Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
0 SE PC & MAC
r
Photoshop Elements shortcuts, howesyou
03
4MP flagship finally arrives Budget 3MP camera Is this feature-packed Fuji
– see the full review on p34 with optical zoom tested really worthy of your £700? camera works, panoram ic techniqu PRINTED IN THE UK
British Landmark Series The Angel Of The North, Gateshead
2
MEET
YOUR
TEAM 2 Our promise
to our readers
4
STARTHERE
oEvery month we will show you how
8
Rob Mead
Acting Editor to capture and create better pictures,
give clear, independent buying
Rob’s been writing about technology
recommendations on the latest kit,
for the past eight years, his work
and deliver two CDs packed with the
having appeared in T3, Digital Home,
best PC software.
The Mail On Sunday and FHM.
We use boxes, tips, quick fixes, quality
8 Kai Wood
Deputy Art Editor
Picture this… photography, walkthroughs and diagrams
to show you how to improve your
photographic and image-editing skills
A keen amateur photographer, Kai We have a cast-iron policy of editorial
W
has recently joined us from sister
elcome to issue five of the UK’s best digital photography magazine. Nick’s currently
independence. All our kit is reviewed as-
mag, PC Format, where he was working on a exciting photo project – watch this space for more news soon – so sold. We discourage our journalists from
nominated for a PPA design award. I’ve temporarily stepped into the breach to give the poor chap some breathing accepting gifts from advertisers.
space and bring you more of the stuff you love: in-depth tutorials, definitive camera reviews, We welcome your opinions on the
8
Mark Harris plus plenty of top tips and techniques that will help you take better photos. magazine, ideas for articles, photography,
Photographer and journalist thoughts and questions.
Things get off to a flying start on page 14, where we taken an exhaustive look at
Mark has been writing about Send them in today – see the email
landscapes. With spring and summer on the way, there’s never been a better time to learn addresses below.
photography for over ten years, and
has been in charge of product testing new skills and brush up on your old ones. We’ve lined up some expert tips to help you make
the most of that fleeting moment when the sun peeks out nervously between the rain
c
at Which? and T3 magazines
clouds and decides to shed some much needed light on the flora and fauna below. We’ll
8
Tim Daly show you how to make the most of the photogenic scenery spread before you, from
Photographer and writer composing your shot to editing and enhancing it for compelling, arresting results. And if you Departments
Tim is one of the UK’s leading digital
fancy consigning your pictures to print we can help there too: we’ve put six of the latest
photography experts. He’s written We want your letters, ideas,
numerous books on the subject and direct digital photo printers through their paces. To find out which one’s output deserves
photography, articles, tips and more!
his photographs have been exhibited pride of place on your wall, turn to page 41. Write in today to the following areas:
across Europe. Issues with your discs
Enjoy the issue. support2@futurenet.co.uk
8 Steve Bavister
Photographer and editor
Your letters
letters.dcm@futurenet.co.uk
Steve is one of the UK’s best-known Photos for our galleries
photographic writers, having edited gallery.dcm@futurenet.co.uk
and published Practical Photography Events, ideas, places to visit
in the past. He now writes for a getupgo.dcm@futurenet.co.uk
variety of photography mags. Camera/photo help and advice
help.dcm@futurenet.co.uk
Rob Mead, Acting Editor Articles/ideas for publication
8
Barry Jackson
editor.dcm@futurenet.co.uk editor.dcm@futurenet.co.uk
Digital artist and Photoshop guru
Visit our website today!
Barry combines his digital camera,
In issue 6, we introduce a DVD option! Buy either the DVD version of the mag (all disc www.digitalcameramagazine.co.uk
computer and Adobe Photoshop
Customer services/subscriptions
to create his own particular style of content is on a single DVD, which contains extra DVD-only software and material), or the
customerservice@futurenet.co.uk
photo surrealism. two CD version as usual. It’s up to you…
Ed Davis
8
2 HOW WE RETOUCHED THE COVER IMAGE
Photo retouching expert
Ed is a commercial photographer of
many years’ experience. He is a
member of the National Association The original RGB image had an unnatural
of Photoshop Professionals. yellow colour cast on the skin tones,
probably caused by a gold reflector. The
Aidan O’Rourke cast was removed in RGB mode, but
8 Technical expert
Aidan is a contributor to the
was previewed in CMYK. If converted
straight away, detail would have been lost
Manchester Evening News. He so it was better to work with a range of
lectures on digital photography colour detail and then convert it. Retouching
around the UK. was done to the image and the canvas
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TAKE BETTER
LANDSCAPES!
How to get maximum impact
from your landscape photos
■ How to compose your subject
■ Make the most of natural light
■ Create stunning effects using filters and lenses
STARTS PAGE
14
PAGE 58
Getup&Go* Creating night
Creative project Ancient monuments, UK wildlife
parks and zoos, sport and icy
moods
Egg man water. Plus 9 top tips for
photographing animal shots!
Add atmosphere
to your photos
with Paint Shop Pro
We combine three
images to create this
surreal and rather PAGE
disturbing portrait PULL OUT
SECTION –
FIND IT
AFTER p34
74
* UK editions only
2
CAMERA TECHNIQUES
PAGE 84
THIS ISSUE WE
SHOW YOU HOW TO…
GETUP&GO TO ZOOS
Pullout section
1
package every month
TAKE BETTER PICTURES
Making the most of the landscape 15
Creating a sense of depth 16
Shooting a seasonal series of photos 16
Vertical and horizontal formats 17
Photographing water 17
RICOH CAPLIO FUJIFILM FINEPIX
RR-30 26 F402 28 PAGE Light in your landscape shots
Using a digital SLR
17
19
2
YOUR PHOTOS & LETTERS FOLD-OUT SECTION AFTER PAGE 34
Reader profile p12 Britain’s Megalithic monuments
Trailblazers p49 Capturing sport
Day in the life
Viewfinder
p52
p54
Icy waters in Scotland
Wildlife parks and zoos HOTSHOTSTURNOVER
Tips for animal shots Every issue, we print the best digital photography we
OFFERS can find. Turn over now and see some of the shots that
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IMAGES 79 6 TIPS 76 Upgrade your software p121, 122 Suppliers 102-119
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02
JULIAN JEFFERSON
GOATS IN THE MIST
www.pembrokeshireimages.com
02 MARSH IN WINTER 04 I took my camera on Brean Down near Weston- result. However, before I binned the shot, I
Charlie Brown super-Mare on New Year's Day. Although it was played with Variations in Photoshop to get some
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F707 a murky day (low cloud, light rain, flat conditions interesting colours, tweaked up the contrast and
[w] www.CharlieBrown and no contrast), I saw these goats sheltering added a little unsharp masking.
Photos.com/Hyatt near gnarled thorns and thought there was a I’m a bit of a purist when it comes to
shot in it. I switched to the black and white filter photography, and rarely play around with
on my Pentax Optio 430RS and took the snap. images. I think this picture has taught me a
03 COTSWOLD BUILDING,
When I got home, I was disappointed with the valuable lesson in creative thinking!
CIRENCESTER
@
Jon Pink
Fujifilm FinePix 2800Z NOW SEND US YOURS!
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04 RED
Anona Boyte
Casio QV2000 05
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05 TULIP
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Frontline
Send in your news! Email us today at news.dcm@futurenet.co.uk
MINOLTA DIMAGE
F300 COMPACT
5MP camera threatens rivals
■ See below
APPLE ENHANCES
IPHOTO, OFFERS ILIFE
More tools, better DVD burning
■ See page 11
FUJIFILM’S 4TH GEN
SUPER CCD REVEALED
More detail, better pictures
■ see page 12
Sony’s Memory
Minolta’s simply QUICK
SHOTS
Stick hits 1GB
smaller camera
TV PHOTO TECH
Armchair Electronics 256MB and 512MB cards coming too
has come up with an
enticing alternative Sony has teamed up with hard
to editing and
drive experts SanDisk to produce
viewing pics on a PC
5MP compact offers built-in image editor and subject tracker, plus 3x optical zoom – the TV Photo 256MB, 512MB and 1GB Pro
MEMORY versions of its Memory Stick flash
Album. The £99
device comes with memory card – finally putting it back in
slot for popular flash
THE DIMAGE
U
sing tech employed in the brilliant 7Hi 38mm to 114mm 35mm zoom), the lens is also contention with rival formats like Secure Digital
memory formats
(awarded 92% in issue 4), Minolta’s armed with three aspheric elements to ensure (SD). The announcement is a pleasant surprise
F300 COMES DiMAGE F300 combines a 5-megapixel decent contrast and sharpness at any focal length.
like CompactFlash
and SmartMedia, for anyone already using Sony’s card since it
WITH A HOST resolution and 3x optical zoom in one of the Housed in an elegantly curved aluminium and although you will appeared that Memory Stick had hit the
OF PROGRAM company’s most classy and compact camera stainless steel shell, the F300 even enables you to need an additional
adaptor if you own
buffers early in terms of capacity, while SD
bodies yet. shoot colour Motion JPEG movies in the dark, (currently offering 512MB cards itself) raced
MODES THAT Measuring just 11 x 5.2 x 3.25cm and weighing thanks to an improved Night Movie mode which
Memory Stick, SD or
ahead in popularity and data-storage arenas.
PROMISE TO 185g, the F300 obviously has other stylish automatically fires up as the amount of ambient
MMC cards. The built-
in image editor Sony has also announced a new 256MB
MAKE TAKING compacts like Casio’s QV-5700 firmly in its sights, light goes down. offers basic editing
functions as well as
Memory Stick Select card that comprises two
DIGITAL and comes with a host of program modes –
portrait, landscape, etc – that promise to make
We hope to bring you a comprehensive
evaluation of the £500 F300 next issue, but if you
the ability to create
128MB units with a mechanical switch that
enables you to choose between them. The
PHOTOS taking digital photos a whole lot easier. Rather can’t wait that long, go to www.minolta-
slideshows and
albums. On sale now. card is aimed at Sony’s existing camera and
A WHOLE pleasingly, the camera also comes with its own europe.com for more info. www.intro2020.co.uk camcorder users and costs £150. SanDisk card
LOT EASIER built-in image processor so you can adjust the
LEXAR UPDATES
prices have yet to be confirmed.
colour, contrast, saturation and sharpness of your www.sony.co.uk, www.sandisk.co.uk
JUMPDRIVE
chosen subject before you press the shutter. Plus,
the F300 also comes with Area AF and Subject AF
MINOLTA DIMAGE F300 The company’s
2
JumpDrive Trio
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
3
Information
autofocus modes, which enable the camera to mobile USB storage supplied by
track a subject as it moves across a scene, solution comes with www.dabs.com
CCD 5.3-megapixel 1/1.8-inch CCD; 5.0-million effective pixels a three-in-one card
continually adjusting the focus to make sure it
stays pin sharp.
Still images JPEG, TIFF, DCF standard, DPOF compliant
Movies Motion, JPEG (MOV), WAVE
slot for Memory Best sellers
Stick, MMC and SD
Memory 32MB buffer, SD and MMC flash memory support
Obviously no amount of in-camera tweaks are flash cards, and
Image sizes 2,560 x 1,920pixels, 2,048 x 1,536 pixels,
going to save your shots if they’re not up to promises fast image BEST SELLER
1,600 x 1,200 pixels, 640 x 480 pixels, 1,280 x 960 pixels
transfer, thanks to FujiFilm
scratch in the first place, which is where the eight Lens 7.8mm-23.4mm (38mm-114mm 35mm equivalent)
USB 2.0. Available FinePix A202
Zoom 3x optical, 4x digital
element, seven group GT lens comes in. With a £128
Focusing Video AF autofocus system with wide focus with 64MB or 128MB
focal range of 7.8mm to 23.4mm (equivalent to a area (Area AF), spot focus areas with focus area selection, Memory Sticks
subject tracking AF, single shot AF, full time AF, manual SUB-£100
supplied, price TBC. Mustek
focus, macro mode. Approximate focus range www.digitalfilm.com
Light metering 256 multi-segmented metering, centre Gsmart II Mini
weighted, spot £45
Exposure Programmed AE, aperture priority, shutter FOUR-IN ONE
priority, manual MADE SIMPLE SUB-£300
Exposure compensation -2, +2 EV in 1/3 increments The FlashLink 4-in-1 Canon
ISO sensitivity Auto, 64ASA, 100ASA, 200ASA and 400ASA PCMCIA adaptor from PowerShot A40
ISO equivalents SimpleTech enables £210
Recording modes Auto, portrait, sports action, landscape, you to copy images
sunset, night portrait, macro from MMC, SD and
Shutter speed 4 second to 1/1,000 second in programmed SUB-£800
other cards to your
AE and aperture priority modes, 15 second to 1/1,000 second Nikon CoolPix
in shutter priority and manual exposure modes, BULB laptop, and runs 5000
Aperture f/2.8-f4.7 under Windows ME, £719
White balance auto, preset (daylight, tungsten, fluorescent, XP or Mac OS 9/X.
cloudy), custom Available now for
Flash modes auto, auto with red eye reduction, fill flash, £45 from
flash cancel www.intro2020.co.uk
Picture Perfect PDA
Next-gen Sony CLIÉ comes with built-in 2MP digital camera
People don’t normally Images taken using the fixed focus F2.8 lens
buy a PDA on the can be viewed and edited in-camera using
strength of its digital the CLIÉ’s 320 x 480 colour LCD and
HARDWARE imaging capabilities, proprietary Photo Editor software.
but when it comes to Sony’s CLIÉ PEG- Transferring images promises to be a
NZ90, they may need to think again. breeze, too, thanks to the CLIÉ’s built-in
The PEG-NZ90 comes with a built-in Bluetooth chip and optional Wi-Fi
2-megapixel snapper capable of capability. The PEG-NZ90 is based of
delivering an image resolution of up vX.X of Palm’s handheld operating
Behindtheimage
to 1,600 x 1,200 pixels and comes system, and is available in the
with a 2x digital zoom and built-in USA for $799.99, although
flash to help you make the most of Sony reckons the UK version
those photo opportunities. will be winging this way
Aimed at business users, the CLIÉ very, very soon.
packs in six photo modes to optimise For an early look at
the camera’s white balance for what’s on offer, go to
different conditions and the flash even
features red-eye reduction for portraits.
Sony’s USA website at
www.sonystyle.com
In scenes reminiscent of the Falklands
conflict, HMS Ark Royal leaves Portsmouth
Harbour, bound for the Middle East
Apple delivers iPhoto 2, iLife The time: 11th January 2003
New tools and library-management enhancement, plus DVD burning The Place: Portsmouth, Hampshire
Apple Computer has updated its Families, friends and well-wishers crowd
free digital photo-editing and Portsmouth’s harbourside to say their fond
library-management software, farewells to the 800 crew and 100 Royal Marine
SOFTWARE iPhoto2. Available as a free Commandos on board the aircraft carrier. This ship
download, the software offers new and refined will eventually meet up with 15 other ships
editing tools including Enhance, which helps carrying 5,000 Navy personnel and 3,000 Royal
optimise less than perfect images and Retouch Marine Commandos in the Gulf – the largest Royal
for removing dust, dirt, scratches, etc. iPhoto2 is Navy deployment since the Falklands War in 1982.
also included as part of the £39.99 iLife pack The sight of the 20,000 tonne ship leaving the
which comprises the iTunes 3 MP3 player, harbour was captured by Rex Features
iMovie 3 digital video editor and iDVD, photographers Chris Balcombe, Ian Jones and
Apple’s simple, but effective DVD burning tool. Jeremy Durkin. They show how simple, iconic
For more info, go to www.apple.com/uk images can capture the sense of emotional impact
such monumental events can bring: the use of the
graphical emblems like the Union Jack adds
poignancy and a sense of place and time to
otherwise banal images of military hardware; the
WIDEANGLE
What’s happening around the world
sight of the crowded walkway leads our eye from
front to back of the image, enabling us see not only
on the sheer numbers of people who are there but
also to focus on the faces of the individuals whose
serviceman husbands, wives, fathers and sons could
WORLDWIDE get their way. They are working on a way well be on board. The fact that such scenes were to
Space based spy-cam to print transistorised circuits using layers be repeated by the families and crews of the other
Digital photography’s been taken to of electronic polymer to create the circuitry, ships in the taskforce adds even more weight to
new heights with the launch of the capacitors, even the outer casing of devices images, and reveals the gravity, pathos and sense
OrbView 3 spy satellite. The device delivers like light bulbs, TV remote controls and of duty that accompanies those en route to war…
real-time high-res images of the world artificial muscles for robots.
from space, and can also be used to deliver ©WWW.REXFEATURES.COM 2003
2
detailed maps and 3D fly-throughs. GREAT BRITAIN
25,000 reasons…
USA Scientists at Philips’ research centre
TALKBACK
1
Print your own hardware in Southampton have developed a
The humble inkjet could soon be 3cm 4GB disc that be enable you to store
Tell us what you think! Our website forums at
printing out its own digital cameras, up to 25,000 digital photos in your camera.
digitalcameramagazine.co.uk are just the place. Add your
if scientists at the University Of Berkeley The first discs should go on sale in 2005. comments, ideas and more and join the Digital Camera club!
double-honeycomb… SLASHED
TypeMaker has
slashed the price of
its CRT Colour
Confidence Studio
Fourth-generation Super CCD SR promises wider dynamic range, better pictures colour management
solution to £417.57.
The package comes
Ever the innovators, FujiFilm has
come up with a newly
with a Pantone
Spyder monitor Budget Pentax
designed CCD which promises
TECHNOLOGY to deliver a much greater
calibrator and OptiCAL
software. More info
at www.typemaker.
offers high spec
dynamic range with your pictures. co.uk 3-million pixels, 3x zoom for £300
Based on the company’s hexagonal Super
MOBILE SOUND
CCD, the new SR chip comprises two 3.32 AND PICTURES Pentax claims to have raised the bar
THE AIM IS megapixel photodiodes (3.1-megapixels
effective): one with low sensitivity to light, the
Intro2020 has
launched the
for entry-level cameras with its new
3-megapixel Optio 330 GS. The
TO CAPTURE other with high sensitivity to light. The aim is Phototainer, a HARDWARE £300 camera comes with a 3x
THE LOWER to capture the lower levels of light and detail
portable digital
image viewer and
optical zoom (equivalent to a 38mm to 114mm
LEVELS OF that are often missed when photographing MP3 player with 35mm lens), five point auto-focus and six-
convergence cam
their movie-making spec, but
HARDWARE Samsung's taken the notion one
step further with the launch of the SCD5000, a
available now. You
can find out more at
www.intro2020.co.uk
to the rescue
MiniDV camcorder with dedicated 4.13-megapixel
Recovers deleted digital pics
PANASONIC
Camcorder promises high-quality stills CCD for digital photography enthusiasts. LUMIX UPDATE Lexar Media has launched
The high-spec chip delivers an impressive 2,274 Panasonic has ImageRescue, a new file-recovery
x 1,704 pixel resolution for stills and also packs 3x announced two new program. Sharing superficial
optical and 6x digital zooms into its swivelling lens cameras at Las Vegas SOFTWARE similarities with the free
CES. The first is the 2-
body. Images are stored on the supplied 16MB PhotoRecovery program on this month’s Cover CD
megapixel DMC-FZ1,
Memory Stick, with easy transfer to a PC possible which boasts a Leica (see page 125), ImageRescue uses a proprietary
using the USB connector. 12x optical zoom file system to recover data from Lexar’s own
There are some compromises however: the (equivalent to a CompactFlash cards that have possibly been
lack of a dedicated stills viewfinder means 35mm to 420mm damaged by accidental formatting, removing the
zoom lens on a
that framing your shots is only possible 35mm camera). The
card before an image
through the SCD5000's video viewfinder or second is the DMC-F1. has been saved or low
via the 2-inch LCD. However, the 690g This stylish compact battery power.
camcorder also comes with an 800,000 comes with a 3.2- The software
megapixel resolution
pixel CCD for movies (680,000 effective), a bundle, which includes
and comes with a
DV-in/out socket for easy digital video Leica 3x optical a USB card reader, is
transfer to and from your PC and camcorder, zoom. Both cameras available for both
plus a Power Nite Pix mode that promises to will be available in Windows and Mac OS
deliver better quality movie images under tricky March, but prices are X for £39.99. To find
still to be confirmed
light conditions. The SCD5000 is expected to go on For more call
out more, go to
The swivelling body of Samsung’s SCD5000 has
the digital imaging tech in one half, and MiniDV
sale in the UK in the summer for £800-£1,000. For Panasonic on www.lexarmedia.com
camcorder mechanism in the other more details, go to www.samsungelectronics.com 08705 357357. or call 01483 722290.
The essentials of imaging
Introducing the DiMAGE 7i, designed optimised for different scenes. The Real-Time
to record breathtaking detail at blazing Histogram Display allows you to check the
speed, Minolta has produced the world’s most luminance distribution before shooting.
sophisticated digital SLR. Ergonomically designed for comfortable
Superior image quality. handling.
The core of the DiMAGE 7i is a 2/3-type The multifunctional electronic viewfinder
CCD with the effective resolution of 5.0
INTRODUCING has a 100% field of view and a 90-degree tilt
mega-pixels. THE NEW DiMAGE 7i mechanism. The high-contrast TFT LCD
Image quality is enhanced by two key remote flash photography. monitor offers a complete field of view as well. A
Minolta technologies: The Minolta GT Lens, a Rapid responsive operation. user friendly control layout includes a highly
premium all glass, APO lens that maximises CCD The DiMAGE 7i autofocus is dramatically responsive four-way cross key central control
performance and reduces chromatic aberration. fast promoting stress free shooting. Direct button. The die-cast magnesium body is durable,
And the Minolta CxProcess™ image processing, Manual Focus is also available, which allows the lightweight and shaped for a stable, comfortable
which can produce vivid colours that match your focus to be fine tuned manually after the AF ‘hold’ at all times.
impression of the subject. 12-bit A/D conversion system has locked on to the subject. Flex Focus Other outstanding features.
allows for fine detail in shadow areas and you can Point lets you control which part of the image Versatile movie recording up to 60 second
capture clear, low-noise images when using a then stays in focus. Rapid full-size continuous clips with audio (320 x 240 pixels), interval
long shutter speed. shooting (max approx 2 fps, 2650 x 1920 pixels) recording, the ability to record at night or in dark
Expansive shooting range. Ultra High Speed continuous advance (approx 7 places, and VGA playback (640 x 480 pixels) of
A broad ranging 7x optical zoom (28mm fps, 1280 x 960 pixels) and an LSI chip frequency images captured with UHS continuous advance
wide – 200mm Telephoto 35mm equivalent) of 90 Mhz are all significant technological recording, precise autoexposure with 300-
allows diverse imaging possibilities. An innovative advances. segment metering, 4x electronic magnification of
Macro system at Wide and Tele provides versatile Highly versatile creative imaging the central part of the viewfinder image for easier
macro imaging. An ultra fast shutter (1/4,000 functions. manual focusing, automatic ISO settings and text
sec. in P/A exposure modes) and slow shutter The Digital Effects Control lets you adjust input function, are all included.
speeds cater for all exposure situations. This and check exposure compensation, contrast, The DiMAGE 7i is a revolution in digital
includes up to 30 second bulb. The LCD colour saturation, and filter. Filter Effect is a new photography and sets the standard for top end
Monitor’s gain is automatically raised in dim setting that simulates a lens filter, and can be used ‘prosumer’ cameras. In fact, all you really need is
lighting for better visibility. with the Black and White mode to create many an eye for an i.
