth of field
Chris Robbins
49 shoot!
camera tips and shooting advice to help you perfect your images
71 Photoshop school
expert advice on enhancing your photos, from getting great skies in Photoshop to cool cyanotype effects in Lightroom
Macro photographer
83 Photo Advisor
all your sLr and Photoshop queries answered, including guides to hyperfocal distance and in-camera hDr effects
146 The shot
Chis truly is a god of small things – the small things in this case being insects and their fascinating miniature world. Bug out on page 54!
Jim Mortram praises a moving photo project by Darcy Padilla
68 Back Issues
complete your digital collection with this selection
95 subscribe
Buyer’s Guide
Tap to find the best slrs and CsCs
Your free gifTs
GIft 1 TIPs cArD seT
collection of wallet-sized cards for easy reference – look for them after your copy of Digital Camera
save money and get every issue delivered automatically
139 next month
easy guide to home macro shots
Cameras and gear
100 nikon D3300
explore Nikon’s new entry-level sLr, plus the collapsible kit lens making its debut at the same time
108 nikon D5300
This update to the 5200 adds Wi-Fi and GPs connectivity, and boosts the image processing
GIft 2 BAck To BAsIcs complete mini-magazine – look for it after your copy of Digital Camera
114 Portrait+ 3.0
Delve into this box of tricks for enhancing your portraits
essenTials
116 Tried & Tested
28 Your mission New camera accessories on test, readers respond to our challenge! including a top-notch tripod, a ring flash and a battery-charging cube 36 viewfinder
Your views on future-proof cameras and memory aids
38 The Photography show 2014
essential information and tickets!
120 mini Test
compact tripod alternatives for steady shots in unusual spots
136 Buyer’s Guide
check our verdicts before you buy
swIPe for vIDeo conTenTs
Tap the links
Finding your way around is easy. Tapping the cover lines on the front page or headlines on the contents pages takes you straight to the articles you want. Any web and email links in the text are clickable, too!
Play the videos
Several of the articles have accompanying videos full of useful insight and additional information. Look for the play arrow buttons as you read, and tap on them to enjoy the video on your iPad or smartphone.
Bonus content
Our digital edition contains everything you get with the standard printed edition. Simply navigate to the end of the issue and you’ll find all the extras and free gifts, such as supplements and tips cards.
PLUS! You can now get a FREE sample of Digital Camera from the Apple Newsstand. For full details on this, and how to get our digital edition regularly, go to www.goo.gl/a83hD if you live in the UK or www.goo.gl/JcwLu if you live overseas. On Android or PC? Find us on www.zinio.com.
03
Story of the Cover
05
behind the image
Story of the Cover Lotus Reflection By Chen Fu Yi Taiwan
“I took this image of a lotus at the Taipei Botanical Garden in Taiwan. I like lotus flowers because of their purity. I use Sony cameras, as I find they offer the most satisfactory tones. “The hardest part of taking this image was controlling the light. I decided to use a 30mm lens to take the shot, so I could get as close as possible. I didn’t do too much to the image post-shoot; I adjusted colour and contrast in Lightroom until I was satisfied, then I used Photoshop to make the ripple effect. ” Sony SLT-A77V with Minolta 300mm F2.8 lens; 1/320 sec at f/7.1; ISO 50
Last chance!
Turn to page 38 to book your ticket to this exciting live photography event www.photographyshow.com
Digital Camera June 2010
Digital Camera April 2014
05
Contents issue 149/April2014
Camera setting basics After the magazine
cover feature
18 10 things
Creative ideas to inspire, including stunning water-drop macro effects, fun with slides and much more
40 Creative macro
Never be stuck for close-up ideas and inspiration again! Chris Rutter shares some great suggestions for getting memorable macro shots at home
88 Interview
Prolific photography-book author Michael Freeman looks back on a memorable 40-year career with editor Geoff Harris
102 Panasonic GM1
It’s one of the world’s smallest system cameras, but its large sensor means it takes great pictures. Find out more in our test
32 Postcards
Travel photographer Darragh Field travels to the heart of darkness with his photo essay on India’s Aghori
120 Group Test
Compact system cameras blend the versatility of SLRs with the convenience of compacts. We try out six of the best