In addition the optional Minolta types of mono effects. Thanks to Digital Subject The new DiMAGE 7i
5600HS(D) and 3600HS(D) enables wireless Program Selection exposure can be easily Way ahead of the game.
www.dimage.minolta.com
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHING LANDSCAPES
Of all the tools that you have at your get at ground level. An elevated viewpoint will also give
you the opportunity to identify specific points of interest
near and far. This can be a bush, rock, boat – in fact,
anything at all – but it’s worth actively seeking one out.
disposal in landscape photography, for investigation later. Sometimes, though, the opposite
approach works best, and by crouching down at the
Sometimes there are natural frames, such as trees,
which you can place around the edge.
your legs are easily the most valuable lowest point of a valley looking up, a small hill can seem
to rise up into a mighty crag above you.
Another approach is to compose the shot so a natural
element, such as a river, dyke, road, wall or fence
It won’t take you long before you realise that threads through the picture. Try to get in as close to it as
viewpoint and composition are inextricably bound up possible, so that it looms large in the front of the shot
Cotswolds, the Scottish Highlands or the Peak District. with the lens setting you’re using, and can’t be and then rapidly diminishes in size as it leads away. The
It’s also a good idea to choose one area and get to considered in isolation. Most digital camera these days effect works best when the direction of travel is from
know it like the back of your hand – going back time feature a zoom lens that goes from moderate wide- the bottom left of the picture up towards the top right –
and again under different conditions and a range of angle to short telephoto lens. This provides plenty of and if the ground over which it runs is uneven, this will
seasons. Investing in a couple of detailed guidebooks options in terms of how you can frame the shot. help to imply the shape of the land.
will tell you where the best viewpoints are, and a good Generally, with this kind of approach you’ll want the
Ordnance Survey map is worth its weight in gold. Creating a sense of depth images to be sharp from front to back. If you have direct
Having chosen a location, where do you begin? By When shooting landscapes, most people select the control over your exposure settings you’ll want to set as
walking round it. Of all the tools that you have at your wide-angle position automatically, so they can get small an aperture as possible – ideally f/16 if you can.
disposal in landscape photography, your legs are easily as much in as possible. That’s a good approach, but That’s one of the reasons why a tripod is so useful for
the most valuable. care does need to be taken to avoid everything looking landscape work, because it enables you to set small
As you walk around, you’ll almost certainly discover small and far away – with the shot lacking any kind of apertures without fear of camera-shake – producing
that high vantage points are often the best places from impact. To create the sense of depth you’re after, you images with maximum sharpness.
which to shoot – they give you a bird’s eye view of the need to look for ways of making the viewer’s eye read Using a tripod also helps you slow down and
countryside below. Perched high on a hill you can see ‘through’ the picture. encourages you to work in a more considered,
the shape of the land laid out before you, bringing all One excellent option is to include ‘foreground interest’ contemplative way that’s worlds away from a quick
the elements together in a perspective that you don’t – something at the front of picture that gives a sense of snap. As you look at things more carefully, you are more
2 WATER WORKS
Rippling brooks and fast-moving waterfalls are among the exciting elements of the l
andscape -– yet capturing them digitally is notoriously difficult. The main problem is that the
shutter speeds cameras set automatically is normally fast enough to freeze the movement of
the water, taking any sense of action away.
What you want ideally is around 1/8sec to 1 second, which will give the water an
atmospheric blur. If you have direct control over exposure settings, you can try a range of
speeds to find what works best. If the exposure system on your camera is fully programmed,
then try taking pictures on a dull, overcast day, when the shutter speeds will be
correspondingly longer. In all cases, select the lowest ISO setting you have available and use a
tripod or other support to avoid camera-shake.
likely to come up with a better picture. The good thing Both approaches can work well, and it’s largely a
about the landscape is that it doesn’t get bored and just matter of choosing what’s right with a particular
wander off – you’ve got all the time in the world, so location. If you can’t decide which format you think will
take advantage of it! work best, shoot them both and choose later.
Wide angles may take in the general sweep Of course, you can always change the format of an
effectively, but telephoto settings have much to offer image on the computer, but it’s better to keep as
the landscape photographer, because sometimes picking many pixels as possible to maximise output quality.
out and isolating a small element from the landscape That said, you might want to keep your eyes peeled
can be more dramatic than including everything. for subjects that can be cropped to a panoramic.
Because they crop into the scene, telephotos tend to This distinctively long, thin format is tailor made for
give a rather more ‘abstract’ landscape effect – the landscape photography, enabling you to capture the full
more powerful the lens, the more abstract it will be, expanse of a magnificent vista before you.
often ending up as attractive textures and patterns.
Subjects that benefit from this treatment are ploughed Light of my life
land, rows of trees, fields of crops and cracked mud. So far we haven’t mentioned light – arguably the
Going closer, you might also make a superb landscape most important element in emphasising shape and
with a close-up of the rough surface of a wall or fence. form in a landscape photograph. Light is affected by
With telephoto lenses it’s also easier to limit the the season, the time of day and the weather. If you
depth-of-field to make elements stand out. This want to reveal the curves and contours of a scene then
‘differential focus’ involves setting a large aperture, such shadows are essential, which means the sun really has
as f/4 or 5.6, to pick out certain aspects of the land, to be shining for landscape photography to be
such as a single tree, which then seem to be projected worthwhile. The position of the sun is crucial too. You
forward from an out-of-focus background. certain don’t want it behind you because the shadows
As with wide-angles, a high viewpoint will often will fall away and be hidden, producing bland,
help with telephoto landscape photography, allowing uninspiring pictures.
you to look down and select the part of the scene that’s The best place for the sun is 90 degrees to the left or
most interesting. right, so that it casts shadows that fall right across the
picture, giving a strong sense of shape and depth. In
Vertical or horizontal? the right circumstances, shooting into the sun can work,
Many landscape pictures are taken in the horizontal with the shadows falling towards the camera, but care
format, because that helps emphasise the way the must be taken to expose correctly and to avoid flare.
scenery stretches out as far as the eye can see. But The longer the shadows, the more dramatic the
sometimes an upright treatment works every bit as effect, which is why the best summer landscapes are
well, including more sky, and giving a greater sense of often taken early in the morning or late in the evening,
depth to the shot. when the sun is low in the sky.
2 FILTER TIPS
If you choose your weather carefully, a straight record of the scene will guarantee success.
But sometimes landscapes need a bit of help. Now your first thought might be to tweak
things on the computer, but it's also worth considering using filters, as you would on a
film-based camera. If you're planning to take a lot of landscape shots it's much quicker
and easier than enhancing dozens of images. The most useful filter for landscapes is
graduated – half-coloured, with the top the darkest fading to the middle. This is used to
add interest to bland, empty skies. For general use, grey or blue graduated filters are best,
but it's also wroth experimenting with some of the more dramatic ones such as tobacco,
which gives a stormy effect. And nothing beats a polarising filter to deepen the colour of
an already blue sky and make fluffy clouds stand out.
2
There are many fair-weather landscape photographers
USING A DIGITAL SLR who only go out snapping scenics when the sun is
shining. And, of course, they get some good pictures.
The lens on most 'compact' digital cameras is only But they’re also missing out on other shots they could
moderately wide angle, and to produce jaw-dropping take in bad weather, which would add variety to their
compositions you really need something with portfolio and make it far more interesting.
greater coverage. If you already have a film-based Changeable conditions can produce some truly
SLR system, and have invested in one of the latest dramatic pictures, especially if you’re ready, with your
digital SLR bodies, such as the Fujifilm S2 or Canon D60, finger on the shutter release, for when the sun breaks
you have the potential to create something more through the clouds for just a few seconds. If you’re lucky
dramatic. Many companies are now producing wide- you may be rewarded with a rainbow. The more you’re
angle zoom lenses that start from 15mm, which, even out taking pictures, the more you increase the chances
allowing for the magnification factor of 1.6x that results of being there when a rainbow makes an appearance.
from using the lens on a digital camera. This gives the Then you’ve got to work quickly. You’ve often have less
equivalent of 24mm in film terms – significantly wider than five minutes to get the picture you want in the
than is possible on most cameras without the bag, so work fast and take lots of pictures.
interchangeable lens facility. Misty weather and fog offer the potential for
capturing some memorable images, with distant
elements all-but-invisible, and foreground subjects
* L
ocation shooting can be difficult at the best of without doubt, the hardest photographic skill to pick up, The best tools Photoshop offers are for darkening
ON OUR
COVERDISC times, with changeable light and unreliable so in the meantime there’s Photoshop’s cropping tool. bland areas of images and converting the whole photo
weather conditions to contend with. Happily, With adventurous crops, large sections of original into a visual mix of dark and light. Great photographic
PICTURE WINDOW Photoshop has several tools to help you tweak your pixels are discarded, resulting in the potential for a prints, whether digital or conventional, all have slightly
Enhance your photos using its
powerful image-editing tools,
digital shots afterwards, in much the same way as smaller, but more interesting print. There’s no hard-and- darker areas linking to lighter areas, to encourage the
plus create high-quality prints, traditional photographers would adjust their landscape fast rule that states that all landscape images need to viewer to ‘scan’ and examine the subtleties of the
multimedia slide shows etc prints in a darkroom. be a regular rectangular size, and combined with the image. Compared to a snapshot with its all-over single
Landscape photography is all about subtlety, ability of inkjet printers to output onto any size or tone and lack of strong emphasis, the carefully crafted
emphasis and dynamic composition. Composition is, shaped paper, this won’t be a problem. digital print will win hands down each time.
0 EXPERT TIPS
TIM DALY
PHOTOSHOP EXPERT
BOOSTING COLOURS
Caution is the key word when
increasing the saturation of your
colours because digital images
can easily become overcooked.
Avoid applying excessive
saturation commands, especially
to images that have been
compressed in the JPEG format,
as the blocky shapes caused by
compression will become
more visible.
ADJUST THE HORIZON LINE CROP THE IMAGE IMPROVE DOMINANT COLOURS
01 It’s easy to end up with wonky composition. To
02 This example had far too much bland grey sky
03 Great landscape images can be dominated by
mend a sloping horizon line, turn on the in the shot, so it was removed using the Crop a single colour, like the yellow here. From the
View8Rulers option then drag the top ruler to bring a blue tool. Drag the tool across your image and let go to dialog box edit menu, choose a colour, then increase
0 EXPERT TIPS non-printing guide over the horizon. Do Edit8Select All,
then Edit8Transform8Rotate and straighten the horizon.
preview the potential new crop. The darker grey area will
indicate the section to be discarded.
Saturation (to no more than 10) by using
Image8Adjustments8Hue/Saturation command.
TIM DALY
PHOTOSHOP EXPERT
WORK ON A
DUPLICATE LAYER
If you’re worried about ruining your
original image file, then make a
duplicate Background layer to work
on. Click and drag the Background
layer icon on top of the tiny new
layer icon, at the bottom of the
Layers palette.
GAMUT COLOURS
You can see which colours won’t
print with the same intensity as
viewed on the monitor via the
View8Gamut Warning command. SELECT THE SKY DARKEN DOWN THE SKY DARKEN DOWN THE FOREGROUND
When making colour saturation 04 When natural lighting is flat, you can easily 05 Now do Image8Adjustments8Brightness/ 06 To balance out your dark sky, now darken
edits, turn the Gamut Warning on, introduce drama by darkening down the sky. Contrast and move the Brightness slider left down areas of the foreground. Use the Burning
so you can see when you’ve gone
Use the lasso tool and draw a rough selection edge until you see a difference. With very neutral grey skies, in tool and work on the Midtones, with a 30% Exposure.
too far. Colours that won’t print will
be tagged with a grey colour. around the part you want to darken. Do Select8Feather this could be as much as –40. If it looks too obvious, go Large soft edged brushes are best, such as 120 pixels.
and enter a 20 Feather Radius to soften down the edge. back one step using your History palette and try again. Click and paint into areas which need darkening down.
From your
camcorder…
From your
digital camera…
From
your PC…
…to your TV
www.pinnaclesys.com
THE MAGAZINE
WHOSE TIME
HAS COME...
…A magazine dedicated to style, connectivity & convergence.
Technology for life
INSIDE THE FIRST EDITION
SYNERGY& STYLE Enjoy seamless technologies
for smarter living SURROUND SOUND
REVOLUTION One speaker panel to rule them
all? HOUSE 2010 Fastforward to the future
home FREEDOM TO ROAM Get broadband
internet on the move VIDEOTAPE IS DEAD!
Every new recordable technology tested
Section highlights…
RICOH CAPLIO RR-35 PAGE
26
THE 3-MEGAPIXEL SNAPSHOT
Three megapixels can turn out a decent photo these
days and this is the cheapest model on the market
30
THE 4-MEGAPIXEL COMPACT (BEST BUY)
Better designed and specced than its predecessor
the 990 – and still using that crafty swivel design
34
THE 4-MEGAPIXEL COMPACT
Does the long awaited Canon G3 – the priciest
camera reviewed this issue – stand up to scrutiny?
41
DIRECT PHOTO PRINTERS
KIT REVIEW Cut out the middle man and invest in some printing
RICOH CAPLIO RR-35 supplies. We road test the do-it-yourself options...
SEE PAGE 26
30 34 41
Kit reviews
The latest digital photo gear, reviewed and rated
f #
Our aim is to inform you fully about a product’s best and magazine hits the newsagent Authoritative: Every review If you have a comment about our reviews, or a product
worst features. To this end, we guarantee each review is includes the manufacturer’s range, other options, test shots, you would like us to test, please email us at
Independent: We have a cast-iron policy of editorial 3D tours, plus links to buy online Clear: We use diagrams editor.dcm@futurenet.co.uk. Visit our website at
independence. Suppliers never see a review until the and boxes to ensure each review delivers a definitive verdict digitalcameramagazine.co.uk for reader verdicts
REVIEWS 3-MEGAPIXEL COMPACT
RICOH CAPLIO RR-30
Price £225
Resolution 3.2 megapixels
Lens f2.6-4.7 3x zoom
Memory 8MB internal, SD card slot
Battery Life 350 shots with optional Li-ion cells
Contact Johnsons Photopia 01782 753 300 www.ricoh-cameras.co.uk SAMPLE IMAGES ALL THESE IMAGES CAN BE FOUND ON OUR CD
R
icoh’s digital camera range is a bit of an odd
* ON OUR
COVERDISC mixture. At the top end it’s got its business-
orientated i500 and i700 models, and the
2
similarly styled 4-megapixel RR-1. These boast unusual
slab-like styling which works surprisingly well, but the
pricing and the business slant have left these models
rather dead in the water.
Meanwhile, lower down the range, there’s the
cute MP3-playing RR-10 and the cheap and cheerful
VIRTUAL TOUR
Try before you buy! Rotate and 2-megapixel RR-120. Bang in the middle of these two is
view this camera on-screen with the RR-30, with higher resolution, higher spec and more
our unique virtual reality tour
mass-market appeal, especially at current prices.
ON OUR
Price will have to be a big factor in choosing this
camera, because its feature set is pretty much par for
3
C WEBSITE the course in this area of the market. It does offer a
choice of metering patterns, though, and can even
OPINIONS & SHOPPING
Post your views, see what other bracket your exposures. Its rather bulbous design, then,
readers think then buy this camera! disguises some reasonably serious intentions.
digitalcameramagazine.co.uk/
Bargain basement
The design doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence, mind. 7 7 OPTICAL
LENS
Both the styling and the materials feel on the cheap You’re doing well to VIEWFINDER
DIGITAL RANGE side, and it doesn’t take long for the matt silver finish to get a 3x optical The optical
viewfinder is small,
RICOH start marking up with scuffs and scratches.
zoom at this price,
and the performance but easy to find
In use, though, it starts to grow on you. Startup is is well up to par with your eye
CAPLIO RR-1
Price: £469 reasonably fast at around three seconds, and the
Megapixels: 4.0 focussing seems quite speedy, too – plus, it doesn’t
suffer from the same hunting and whirring that gloomy artificial lighting, and the generally cheap feel of through the flash settings, while ‘down’ takes you
RDC-I500 mar other cameras. the buttons. The controls are well-spaced, though, and, into macro mode.
Price: £375
The two-stage shutter action is good, too. It’s well- in keeping with the rest of the camera, organised very The menu system is easy to follow, though the EV
Megapixels: 3.3
weighted and positive, and you know exactly when the clearly. Ricoh has used four separate directional buttons compensation control could do with being more
CAPLIO RR-10 exposure and focus have locked so that you can take arranged in a circle rather than a single four-way accessible. The Scene mode is especially good. There
Price: £285 the picture. navipad, and even though they’re mounted flush are only six different scene settings, but each one is
Megapixels: 2.1 This is a camera you’ll get to grips with very quickly. with the backplate, they’re still easier to use than accompanied by a typical photo and an explanation
CAPLIO RR-30 The main mode dial on the top plate is clear and self- the navigational controls on far more expensive of when to use that mode and how it works.
5
Price: £225 explanatory, offering access to the playback, picture- cameras (like the Nikon CoolPix 4500, reviewed Playback speed is pretty good, though images take a
Megapixels: 3.2 taking, scene, movie and setup modes, with a power this issue, for example). couple of seconds to render at full resolution. Zooming
CAPLIO RR-120 button in the middle. There are other small design changes to consider. in and panning is particularly fast for a camera in this
£ Price: £175 On the back of the camera, everything is equally Ricoh has adopted the latest practice of using the price range.
5 Megapixels: 2.2 logical, though you can tell it’s been built to a budget by
the way the LCD image grows dim and grainy in
navigation buttons to offer shortcuts to common options
in photo-taking mode. Here, the ‘up’ button cycles
The Ricoh should prove practical, too. Working off just
a pair of AA cells, it can also take optional rechargeable
2 SKIN TONES
1
3
3
4 2 OUTDOOR SHOTS
MODE DIAL
The mode dial’s big,
easy to grip, hard to
move accidentally and
so obvious you won’t
need any instructions
7 7 7
SHUTTER RELEASE LCD NAVIPAD
The shutter The LCD is bright Four separate
action is good, and crisp enough, buttons feel a bit
and focussing is
crisp and
though it does start
struggling in low
cheap, but they’re
well-spaced and 5 PRO Good exposure control, high levels of contrast
and tremendous colour saturation and vibrancy
accurate light levels logically arranged
6 CON Didn’t like shooting into the light very much,
and slightly underexposed a couple of our shots
lithium-ion units which Ricoh reckons should be Noise is well-controlled, edges are sharp without good, though, it packs in some useful photographic
2 INDOOR SHOTS
good for 350 or so shots. The NiMH cells we used in exaggerated sharpening artefacts, and there’s not features and – most important of all – it produces
our camera seemed to last pretty well, too. too much colour fringing around bright areas, either. good quality shots reliably in a variety of conditions.
Indeed, while it’s the 4- and 5-megapixel
Picture quality cameras that tend to grab all the headlines these Close contenders
So while the Ricoh lacks the features, style or charm days, you might not have noticed a quiet revolution But this is a very crowded market-place, and the RR-
to be a ‘must-have’ digital camera, it does look going on lower down the market. Some of the 30 is up against tough competition from a number
pretty good at the price. It’s the sort of camera you much cheaper cameras, using only the ‘old’ 3- of makers. It’s just about the cheapest 3-megapixel
camera with an optical zoom on the market right
With its 3.3-megapixel CCD it’s obviously not now, but not by much. HP’s PhotoSmart 720 comes
5 PRO The smooth shutter action should keep
camera shake to a minimum using available light
6
close, with its barmy but likeable retro styling, while CON Few problems, though we couldn’t find the
going to challenge serious enthusiasts’ kit, Sony’s DSC-P71 is hot on its heels – likely to cost you slow flash mode – that left shots looking harsh
77%
Monitor
AE compensation
1.6-inch 80,000 pixels
+/-2EV in 0.3EV increments
Dimensions
Transfer
114mm(w) x 54.5mm(h) x 32.5mm(d)
USB
shots FINAL
Flash
Video output
Auto, on, off, slow, red-eye
NTSC and PAL
Software:
OS
Ricoh Gate, DU-10 image browser/editor
Windows 98/Me, 2000, XP. Mac OS8.6-9.2.2, OSX
SCORE
Movie recording 320 x 240 at 15fps without sound 10.1.2 or later
With so many good cameras at or
Other features 8Mb internal memory around the Ricoh’s price point, it could
do with a bit more appeal. As it is, it’s
2
HP PHOTOSMART OLYMPUS FUJIFILM FINEPIX SONY
WORTH 720 C-300 A303 DSC-P71
a camera you’ll buy on price alone
A LOOK £250/3MP £280/3MP £270/3MP £260/3.3MP
* ON F
ujifilm is one of the digital camera world’s
OUR
3
COVERDISC pioneers. Its SuperCCD imaging technology is
now in its third generation, Fuji is working
jointly with Olympus on the new xD-Picture Card
format, and FujiFilm cameras have long boasted a
combination of innovative styling and build quality
3
that’s left the rest looking slightly lacklustre.
The SuperCCD chips used in many of FujiFilm’s
cameras feature larger-than-usual light sensing cells. The
VIRTUAL TOUR in-camera processing produces output files larger than
Try before you buy! Rotate and
view this camera on-screen with the SuperCCD’s native resolution. The 2.1-megapixel
our unique virtual reality tour. SuperCCD in the FinePix F402, for example, generates
ON OUR
4-megapixel files, while the 3.3-megapixel SuperCCD
in the M603 (also reviewed this issue) can generate
4
C WEBSITE 6-megapixel images.
OPINIONS & SHOPPING So does the image quality match that of genuine 4
Post your views, see what other and 6-megapixel CCDs? That’s one of the things our test
readers think then buy this camera!
was aiming to find out.
digitalcameramagazine.co.uk
Price: £300 shoot only) and Manual (adding EVcompensation and zooms, and while you can shoot movies with sounds at On paper at least, the FinePix F402 doesn’t seem
Megapixels: 2.1 white balance adjustment). Still, it is very easy to 320 x 240 resolution, it’s only at 10fps. that impressive, but all that changes the moment you
operate. The graphical menu system is simple and it’s take it out of the box. It’s very slim indeed, with a
FinePix A303
Price: £270 immediately obvious how to navigate it. Pixel performance brushed metal finish, solid-feeling build and smooth-
Megapixels: 2 There are no custom ‘scene’ modes for portraits, On the other hand, the SuperCCD does have high cornered styling. The startup time is around a second
landscapes, night shots and so on, but the LCD can sensitivity, going up to ISO 800 and 1600, though only and focusing is pretty fast too. The shutter action is a
FinePix A203 display a grid, splitting up the scene into a 3x3 grid as a at 1260 x 980 resolution, using special ‘Pixel Coupling’ little uncertain at the end, leaving you wondering if
£ Price: £230
5
compositional aid. You can hook up the F402 to your PC technology. The xD-Picture Card you get with this and you’ve taken the shot or not, but the weighting is
Megapixels: 2
to use it as a webcam, and the price does include a soft other FujiFilm cameras certainly is tiny – less than half otherwise OK. The power switch is especially neat – a
2 SKIN TONES
7 SHUTTER BUTTON
4
3
5
has a reasonable PRO A nice healthy warmth in various lighting
action, but needs conditions, including flash. Good tonal rendition.
6
better shot CON Can exaggerate reds a little at times, which
confirmation seems to be characteristic of the SuperCCD
1
7 2 OUTDOOR SHOTS
LCD
The LCD is bright and
crisp, and pleasingly,
the optical viewfinder
isn’t bad either
7 ROW OF BUTTONS
This row of buttons
looks smarter
than a navipad,
but doesn’t work as
well. The control layout
is very good, though
5 PRO Very good exposure control, even in tricky
conditions like backlit and high contrast scenes
sliding panel to the left of the body as you hold the particularly easy to use. Things are looking up for the you’d hope for at this price, after all.
2 INDOOR SHOTS
camera, with a really nice action. little FinePix, then, but can the image quality from Where the SuperCCD does score, though, is its
The optical viewfinder is on the small side, but its 2.1-megapixel SuperCCD match up? sharpness at normal viewing distances. The shots
easy enough to put your eye too and quite crisp and Well, it’s not bad at all. SuperCCD images have are punchy and crisp-looking with decent saturation
bright. The 1.5-inch LCD on the back is good, too,
though it does get a bit grainy and dark in low
ambient light levels. On paper at least, the FinePix F402 doesn’t
Smooth operator seem that impressive, but all that changes
The buttons on the back work well too. The
the moment you take it out of the box 5 PRO Saturated but neutral colours. The slow flash
mode balances well with the available light
6
conventional four-way navipad has been dropped in CON The SuperCCD does offer high sensitivity,
but with more noise and less shadow detail
favour of a smart-looking but less effective strip of
buttons, with the larger, central one operating
up/down, and smaller buttons to the side for different qualities to those of conventional CCDs, and and contrast, and shouldn’t need too much work in 2 IMAGE QUALITY
moving left and right. it’s not that easy to compare them directly. Right up your image-editor later on.
A three-way switch swaps between movie, close, you can see that the F402’s 4-megapixel The only area where the camera struggled was in
playback and stills mode, and during playback mode images don’t have the bite or detail rendition of reproducing reds. They were all vivid, but with
the F402 cycles between images reasonably fast, ‘real’ 4-megapixel shots, and that there’s a distinct almost no differentiation between shades (see the
and you can zoom in and pan around your saved granular effect in some areas and clear edge red sweatshirt in our Skin Tones performance panel).
images too, though the lack of a zoom switch sharpening artefacts. The F402 may not look cheap on paper, but its
means you have to toggle between ‘zoom’ and The detail rendition lies around halfway between main metal-built sub-compact rivals are less capable
‘pan’ modes on the navipad. that of a typical 2-megapixel camera and a 2-megapixel models. The F402’s excellent design
It all adds up to a camera that feels well made 4-megapixel model. It’s roughly equivalent to a and build quality, plus its startlingly slim dimensions,
for the money, is extremely compact and is 3-megapixel camera’s results, which is about what are very appealing – a great pocket camera. 5 PRO Images are contrasty and saturated at normal
viewing distances, with neutral colour rendition too
1
4-megapixel camera – it’s more like a 3-megpixel
85%
Metering 64-zone Weight 125g (without battery or card)
Monitor
AE compensation
1.5-inch 117,000 pixels
+1.5 to -2EV in 0.3EV increments
Dimensions
Transfer
77mm(w) x 69mm(h) x 22mm(d)
USB FINAL
Flash
Video output
Auto, on, off, slow, red-eye
No
OS Windows 98/Me, 2000 or XP. Mac OS8.6-9.2.2,
OSX 10.0.4 or later
The limited specs make the F402 SCORE
look dear compared to other entry-
Movie recording 320 x 240 at 10fps with sound
Other features Docking cradle, soft case level snapshot cameras, but there’s
so much more to it than that
2
CASIO EXILIM PANASONIC MINOLTA CANON DIGITAL
WORTH EX-S2 LUMIX DMC F7 DIMAGE X IXUS V3
A LOOK £300/2MP £260/2MP £300/2MP £400/3MP
W
here other digital camera makers seek to
* ON OUR
COVERDISC make their models look as much like
conventional cameras as possible, Nikon took
a bold step with its CoolPix 990 model, the predecessor
to the 4500. Digital cameras don’t have the long and
complex optical paths of film cameras, and the
designers used this to separate the lens from the LCD
panel with a swivelling pivot halfway along the body. 3
VIRTUAL TOUR
The great thing about this design was it enabled you 1
Try before you buy! Rotate and to compose shots at waist level, overhead, and
view this camera on-screen with practically round corners. And despite feeling like
our unique virtual reality tour
plasticky gimmicks about to fall to bits, the 990/995
models were extremely robust, durable and practical.
ON OUR It’s nice to see Nikon continuing with its ‘swivelcam’
C WEBSITE series, since its 5-megapixel models have reverted to a
much more mainstream camera shape. Other cameras
OPINIONS & SHOPPING
Post your views, see what other like the PowerShot G2/G3 and 5-megapixel Nikons
readers think then buy this camera! have flip-out, rotating LCDs, but on the swivelling
digitalcameramagazine.co.uk/ CoolPix 4500, you use your fists not your fingernails. It’s
review/reviewproduct.asp?RGN
=2&RCN=13&RPN=170&sp=&v=3 instantly practical in a way that flip-out LCDs aren’t. And
that swivelling joint will last for decades. 7 LENS
7 SWIVEL JOIN
The 4500 has a
The 4500’s 4x zoom pivot halfway along
DIGITAL RANGE Leaner and fitter? is carried over from the body. You won’t
Price: £550 The 4500 swaps the rugged plastic ‘combat’ styling a single rotary power/mode switch. Instead, it’s have to press down vertically to ‘OK’ menu choices
Megapixels: 4 of the CoolPix 995 for a sleeker, more compact shape operated by a little button on the back and you have to and actions. It takes quite a firm push and it’s too
4300 and a hard, black, magnesium alloy finish. It’s not only go through the Quick Review mode (which displays a easy to push it to one side.
Price: £400 better-specified than its predecessor, but cheaper and thumbnail image within the main LCD image). It takes The latest 5-megapixel Nikons have controls which
Megapixels: 4 better-finished too. longer and it’s more awkward. are a bit smaller than you want them to be, and the
885 At least, that’s how you start off feeling. However, The LCD is smaller too. The old model’s 1.8-inch 4500 seems to be following this trend. There’s no
£ Price: £350 along the way the designers have also made display has been dropped for a 1.5-inch unit that’s very reason for it, since this is hardly a miniature camera.
5 Megapixels: 3.3 modifications to the control layout that offer less obvious
benefits. We’re so used to the outgoing 995 that maybe
bright and crisp, but still smaller.
A rearrangement of the mode functions does make it
It does feel good to use, though. The controls are
well-made, and the magnesium alloy body feels very
2 SKIN TONES
7 CONTROLS TO RIGHT
A reorganised
control layout leaves
the Nikon’s top
plate uncluttered,
but some changes
are not welcome
1
5 PRO A healthy-looking neutral colour balance in
most conditions and fine detail rendition
2 OUTDOOR SHOTS
7 7 THUMBSTICK 7
LCD What is it with digicam MENU BUTTON
The LCD is smaller makers? They drop Why are we showing
than the CoolPix navipads, which work you the menu button?
995’s, but it’s good
and sharp, so you
well, and use widgets
like this thumbstick,
Because you’ll be
seeing altogether too 5 PRO Sharp detail, accurate exposure and less
prone to overexposure and burn-out than some
probably won’t worry which don’t much of it, we fear
6 CON Can err on the side of underexposure, which
may mean some tweaking later
classy. The 4500 starts up a lot faster than the old work and when to use them – this camera comes with the 4500 are clearly crisper, sharper and
2 INDOOR SHOTS
995, and doesn’t sound so much like a tractor. with an excellent 164-page English manual. punchier than the 995’s which was, it has to be
Zooming is still a bit slow, but image playback, Although the EV compensation control is quite said, a little woolly in that respect.
zooming and panning is quick. The shutter release is handily placed, the 4500 still suffers from some of Compared to the other cameras on test this issue,
one of the 4500’s strong points, with a very well- the control problems of its predecessor. In particular, the CoolPix 4500 comes out pretty well. Detail is
weighted two-stage action that helps – along with it’s a camera with very powerful photographic well defined – its detail rendition is clearly better
than that of the FinePix F402, the Ricoh Caplio RR-30
and even the FinePix M603 – and tones are smooth
On the swivelling CoolPix 4500, you use with little granularity. Its images are perhaps a
6
rest, but it avoids the lurid reds of the two FujiFilm CON Could do with a slightly wider-angle zoom –
it’s a tad on the long side (38m equivalent)
models and produces commendable neutral results
practical in a way that flip-out LCDs aren’t all round. It’s possibly got a very slight tendency to
underexposure now and again, but that’s no bad 2 IMAGE QUALITY
the camera’s eminently ‘grippable’ design – to controls – exposure bracketing, white balance thing in a digital camera, prone as they are to
keep camera shake down to a minimum. bracketing, best shot selector and more – which are highlight burn-out.
The menus have been redesigned too, and while buried just that little bit too deep in the menus. In terms of image quality, build quality and
they don’t offer much that the old camera didn’t, general speed, the CoolPix 4500 is a significant step
the whole experience of using them is a bit more Visibly better up from the 995 – and it’s cheaper too. We still have
satisfactory – if you can live with that little But what about the image quality? The increase in misgivings about the controls and layout, though,
thumbstick, that is. resolution from the 3.3 megapixels in the 995 to the and CoolPix fans might find the changes frustrating.
The new scene mode is particularly effective, 4 megapixels in the 4500 might not sound much, First-time users, though, will simply marvel instead
offering not just a good range of modes, but also but we reckon 4-megapixel CCDs do a better job at the instant practicality of Nikon’s long-running
clear explanations as to what they’re for, how they than 3.3-megapixel chips, size for size. Shots taken swivelling design. 5 PRO Very sharp, crisp, well-exposed results. One of
the best 4-megapixel digital cameras
91%
Metering
Monitor
Matrix, centre-weighted, spot, AF spot
1.5-inch 110,000 pixels
Dimensions
Transfer
130mm(w) x 73mm(h) x 50mm(d)
USB FINAL
AE compensation
Flash
+/-2EV in 0.3EV increments
Auto, on, off, slow, red-eye
Software Nikon View 5, Photoshop Elements 1,
FotoStation Easy Nikon’s done a great job with the
SCORE
Video output NTSC or PAL OS Windows 98SE/Me, 2000, XP, Mac OS9.0-9.2,
Movie recording 320 x 240 at 15fps with sound OSX 10.1.2 or later image quality, build and finish, but
the 995’s successor isn’t necessarily
2
NIKON COOLPIX CANON CASIO OLYMPUS any better to use
WORTH 4300 POWERSHOT G3 QV-5700 C-50
A LOOK £400/4MP £700/4MP £600/5MP £550/5MP
F
ujiFilm’s camera range seems to be settling
* ON OUR
COVERDISC into three main product ranges. There are the
inexpensive entry-level snapshot cameras like
the A203, the high-end professional models like the
FinePix S602 and the FinePix S2 Pro and, in the middle, 2
we’ve got the company’s innovatively-styled
‘multimedia’ models.
And if one camera deserves the multimedia tag, it’s
this one. Other cameras include movie modes, but only
VIRTUAL TOUR at a limited resolution of 320 x 240 pixels and a flickery
Try before you buy! Rotate and frame rate of 15fps. The M603 just blows them all
view this camera on-screen with
our unique virtual reality tour away. With 640 x 480 resolution and a 30fps frame rate,
this camera comes close to the quality of digital
ON OUR camcorders. And with the inclusion of a MicroDrive slot
C WEBSITE and 512MB card, it can keep recording at these
resolutions for minutes on end. You even get a handgrip
OPINIONS & SHOPPING
Post your views, see what other to make longer sequence shooting more comfortable. 3
readers think then buy this camera!
digitalcameramagazine.co.uk/
casioqv5700
Strange but true
The high-quality movie mode and MicroDrive slot
aren’t the only unusual things about this camera.
Apart from the unusual upright shape, it comes with a
DIGITAL RANGE giant 2.5-inch LCD screen. The resolution is no higher 7 7
FUJIFILM than that of many rivals, at 118,000 pixels, but its BLUEBAR
That horizontal blue
LENS
The 2x optical zoom
sheer size makes it an impressive compositional divider doesn’t has a modest range,
S602 PRO
aid for still photographs and a great playback device indicate any clever and could do with a
Price: £700 bit more at the
kind of swivelling
Megapixels: 3.3 for movies. lens design telephoto end
The LCD needs to be good for composing images,
S602 mind, because there’s no optical viewfinder at all.
Price: £595
Not a problem if you generally compose shots on And the fact is that, photographically, the M603 is no unusual design features. The zoom rocker works
Megapixels: 3.3
the LCD screen anyway, but could be a bit of a worry more sophisticated than the little F402 – reviewed on conventionally enough, but the camera defaults to the
M603 as far as battery power is concerned. The quoted life page 28. It’s got 50% more resolution, but otherwise mid position rather than the wideangle setting, which
5
Price: £700 of 130 shots isn’t bad at all, though, and it only the same combination of program AE and modest EV we found to be a bit of a nuisance. But right next to it is
Megapixels: 3.3 drops slightly when you’re saving images on the compensation and white balance controls. Enough for the shutter release, also shaped like a rocker switch. This
F601 MicroDrive. Certainly we had no complaints about mildly creative snapping, but not much else. may prove more convenient for movie shooting, and it’s
Price: £400 battery life during our tests. The M603 is bulkier than you might be expecting, not a big disadvantage for stills, but it does takes some
Megapixels: 3.3 The M603 looks pretty pricey given its specifications, and while it’s got a nice metal finish, the quality is a bit getting used to and it’s easy to get the wrong switch
F401 despite that high-powered movie mode, but the patchy here and there, with a couple of untidy panel with your fingers (zoom instead of shutter and vice
£ Price: £330 inclusion of a 512MB MicroDrive accounts for a good joins on the top plate and a rather plasticky control versa) if you don’t look first.
5 Megapixels: 2.1 part of the cost. You also get a Picture Cradle for your
desk and a soft case to carry the camera round in.
‘bubble’ on the right.
And it’s on the bubble control that you’ll find other
Startup is pretty fast, but accompanied by some
loud electronic twittering that you’ll want to turn down
2 SKIN TONES
7 7
3
CONTROL BUBBLE LCD DISPLAY
This control ‘bubble’ The giant 2.5-inch LCD
houses the zoom is bright and crisp and
rocker and – unusually perfect for both 4
5
– the shutter release composition and PRO Very good skin tones which always look
movie playback warm and radiant. Your subjects will be flattered
3 2 OUTDOOR SHOTS
7 7
NAVIPAD MODE SWITCH
With a proper four- With just three
way navipad, the modes – still,
M603’s menus and
stored images are
playback and
movie – the M603 5 PRO Simple but not dumb! The exposure system
does a great job, even shooting into the light
easy to navigate is easy to grasp
6 CON Lens flare can creep in with strong
backlighting, and bright highlights easily burn out
from novelty movie modes The 6-megapixel images from the M603 offer
about the same level of detail rendition as you’d
expect from a typical 4-megapixel camera. Close-up
on the Setup screen. Focusing is reasonably rapid There are no scene modes, but the M603 does such detail is compromised by some granularity, edge
too (again, with the same loud confirmation bleeps), a reliable job in plain program mode (as do most effects and softness.
but the zooming speed is a bit disappointing, other digital cameras) that it’s debatable whether Colours, exposure, contrast, saturation and overall
5 PRO Good balance between flash and ambient
lighting in slow synch mode. Pleasing flesh tones
6
especially since the lens only has a 2x zooming you need them. colour balance are very good indeed, though, CON Watch for camera shake in low light until you
get used to the odd shutter release position
range anyway. The M603’s control layout is logical and easy to and prints viewed at normal distances look
The M603 is reasonably quick in playback mode,
cycling between images in a couple of seconds, and
understand – it doesn’t do that much anyway, let’s
face it – and it’s a nice camera to use. But while it’s
terrific. The only flaw is the rather over enthusiastic
treatment of reds – a trait the M603 shares with 2 IMAGE QUALITY
the giant display more than makes up for any by no means a big camera, it’s not one you can slip the cheaper F402.
sluggishness here. Zooming in and panning is pretty into your shirt pocket either. You’re paying a lot here for the high-quality
quick, too (more irritating bleeps – where is that movie mode and the bundled MicroDrive. The
Setup menu?). Quality and value M603’s photographic options are very modest
The movie quality is the M603’s unique feature, and indeed, so it’s just as well its point-and-shoot results
Settings the results are a step removed from the novelty are so reliable. The fact is that you can get the same
The menu system can be left set to Auto, where movie modes of most digital cameras. You can quality and a whole load more features for a lot less
you’ve got little to do except choose the image size transfer them to your computer and start building money than this, even within the FujiFilm stable, so
or set the self-timer, or Manual, where you can them into your home movie projects without the that movie mode is the only good reason to choose
adjust the EV compensation and white balance. expense and faff of DV capture cards, too. this camera. 5 PRO Bright, colourful results that nearly always
look great without any Photoshop tweaking at all
78%
Monitor
AE compensation
2.5-inch 118,000 pixels
+1.5 to -2EV in 0.3EV increments
Weight
Dimensions
210g (without battery or card)
64.5mm(w) x 93.3mm(h) x 31.6mm(d) FINAL
Flash
Video output
Auto, on, off, slow, red-eye
NTSC and PAL
Transfer
Software
USB
FinePix Viewer, ImageMixer VCD
SCORE
Movie recording 640 x 480 at 30fps OS Windows 98/Me, 2000 or XP. Mac OS8.6-9.2.2,
The M603 is far too expensive for
Other features LCD cover/shade, docking cradle, soft case, OSX 10.0.4 or later what it does as a still camera, so you
have to really want that movie mode
2
FUJI FINEPIX SONY OLYMPUS CASIO
WORTH F601 CYBERSHOT DSC- CAMEDIA C-50 QV-R4
to make it worth buying
A LOOK £400/3.3MP P9 £430/4MP £550/5MP £400/4MP
Canon PowerShot G3
Canon’s PowerShot G2 has been a long-standing digital camera classic, so we were
looking forward to the new G3 with bated breath…
W
e needn’t have kept our breath quite so
* ON OUR
COVERDISC bated. The original PowerShot G2 was packed
with smart photographic features, but wasn’t
the best-handling camera in the world, proving a bit
heavy and, thanks to its shape and smooth metallic
finish, hard to grip. Canon’s had a year and a half to
come up with something better, and the G3 isn’t quite 3
what we were expecting.
With a boxier, retro style it actually feels a little
VIRTUAL TOUR
Try before you buy! Rotate and more cheaply made than the G2, and has more
view this camera on-screen with
our unique virtual reality tour
buttons, knobs and dials than ever. True, it’s a little 1
more wieldy, and the finish and shape are a little less
slippery than the G2’s, but it’s no masterpiece and it’s
ON OUR going to have to have a lot of new stuff under the
C WEBSITE bonnet to overcome these first impressions.
OPINIONS & SHOPPING
Post your views, see what other What’s new?
readers think then buy this camera! The list of new features does sound impressive, mind.
digitalcameramagazine.co.uk/ At its heart the G3 has a new DIGIC processor, while the
review/reviewproduct.asp?RGN
=2&RCN=13&RPN=170&sp=&v=3 optical zoom range has been upped from 3x to 4x (the
extra is added at the telephoto end of the range). The 7 LENS
The first-rate f2.0
7 CONTROL WHEEL
aperture and shutter are now separate mechanisms, lens now has a 4x Some may find the
DIGITAL RANGE apparently, offering a wider range of combinations – zooming range, new control wheel
Price: £700 are analysed differently for vertical-format shots) and well and used little space. With the G3, the controls
Megapixels: 4 ensures the date-stamping is always the right way up. What’s not so new? have been separated into two smaller, fiddlier dials.
POWERSHOT S45 There are other additions and enhancements, The G3 starts up faster than the G2, but seems little On the back, meanwhile, a new ‘Func’ button pops
Price: £550 including a new 345-point ‘Flexizone’ AF/AE system quicker in practical terms at composing, adjusting, up a menu offering quick access to the ISO setting,
Megapixels: 4 but, at heart, the G3 is still very similar to the older G2. saving and reviewing shots. If you include controls and picture effects, bracketing, file format/quality and flash
DIGITAL IXUS V3 It offers fully-programmed auto-exposure, shutter- ergonomics in your assessment of ‘speed’, then it gets power. It seems smarter and slicker until you work out
£ Price: £400 priority and aperture-priority automation and full manual harder still to see where the G3’s advantages – if any – that the system on the old G2 didn’t actually need any
8
UNFOLD
THIS 8-PAGE
SECTION!
■ Map of sites
■ Top photo tips
■ Places to visit
■ Pocket guide
THIS MONTH
ANCIENT
MONUMENTS
How to photograph Britain’s
megalithic landscape
9 WAYS
CAPTURING SPORT TO BETTER
The right place at the right !
time – snapping athletes at ANIMAL SHOTS
the ‘critical moment’
Fold out this
guide to find
out how
ICY WATERS
Watch winter melt away –
Hear me roar! NO REFLECTIONS
we head to Scotland in WILDLIFE Wildlife photographer Peter Smart goes in search of big
8
ost wildlife photographers dream of welfare. They’re also excellent places for wildlife so wait for feeding times in order to get livelier
M photographing big game on safari in photographers to hone their skills. pictures. Many parks publish breeding
Africa. But the costs are high, and often it While some parks have drive-through facilities, programmes on their websites, enabling you to
remains just a dream, requiring budding David enabling you to shoot from the safety of your plan a visit in order to get pictures of newborn
Attenboroughs to seek alternative opportunities vehicle with few barriers between you and your cubs or family groups.
for photographing exotic animals such as lions, subject; others permit foot access on fenced Elephants don’t require mesh fences, which
tigers and elephants. pathways. Either way, you’ll rarely be closer to makes them easier to photograph. However,
When Longleat Safari Park opened in 1966, it the animals than ten feet. Just as you would their dark colouring can confuse a camera’s light
WILDLIFE PARKS broke the mould of the caged zoo, putting its photograph animals in the wild, your best friends meter, so take a reading off average tone
Dream of shooting game in wild animals into open enclosures more closely are a monopod, a telephoto lens (the longer the surroundings to get this right. Less dangerous
Africa? There are good resembling their natural habitats. Now, as well as better) and a good dose of patience. animals, such as giraffes, antelope and zebras,
alternatives closer to home being places of entertainment, wildlife parks are The most popular subjects are big cats. have more visible enclosures, and often can be
at the forefront of animal conservation and Lions and tigers tend to sleep during the day, approached closer.
Detach this section and take it on your travels!
8 8 8 WILDLIFE INSPIRATION [w] www.zoowatch.freeserve.co.uk, ZooWatch is a UK web portal to sites related to zoological parks and gardens in the UK and Ireland. Its website is a resource for educa
Getup&go to… MARWELL ZOO MARWELL
8
MY MUM
IMAGES © XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
E LIGHTING TIP MARWELL ZOO
8
AND ME
8
Mother and
EVEN LIGHTING baby groups always
Animals with textured or patterned make good pictures
coats such as tigers, leopards and
zebras are best photographed in even
light. This ensures that you don’t lose
THE EYES
8
the detail, and means you can have a
Opposing
AIM FOR MARWELL
go at capturing abstract shots. By car: Leave the M3 at Junction 11 or the
sight lines
M27 at Junction 6. Marwell is six miles
create tension here
south of Winchester on the B2177.