swipe for more contents
Contents issue 149/April 2014
Expert photo advice
49 Shoot!
Camera tips to help you perfect your photos, including making the most of the golden hour
71 Photoshop School
Expert advice on enhancing your photos, from editing raw shots in Elements to discovering Lightroom’s power tools
68 Print subscriptions
Get a free shoulder bag when you subscribe to the print edition
95 Overseas offers
Buyer’s Guide
Find the best SLRs and CSCs on page 136
Your free gifts
GIFT 1 tips card set
Collection of wallet-sized cards for easy reference – look for them after your copy of Digital Camera
Save money and get every issue delivered to your door
139 Next Month
Don’t miss the awesome issue 150
Cameras and gear
83 Photo Advisor
All your SLR and Photoshop queries answered, including guides to getting better portraits with flash and museum shooting
146 The Shot
Music specialist Marianne Harris enthuses about a compelling portrait by Steve Brown
Essentials
10 Hotshots
Our pick of the best reader images
30 Your Mission
Readers respond to our challenge with gorgeous food photos
100 Olympus O-MD E-M10 preview
Take a first look at an affordable addition to Olympus’s system camera line-up
108 Sony RX10 review
This premium compact features a fixed-aperture lens to help you get brilliant portraits. We put the RX10 through its paces
GIFT 2 back to basics Complete mini-magazine – look for it after your copy of Digital Camera
114 Tried & Tested
The latest accessories reviewed, including a low-cost flash booster and an experimental lens kit
118 Mini Test
Don’t allow your screen to let your photos down: we try out six 36 Viewfinder Your views, plus how to be creative monitor calibrator solutions
38 Photography Show Essential information and tickets for the photo event of the year
136 Buyer’s Guide
Choose your next SLR or CSC with our handy directory
swipe to discover what’s online
Join our online communities
Whether you’re a web addict, a Facebook fan or a Twitter disciple, here’s how to get up-to-the-minute updates from Digital Camera World...
Home
Social networks
In a hurry? Click on any of our three top stories for inspiration, ideas and much more
Stay in touch via @ DCamMag on Twitter, meet readers on our Facebook page and share photos in our Flickr group
What’s Hot Click here for up-to-the-minute news from Canon, Nikon and all of the other camera and lens manufacturers
Magazine Click here to learn about our latest competitions, subscription offers and more
Tips & Tutorials
Reviews
Along the menu at the top of the page you’ll find everything from technique articles and Photoshop tips to a section that’s dedicated to those just getting started
Here’s where you’ll find our in-depth previews and reviews of every new SLR, compact system camera and lens on the market, as soon as we get hold of them
WEBSITE
www.digitalcameraworld.com
FLICKR
If you’re on Facebook already, why not ‘Like’ us to enjoy regular news, views and ideas, plus spot-quizzes, competitions and the occasional post on something so mad it’s genius! We won’t bombard you with posts, but we’ll do our best to entertain and inspire. www.facebook.com/digitalcameraworld
Follow us on Twitter and keep tabs on all the latest developments in the world of digital photography. Every day, we post a steady stream of updates about all of the latest cameras, industry developments, hot new photographers, and much more. http://twitter.com/dcammag
This is the place to get your work seen, by the team or by fellow readers. Visit our new Flickr group and you can upload photos for possible inclusion in the Hotshots section of the magazine – we’re always on the lookout for inspiring and original images. www.flickr.com/groups/digitalcameraworld
10
hotshots
inspiring reader photography
Hotshots Get inspired by six pages of the very best reader photography from around the world
Digital Camera April 2014
hotshots
inspiring reader photography
Digital Camera April 2014
11
12
hotshots
inspiring reader photography
2
Previous page
Scarborough Big Wheel Jon Hollingsworth http://500px.com/JonHollingsworth Yorkshire, United kingdom
1
“It was a lovely bright cold November morning in Scarborough. Standing under this Ferris wheel and using the widest zoom possible, I was able to capture this unusual angle. The sun helped to accentuate the rainbowcoloured carts.” Canon EOS 600D with Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 lens at 18mm; 1/400 sec at f/3.5; ISO 100
Sunset over Rialto Jan Križaj https://www.facebook.com/ JanKrizajPhotography Ljubljana, Slovenia
2
“This picture was taken on the Rialto Bridge in Venice. I waited for ages for the light to dip and for a gondola to get into the perfect position, which was hard as people kept bumping into the legs of my tripod!”
Canon EOS 6D with Canon EF 17-40 f/4 lens at 20mm; 1/50 sec at f/6.3; ISO 400
Danielle Angie Kremer http://www.angiekremerphotography.com Bristol, UK
3
“I’ve always loved taking pictures of actors, so I was excited when my beautiful friend Danielle Stockemer asked me to take some headshots. She has a very intense look here, which I highlighted by upping the contrast.” Canon EOS 40 D with Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 lens at 70mm; 1/60 sec at f/4; ISO 100
Digital Camera April 2014
3