8
WHAT IS IT?
Marwell Zoo is geared up for
photography – it even has its own
photographic society. The 100-acre
site was founded in 1972 and you’ll
find three species of zebra, six species
of cat, giraffes, white rhino and the
largest collection of antelope in the UK.
LOCATION
Marwell Zoological Park,
Colden Common, Winchester,
Hants, SO21 1JH.
FACILITIES
Family restaurant at zoo. Marwell Hotel
near main entrance.
OPENING HOURS
Winter hours, 10am – 4.30pm; summer
RED PANDA
EXPERT ADVICE hours, 10am– 6pm. There’s a
8
specialises in
wildlife shots. ABOVE RIGHT Focusing in close with a long lens will
to make them invisible.
Visit his help you lose the bars surrounding more dangerous
website at
animals such as this jaguar POST-SHOOT
8
8
Flash will reflect on mesh or CULTURED VULTURE Be prepared to trade off size for quality
perspex screens so don’t use it Don’t forget the rest. The lions and tigers may be the at times.
straight-on. most dramatic subjects but other species are equally
as attractive to photograph – and sometimes easier!
AVIEMORE
8
AIM FOR AVIEMORE
By car: Take the A9 to Aviemore, then go
east towards the Great Wilderness area of
the Cairngorms for six miles to Loch
Morlich in the heart of Glenmore Forest.
8
MELT WATERS 5 BLUE LIGHT
5
s the days lengthen and temperatures
A rise, the last vestiges of winter start Sharp focus throughout is critical in this Shooting in the shade in overcast light
WHAT IS IT?
Bought by the Forestry Commission in
Cairgorms river scene. Focus about one- has produced a cold blue-ness,
to melt into spring. What better time to 1923, Glenmore consists of 8,600
third back and set the aperture to about f22 emphasised by selecting white balance
capture the transformation of solid into acres of woodland and open hillside
encircling beautiful Loch Morlich. The
liquid as frozen streams and pools trickle burns are particularly good because the
loch is fed by countless small burns,
back to life? In its solid form, ice can be dull waterlogged, peaty soil around them making it good hunting ground for
and opaque, but as it melts and thins, its drips constantly and often forms icicles – icy subjects.
new-found liquid transparency sparkles as it sometimes with grasses embedded in them
catches the light. – or icy splash areas as the water has WHERE TO GO?
Glenmore Forest Park.
You’ll find fertile shooting locations occur frozen. Follow them slowly uphill from a
anywhere that small streams splash their river or loch, keeping your eyes open for LOCATION?
way across rocks on their way downhill to attractive icicles or hanging curtains of ice Near Aviemore, Highlands, Scotland
join larger water courses. Scottish Highland full of texture from the bubbles of air PH22 1QU.
trapped inside them. It’s useful to have a
WHAT ARE THE FACILITIES?
macro lens for this, along with a tripod Café and toilets at the visitor centre
suitable for rough ground. But don’t unsling on the lake (9am – 5pm daily), plus a
your tripod until you’ve found your shot caravan and camp site.
‘freehand’, allowing the creative juices to
flow unencumbered.
COST?
BEST RESULTS
8
a polariser) to retard the exposure if straight back at you and create ugly,
specular highlights.
conditions are too bright. UNDEREXPOSED PICTURE?
Larger rivers may have too large a body WHAT TO FOCUS ON Snow and ice can often deceive camera
of water to have frozen sufficiently during a exposure meters, leaving you with an
Trying to focus close on plain snow or
underexposed picture. If you didn’t
cold spell, but thin sheets of floating ice will ice can be difficult – both eye and
compensate for it in-camera, try
often form in the shallows. Sometimes autofocus sensors have nothing to latch
making a new Layer of your picture
onto. Gently lay a twig or something
raised above the surface on rocky supports, then blending this with the original in
similar in the shot at the appropriate
the frayed edges of the ice present an Screen mode. Adjust the effect with the
SLOW STREAM
5
place, focus on this, then remove it.
percentage slider to suit.
A slow shutter speed of 2 to 4 secs blurs almost lace-like pattern as it’s eaten away
the water to a rushing milky white by the passing water.
LANDSCAPE INSPIRATION [w] www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/HCOU-4U4HZM, The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for the protection of Britain’s forests and woodlands
Side A Side A This is side A. Turn over for side B
to fold this booklet: about the shoot, and we'll reply! more blurring. fill the frame.
with your name & a few words
8 8 8 How
Slower speeds will produce background and the zoom to
around into a square in half horizontally from rest of section gallery.dcm@futurenet.co.uk
STEP 3: Now fold STEP 2: Fold this side STEP 1: Detach sheet that ‘frozen in time’ effect. depth of field to blur the
Email a small JPEG to combined with fast film, for distractions. Use shallow
■ Now send us your pictures! Do use speeds of 1/120sec Do always try to remove
CONTROL THE SHUTTER SPEED FILL THE FRAME
of ancient history
the best places to snap a little bit
Britain’s neolithic past. We reveal
into spectacular symbols of
a pile of moss-covered relics
5 Turn
how to get there
■ Detailed maps of
2
motion blur.
the shutter speed to remove
shallow depth of field, and vary
able to widen the aperture for
of manual control – you want to be
offers enough in the way
SIDE B: ANCIENT
2 MONUMENTS
Make sure your camera
SHUTTER SPEED
03
zoo or wildlife photos
ways you can improve your pet,
your camera)! We reveal nine to fill the frame with your pet.
ANCIENT MONUMENTS/ANIMALS
animals for fun (with way past bars at the zoo, or use it
5 Shoot
distractions. Zoom your
■ Dos/don’ts Use the zoom to crop out
■ Equipment ZOOM LENS
02
■ Tips
INDEX: our tripod recommendations.
See our reviews in issue 4 for
need to support the camera.
long lens, you’ll
SIDE A: HOW TO
2 PHOTOGRAPH ANIMALS
If you are using a
01
WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE TRIPOD animal without blurring.
TOPICS COVERED this is so you can capture the
Do use ISOs of around 400-800 –
>
Getup&go
Getup&go ANIMAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Given that animals infested beast you end up This will produce the sharper or 200 – and support the would apply if photographing your pet is likely to do
never do what you with isn’t exactly what you images you want. Don’t worry camera. Widen the aperture – a person. If you’re permitted, something interesting.
want, when you want had in mind. about the results being slightly say to around f/4. The why not get an interesting For example, it could be
or how you want, how do you So zoos and wildlife parks grainy, this should not be a advantage of blurring out the expression by giving the a cat getting ready to pounce,
8 have some advantages for the problem if your aim is to background is that it makes it animal a treat and capturing or a dog stealing something
go about getting decent
pictures of the furry blighters? photographer these days: produce standard sized prints. harder to tell that you have the results? Try to capture the from the table. You will know
One way is simply to animals are looked after and been photographing at the zoo animal in the middle of some your pet’s behaviour better
visit a zoo or wildlife park. may well be in better TRY SHALLOW DEPTH or park. action – maybe try to get a than anyone, so be ready –
condition than the ‘real’ thing.
4 OF FIELD photograph during bathing images like this are the best.
Not only are you guaranteed
a selection of suitably Plus, setting up and taking the If your camera supports it, try THINK OF IT AS time. And focus on the eyes.
shots is easier – if the animal’s narrowing the depth of field
6 A PORTRAIT GET THE
exotic, fierce if slightly
pose is wrong or the weather so your subject stands out The best way to get a cracking TELL A STORY 8 ANGLE RIGHT
bored creatures, but they
is wrong, simply wait until you against a blurry background. animal picture, is to use some
7 Keep your camera to As with portraits of babies and
aren’t going to wonder off or
start ripping up rivals just as get the shot you want. Try a slower ISO setting – 100 of the same techniques you hand and get ready to snap if children, try to get down
you’re about to snap off that to eye level with your pet
great shot. USE THE ZOOM and photograph from that
2 The aim is to try to get USE THE FLASH angle. If your pet is distracted
Alternatively, you can
good close-ups, while being
5 A quick burst of fill-in by your close proximity,
always stay home and
photograph the dog. The careful that the cute monkey flash on a dull day will help use the zoom so you can
brighten colours and add life to back off a little.
IMAGES © PETER SMART
21
BASED ON ORDNANCE SURVEY MAPPING © CROWN COPYRIGHT, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: AM134/02
2 1 STONEHENGE
AGE 5,000 years
Originally there were some 80 stones circling an inner ditch (the
‘henge’). You can find Stonehenge located at the junction of the
A303 and the A344 but for such a world famous site, its tourist
support facilities are very poor.
ENTRANCE £4 to view the stones. Private access can be arranged
before 9am – fill in a form at www.english-
heritage.org.uk/Filestore/visits_and_events/pdf/private.pdf
MORE INFO www.britainexpress.com/History/Stonehenge.htm
2 2 SILBURY HILL
long, at the east entrance there are several huge standing stones. Walk past these
from around 5AD, when it was most
around 10 metres into the ground, and you will come upon five stone-lined burial
likely created as relief when the
chambers. When first excavated, the remains of 46 people were found and
AGE 4,000 years surrounding region flooded. In the
legends say there’s a ghost of a dog that is supposed to haunt the site.
Silbury Hill is only a 14th century, a Church was built at its
ENTRANCE leave the car in the car park and climb half a mile to the long barrow.
couple of miles from summit – St Michael’s Tower is the
MORE INFO www.stonepages.com/england/westkennet.html
Avebury. Located only surviving part. Why not visit
between Marlborough Glastonbury Abbey and Chalice Hill.
and Beckhampton in ENTRANCE Access to the Tor is
Wiltshire, at 130 feet unrestricted, and you’ll find there are
high it’s the largest views of the surrounding Somerset
man-made mound in Levels – ideal for creating a
Europe. Despite being panorama. Park in Glastonbury and
excavated four times catch the park and rise to the Tor
since 1776, no (April-Sept).
remains have been MORE INFO
found. In fact, nobody www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scripts/
knows what Silbury nthandbook.dll?ACTION=PROPERTY&
Hill was built for… PROPERTYID=346
22
ENTRANCE It’s illegal
to climb the hill but
there is a car park
nearby from which
you can take photos.
23
© CROWN COPYRIGHT, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: AM134/02
MORE INFO
www.britannia.com/
wonder/emsilbry.html
BASED ON ORDNANCE SURVEY MAPPING
©Alan Brown
INDOOR ATHLETICS
8
AIM FOR BIRMINGHAM
By car: Take the A38 (M) from Junction 6
of the M6 then follow the signs.
8
SPORT ON YOUR MARKS... WHAT IS IT?
Missed out on tickets for Birmingham’s
World Indoor Championships? Athletes
will be competing for places at the WIC
Alan Brown takes to track and field in search of passion and athletic skill at the AAA Indoor Championships at the
same venue on 1st – 2nd March.
hotographing sport is about these move to outdoor tracks from April. OVER THE TOP
P
8
capturing the ‘critical moment’, Inner field events such as the javelin In this shot, the peak moment in the LOCATION
action has been captured Birmingham NIA, King Edward’s Road,
whether it’s the peak of the action – and shot are difficult to access, but track
Birmingham, B1 2AA.
a goal scored, the race won or a events and jumps are better sited, making warm-ups to see which way athletes face
fleeting emotion on a competitor’s them easier to capture with a 200mm lens at the critical moment, and position WHEN IS IT OPEN?
face. The secret to success is knowing your from spectator seats. yourself accordingly. From 1st February for five weeks,
sport well enough to anticipate that Once you have decided on the event, You’ll find grace and beauty, 10am – 4pm.
‘moment’, and being in the right place to seek out the best spot to capture the passion and humour in every event.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
record it. highlights. Try the start and finish line for Look for oddball poses and interesting Tickets £2 to £4.
Big names may only grace events like sprints; mid-track for hurdlers; and behind juxtapositions between competitors and
the World Indoor Championships, held in the pit so you can see the faces of their surroundings, and don’t be afraid to WHAT ARE THE FACILITIES?
Parking, food and drink available.
Birmingham (14th – 16th March), but competitors coming towards you for the get down low for more dynamism.
you’ll find rising stars at interclub league jumping events. The repetitive nature of INFO
meets almost weekly around the country. many events gives you plenty of BEST RESULTS www.ticketmaster.co.uk
8
Mostly held indoors during the winter, opportunity to get it right – watch the Telephone 0121 200 2202
ESSENTIAL KIT
A monopod and a 400 ISO setting (800
for indoors) are essential. Forget about
auto-focus unless you have fast
predictive focusing. Instead, pre-focus on
POST-SHOOT
8
A long lens and restricted colours You'll often find home-grown talent shutter speeds.
make this a strong graphic image at many of the smaller meets
ATHLETICS INFORMATION [w] www.ukathletics.net, The official website of UK athletics with details of forthcoming meets
Getup&go to… MEGALITHS IN WILTSHIRE
CONTROL FLA
8
Hide the sun behin
Beware of looking
may damage your eyes
Ancient inspirations
AVEBURY SHADOWS
LANDSCAPE Pete Martin roams the megalithic landscape
8
here are a thousand prehistoric Long Barrow and the mound known as Silbury
T monuments around the British Isles. hill (both pre-date Stonehenge and Avebury).
Perhaps the largest concentration is in Wiltshire, West Kennet’s use as a burial place is well
of which Avebury and Stonehenge must documented, but Silbury’s original purpose still
surely be the most famous – and the most isn’t known.
photographed. Dating back 4000 years, All these massive structures are best
and sited in landscapes as evocative as the photographed early or late in the day (and year),
stones themselves, these potent reminders of when the sun’s low angle brings both stones and
our ancient heritage make strong and the surrounding downlands to life. Early morning
atmospheric images. mists are particularly photogenic and you’ll find
At 427 metres in diameter, Avebury is the stones clear of people – a perennial problem
reckoned to be the largest stone circle in the at Stonehenge, in particular.
world, and partially encloses the village at its
heart. It’s not as well known as nearby
BEST RESULTS
8
while still showing their context within the huge which is likely to play a large part in TOP There are many photogenic megalithic monuments
ditch and bank that encircles the stones. By pictures, especially at sunset. scattered across most of Britain. This one is Pentre Ifan in mid-
Using filters: enhance the blue with a Wales, captured in the early morning light
contrast, the power of Stonehenge is best
polariser and use graduated filters to
captured with a telephoto lens from a distance, reduce any contrast. But remember that BACKLIGHT
8
taking care to find locations that offer good the more glass, the greater the chances BOTTOM Shade your lens from the sun when shooting with low
separation between the stones. of flare. backlighting to avoid flare
A short walk away you’ll find West Kennet
MONUMENT INFORMATION [W] www.henge.org.uk Want to visit some ancient sites but are looking for something closer to home? Check out the list of English, Scottish and Welsh sites
WILTSHIRE
8 AVOID CROWDS
AVEBURY
8
You’ll avoid the crowds if you go in the early morning
for sunrise. Luckily the sheep add to the scene!
8
nd a stone to keep flare under control.
Backlighting and an early morning mist
8 DEEP BLUE
Use a polariser to deepen the colour of
the sky and saturate it. This will add a
couple of stops to the exposure so use a tripod
with long lenses
DETAILS
8
WHAT IS IT?
Like Stonehenge, 25 miles to the south,
LOW SUN Avebury is a henge monument,
8
LOCATION
Avebury stone circle.
INFO
www.megalithic.co.uk
POST-SHOOT
8
DRAMATIC EFFECTS
Consider turning suitable colour
images into black and white ones
for more dramatic, atmospheric images.
Although you can simply desaturate
the colour or use the Grayscale mode in
your image editing program, you’ll get
better results using Photoshop’s
Channel Mixer (Image, Adjust) to
control the transition of the various
colour channels.
CANON POWERSHOT G3
PERFORMANCE
2 SKIN TONES
7
POWER SWITCH
The power switch/
record/playback dial
has been separated
from the exposure
mode dial
1
5 PRO The G3’s excellent exposure control and high
sharpness means that portrait shots come out well
3 2 OUTDOOR SHOTS
7 EXPOSURE 7 7 BUTTONS
MODE DIAL LCD A reshuffling of the
You can now save The flip-out swivelling controls has led to
two custom LCD is the same as the some ergonomic
shooting modes, outgoing G2’s. They’re improvements over
5
accessed via the useful, but not as the G2 but no great PRO High sharpness, a wide maximum aperture
exposure mode dial much as you think changes overall and an extended zoom range
6
time-lapse feature and the G3’s focus bracketing CON You shouldn’t have to resort to the menus to
switch the flash to slow sync mode
(yes, really). What many users will be looking
hand corner is obscured by the lens barrel for is a camera that’s actually better designed,
easier to use, more practical and with more 2 IMAGE QUALITY
various alternative AE modes, and move quickly handling. And have Canon’s engineers been able to accessible controls. Yet put the G3 side by side
through the various shortcut ‘Func’ menus, but it’s improve on the image quality, too? with the G2 and the older camera still feels better
too small, too free-moving and seems unnecessary. The G3’s images are certainly sharp, and maybe made and less cluttered.
The new 4x zoom lens is a clear advantage, of you might notice some difference next to shots If there was no such camera as the PowerShot
course, but what’s this? If you use the optical finder taken on the G2. Amongst 4-megapixel cameras, G2, we’d probably be full of praise for the G3. Its
you find that a big chunk of the image in the bottom few can match these results. It’s interesting that features and performance put it right at the front of
left-hand corner is obscured by the lens barrel. Did Canon hasn’t bothered to produce a 5-megapixel the 4MP pack, and the fat lithium-ion cell and
nobody notice this when they designed it? The G3 model and, given the quite small differences we’ve reduced power consumption make the G3 great for
shares an irritating design flaw with the G2, too, in been able to detect between the G2/G3 and 5- long expeditions, too. As a replacement for a modern
that the Menu button falls directly under your right megapixel cameras, maybe Canon has a point. classic, though, it’s a bit of a disappointment. 5 PRO Great exposure control, good contrast and
saturation and smooth tones
Sensor 4-megapixel, 1/1.8-inch 4.1MP CCD Other features Timelapse photography, focus bracketing
Lens Canon f2.0-3.0 4x zoom Image storage Compact Flash BUILD 72 1
Focus
Exposure modes
Auto, manual, 5cm in macro mode
Program AE, Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority,
Batteries
AC adaptor
Lithium-ion, BP-511
Yes by its predecessor VALUE 73 1
Manual, scene modes Weight 410g (without batteries or card)
81%
Metering
Monitor
Evaluative, centre-weighted, spot, AF spot
1.8-inch TFT
Dimensions
Transfer
121mm(w) x 73.9mm(h) x 69.9mm(d)
USB FINAL
AE compensation
Flash
+/-2EV in 0.3EV increments
Auto, on, off, slow, second curtain, red-eye
Software ZoomBrowser EX, PhotoRecord, PhotoStitch,
RAW image converter, Photoshop 5.0LE The PowerShot G3 has many new
SCORE
Video output NTSC or PAL OS Windows 98/Me, 2000, XP. Mac OS8.6-9.2,
Movie recording 320 x 240 at 15fps with sound OSX 10.1 or later features, but it’s fiddlier and fussier
than the old G2. At this price, too, it’s
2
CANON CASIO OLYMPUS NIKON got some serious 5-megapixel rivals
WORTH POWERSHOT G2 QV-5700 C-5050 COOLPIX
A LOOK £650/4MP £600/5MP £700/5MP £800/5MP
DVD PictureShow
Put a modern spin on the most ancient of family gatherings, using a DVD player, a digital camera, and the
Digital Imaging Suite
memories of good times had by all
x WHAT’S NEW and assigning them a keyword, you can quickly search 06
for the exact image that you need – or alternatively, 04 Timing
By default, all slides appear for the
CONTROLS give each a rating and ensure that the cream floats to same length of time. You can adjust
■ Image auto-slice this setting as needed, here.
the top. At this time, you can take advantage of a
■ Improved photo tools 05 Options 06 Simple stages 07 Control 08 Thumbnails
■ Label maker number of tools for correcting colours, removing red-eye All of the options that you have to Slideshows are put together in With the video and slideshow The thumbnail views may be
play with spring up on the left as stages, zeroing in on exactly options, you have far more control small, but never to the extent
■ Powerful transition effects and otherwise correcting any imperfections – although and when you need them. All are what you’ll need to do at any than it initially seems. Follow the that you can’t see what you’re
■ Captions over slides Photo Explorer as a whole is no real match for the likes self-explanatory. given time. path, and you can’t go wrong. working on.
90%
Make use of the catalogue. It’s FINAL
easy to remember everything adjust the amount of time that each image is displayed burning, all is not lost, as the suite can output results as that your friends and family are SCORE
early on, but files quickly multiply. on the screen according to how much you have to say – HTML documents, ideal for uploading to the web. suitably teched up, it’s the ideal
there’s no need to stretch stories out to several minutes Having burned your masterpiece to a disc, the way to share the memories.
still on
ly
£3.99
REVIEWS CAMERA BAGS
This Australian bag is made out of the elegantly named ChickenTex, an artificial fibre that bears a striking resemblance to
nylon. External dimensions of 140 x 170 x 100mm contain a main padded compartment of 100 x 140 x 50mm (if
you’ve got an SLR or heftier old-school digital camera, the Crumpler range goes up to about twice this capacity). Made
from solid rip-stop nylon, the outer material feels tough – even a little bit too stiff for comfort. Although it comes with a
belt loop, the shoulder strap is more useful, with adjustable length and a strong Velcro quick-release fastening. The
zippered front compartment features two small pockets and one slightly larger one, plus a Velcro-secured mesh pouch
that claims to be anti-static, making it perfect for memory storage (although it suffers from having almost no padding).
A nice innovation is the elasticated loop for preventing your battery pack from bashing anything
82%
else nearby – always a worry when expensive memory cards and heavy cells share a space. FINAL
SCORE
The Crumpler Digits Sporty Guy 1.2 is well constructed, but the fact that you can’t seal the main
compartment means that it isn’t as weather-proof as other bags on test.
Smaller…
LOWE D-RES 4
MEMORY CARD
WALLET 7CASELOGIC DC40
Price: £8
Contact: www.lowepro.com Price: £10
If you’ve Contact: www.casedirect.com
already got a
camera bag
from your film
The DC40 is the smallest camera bag on test, measuring just 100 x 135 x 70mm
photography externally. Its internal dimensions aren’t a lot smaller, meaning its padding isn’t as
days, you just extensive as the more expensive bags. The thin front padding is especially worrying, as
need a digital upgrade. Your first
move should be to organise and
this is prime territory for knocks and drops. The DC40 is constructed from an artificial
protect your memory cards. The leather material called Koskin that’s unlikely to fool many people, but does have the
D-RES 4 memory card wallet can advantage of being water resistant and tough. A detachable shoulder strap and belt loop
store two small card cases plus one
large (PCMCIA-sized) card in its
are included and – unsurprisingly at this price – all the fittings are made of plastic.
mesh pockets. An affordable and There’s a small zip-fastened rear pouch, which is OK for cards but you wouldn’t want
well-designed essential. to store bulky batteries in it. The main compartment is also zip-fastened, with a fold-
over protective flap. A neat design touch is the internal flaps that prevent the front cover
from folding all the way out, thus preventing your camera from slipping out if you open
And Larger… the bag too quickly. Caselogic is the only company on test to realise
LOWE PRO D-
63%
that you’ll be putting a bag anywhere else but on your body, with FINAL
RES 300 a plastic reinforced water-resistant panel sensibly protecting the
SCORE
BRIEFCASE base of the DC40. Larger versions of this bag are also available.
Price: £50
Contact: www.lowepro.com
The D-RES
63%
detachable strap with non-slip size might suggest – check the fitting before you buy. The Digicase’s front compartment has a slip-in FINAL
SCORE
shoulder pad. pocket and another zippered mesh pocket for cards and batteries. Centon does offer a two-year
warranty on its Digicase bags, which should be long enough if they’re as tough as it claims.
The solid lines and ugly leather patches of the 285g D-F/V1 are unlikely to win any style awards, but its 130 x 155 x
100mm durable 600D polyester exterior conceals some great design features. Carrying options are good, with two belt
loops, a central padded hand strap and an adjustable shoulder strap complete with non-slip padding. It’s worth noting
that all the fittings are metal, which should aid longevity. A thin rear zip pocket doesn’t seem to have a lot of utility, but
the main compartment opens towards the user. The main space (110 x 130 x 55mm) is fully padded, with an optional
divider attached by a couple of Velcro strips. The lid doubles up as a mesh pocket with Velcro fastenings, which is ideal
for keeping your cards out of harm’s way. Lift the front flap and Samsonite has stuck in an address
85%
label for those people who are naive enough to hope that someone discovering four hundred FINAL
SCORE
quid’s worth of portable electronics will track down their rightful owner. Build quality is good,
although a couple of the zips felt somewhat flimsy.
The medium Digicase on test has a similar design to the small version, with two main compartments and a snap-
fastened fold-over flap. The shoulder strap provided is thin and comes with all-plastic fittings, and might not be up to
extended real-world wear and tear. There’s also a single belt loop. Although the external dimensions of 120 x 160 x
58mm sound fairly generous, the main compartment is split in two – designed more for a stylecam and spare battery
than a normal-sized camera. The compartment’s zip-fastened lip has a zip-fastened mesh pocket on its underside, which
a good location for stashing your memory cards. The Centon digicases have some of the thinnest padding on test in their
main compartments. That’s not necessarily a problem because it keeps the weight
65%
down, and internal space up. If it’s just a matter of surviving a fall from your waist, FINAL
SCORE
all the bags on test will be fine. If a longer fall or sharper impact is likely, opt for
more substantial padding, and be prepared to lug about a larger, heavier bag.
Our second Crumpler bag is smaller and less expensive that its 1.2 brother, but
shares many of its features including its ChickenTex skin. The bag measures 110 x 150
x 80mm with an internal space of 80 x 120 x 40mm, making it suitable only for
smaller digital cameras and stylecams. There is a removable shoulder strap, but
the 0.6 is happiest worn on a belt, using a brace of cunning Velcro straps to attach
firmly at waist level. The main compartment has a non-scratch microfibre lining to
avoid damaging optical components, although there’s very little padding on the top Thanks to Jessops for the kind loan
fold-over flap. of the equipment for this feature.
A front compartment has room for memory cards and a battery or two, but there’s Check out its website at
www.jessops.com
no space for accessories. Build quality is excellent throughout – this is a tough little
case. And it’s notable for having relatively few seams. No matter how good the
stitching is (and the Crumpler’s is almost faultless), wear and tear
65%
generally concentrates on seams, so the fewer a bag has, the FINAL
SCORE
better. It’s a hefty price tag for such a small bag, but this is one bag
that won’t fall to pieces in a hurry…
UPGRADE
R OS X
GET YOUR MAC FIT FO
SPECIAL!
Complete guide to upgrading old Macs – which parts
to buy, where to buy them and how to install.
BECOME A DIGICAM
Perfect the colour balance in your snaps
PRO
HOW TO TURBO UR
✔ Create your own PDFs
CHARGE WYOITH
✔ Compose fonts for print MOUSE OUSE
✔ Sort your life out with your Mac FREE! M EZ
✔ Sharpen your images for a pro result SKAT
✔ Transform movies with perfect audio
And much much more…
DON’T MISS!
PLUS: NEW APPLE KIT TESTED! SUPERTESTS: MP3
■ Final Cut Express PLAYERS & DV CAMS
All you need to know to make that
■ Keynote vital buying decision.
Labtest
DIRECT PHOTO
PRINTERS
P
rinting your digital images at home is now as quality photo prints and crisp monochrome pages. They ON TEST
easy as investing in a good quality inkjet should be able to accept a range of paper sizes from PRINTERS
printer. This month we’ve rounded up six of envelopes up to A4, and work with all major operating
the best on offer and put them through the Digital systems and memory cards. Beyond this, you’re CANON
Camera Magazine labs. If you use a manufacturer’s generally paying for print speed, build quality and extra S530D
inks with the recommended premium photo paper, features such as roll paper holders, built-in image Price: £250
even sub-£200 models can routinely deliver prints enhancers and bundled software. Inkjet printers at the
EPSON
that look almost as good – and should last as long – as top of this price range and above can handle larger paper
STYLUS PHOTO 915
silver halide prints from a commercial laboratory. But the sizes and often come with more than the standard four Price: £180
latest printers are aiming for more than just replacing inks, for improved colour reproduction.
trips to the shops, they’re now gunning for the PC on EPSON
your desktop. Features to look out for STYLUS PHOTO 925
Price: £220
All direct printing inkjets on test come with slots The headline features of any printer are its resolution and
into which you can slip the memory card from your print speed. Print speed is quoted in pages per minute HP
camera (and sometimes a cable from the camera itself), (ppm) but never believe manufacturer’s figures – there PHOTOSMART 7350
Price: £200
enabling you to print enprints, enlargements up to are no reliable standards and the performance you get
A4 size and panorama prints, without ever booting depends on the specification of your PC.
LEXMARK
up your desktop PC. Even if you don’t often print directly See the results section at the end of this lab test for Z65P
from the card, these printers offer an excellent way of an assessment of the printers’ real-world speeds. Price: £150
adding a decent memory card reader to your system Resolution is a more objective measurement, and 2,400
without taking up another USB port or more desktop x 1,200dpi (dots per inch) is the minimum you should SONY
real estate. look for in a photo inkjet. Printers with 4800dpi+ vertical DPP-EX7
Price: £370
Inkjet printers have never been more affordable, with resolution will generally only deliver that resolution on
the £150 to £250 range offering particularly good the correct media (normally the most expensive
value. Spend less than this and you could end available) and this is especially the case for the 5,760dpi
up with a very slow model (some cheap models can figures quoted for the Epson printers.
take 20 seconds to produce a page of text and many HP would have you believe that its PhotoRET IV
minutes to output a photo). technology gives it a major boost. PhotoRET is a
If you do any quantity of photo printing, your main layering system that puts down up to 30 dots of ink
expenses will be ink and good quality paper, so buying a on top of each other to build up smooth variations
budget printer won’t even save you much money in the in colour. Using less ink, it’s faster and cheaper than
long run. Printers above £150 should all deliver good full resolution printing and gives impressive results,
The S530D is the only printer on test to use separate It’s not unheard of to get six-colour printing at under A step up in terms of speed and build quality
cartridges for each of its four ink colours, plus a £200, but add an LCD, 5600dpi-optimised resolution from the 915, the six-colour Epson Stylus Photo
separate print head with a generous 256 black and compatibility with all the major memory cards, and 925 has four dedicated slots for memory cards,
ink nozzle. This saves both time and money: the Epson seems to be onto a budget winner. The 915 is an automatic roll paper cutter and a much improved
Canon prints at least twice as fast, and at half the never going to win prizes for build quality but it’s rare LCD screen that makes direct printing as easy as
cost of the other printers. It’s a shame the memory to find a roll paper holder on a printer at this price. it can be without actually seeing the image.
card slot is dependent on PCMCIA adaptors, because Although installation is simple and the printer is easy to Performance is solid rather than exciting, with
the Canon is excellent ergonomically, with a use, the print quality betrays its budget price tag, with technically proficient images nevertheless lacking the
comprehensive LCD menu system, straightforward only acceptable colour reproduction and very poor black spark of the HP and the speed of the Canon photo
driver and some useful bundled software. This printer is and white printing. printers on test.
a very safe choice.
KEY FEATURE 1 KEY FEATURE 1
KEY FEATURE 1 The 915 has two ink cartridges – black and colour The excellent 5cm mono LCD screen displays options
The control panel is a lot easier to use than it looks. (which contains five inks for increased photo realism). clearly via a logical menu system.
5
72% 5
57% 5
63%
PRO Good, fast printing. FINAL PRO High resolution FINAL PRO Superb colour FINAL
Cheap ink SCORE SCORE printing. Good design SCORE
although you can always choose full resolution printing if Lexmark is the only printer to come with two separate standalone device. Optional preview monitors are
you prefer. paper trays – one for plain and one for speciality paper, available for the Epsons (£80) and the Canon (£90), but
All but the Sony (whose maximum paper size is although the HP does have an extra slot just for 6 x 4- without the DPP-EX7’s interactivity.
6 x 4 inches) are A4 printers, and all but the Lexmark inch photo paper. The Lexmark and HP also have
are capable of printing borderless prints. This gives automatic paper sensors so that you can’t accidentally Printing from a card
you a huge range of paper size and printing options – print with ‘plain’ settings on expensive photo paper. The number and quality of slots that each printer offers
the best place to select these is in the printer driver. Although all the paper feeders (except the Sony) can vary widely. At the bottom of the pile are the Canon
The Epsons are notable for coming complete with roll take up to 100 sheets of paper, you should always feed and the Epson 915. These come with a single PCMCIA
paper holders. Roll paper is great for producing quantities glossy paper through one sheet at a time. slot, so you’ll need an adaptor to use any of the standard
of 6 x 4 inches (or a similar size) enprints and is the only All the printers on test except the Lexmark have some card formats. A Compact Flash adaptor is supplied,
way to output true panoramic prints, but it’s tricky to load kind of built-in LCD. The Canon, Epsons and HP have small and ones for other formats cost £20-30. Next up is
and use, and can be very difficult to get flat afterwards. monochrome displays that help you navigate menus and the DPP-EX7, which has a PCMCIA slot plus a dedicated
The Epson 925 comes complete with an automatic roll check print settings. These are handy but aren’t in the slot for Memory Sticks. The Epson 925 has slots for
paper cutter. same league as the Sony DPP-EX7. The DPP-EX7 comes Compact Flash, Microdrive, SmartMedia and Memory
Paper handling is more important than you might with a 3.8-inch touch-sensitive colour LCD display where Stick but top of the heap are Lexmark and HP, with four
think – you only have to have a couple of premium you can preview, enhance, zoom and crop images from slots that cover all of the above plus Multimedia Card and
glossy sheets mangled and the cost starts to mount. The the memory card before printing, making it a truly Secure Digital.
5
5
67% 54% 5
64%
PRO Excellent features and FINAL PRO Bargain software FINAL PRO Amazing photo printing. FINAL is best saved until you
build quality SCORE bundle. Best text printing SCORE Colour preview screen SCORE
understand your camera and
? EXPLAINED
CANON EPSON EPSON
DPOF S530D DIGITAL
STYLUS PHOTO 915 STYLUS PHOTO 925
CAMERA
Direct Print Order Format lets you MAGAZINE
use your digital camera to select
what and how many images
to print out.
3 IN DETAIL
SHARED FEATURES
All the printers on test connect via
USB, but the cable is never
supplied. All but the Lexmark have
an LCD display and all have at least
one slot for direct printing from
memory cards. All can print DPOF
JPEGs and index prints from
memory cards, but the Sony
printer can also print BMPs and the
HP can print TIFFs. All have The Canon S530D has four separate ink cartridges and proven longevity, it’s likely to remain a more expensive all the models on test need a USB cable. Buy a long one
extendable sheet feeders that can
a separate print head. This is a much more economical technology for the next few years. (around £10) for maximum flexibility in placement. The
store 100 sheets of plain paper up
arrangement – cartridges are around a third of the price Canon and HP printers both come with an additional port
to A4 size. All came with driver
software for PC and Mac. of others on test. It also allows the print head to be more Ease of use for connecting and printing directly from your Canon or
sophisticated and faster than its disposable rivals. The Before you decide on a printer, make sure you’ve got HP camera. The Epson 925 features an additional USB
Sony DPP-EX7 uses a completely different printing enough room for it. All the printers on test are a similar port for backing up your photos from the card to an
technology, called dye sublimation. Dye-sub printers use size (except the diminutive Sony) but, by the time you’ve external storage device (such as another digital camera)
four coloured films to deposit pigments directly onto the added paper feeders and output trays, they can take up if you’ve got the right cabling.
paper and are excellent at producing smooth, continuous a unexpected amount of your desk. The HP’s front- All the printers on test come with driver software for
tones and un-dithered colour. Because the print is built feeding mechanism takes up more space than the PCs and Macs and are simple enough to install, although
up from four separate films, a dye-sub printer with others. Inkjets are noisier than laser printers, but there the HP wizard is unnecessarily long-winded. The Canon
400dpi resolution (like the Sony) can produce prints as was little sonic difference between our test samples. For requires you to perform a manual print head alignment
sharp as a 1,600dpi inkjet. Although dye-sub prints have some reason, printers never come with interface cables – the first time you use it, the others all set themselves up
; 3 WEB ALBUM
SOFTWARE
? EXPLAINED
HP LEXMARK SONY PPM
PHOTOSMART 7350 Z65P DPP-EX7 Although print speed is quoted
in pages per minute (ppm),
most of the printers take more
than a minute to print photo-
quality images larger than 6 x 4
inches. It’s best not to trust the
manufacturer's figures!
automatically. The printer drivers (accessed through Page least a basic image editor to enhance, crop and resize camera and photographic skills. This is especially true of
Setup in the application you’re printing from) are mostly your photos. The Canon comes with extra packages to the sort of real-world subjects that most photographers
clear and helpful, although the Sony’s is basic, with no help you browse and organise your portfolio and to shoot – natural colours and skin tones found these
advanced settings or help options. The Canon driver is create panoramas, but the Lexmark’s bundle is by far the printers at their strongest. It’s when you start demanding
especially comprehensive, with plenty of intuitive best, containing Adobe Elements 2.0 (PC/Mac) – the more of them – such as discriminating between similar
graphics and useful drop-down menus. When printing, winner of our image editor lab test in issue three. This is shades, high contrast scenes and monochrome prints –
the Lexmark and Epson print monitors are good, showing a flexible, powerful and easy-to-use package that that differences emerge.
ink levels and progress. The Lexmark even verbally normally retails for around £70, making the £150 Z65P a If pure image quality is your only consideration, you
informs you in a cheesy American accent when printing real bargain. should look no further than the Sony DPP-EX7 dye-sub
has started and finished. printer. Although it’s more than twice the price of some
All the printers except the Sony come with additional Test results of the other models, it shows the benefits of its film-
software to make the most of print options (such as All the printers we tested are capable of producing based technology – absolutely no dither, very smooth
multiple images on a page or printing to labels) and at good quality images that will do justice to your digital tones and bright, saturated colours that are
SPECIFICATIONS
AT-A-GLANCE
1 CANON
S530D
DIGITAL
CAMERA
MAGAZINE
EPSON
STYLUS PHOTO 915
EPSON
STYLUS PHOTO 925
HP
PHOTOSMART 7350
Price £250 £180 £220 £200
Telephone 0800 616 417 0800 289 622 0800 289 622 0870 547 4747
URL www.canon.co.uk www.epson.co.uk www.epson.co.uk www.hp.co.uk
Print technology Bubblejet with separate print head Inkjet Micropiezo Inkjet Inkjet with PhotoRET IV
Ink tanks 4 2 2 2
Cards accepted/adaptor PCMCIA (CF adaptor supplied) PCMCIA (CF adaptor supplied) CF MD SM MS CF MD SM MS SD MMC
Max print width 216mm borderless 216mm borderless 216mm borderless 216mm borderless
Size (mm) 430 x 301 x 188H 467 x 547 x 302H 492 x 290 x 228H 475 x 390 x 160H
ZoomBrowser, PhotoRecord, Image
Software Browser, PhotoStitch, EasyPhotoPrint PhotoQuicker, ImageFramer PhotoQuicker, ImageFramer Album printing, Photo Director
Roll paper holders, Roll paper holders and cutter.
Other Optional LCD preview monitor (£90) optional LCD preview monitor (£80) Optional LCD preview monitor (£80) Automatic paper sensor
indistinguishable (often better, in fact) than commercial on test for plain paper printing were the Lexmark problems (tram lines on prints, skewed images and so
silver halide prints. But the initial expenditure is matched and the Canon, both of which had solid, sharp text on) with any of the printers.
by very high running costs – £1.50 for every 6 x 4-inch without the blurring of other models (notably the
print is lot more than it would cost to have your images Epson 915). Conclusion
printed via an online service or on the high street and Printing an A4 colour photo used to be a good excuse Surprisingly, there wasn’t a strong correlation between
the range of paper sizes is very limited. to go and make a cup of tea, and inkjet print speeds the number of inks or the quoted resolution and the final
The six-colour HP produced the best colour photo print, remain frustrating, except at high resolutions. The print quality. Far more important seemed to be build
packed with vibrant colours, good contrast and very clear winners were the dye-sub Sony and the Canon quality and clever design features, such as the Canon’s
little dither, but the four-colour 2,400dpi Canon also S530D, which zipped through our test files in half the separate print head and the HP’s ability to swap its black
did very well, with superb colour precision and lovely time of the other inkjets, thanks to its neat print head cartridge for additional photo colour inks. If you do want
sharp output. The same two printers also made the best design. The remainder had very similar performance, to print directly from a memory card, the Sony with its
greyscale prints, combining crisp blacks with controlled taking around seven minutes for the largest file and four colour LCD touchscreen is the only model that can truly
grain. While the Epson Stylus Photo 925 showed reliable, minutes for smaller images. Only the Lexmark bucked be called standalone. The most flexible direct printers are
technically accurate printing, it was let down by poor the trend, taking over nine minutes on the big picture – the ones with LCDs and dedicated slots for the major
monochrome results. and then zipping through the text pages even faster than formats – the HP and Epson 925. But direct printing has
The sub-£200 models earned the lowest marks the Canon. so many drawbacks (tiny index prints, not being able to
for image quality: the Lexmark suffered from noticeable We couldn’t test lightfastness of the resultant photo see what you’re doing and the inevitable waste of
horizontal banding on many prints and the Epson prints, but current opinion is that if you use only the expensive ink and paper) that these models should be
915 tended towards weak colours and excessive grain recommended premium photo paper and inks for each seen more as a space-saving combination of card reader
and dither. While you’ll probably use your printer for printer, inkjet prints should last at least 15 years and and printer than as an alternative to traditional desktop
photo printing, good text output is important, too. Best probably a lot longer. We found no paper handling printing from your PC.
Second paper tray, automatic paper sensor Gloss/matt finish, colour touchscreen LCD
56% 61%
55% 73%
50% 53%
54% 64%
VERDICT
W
hich printer you opt for will depend on two want to splash out too much and won’t be outputting
things: your budget and how much photo- colour photos every day.
quality printing you intend to do. The overall winner is the most expensive (£250)
If you’re dipping a first toe into digital photography, of the inkjets to buy – and yet probably the cheapest
the Lexmark Z65P (£150) is a tempting choice. Not a overall thanks to its low running costs. The Canon
direct printer as such (you need a PC to print from a S530D has modest 2,400 x 1,200dpi resolution and LARGE TEST CARD TIME
memory card), it nevertheless has slots for all the major only a single PCMCIA slot, but produces reliable colour,
formats, doubling as a flexible card reader. Although its mono and text prints, with superb tonal discrimination.
photo printing isn’t great, it’s a whizz at text and comes Its separate print head means that ink cartridges are
bundled with Adobe Elements 2.0 (which sells for well under a tenner each and that print speed really
around £70). is exceptional.
Spend an extra 50 quid and you can get the HP If money is no object, the Sony DPP-EX7 at £370
Photosmart 7350. Superb colour and mono printing, delivers wonderfully rich, saturated colour. However,
a clever swappable ink arrangement and good paying £1.50 for each 6 x 4-inch print – with no
connectivity are only let down by expensive inks (up to ability to print on larger paper or text – will deter all but
£30 for a colour cart). This is a good choice if you don’t the perfectionists.
AMAZING
TUTORIALS
EXCLUSIVE FEATURES
How to protect your data
from attack, take better Your complete troubleshooting
digital photos and lots, companion! Plus, viruses and
lots more! hackers explained
N EW!
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You can now subscribe by calling 0870 444 8475 QUOTE OXPHAD
03 Photographed by:
Sunil Gupta
Location: Fisherman's Wharf,
San Francisco, US
Camera used: “I used a
Fujifilm FinePix F602Z on auto
settings after getting an AF
lock on the seagull. The
picture was cropped and light
levels were corrected using
02 Picture Publisher 8.”
Trailblazers 03
04
204 Photographed by:
Sally Pik Shan Yeung
Location: Mitre Peak, Milford Sound,
South Island, New Zealand
Camera used: Canon Powershot A40
11
12
GET YOUR PICTURE FRAMED!
Send them in and the best gets framed and returned. We’re looking for landmarks, unusual events
or just something fabulously composed. Start planning that trip away!
■ Email us at gallery.dcm@futurenet.co.uk
12
5 6
1
8 11 7 2
3 9
10
Trailblazers
ilbl
DIGITAL CAMERA MAGAZINE 051
YOUR PHOTOS THE STORM CHASER
EMAIL US! Send in your life – see opposite!
01
MEET WARREN FAIDLEY
02
4
CONTACT you have a visually interesting job that you think might make a good Dayinthelife,
US please email us today at: [e] editor.dcm@futurenet.co.uk
T BE INSPIRED! www.stormchaser.com
04
Dayinthelife a
i h lif
01 Wild thing
Warren used a long exposure to
capture this majestic lightning storm
from an Arizona mountain.
02 It’s a twister
A twister hits the ground in Tornado
Alley. Warren often does his own
weather forecasting so he can tell
05 where and when they’ll hit.
05 Fighting fire
When he’s not shooting fires, Warren
can be found putting them out – he’s
a fully qualified firefighter.
06 Supercell
Warren captured this majestic
supercell tornado in Pampa, Texas in
May 1994. The year before he
captured seven storms in a single day.
07
07 Windy city
Warren took shelter in a garage to
10 capture this shot of Hurricane Andrew.
08 Lightning strikes
Warren got so close to this lightning
storm in Arizona that he was knocked
to the ground by a lightning bolt.
09 Trail of destruction
The aftermath of a tornado that struck
a town in West Texas. Warren was
there to capture the devastation.
10 Gimme shelter
The summer heat of the American
West gives rise to some spectacular
lightning storms.
Interact Edward Brandon cards and many photo printers offer slots for cards with other devices. It’s probably worth
Digital Camera’s website forums offer a together to make one long image. Can on manual to maintain uniform exposures. Most of the other Forum posters agreed
wide range of topics, advice and helpful anyone advise me which software to use?” Overlap [each image] by 10% or more for that Adobe PhotoShop or PhotoShop
tips for newcomers and experienced David Needham replied: “Photomerge in lenses of 50mm or more, and 20-25% for Elements was a good bet for stitching your
photographers alike. This month, we focused Photoshop Elements creates the panoramic wide-angles.” images together, although Jack Pries also
on landscape panoramas... look out of a number of photos. I’ve had Sam Goodman agreed, adding: “The only recommended MGI PhotoSuite 4.0 (Platinum
varied results. It works best when you make thing to add... is [for you to] get a spirit level Edition). Whatever the package you use, it
Bruce Russell asks: “I’m new to digital sure all the photos are ‘level’ ie, on a tripod.” to fit onto the camera so that your shots sounds like Bruce will have plenty of fun
photography, and want to stitch images Alan Gallery added: “Make sure you expose come out level.” editing his pictures.
Pop art
This shot of my girlfriend Lisa was taken
recently at Penarth Beach near Cardiff, Wales.
steering clear of any cameras that use DCM Sorry Steve, here’s your picture again… She suddenly burst into a song from the
SmartMedia as these cards have been Eighties so I took a snapshot. Underneath each
superseded by the newer x-D format too. Sundown layer is a further blended layer of a photo taken
I was making coffee in the kitchen when I noticed the same day of the sea at Penarth Beach. I
The trouble with Canvas the sky seemed to have bands of fire running wanted the photo to be a mix of psychedelic
I am having trouble installing the cover disc across it (due to the sun about to appear over the Eighties pop and the memory of a fantastic
software Deneba Canvas 6. In the installation setup horizon), so I ran for the camera. As there wouldn’t winter’s day at the beach. The finished image is
a serial number is required before the program can have been time to get anywhere more open (I’m a collection of four photos on one canvas. This
be installed. Please could you tell me where I can half a mile from the coast!) before the light image has been blended with the general
get this number from or how to overcome this changed, it had to be done from the back garden – blending selection of Darken, Multiply and
installation problem? silhouettes it was! Luminosity and further blended with the Hue
Monica Pothecary Steve Dooley and Saturation options. I have then played with
both the Hue and Saturation palette and
DCM To get the serial number you need to brightness/contrast tool.
register online at the Deneba website Darren Sheen
(www.deneba.com/cv6regukf). Once you’re
successfully registered, the number will be This goes to show what can be achieved
emailed to you. apps like Elements and Paint Shop Pro.
Every issue, it’s our aim to improve the magazine. This is a great, atmospheric picture
Write in to letters.dcm@futurenet.co.uk Tom, especially as it’s been
completely unenhanced by
He wanted… He He wanted… image editing apps.
Brian Kennedy is wanted… Rod Macdonald wanted more
after a wedge.tif Randy Kirihara Mac software to be included Avalon harbour
printer setup file wanted fewer on our cover CDs. This is a picture of Avalon harbour on
we forgot to put on camera reviews and Catalina Island in California. Our
issue 3’s cover discs. more tests of printers, He got… friends are in one of the boats you
scanners, ink and paper. All our CDs from issue
can see in the harbour. We rented a
He got… 4 onwards now come
The file is on our ftp site at He got… with Mac versions of little jeep and drove up to the highest
ftp://futurenet.co.uk/pub./m A direct photo printers group our giveaway software viewpoint. I used my Sony Cyber-shot
axpc/digicam/testwedge.zip test on page 41 of this issue. where possible. DSC-F707 to take the picture and then
used Photoshop to remove the power
lines and utility poles that got in the
WRITE Every issue, we aim to improve some aspect of the magazine. Email
your suggestions to letters.dcm@futurenet.co.uk and the Editor, in his
way of the picture. I actually took
130 pictures of Avalon, of which
IN great wisdom, will decide what you deserve… 45 are still on my computer.
TODAY! Danny Lesnick, San Francisco
Website @
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Section highlights…
CREATIVE PROJECT PAGE
58
PHOTO SURREALISM
Barry Jackson invites you inside his imagination and
demonstrates his unique style of image blending
64
RESTORE AN OLD COLOUR PHOTO
Ed Davis gives an old ’70s photo a new lease of life
after years of light exposure have turned it orange
68
USING CHANNELS AND GRADIENTS
Simon Danaher explores basic selection techniques
and looks at using different transparencies
PHOTO CLINIC
SEE PAGE 64
PAGE PAGE
68 74
Your images
Making and creating better pictures
f #
Our aim is to bring you creative ideas, expert tips and image files, and full or trial software so you can try the If you have a comment, suggestion, idea or
quick fixes you can use in your own work. tutorial for yourself, delivering a complete package. submission you would like to make, please
Authoritative A leading professional in his/her field Clear Our large page size means we can add extra email us at editor.dcm@futurenet.co.uk Visit
writes every tutorial. Value-added We try to include elements, explanations and detail to each tutorial. our website at digitalcameramagazine.co.uk
PROJECT PHOTO SURREALISM
T 3 TOOL SCHOOL
here have been many arguments over the originally planned to replace the background but after
PROJECT
years about whether digital or traditional film viewing the images on my computer I decided to keep
KEY DETAILS is the best photographic medium. The it because I liked the subtle green colour next to the
2 ON OUR DISC decision depends, among other things, on how the
individual photographer uses their chosen medium. One
pale blue shirt. The egg and spoon pictures were taken
against a white background under natural daylight from
MAGNETIC LASSO TOOL
This useful tool enables you to roughly
■ IMAGE FILES
All the elements you need to draw around a subject while the Lasso
of the main reasons why I use digital photography is the a nearby window. It was important to keep the
recreate ‘The Egg man’ are on automatically defines and sticks to the
our disc 1. speed at which it enables me to work. In this tutorial I’ll backgrounds uncluttered in order to make it easy to edge of the subject creating a selection.
take you step by step through the formation of the isolate the elements.
2 SKILL LEVEL image, ‘The Egg man’, which will take less than three All the photographs used to make up the final image
6 1 hours to complete. were taken with a Fujifilm FinePix 6900 Zoom with the
image quality set to fine. The images were then
2 TIME TO COMPLETE Shooting the elements transferred to my computer, ready for the really creative
2 CDA/tutorials/
HEAD
man.psd
EGG
egg.psd
SPOON
spoon.psd
PROJECT PHOTO SURREALISM
TOP TIP To quickly rename a layer, double click on the name of the layer you want to rename in the Layers palette and enter the new name
? EXPLAINED
INVERSE
Selecting the inverse option enables
you to reverse the selection.
4
DISCOVER BLEND Found in the Layers palette. Learn more about PSP Blend Exactly the same as Photoshop Blend modes. Find out more at Called Merge Modes. Find more info at www.fortunecity.
MODES IN… modes at www.jasc.com/tutorials/nieuwenstein/layers4.asp www.arraich.com/ps7_pperfectBlend1.htm com%2fwestwood%2farmani%2f268%2fpi4tut14/
STAGE 2 2
BLEND THE LAYERS
Use a layer mask and the
gradient tool to blend the
layers together.
USE THE ERASER DUPLICATE THE EGG LAYER ADD A LAYER MASK
0 EXPERT TIP 07 While the egg layer is still semi-transparent, 08 In the Layers palette, drag the egg layer onto 09 Now blend the egg with the man’s head,
use the Eraser tool (E) to remove the the new layer icon (second right at the bottom return to the original egg layer and select
BARRY JACKSON unwanted areas of the egg covering the man’s eyes of the Layers palette). This will make a duplicate copy of Layers8Add layer mask8Reveal. This will add a mask to
PHOTOSHOP EXPERT
and the spoon. When this is done, return the layer the ‘Egg copy’. Click on the eye icon to turn this layer off – the layer that we can adjust.
BACKGROUNDS
When photographing objects for
opacity to 100%. we’ll return to it later.
inclusion in a composite image,
always try to use a plain
background because this will
make it much easier to isolate
IN FOCUS Adjusting the Layer mask
the image later.
3 IN DETAIL
LAYER MASK
The Layer mask controls how
much of a particular layer appears
in the overall image. Black masked OPEN THE SPOON IMAGE
areas are hidden; white areas 12 Open the spoon image from the cover
show through.
CD, select Image8Image size and click
on the drop-down arrow next to the width box.
Select percent, set the width to 50%, and click OK to
apply the change.
? EXPLAINED
CLONE STAMP TOOL
The Cone Stamp tool enables you to
sample pixels from one part of the
image and place them anywhere
else within the image.
0 EXPERT TIP
BARRY JACKSON
PHOTOSHOP EXPERT
MOVE TOOL CARRY ON CLONING FLATTEN THE IMAGE ADJUST THE CONTRAST
As well as using the Move tool to 16 With the Clone Stamp tool still selected,
17 It’s now time to merge all the layers together.
18 Now the image is flattened, colour and
drag one image from its window
onto another open window you remove the blue area at the bottom right- Select Layer8Flatten image. Be sure you are contrast adjustments can be made to the
can drag layers straight from the hand corner of the background, zoom in and use a hard- happy with the results of each layer before flattening whole image. Generally, the colours in this image are fine,
Layers palette. edged brush when cloning close to the man’s shirt. because once this is done any adjustments made will but the contrast could be stronger. To adjust this, select
affect the whole image. Image8Adjustments8Auto contrast (Alt + Shft + Ctrl + L).
LIGHTING EFFECTS
20 With the original background layer active
select Filter8Render8Lighting Effects. This will
bring up the Lighting Effects palette, which enables us to
choose from a good range of lighting filters.
0 EXPERT TIP
BARRY JACKSON
LAYER STYLES
POSITIONING LAYERS
If you find it difficult to position
layers absolutely try using the
arrow keys to nudge the layer
one pixel at a time.
Groovy baby
M
ost of us have boxes of faded photographs When undertaking a restoration project like this,
CLINIC stashed away, hardly recognisable images The damage in this picture is so extensive, and the try to ensure that the final image looks as natural as
CHALLENGE US of our youth. This month we were sent a colours have been so badly bleached and faded that possible. You may have to make an educated guess,
2 THE READER
print of three nattily-dressed friends standing in the
kitchen at a party. The patterned shirts and ties,
it’s impossible to decipher the original colours.
Looking at the man on the left-hand side, it’s hard to
taking into consideration the colour and styles of
clothes that were worn at the time.
PAUL DUNFORD
Paul had tried a few times to kaftan and generous facial hair left us in little doubt tell if his jacket is supposed to be brown, dark green Hopefully this picture will bring back some happy
bring a bit of realistic colour
that this shot was taken in the early 70s. or dark blue. memories for Paul…
into this picture. He has more
from the same batch of pictures
to restore…
2 CHALLENGE LEVEL
5 1
BEFORE The colours have bleached out,
detail is diffused and contrast is flat AFTER The colours have been revived,
putting the life back in the party!
2 TIME TO REPAIR
03
14 HOURS 01
02
8
04
In Paul Dunford’s 70s party picture, the colours have 02 TOTAL COLOUR FADING to remove the pull cord, which cuts through the face of the
bleached out, leaving an orange cast that needs to be Solution: Remove the overall red tint, re-balance and re- man on the right-hand side.
Clinic
image had become visible during scanning (this is a
01 FADED EDGES 03 BLEMISHES common problem that occurs when original prints are
Solution: Even out the faded edges of the photograph Solution: Use the Clone tool to get rid of any small scanned). Reduce this distinct surface texture using Layers
using Layer masks. blemishes, then use the Copy and Paste technique in order and Filters.
4
USING the layer you wish to rename. Select Layer Properties in
MULTIPLE LAYERS the dialog box and rename the layer
STAGE 1
REMOVING FADED AREAS
2
The image has faded around the
edges and needs to be evened
out first.
STAGE 2 2
BALANCE THE COLOURS
The image now looks even
but the colour is still far from
correct. The overall red tint
is still apparent. To bring back
the original colour of the
photograph, each section of
colour is treated independently.
0 EXPERT TIP
ED DAVIS
PHOTOSHOP
SHOW TOOL TIPS
To find out about tools and what
the symbols and icons mean,
make sure the Show Tool Tips
box is ticked in the preferences
using Edit8Preferences8General.
STAGE 3 2
REMOVE THE PULL CORD
AND BLEMISHES
The pull cord hangs across the
man’s face and should be
removed using copy and paste.
Cover up the white patches along
the right edge in the same way.
Then use the Clone tool to remove
smaller imperfections.
COPY AND PASTE… … UNTIL DONE CLEAN UP THE REST
16 Click on the Lasso tool (short cut, L), make a 17 The pull cord can’t be covered in one 18 Click the Clone tool in the tool bar (short cut,
selection around the part of the image that operation. The same method will have to S), pick a soft-edge brush from the Brush
needs to be covered and move the selection over an area be applied several times to blend the new pasted areas pallet on the Options bar and a circle will appear
that is similar in tonal range and colour. Click Edit8Copy correctly – each time matching the new piece with representing a brush size. Click and drag the mouse to the
(short cut, Ctrl + C) then Edit8Paste (short cut, Ctrl + V). its surroundings. area you want to cover, release the mouse and click on
Now move the new pasted section over the pull cord. the blemish.
4
MORE TOOL tutorials at http://photoshopgurus.info/beginners/
OPTIONS ps-blend_modes.shtml
STAGE 4 2
REDUCE THE
PAPER TEXTURE
In the 60s and 70s, photographic
paper was available with a
distinct surface texture sometimes
referred to as satin finish. This
photograph was printed on coarse
quality paper.
GROOVY MAN!
23 Invoke the psychedelic era. In the Curves
palette, move the graph up and down to form
a wave pattern with peaks and troughs using
Image8Adjustment8Curves (short cut, Ctrl + M). The
result is random and unusual.
@ SEND YOURS!
We want your faded, damaged
pictures today!
Send them in, we’ll fix them up for
free, show everyone how we did it
and send them back restored! DIFFERENT EFFECTS DEFINITION BACK TO THE PAST
22 Once the retouching is In the final picture, The net curtains and
The sort of pictures we’re after
finished, the tonal range can the subjects are the hot water heater
need to be decent photos which
have become damaged –
be changed. Keep it as it was originally, defined so they are also recognisable.
unfortunately we can’t make badly turn it to black and white or create a stand out from the The photograph looks
composed/shot photos good. funky background – the choice is yours! background. We can almost as fresh as the
now clearly see that day it was taken
■ Contact us via email, with a small they are standing in
JPEG of the photo attached, and if
the kitchen
it’s right for the mag, we’ll get in
@
BACK TO BLACK AND WHITE
touch. How’s that for a bargain?
Email the following address:
24 To create a black and white print, open Image in
the Option bar, click Image8Adjustment8
picdesk.dcm@futurenet.co.uk Hue/Saturation (short cut, Ctrl + U), move the saturation
slider to the left and the colour will be removed.
L
ast issue we looked at basic selecting skills in transparent selection is one that only partially protects mode to paint a selection using black or white, where
TUTORIAL
Photoshop and this month we will be pixels. This means that rather than a filter being applied black equals no selection and white is fully selected. In
KEY DETAILS pushing things a little further with some to the selected pixels with 100% intensity, the effect is fact, you can use any shade of grey, and the percentage
2 SKILL BOOSTER intermediate selection skills. As we’ve seen, making
selections is key to success in Photoshop. It’s such a
only partially applied.
The great thing with these kinds of selections is that
of brightness you choose will directly reflect the
transparency of the selection. Use 50% grey and the
5 simple thing yet it presents a minefield of potential the degree of transparency can vary over the selected selection will be 50% transparent, for example.
2
CHANNELS You can view a selected shape as pixels, by converting it from a selection into a channel - this
then enables you to make adjustments to it and store the shape for future use
2
? EXPLAINED 01
CREATE A NEW DOCUMENT
The first thing we must do is make our 02
APPLY A NOISE FILTER
We can leave Quickmask mode, and there’s 03
TURN A SELECTION INTO A CHANNEL
We can see what the selection looks like
CHANNEL selection. Create a new document in our selection. Apply a filter such as Noise by converting it into a channel: the
A special ‘layer’ in the Channel Photoshop, say 1,024 x 768 pixels with a white through it and the filter is constrained to where we transparency values in the selection are converted to
palette that stores greyscale pixels. background. Now we’ve talked about the Quickmask painted. Simple. Notice, though, that the edges of the white, black or grey pixels. With your selection still
These can be used to make
function before. You can create a custom selection effect fade out smoothly. Because we used a soft active click on the Channels palette and click the ‘Save
selections and masks and can
be saved as alpha channels in
by enabling Quickmask mode (the q key), filing it edged brush the selection has a soft edge – we are Selection as Channel’ button. Click on the newly
certain file formats. with black and painting in it with white using the already creating a partially transparent selection created channel to view it. The selection has now
Brush tool. without realising it. been converted into pixels.
0 EXPERT TIP
SIMON DANAHER
PHOTOSHOP EXPERT
LAYER MASKS
A selection can also be saved as a
layer mask, just like a channel.
You can load any channel or layer
mask as a selection by command-
clicking on it.
Making gradient selections is an essential skill, and it’s quite easy to do.
GRADIENTS The steps below show you how to use the gradient tool
OPEN THE BABY PICTURE ADD A NEW CHANNEL USE THE GRADIENT TOOL
01 Open the file Baby.jpg from the CD. What 02 In the Channels palette add a new channel 03 In the Gradient tool options bar select
we want to do here is focus more strongly and choose the gradient tool. Now select the Reflected gradient type, then use the
on the mother and baby – particularly the mother’s the new channel, then click the eye icon of the RGB tool to drag diagonally from the centre of the image
loving gaze. A gradient selection is very useful here channel. This displays the channel and the RGB layers to the top left hand corner. The gradient you draw
because enables us to modify the image in a specific together – the channel will display as a red rubylith onto the image should end up looking similar to the
but seamless manner. just like in Quickmask mode. one shown above.
T
he human eye is completely self-correcting programmed to match a precise lighting condition, one-stop command, with no dialog box and no tools to
TUTORIAL
when presented with artificial light, but measured in colour temperature on the Kelvin scale (K). vary the results. This works best on images which have
KEY DETAILS cameras are only designed to operate within a mild colour cast, but proves much less reliable on
2 SKILL BOOSTER the colourless spectrum of natural daylight. This is why
you sometimes get strange coloured photos when
Colour controls in Elements
There are four ways of correcting image colour
bigger problems. The Colour Cast Correction tool offers a
better chance to solve complex casts by using a dropper
5 shooting under fluorescent tubes or domestic tungsten imbalance in Photoshop Elements: the Auto Colour tool to set new colour. The Color Variation dialog is the
2 TIME TO COMPLETE
lighting, unless the white balance is properly set. A
digital sensor in both digital and traditional cameras
Correction, the Colour Cast Correction tool, the Colour
Variations and the (least used) Levels command. Like all
easiest to use by far and the best place to start. It offers
three colour correctors and a useful lighten and darken
2
NEUTRAL BASE The Color Variations command is easy to use and works well if the
original colour can easily be identified as a neutral shade
SPOT THE COLOUR CAST SET UP THE DIALOG BOX THE CORRECTED IMAGE
01 Shot in natural light, this image should be a
02 Best results are achieved by applying colour
03 Now neutral without being too cold, the final
neutral grey, but has turned out much corrections to the Midtone areas. Don’t result shows off details and delicate colours
warmer than expected. With neutral coloured images, overdo the amount of correction and have the Colour absent in the original. The same Color Variations
it’s easy to see colour casts compared to spotting Intensity Amount slider set halfway as shown. Click into command can be used creatively to warm up
them in more saturated colour areas. Do an either of the six colour buttons and watch the After images taken with a flash or cool down those shot
Enhance8Adjust Color8Color Variations command. preview image, top right, change. under an evening light.
ORIGINAL WITH A BLUISH CAST USE AUTO COLOUR CORRECTION THE CORRECTED ORIGINAL
01 This image of sand was shot under bright 02 The first step worth taking is to make an 03 You’ll see pretty quickly whether this quick
sunlight, but with the wrong white balance Enhance8Auto Colour Correction command. fix control has solved the problem. The
setting. Although much colder and bluer than It’s essential to make sure that you haven’t made a original bluish cast is now removed, leaving a warmer
anticipated, this slight kind of colour imbalance is selection before applying this command, or the results end result. If unsuccessful, reverse out with an
easy to solve. will apply to a smaller area and not the entire image. Edit8Undo command and try the next method.
ORIGINAL WITH A MAGENTA CAST APPLY THE ADJUSTMENT NEUTRAL COLOUR ORIGINAL
04 This image was shot in daylight with the 05 Do Enhance8Adjust Color8Color Cast to bring 06 After clicking the highlighted areas, this is
white balance set to correct fluorescent the dialog box into play. This prompts you to the result. It’s important to remember that
lighting by mistake. Domestic and tube lighting gives click into the image using a tiny dropper tool, onto a even a slight repositioning of your dropper tool will
off a green light, so magenta is used to compensate. white, black or grey area. You’ll need to make several result in a completely different colour change, but
Casts are easier to spot in mid–tone grey areas. attempts before it’s fully corrected though. keep on clicking until you find the right balance.
H 7TOOL SCHOOL
alf the battle when trying to improve automatic cameras, this situation most often occurs on
TIPS GUIDE
an image is recognising what’s wrong with sunny days, when the camera’s built-in exposure metre
KEY DETAILS it; the other half is knowing how to resolve is fooled by complex lighting conditions, such as when
2 SKILL LEVEL the problem. Although photo-editing software has
helped many photographers correct their mistakes,
there’s a mixture of bright sky and shadows.
There are two ways to fix this problem: at the
TOOL PALETTE
The Freehand Selection tool and
the Magic Wand are found in
8 we must keep in mind that Paint Shop Pro – like camera level, when you can adjust your exposure to the Tool Palette.
2 TIME TO COMPLETE
so many other image-editing programs – is also
designed to enhance your photos. These programs are
compensate for the lighting situation; and at the image-
editing level, when you can use the photo-editing tools the Curves command, the Levels command and the
30 MINSPERIMAGE
not designed simply to replace the skill that goes into
taking a good picture.
that we’ll be discussing in this tutorial.
It’s important to remember that there are several
Layer Blend mode.
This month we will use some of the simpler tools,
2 NEXT MONTH
Making people look younger
Dark photos result when the amount of light reaching tools that can be used to fix dark photographs using and show you how to get some really professional
the image sensor on your camera is insufficient. With Paint Shop Pro. These tools include the Histogram, looking results.
DESIGN FEATURES Identify the light and dark areas in the image, determine what details you
want to bring out and select a staring point that will set the tone for the image
? EXPLAINED
AUTO EXPOSURE LOCK
If your camera has an Auto
Exposure Lock (AEL), you can
8 8
adjust the exposure by moving in
close to your subject and taking a
metre reading. Use the AEL
button to lock the exposure,
move back and recompose your
picture, then press the shutter
release. If your camera is not
equipped with an AEL feature,
the simplest way to highlight PREVIEW THE RAW IMAGE MAKE THE FIRST SELECTION THE SKY IS BLUE
shadows is to use your camera’s 01 In this example, the camera’s exposure metre 02 Blue skies add a natural colour balance to 03 The Color Balance tool offers control over
built-in flash as fill light. The light
has been fooled by the complex lighting photographs, so we want to enhance the colour mixture and provides an ample
from the flash will fill the shadow
conditions of the scene. The bright sky and light coloured the colours here. The sky selection is made with the amount of colour saturation. Select the Color Balance tool
areas without affecting your
background. See your camera trousers of the boy’s uniform have caused underexposure. Magic Wand tool with the tolerance set to 15. We can by choosing Colors8Adjust8Color Balance on the Main
manual for details on how to use As a result, the trees in the background have lost detail, capture the entire sky in one click of the mouse. This Menu bar. Keep the settings in the dialog box at their
these features. the grass has turned an ugly colour and there’s a shadow selection will also serve as the starting point for our default values and slide the Yellow – Blue balance slider
over the boy’s face, caused by the baseball cap. subsequent selections. all the way to the right to enrich the blue.
4
AUTO COMMANDS of PSP. To achieve similar results with the earlier versions of Paint Shop Pro, use Colors
IN MORE DETAIL 8Adjust8Color Balance and Colors8 Adjust8Brightness Contrast
PRO RESULTS Natural and pleasing results can be obtained with a little * WEB LINKS
effort and some basic tools in Paint Shop Pro TUTORIAL WEBSITE
http://psp7tutorials.homestead.
com/index.html
INVERT THE SELECTION BALANCE THE LIGHT MAKE THE GRASS SELECTION
04 With the sky selection still in place, choose
05 On the Main Menu bar, select Colors8Adjust8
06 We can now begin to see the textures and
Selections8 Invert. This will enable us to work Levels. Click the Reset button in the lower shadows of the branches and leaves. We want
on the remaining areas of the image to bring out the right-hand side of the panel to bring the sliders to their the colours in the grass to be more vibrant because the
details in the trees, grass and on the boy. You can feather default position. Next, move the middle slider to the left grass acts as a natural contrast against the boy’s uniform.
the selection to blend the colours. Choose Selections8 until the details in the trees begin to show – a setting of First, select the entire grass area around the boy as shown
Modify8Feather and set the feather value to 3. 1.74 achieves the desired results. using the Freehand Selection tool.
LAWN CARE BRING OUT THE BOY’S FEATURES ADD COLOUR TO THE FACE
07 On the Main menu bar, choose Effects8 08 With the Freehand Selection tool, select the 09 Add a colour tint to the boy’s face to help even
Enhance Photo8Manual Color Correction. In area around the boy’s face down to just below out the tone when we adjust the contrast. On
the preview window, drag a rectangular selection as the neckline. We also want to feather the selection using the Main Menu bar, select Effects8Enhance Photo8Auto
shown to include the source colour. Next, select Grasses the Selections8 Modify8Feather command and setting the Color Balance. In the dialog box, move the slider to the
for the category, and then click the arrow in the Preset feather value to 3 pixels. Feathering the selection helps to left until the Temperature value is 5541. Maintain the
Colors box to bring up the colours. smooth out the colour transitions. other settings at their default position.
0 EXPERT TIP
JOE APICE
PAINT SHOP PRO EXPERT
HISTOGRAMS
You can use the Histogram to
determine if there is enough detail
HIGHLIGHTS AND SHADOWS LOOKING SHARP THE END RESULTS
10 The Auto Contrast command helps to balance 11 Sharpen the image using the Unsharp
12 PSP will help you create an image that will
in an image to make corrections
possible, and what lightness
the highlights and shadows in the boy’s mask. On the Main Menu bar, select Effects8 rival those of pro photographers. For best corrections need to be made. You
face. Select Effects8Enhance Photo8Automatic Contrast Sharpen8Unsharp Mask. In the dialog box, adjust the results, preview your photo, make accurate selections of can open the Histogram window
by clicking the Histogram icon on
Enhancement. In the dialog box, set the Bias to Neutral Strength setting between 50 and 100 until you achieve the areas you want to change and make the changes
the standard toolbar.
and the Strength and Appearance to Normal. the desired results. Here, a setting of 100 works well. gradually using the tools that give you the best control.
T 7TOOL SCHOOL
he time of day that you decide to take a the light is right requires a lot of planning and a lot
TIPS GUIDE
picture is as important as the picture itself – it more patience.
KEY DETAILS determines the mood of your final image. On holiday, the day is filled with many activities and
2
TOOL PALETTE
SKILL LEVEL Photos taken early in the morning or late in the day will often we don’t have time to set up our cameras and
The Lasso tool, the Magic Wand
produce long shadows and warm light and they are the wait for that special moment. So what can we do? and the Paintbrush tool are found
8 ideal times for landscape and scenic photography. Well, with a little practice, we can achieve the same in the Tool Palette.
2 TIME TO COMPLETE
Night-time, when the moon is full, is another great
time to create atmosphere in your photos. Pictures of
results with Paint Shop Pro. For example, if you want to
photograph a scene, but it’s midday and the light is not good for adding dramatic effects. Objects such as street
30 MINSPERIMAGE
dark streets and alleyways taken during the night give
an eerie feeling of suspense and drama – almost as if
dramatic enough, try to imagine what the scene would
look like during the late afternoon, early evening or at
lights lend themselves well for night photos. Other
things such as waterways, streams and water puddles
2 NEXT MONTH someone is lurking in the shadows. Light gives life to night. Angle your shot to include key elements that will can be manipulated to reflect areas of the scene and
Making people look younger photographs, and capturing the exact moment when help you when you alter the image. Clouds are always bring a feeling of depth to the image.
GET STARTED Divide the image into parts, and identify the key elements in the scene that
will play a role in the manipulation of the image
8 8
3 IN DETAIL
COLOUR AND CONTRAST PREVIEW THE IMAGE MAKE THE SKY SELECTION SELECT THE WATERWAY
The Auto Color Balance and Auto
01 The image of this Venetian waterway was shot 02 Select the sky using the Magic Wand. In the 03 Use the Lasso tool in Freehand mode to select
Contrast commands are not at about 11am. Notice how the brilliant light Tool Option Palette, set the Magic Wand the waterway. In the Tool Option Palette, set
available in earlier versions of PSP. from the midday sun has lit the entire scene. There tolerance to 15 and the Feather value to 0. Hold down the the Feather value to 0 and trace around the edges of the
To achieve similar results with the appears to be a lot of detail but the image lacks mood, Shift key and click the Magic Wand pointer at the empty water as shown. Hold down the shift key when making
earlier versions, use Colors8
which is often typical of photos taken at this time of day. sky and then at the cloud patterns until the entire sky is selections that are not contiguous. Save the completed
Adjust8Color Balance and
Colors8Adjust8Brightness Contrast.
The elements that will play the key role in the transition selected. Save the selection using the Selections8Save to selection to disk using the Selections8Save to Disk
from day to night are the clouds, street lights and water. Disk command and name it ‘Sky and Clouds’. command and name it ‘Waterway’.
4
FURTHER quality filters that create moods when used in color photographs. They include Orange
INFORMATION filters, Neutral Density filters, Sepia filters and Fantasy Color filters
ADDING EFFECTS Apply transitional effects to the image. These include darkening the shadow * WEB LINKS
areas, adding contrast and detail and turning on the street lights TUTORIAL WEBSITE
http://psp7tutorials.homestead.
com/index.html
DARKEN THE SKY DARKEN THE BUILDINGS AND WATER ADD CONTRAST TO THE WATER
04 Load the Sky and Clouds selection back onto
05 On the Main menu bar choose Selections
06 Load the Waterway selection back onto the
the image using the Selections8Load from Disk 8Invert to select the rest of the image and image by choosing Selections8Load from
command. Bring up the Curves adjustment tool by then bring up the Curves adjustment tool by choosing Disk8Waterway. Select Effects8Enhance Photo8Automatic
selecting Colors8Adjust8Curves from the Main menu bar. Colors8Adjust8Curves. Drag the line from the centre of Contrast Enhancement from the main menu. Set the Bias
In the Curves dialog box click the mouse pointer on the the grid as shown or enter a value of 155 in the Input box to Darkest, the Strength to Normal and the Appearance to
centre of the grid and drag the line down as shown. and 100 in the Output box. Bold to bring out the details and reflections in the water.
CREATE MOONLIGHT IN THE SKY ACCENTUATE THE SHADOWS BELOW ILLUMINATING THE STREET LIGHTS
07 Load the Sky selection onto the image by 08 Apply the same technique to the buildings and 09 On the Main menu bar, select Effects8
choosing Selections8Load from Disk8Sky and the water with a higher opacity level. With the Illumination Effects8Sunburst. Place the
Clouds. Select the Paint Brush tool and, in the Tool Option sky selection in place, choose Selections8Invert on the crosshairs in the left-hand preview panel directly over the
Palette, choose a large brush size – around 150 – and set Main menu bar. Select the Paint Brush tool with the street light. Set the Light Spot Brightness to 30; Circle
the Opacity and Step values to 20. Make the foreground Opacity value set to 45. Keep the same brush size and Brightness to 0; Rays Density to 20; and Rays Brightness
colour black and brush the colour into the selected area. apply black to the selected area as shown. to 50. Keep the colour white or bright yellow.
0 EXPERT TIP
JOE APICE
PAINTSHOP PRO EXPERT
CURSORS
When making tight selections, set
up your Tool Preferences to show
precise cursors. You can change the
SHAPE THE LIGHT FALL BRIGHTEN THE SELECTED AREA THE FINAL TOUCHES cursor type by clicking the Cursor
10 To produce the effect of light being shed onto 11 On the Main menu bar select Colors8
12 Create the illusion of light to some of the and Tablet Options tab in the Tool
Option Palette. Press and hold the
the pavement and water, a selection is made Adjust8Curves. In the Curves dialog box, first windows and stars. Add the window light by
Shift key to add to your selection;
to approximate where the light would fall. The selection is click the reset button, then click the line at the centre of using the paintbrush tool set to 50% opacity and a dark press and hold the Ctrl key to
feathered with a value of 60 – this diffuses the effect and the grid and drag it upwards at a diagonal until the Input yellow colour. Add the stars by using the Paint Brush tool subtract from your selection.
produces a more natural appearance. box reads 92 and the Output box reads 157, as shown. with a brush size of 1 and the opacity set to 100.
W
hen we initially did the deal to get Canvas 6 or a stack of paint objects on a single layer and you create a new selection from scratch and risk a
TIPS GUIDE
on our CD, we did not realise just what a wish to flatten (merge) your work into one single paint mismatch, simply save the selection as a new channel.
KEY DETAILS flexible and powerful program it was. We object, then there is no specific command for this. What Then open the Channels palette and drag the new
2 ON OUR DISC thought it was mostly a vector drawing program but
while this is true, that’s only a small fraction of its
you must do instead is select all the paint objects you
wish to merge and click Image8Area8Render to render
channel downward into the channel mask slot.
Next click Object8Transparency8Detach Mask. Select
Trial of Canvas 8 (Mac and PC).
For full version of Canvas 6, call abilities. Of most interest to digital photographers are them into a new, single paint object. This will not the other paint object and click Object8Transparency8
Back Issues on 0870 444 8470
the image editing and website creating features. destroy your original paint objects; rather it will create a Attach Mask. In the Channels palette, drag the mask
2 SKILL BOOSTER In fact, the image editor built into Canvas is good brand new paint object from them and the originals will from the channel mask slot upward into the alpha
enough for most photo-orientated image purposes, with remain unharmed. channels area. You can now place the paint object into
7
image correction tools, support for Photoshop plug-ins edit mode and click Image8Select8Load, and the
2 TIME TO COMPLETE and effects filters, the ability to cut out and alter images 02 Transferring a selection selection will be available to load.
1.5
and support for layers. If you missed Paint Shop Pro with Sometimes you will copy a paint object then create a
HOURS
issue 1, this will go along way to filling in that gap. selection on one of the copies and realise you need to 03 Applying global changes
Anyway, that’s the hard sell – now for the tips. use the same selection on the other copy. There is no to spot colours
2 NEXT MONTH
20 Picture Window tips
command or provision for loading a selection from one Sometimes you will want to change a spot colour after
01 Flatten an image paint object to another but there is a provision for it appears in many places throughout the document.
As in Photoshop, if you have built up a number of Iayers attaching and detaching a channel mask. Rather than Canvas does not maintain links to the objects using inks,
2 IMAGE EDITING
WITH CANVAS 6 01 02 03 04 05
02 Edit
Calibrate your colours here, or set up gamut warnings
03 Object
Use this to control layers and create/remove paths
04 Effects
Transform and Free Transform tools let you repair
converging verticals. Blend colours or add shadows
05 Image
Choose Greyscale, RGB, CMYK or Lab colours. Crop/trim
images, change resolution. Adjust contrast and balance.
4
THREE USEFUL DENEBA HOMEPAGE Discover the hidden features and read some more tutorials at www.deneba.com
WEBSITES MORE TECHNIQUES Advanced Canvas techniques - http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/canvastools
PHOTOIMPACT
TOOLBAR
04 LAYERS AND OBJECT STACKS
It’s easy to lose track of the which layer you’re working on so keep track of your selections Here’s a quick guide to
the tools mentioned on
these pages. You can
Each layer has its own stack. When you issue alter the overall view via
the Tile With... option
commands such as Bring to front, Send to back, under Window.
shuffle down and shuffle up, the commands affect
only objects on the current layer. When you begin 8 Selection tool
to work with multiple layers, you need to bear in
mind the effects of duplicating and moving objects
8 Crop/Draw/Lasoo
so changing them will not affect the objects to which default numbers and order to prevent confusion. You’ll 08 Work with Layers 1
they are applied. be glad you did. In Canvas you can edit three kinds of documents –
Instead of changing each object individually, use the illustration, publication and presentation documents.
Find command for this purpose. First edit or create the 06 Moving a Selection Marquee Illustration documents contain sheets and each sheet is
new colour you wish to use. Then click Edit8Find and In Canvas there is no tool to move a Selection Marquee composed of layers. Publications contain pages and each
choose either the fill or pen attribute. A list of all the as such. But you can float a selection and make it page is composed of layers. Presentations are a series of
colours used throughout the document will appear. transparent. Here’s how. Make your initial selection then slides and each slide is composed of layers.
Choose the colour you wish to replace from the list and click Image8Select8Float (that floats a copy of what’s
click Select. Canvas will select all the objects having the under it without disturbing the original pixels). 09 Managing Layers
fill or pen ink chosen. Once the objects have been Then here’s the trick... pull up the Channels palette Layers are managed in the Document Layout palette,
selected, simply click the ink you wish to replace it with
in the Inks palette.
and set the Floating Opacity value down to zero if you
want. Now you can see what’s under it while you move
found under the Layout menu item. Click the plus sign
next to the sheet to reveal the default layer (below left).
3 IN DETAIL
it around. You can even use the arrow keys to nudge the On the bottom left side of the palette is a button to add TOOLS
05 Store layers in default order marquee a pixel at a time. a new sheet. Click layer 1 to activate it (below right). Right-click on a tool for more
The default order in which layers are added and Notice that the button on the lower left side changes to options – for example, the tool to
numbered are from bottom to top. Layer 1 will be on 07 Prepare GIF and JPEG images for New Layer. the right of the selection tool on the
the bottom followed by layer 2, then layer 3 on the top, the Net toolbar contains some 21 tools,
including crop, draw, erase, lasso,
etc. Images and their layers can be saved as individual Start by selecting all the objects for the image you want 10 Adding a layer airbrush, magic wand, eyedropper
Canvas files which themselves can be reused and placed to export as JPEG. Click File8Save As. In the Save As Click the New Layer button (below left). Upon doing so, and many more. Very impressive.
into other Canvas documents. dialog in the lower left corner there are two things to Canvas adds a new layer and assigns it a number. Also
When this is done, Canvas will place the layers in the check. First, click the Save Selection radio button, then notice that adding the new layer also activates it
default order whether they were saved that way or not. choose JPEG from the ‘Save as type’ pull down. Then (highlighted grey). To activate a layer simply click the
For example, if you create an image with the layers enter a filename. When done, click Save. layer in the palette. You can always tell which layer is
numbered 1, 2 and 3 from the top down rather than Next you will see the Render Image dialog. Choose the current (active) layer by looking at the Document
from the bottom up, Canvas will rearrange the layers RGB Color for the mode and uncheck the Anti-Alias and Layout palette. The active layer is always highlighted.
into the default order when the image is placed into Mask check boxes. Click OK when done. In the Export
another Canvas document. To prevent this from JPEG dialog, choose 100% quality. When you click OK 11 Dragging layers
happening, always store layered images using the Canvas 6 will generate the file. To rearrange the layers place the mouse pointer on a 8
? EXPLAINED
8
layer then drag and drop the layer on its new location. colour you wish to find and select it for replacement. layers’. This comes in handy when you have to select
While dragging, the pointer turns into a grabber hand. Next click Select. All objects filled with the chosen ink and align objects across layers. The Drawing tab
CONTEXT MENU will be selected. You are just a click away from assigning enables you to duplicate an object and paste it directly in
The context menu can be used for 12 Hiding layers a new fill ink. front of the original. For this set the x and y coordinates
both selecting and editing. When You can also hide layers from view. Notice the eye icon to zero in the ‘When duplicating objects offset’ section.
you need to edit an object in the near the top of the palette. This is the visibility column. 14 Creating new colours Note: you can also use Edit8Replicate using one copy
stack, use the Edit menu item to Clicking the bullet in the visibility column toggles the In Deneba Canvas the Inks palette is the control centre with an offset of zero and leave the default of 10 pixels
avoid double-clicking the mouse.
layer visibility on and off. for the creation and management of colours. You can in this preference.
Doing so would run the risk of
You cannot hide the current layer. To hide a layer, you load, append, save and clear new sets of colours, Next click the Painting tab and check ‘Anti-aliased
inadvertently repositioning the
object or activating a paint tool. must first activate another layer. Hiding layers is a means gradients, textures, symbols and hatches as well as Canvas objects’ as well as ‘Anti-aliased clipboard’ to
to select objects that lie directly under other objects. In modify existing sets. make sure selections and text objects will be anti-
the Preferences palette is a setting for allowing objects Start by clicking the triangle on the left of side of the aliased as a rule. Next click the Display tab and select
to be selected across visible layers. Hiding layers Inks palette to reveal the Colour manager. Using the RGB the ‘No preview’ radio button so transparent pixels in
prevents the selection and editing of objects. Bars, create a new colour. You will see a sample of the bitmap objects display by themselves with a
colour in the preview box. Next drag the new colour checkerboard pattern.
13 Using the Find command from the preview box into the colour inks grid with all There are some situations where anti-aliasing would
One of the most powerful ways to select objects is with the other colours. be undesirable and where using hard-edges would
the “Find” command. Canvas enables you to select actually work better. During image editing anti-aliasing
objects based on their attributes. In the example below, 15 Use the Preferences can leave unwanted halos (artifacts) around selections.
you can globally select and replace fill inks with the find Modify the preferences by clicking File8Preferences. First, Be sure to remember to clean these up after moving or
command: Click Edit8Find, then in the palette, select the in the General tab check ‘Select across visible cutting a selection.
8 8
PAINT OBJECTS
8 8
To edit an unselected paint object
at the top of the stack directly
under the mouse pointer, click on
the object with any paint tool. This
will put the object into edit mode.
CONTEXT MENU
The context menu can be used for
both selecting and editing. When
you need to edit an object in the MAKE A SELECTION ADJUST THE SIZE FINISHED RESULTS
stack, use the Edit menu item to 04 To make adjustments to part of an image you
05 If the selection is too big or too small you can
06 Click the Preview check box and drag the
avoid double-clicking the mouse.
need to make a selection. Select the Oval adjust its size by clicking Image8Select8 contrast slider to the right to increase the
Doing so would run the risk of
inadvertently repositioning the Marquee tool and with Windows Ctrl-Drag a selection from Modify and choose either Expand or Contract. When you contrast slightly. This will brighten the highlights and
object or activating a paint tool. the centre of the dial outwards (with Mac begin dragging are satisfied with the selection marquee, click Image darken the shadows and will tend to make the
before pressing Control). 8Adjust8Brightness/Contrast. muddy areas disappear.
4
WHY YOU’LL LOVE can make the subject of a shot a lot more ambiguous, and perhaps use the result to inspire other kinds
THIS TECHNIQUE of artwork. Who knows, maybe you’ll inspire someone else to experiment in this way too?
Negative images
Creating black and white negatives and effects is something you might not have tried before.
You’d be amazed how great pictures can take on a new dimension with this technique
reating negative images is very simple in Elements and can be used to One of the great things, though, is that Elements gives you a huge amount of scope
C
TUTORIAL
KEY DETAILS create some striking variations of your favourite pictures. Given the right
subject matter a negative can be artistically interesting in its own right. But
for experimentation. The trick is to not get too carried away and to always keep in
mind roughly the effect you want to achieve. We'll look at making an interesting
2 SKILL BOOSTER as there is always more than one way to skin a cat in Photoshop and Elements we'll
have a look at the different possibilities on offer.
negative black and white image from a colour one but also explore some different
effects using the same techniques.
5
2 TIME TO COMPLETE
20 MINUTES
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SECTION #03 YOUR CAMERA
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TECHNIQUE PAGE
84
CHOOSING DYNAMIC SUBJECTS
Some objects naturally produce striking photographs,
and the right composition makes all the difference
TECHNIQUE PAGE
87
BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY
Tim Daly shows you the kind of pictures that benefit
from a stylish monochrome conversion, post-shoot
Q&A PAGE
90
ALL YOUR CAMERA QUESTIONS ANSWERED
A plethora of technical questions for long time
digital photographer Aidan O’Rourke to tackle
TECHNIQUE
CHOSSING DYNAMIC SUBJECTS
SEE PAGE 84
87 88 90
Your camera
Expert guides to taking better pictures
f #
Our mission is to ensure that our tutorials bring you creative include image files, and full or trial software so you can try If you have a comment, suggestion, idea or submission you would
ideas, expert techniques, tips and quick fixes you can use in the tutorial for yourself, delivering a complete package. like to make, please email us at the following addresses:
your own work. Authoritative A leading professional in their Clear Our large page size means we can add extra elements, editor.dcm@futurenet.co.uk. Visit our website at
field writes every tutorial. Value added Where possible, we explanations and detail to each tutorial. digitalcameramagazine.co.uk for more details
TECHNIQUE USING YOUR CAMERA
Shooting graphic
elements
There are many compositional techniques you can employ to make your
photo pack a bigger visual punch. Tim Daly explains how to further
increase your success rate by looking for dynamic subjects
G
raphic elements such as lines, squares, both photographers made careful compositional
arrows and lettering, combined with primary judgements into memorable images.
ABOVE Shiny metal car bodies colours, form the essential ingredients
give great reflections and can for attention-grabbing photographs. It’s no coincidence Diagonals and lines
be arranged into dynamic that road signs and symbols use clean colours and We live in a world where straight lines predominate
compositions. This image was bold shapes to get their message across safely and with straight-edged vertical buildings and straight lines
shot from a low viewpoint without delay. on the pavement. Diagonal lines are rarer and much
with a wide-angle lens to Geometric shapes exist all around us, but you have to more likely to grab our attention when captured in a
emphasise the car lights emphasise them with tight cropping and adventurous photographic composition. When out on location, try to
viewpoints. The great American street photographers, organise diagonal lines in your viewfinder by moving
RIGHT With diagonals forced Robert Frank and Lee Friedlander, produced images your own shooting position – either by shooting from
into the corners of the picture based on the signs and symbols of urban life in the slightly above or by raising one side of the camera
frame, this image looks much 1950s and 1960s. Out on street level, and faced with so higher than the other. This will have the effect of
more dynamic many choices about which parts of the scene to include, pushing lines and shapes towards the corner of your
4
FURTHER as squares or in the panoramic format. In complex compositions, you may even discover that 5 SHOOTING A PHOTO
DOCUMENTARY
INSPIRATION you can pull out two separate images from one original image file
LEFT At close range, primary colours can make an create exciting, distorted shapes and enable you to force
appealing image, even out of seemingly together seemingly unconnected parts into a much
throwaway objects more striking image.
Headlights, wheels and shiny tubular elements make
example, the fast-disappearing worlds of traditional great photographic details that can really emphasise the
railways and docks are crammed full of fantastic graphic style of the period. Rather than use a macro lens at
signs and details that evoke the golden age of close range, better results will be achieved using a super
engineering. Close-up details of ironwork, rivets and wide-angle setting or wide-angle lens adaptor close up.
complex mechanics can offer worthy photographic There’s always the danger that at such close range you’ll
subjects when shot in natural light. spot your own reflection in a shiny surface or metallic
With seemingly ordinary subjects, your first attempts detail, but this can be removed with the Clone Stamp
can be less than perfect because you haven’t been tool in most digital image-editing applications.
adventurous enough with your viewfinder crop. Don’t be
afraid to omit important bits of a subject if it makes a Vintage style
stronger design. You can improve the composition of With many vintage and classic car associations meeting
your images at a later stage by using the Crop tool in on a regular basis, access to stylish machines has
your image-editing program. never been easier. A great idea for making graphic
How much information do you really need in order to shots of cars is to complement them with a style that
identify a shape or subject? Much less than you think. reflects the period. When taking this kind of picture,
Close-up photographs can make a kind of visual puzzle select an appropriate background behind your subject,
where it can take a little while to identify the source of making sure all modern elements are kept out of the
the subject. Close-up textures taken from man-made picture frame. Telegraph poles, television aerials and
objects – particularly bright colours – can form a good street signs date an image, and may ruin the effect you
project or series. Why not visit a scrap heap, fairground want to achieve.
or classic car event? These examples can provide plenty After shooting your source material, consider
of unusual photo opportunities. mimicking the look and feel of a vintage photograph by
digitally toning the image a rich sepia or light blue using
viewfinder frame, producing visually stronger results. Style and design the Colorize command in Photoshop’s Hue/Saturation
Armed with the luxury of an LCD playback, you can If you’re excited by the design and look of a finely-tuned dialog box.
easily compare different crops or experiments while still vehicle, then photography is the perfect way to pay
out on location. If your camera has a zoom lens, try homage. Badges, logos, engines and body details can all Tilting your camera
using it at its wide-angle setting for a more distorted, be captured in graphic single frames to glorify the There’s no golden rule stating that verticals always have
but dynamic picture. unique style of the shape. If you want to get in close, it’s to be kept vertical. Tilting your camera is a good
When shooting with a wide angle, lines and shapes a good idea to use a wide-angle lens because it will technique to use for creating a dynamic diagonal.
become flexible – especially at close quarters – so you
can make a more interesting image. Professional studio
and industrial photographers often use a wide-angle
lens to create graphic images of seemingly uninteresting
products and industrial equipment.
Primary colours
Primary colours are visually striking and always make
great photographs – especially if shot under bright 3 IN DETAIL
sunlight. When combined with primaries, complex
CONSTRUCTION SITE
and interlocking graphic shapes demand all the If you’re stuck for ideas, check out
photographer’s attention and skill in order to juggle the the photographic work of Alexander
conflicting elements to make a strong image. Rodchenko. Part of the Russian
Like a jigsaw, brightly coloured graphic images are Constructivist art movement,
Rodchenko’s photographs are
broken into many colour compartments and can need shot from the most unusual
several attempts before the right composition is found. viewpoints like a bird’s eye view
Always shoot around your subject until you’ve found the and a worm’s eye view. His best
right angle of view and composition – even a slight images distort portraits into curious
shapes because of the very low
repositioning of the camera to the left or right can give
viewpoint he used, and the way he
a radically different result. represented ordinary people as
statue-like hero figures.
Signs and symbols
Even the most mundane subject can make a worthy
shot when it’s turned into an abstract or simple colour
study. Many subjects have their own unique symbols
that can make a fascinating documentary project. For
* WEB LINKS RIGHT Natural subjects can benefit too from the
same kind of approach as, as this carefully organised
study of textured rocks shows
LEE FRIEDLANDER
www.masters-of-
photography.com/F/friedlander/f Simply lower one of your hands and hold the
riedlander5.htm camera until you’ve got a line running from one corner
Check out the master of American of your frame to the other. Although it’s possible to
street photography and view his reproduce the same effect with the Rotate tool in your
complex compositions.
software application, you can end up discarding a large
quantity of the original pixels, leaving less data available
ALEXANDER RODCHENKO
www.masters-of- to print out.
photography.com/R/rodchenko/r When focusing on subjects above your eye level,
odchenko4.html try tilting your camera to rearrange lines and shapes
The great Russian photographer and until you’ve made a stronger composition. You can
artist made a virtue out of shooting pull one side of the camera towards you to create an
his photographs from the most
exaggerated perspective that will be more dynamic
inventive angles of view.
when shot with a wider lens. When making this kind of
WILLIAM KLEIN adjustment, don’t forget that you may need to set a
www.masters-of- new point of focus.
photography.com/K/klein/
klein2.html Architectural subjects
Where other photographers looked
Contemporary architecture is another great subject to
for inanimate shapes to base their
designs on, Klein used the hurly
photograph. Try out some graphic picture-making
burly of people in the city for his techniques in conjunction with your zoom lens fixed on
stunning work. its telephoto setting. Designed on paper by architectural
designers, most new buildings offer a stunning mixture between different structures for dominance. to help you compose your photograph. Set slightly to
of lines, shapes and colours waiting to be interpreted When shooting this kind of subject, try to find a one side, the rangefinder window can show more
and arranged by your camera lens. viewpoint well above ground level, so you can shoot of a subject than you will end up with when it’s
For far-off buildings – or those too high to reach – try across the city rooftops to capture a greater sense of printed out. Be wary of framing your photograph too
using your zoom lens on its longest telephoto setting. distance. Wide-angle lenses in this situation push your tightly to the edges of your viewfinder, as peripheral
This will help to crop out any unwanted elements nearest subjects much further away in the viewfinder details may not be recorded. It’s much better to step
that cause a visual distraction. This creates interesting and make them seem smaller and less significant. back a bit or set your lens to a slightly wider angle and
effects because of foreshortening – where the actual leave a visible space at the edges. With non-viewfinder
physical distance between objects appears reduced. Viewfinder cropping cameras such as digital SLRs and those with a
Used in the built-up surroundings of a busy modern Many digital compact cameras are fitted with a camcorder-type LCD viewfinder, less cropping mistakes
city, foreshortening can really emphasise the fight rangefinder window on the side of the camera body, are made out in the field.
@ SEND ’EM IN! ABOVE A telephoto lens is the perfect tool to use for
comparing different subjects in the same shot. This
@
Try out the techniques in this article example contrasts an older building with a shiny
then send us your photos. We’ll modern office block
print the best each month. Email us
at the following address:
LEFT With one side at close range, a tilting composition
gallery.dcm@futurenet.co.uk can lead your attention from the near edge to the far
edge of the picture
S
ABOVE A low contrast hooting with black and white film has long image with a brown tint attached. A better option is to
treatment can make an image been established as the all-time favourite with shoot using normal RGB colour mode, followed by a
look historic, and can be used traditional photographers. In the digital era, conversion process in your image-editing application.
to emphasise gentler subjects monochrome photography has even more potential. With a comprehensive assortment of tools for converting
Conventional back and white photography has colour to black and white, it’s not necessary to start with
FAR RIGHT Monochrome is an developed over the past century and a half as a craft a monochrome original.
ideal way to record a gritty skill rather than just a technical picture-taking process. At Even if you’re shooting conventional film and using a
documentary subject and the darkroom stage, photographers can reinterpret an film scanner to convert negative into digital files, it’s
focuses attention on real- original negative in many different styles. Contrast, tone better to shoot colour negative rather than panchromatic
life situations and colour tints can be applied to an image to enhance black and white film stock. In addition to having the
flat lighting and bring out lurking textures that wouldn’t option to print in colour or monochrome, starting with a
be revealed in a machine-processed print. colour film or digital original gives you the valuable asset
Apart from the real skill in the post-production of of original colour values that you can remix and
stylish black and white photography, you have to be able rebalance before conversion takes place.
to spot potential monochrome images when strong
colours are largely absent. When natural light is dull and Pictorial and realist
your subject colours don’t exactly sing out loud, a photographic techniques
monochrome interpretation can add warmth and punchy There are two opposing black and white photographic
contrast to the most mundane situations. styles that have developed into popular ways to work.
Although many digital compacts offer an additional The pictorial style is based on seeing the innate beauty
sepia shooting option, this is really just a crude RGB in the world around us and converting this into visually
3 IN DETAIL
PRINTING BLACK
AND WHITE
Although most inkjet printers offer
the option to print in black ink only,
much better results can be made
using all your ink colours in colour
printing mode. Using a single ink
colour, your printer will have its
resolution cut to a quarter or a sixth
of its full potential and will give you
speckly and coarse contrast results.
Although it can be difficult to make
a monochrome print that is cast-
free using colour inks, slight colour
casts are easily removed using the
colour control slider in your colour
printing software. For a really
special kind of printing, consider
using one of the Lyson Small
Gamut inksets – cleverly designed
cartridges that are charged with
neutral monochrome or toned inks
for top-quality black and white
output. Check them out at
www.lyson.com
;
Famed for his portrayal of the indigenous European people, Josef Koudelka’s B&W approach is unique.
4
FURTHER With a strong belief in the power of photography to bring attention to social injustice worldwide, 5 BETTER TRAVEL
PHOTOGRAPHY
INSPIRATION Sebastiao Salgado produces timeless B&W shots. (Find more info at www.masters-of-photography.com)
@
Channel Mixer offers you the chance to make image
print the best each month. Email us
colours lighter and darker than they were in the
at the following address:
original, much in the same way as black and white
ABOVE Three ways to convert from RGB to monochrome are as follows: mode change to Grayscale is shown photographers use deep colour filters to make blue skies gallery.dcm@futurenet.co.uk
second from the left; change to Lab mode third from the left, and a Channel mixer conversion at the far right appear black, and green foliage to appear white.
2 2 2
QUESTIONS The card reader has saved my bacon I recommend the Nikon Coolpix
ANSWERED on many occasions and, considering range of cameras, which have
CAMERA USE some of them cost less than £30, excellent macro capability, with an
USING A CARD READER 090 ADVANTAGES OF USING A they are excellent value for money. I’d ability to focus on a subject as little REMOVING RED EYE
MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY 090 CARD READER USING A CARD READER recommend you buy one and keep it as a couple of centimetres away. IMAGE EDITING
INSTALLING PLUG-INS 092 CAMERA USE in reserve. Macro photographs give us a ■■ INTERMEDIATE
MEMORY CARD SIZES 093 ■ BEGINNER marvellous view of small objects, Unfortunately I missed the
Q
2
I have a FujiFilm FinePix 4800. whether they be flowers, jewels, first issue of Digital Camera
IMAGE EDITING
REMOVING RED EYE 090
Q What advantage is there to be coins or other subjects. You’ll see Magazine, which had an article about
IMAGE MANAGEMENT 091 gained from using a card reader? I just truly amazing details revealed that how to remove red eye in photos. Is it
MAKING A PANORAMA 092
plug the cradle into my PC and the INFORMATION ABOUT wouldn’t easily be visible to the possible to use Photoshop 5.5 to
SHARING IMAGES 092
CONVERGING VERTICALS 093 pictures go straight in – the cradle is MACRO CAPABILITIES naked eye. The Nikon macro facility remove red eye? If not, can you
plugged into the mains so I can’t see CAMERA USE is one of the best, but you’ll also recommend any other software
PRINTERS any advantage in having one. ■■ INTERMEDIATE find it on other cameras – keep your program that I can use?
PRINTER PROBLEMS 093 Roy Turrell I am looking for a general- eyes peeled! Darren
Q purpose camera and can
MEDIA
I can think of many situations spend up to £400. I want to do macro
BOOKS
WEBSITE
093
091, 093
A when you might be glad of a photography, but I can’t find any
card reader: information about how close I can focus
1) When your camera battery is with any of the digital cameras, in any
low, and you don’t want to use any of the camera reviews I’ve read. I
more power while you are transferring usually fill the full viewfinder with
your pictures. about 2-10mm objects, but sometimes
2) When your battery is dead, and you they are as large as 40mm.
don’t have another to hand. Max D Freier
3) When you’re using a borrowed
camera, and you don’t have the The information regarding the
compatible USB cable.
A macro capabilities of digital
4) When you’ve lost your precious USB camera lenses should be listed in
cable, and your supplier doesn’t have the technical specifications. Just
any in stock. go to the camera manufacturer’s
5) When you’re using several memory website or other resource, and
Help
6) When you’d like to continue camera. If the camera has macro
photographing with the camera while capabilities, it should be mentioned
The Macro setting enables you to see things that are normally too small for the naked eye to see.
downloading – only a card reader there – it might not be mentioned in In this case, I positioned the Nikon Coolpix camera close up to my laptop screen, revealing the
enables you to do this. a camera review. luminous red, green and blue strips
2
about the same size as, or slightly one of your own but it will not look
larger than, the affected pupil. convincing – try it!
PHOTO-MANAGEMENT
SOFTWARE
IMAGE MANAGEMENT
■■ INTERMEDIATE
I’m interested in organising my
Q photos before I’ve got too many
to keep track of them. I want to be able
to catalogue them in at least six
different ways: category, subject, Now paste in the selected area, Paint around the edge of the pupil Make the pupil look natural by
location, quality, source, nature of creating a third layer – it’s satisfying to using a sample taken from the reducing the opacity to 80%, allowing
modification, as well as using EXIF see the catch light appear and the eye neighbouring colour. Make a new a little of the desaturated iris colour to
information. look natural again. Gain extra pleasure layer set to Colour and paint using show through. Finally, a small amount
Dennis Waite by toggling between the ‘before’ and the Brush tool. Select the remaining needs to be shaved off the top of the
‘after’ states using the Layer ‘on’ and red area and using Image8Adjust8 pupil in line with the upper eyelid.
There are many photo- ‘off’ button! Hue/Saturation, desaturate it to grey.
A organisation programs that
enable you to sort and browse QUICK-FIX
through your photographs. They all
perform basically the same task,
which is to display thumbnail
versions of the photographs, giving
you an overview of your collection.
You can enter extra information, ? EXPLAINED
enabling you to classify and search
for specific photos more easily. One of
INTERPOLATION
Interpolation takes place when
the most impressive is iPhoto, Open the file and duplicate the layer, Go back to the upper layer and, using Go down to the background layer and picture information from individual
bundled free with Macintosh so you have two copies of the photo, the Delete tool with the brush set use the Levels control (Image8 pixels is reprocessed and
computers. Photoshop 7 includes an one on top of the other. Desaturate approximately to the size of the Adjustments8Levels) to darken it. recombined to make a larger or
image browser, which enables you to the background layer using pupil, make one or two clicks to Drag the slider until the grey has smaller image – that is, one with
access EXIF information. larger or smaller pixel dimensions
Image8Adjust8Hue/Saturation to reveal the desaturated or grey turned nearly to black. The whole
than the original. On some digital
On more thing: before going onto remove colour from the picture, version underneath. Make a 'hole' layer has been darkened, but we can
cameras, the picture information is
invest time and money in a photo- including the red in the eyes. with the Eraser brush using just a only see the pupil through the ‘hole’ interpolated upwards to create an
management program, think carefully click or two. we’ve made in the upper layer. image with larger pixel dimensions.
about filenames.
2
modules. Installing them is easy. packages available for making Bernard Longley
Photoshop and Elements have a panoramas, but often I prefer to join
THE FUJIFILM 3RD subdirectory named plug-ins – simply together the images myself. Place the This can be quite a problem.
GENERATION SUPER CCD INSTALLING PLUG-IN copy the plug-in module and place it in photos you wish to join together on two
A Many people unwittingly
What is it? FujiFilm’s 3rd Generation FILTER EFFECTS the plug-ins folder. When the program separate layers so they overlap, then send me enormous image files that
Super CCD (charge coupled device) CAMERA USE
takes digital camera technology
launches, the plug-in will then be carefully delete the upper layer to would tie up my phone line for half
■ BEGINNER available to the program under the reveal other one underneath. an hour or more. I have discovered an
further by radically altering and
improving the design, layout and Please can you explain how to Filters drop-down menu. I’ve taken an example – two easy way to ‘zap’ the offending
functionality of the conventional CCD. Q install and use plug-in filters and images that have been joined attachments before they even reach
2
This is the third incarnation of the effects. I understand that many of these together in the box below. my in-box – using my Internet Service
product since it was launched in
are produced for Photoshop and Provider’s webmail service.
2
1999. The Super CCD delivers a
Photoshop Elements. I often see them There are different names for it
choice of resolutions – 1m, 3m and
6m (1,280 x 960, 2,048 x 1,536 and referred to, but it’s often assumed that JOINING PICTURES TO but, basically, you can view your
2,880 x 1,920, respectively), and we all know how to use plug-ins – I feel MAKE A PANORAMA incoming messages online before
performs exceptionally well at low fairly sure this is not the case! IMAGE EDITING SHARING IMAGES VIA downloading them, and if there are
light conditions. It also delivers VGA Roland Williams ■■ INTERMEDIATE THE WEB any you’d rather not receive –
size full motion video. I would like to make panoramic CAMERA USE particularly those with over-sized
Plug-in filters add extra
Q pictures by joining several ■■■ BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE attachments – you can delete them. If
How it works: Those ingenious A functionality to a basic program, pictures together. Is it possible to do People often send me huge you have broadband, then those
designers at FujiFilm did a total
rethink of the existing CCD, and extending its capabilities. They are often it manually?
Q image attachments that huge and unwanted image
decided to rotate the entire array of written by independent developers and Paul Marquez take ages to download. Is there attachments will download quickly
photo sensors by 45 degrees. Using
4
FURTHER lines. They are caused by lower resolution images being displayed too
INFORMATION large, causing the pixels to be visible to the naked eye
8
MANUFACTURER SITE us interested in digital photography are the mini-sites on
www.panasonic.co.uk the SD memory card, which as the site explains, is not just
Content: The website of the Japanese company is a suite of for storing photos from digital cameras, and on Panasonic’s
websites all of similar design, with attractive Flash- highly desirable range of Lumix digital cameras, produced
powered animated menus. Of special interest to those of in association with Leica.
2
shots. If the file size is larger, then
you’ll only be able to store about half
this number.
DEALING WITH On a trip like this you can easily take
PRINTER PROBLEMS a thousand or more photos, so you’d
PRINTER need ten 256MB cards, costing about
■ BEGINNER the same as a laptop computer. And
I have a problem with my Epson that’s one possibility I’d suggest – get a
Q 890. It has started printing my laptop computer and download the
photos in a pale blue colour with dark images as you go along…
pink in shadows and black areas as
2
normal. I have checked all settings,
cleaned the head and reinstalled the
print driver. Please can you help me
work out what is wrong. HOW TO SORT
David Horton CONVERGING VERTICALS This photo of a floodlit building taken at night sent by Martin Sheehan has converging verticals –
IMAGE EDITING correcting the perspective in Photoshop may improve it
2
problem of converging verticals
in issue one, so I won’t go into it in
detail here. Suffice to say that the
WHAT SIZE MEMORY CARD easiest way to correct them in
TO TAKE ON HOLIDAY Photoshop is by using either the
CAMERA USE Perspective or Distort functions under
■ BEGINNER the Transform menu. It’s an intuitive
I’m going to South America this ‘drag and click’ method that’s easy
Q year on a nature trek holiday. I and fun to use. Verdict A useful and attractively laid
want to be able to take reasonable However, there is another way, out paperback about digital
photography, focusing primarily on
pictures of scenery and wildlife. I have using the excellent plug-in utility
image capture. Plenty of technical
approximately £800 to spend on a ‘Panorama Tools’, which I introduced
info and author opinion. The images
digital camera and I have been in last month’s Q&A section. You can are in standard stock photography
provisionally looking at the Minolta find it on the Digital Photography style, which is less than inspiring. In
Dimage 7i. I will not be able to Review (dpreview) website at digital photography manuals we’d
download pictures until I get home, and www.dpreview.com. It is possible to prefer to see author-produced
What size memory card will I need, and download and install the tools, which photographs in a wide variety of
styles. Nevertheless, an
can you recommend a zoom lens enable you to carry out perspective
accomplished piece of work from a
attachment that may be useful? corrections on all kinds of photos by This photo was taken in the desert in Abu Dhabi in 2000. If you take a laptop computer with you on very experienced writer.
Karen Jones entering numerical values. your travels, you can download and edit photographs on the spot
200
SPECIAL 200th ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
GET ALL THIS!
,10 whisper-quiet £999 PCs on test ,16-page Network section for enterprise computing
,18 top motherboards on test from just £55!
,59 pages of practical tutorials on a huge range of subjects
OVER
SUBSCRIBE TO PCPlus – CALL THE HOTLINE NOW – 0870 444 8662 REF PCPHAD
96
THE WINDOWS PAINT PROGRAM
Bundled free with Windows, Paint is perfect for
viewing photos or making minor tweaks to them
98
WORKING THE NET
In the last of this series, Matthew Richards gives an
overview of your online options and resources
100
COLOUR SETTINGS IN PHOTOSHOP
Using your colour management tools will give you
quality colour prints. Tim Daly shows you how
96 98 100
PC & Internet
Using a PC to make the most of your digital photos
f #
Our aim is to bring you creative ideas, expert tips and image files, and full or trial software so you can try the If you have a comment about our reviews, or a product
quick fixes you can use in your own work. tutorial for yourself, delivering a complete package. you would like us to test, please email us at
Authoritative A leading professional in his/her field Clear Our large page size means we can add extra editor.dcm@futurenet.co.uk. Visit our website at
writes every tutorial. Value-added We try to include elements, explanations and detail to each tutorial. digitalcameramagazine.co.uk for reader verdicts
TUTORIAL USING YOUR PC
YOUR GUIDE JOE CASSELS
Joe Cassels writes regular tutorials for a wide range of computer magazines. He
is an enthusiastic digital photographer with a track record of helping many
people get more from their PCs
T
he ideal way to manage your photos and If you’ve used Paint before, you may well have been the same amount both horizontally and vertically
TUTORIAL
pictures is to use an image editor like deceived by its simplicity. Earlier versions only handled which does roughly the same job.
KEY DETAILS Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro. These bitmap images, which made it unsuitable for handling You can also crop in Paint, by selecting the part of the
2 SKILL LEVEL professional programs enable you to alter the colour digital photographs, but the version of Paint that comes image you want to keep and copying it to the clipboard.
balance, contrast and brightness of pictures, as well as with Windows XP can cope with most common picture All you need to do is start a new image and paste the
2
providing plenty of effects and filters. files. You can also undo your last three actions instead of section onto the empty canvas. You can even get
20 MINUTES
or emailing them to a friend or relative, you don’t need
any extra software at all. Paint, the default program
tools, but you can still achieve some simple effects with
a little careful planning. For example, there’s no tool to
from any normal looking part of the eye, using the
dropper tool.
bundled with Windows, will handle it all admirably and automatically shrink or enlarge an image, but you can If you have a strict budget, and don’t want to do
for the nifty sum of no extra pounds. use the stretch and skew options to reduce an image by complicated editing, Paint may be all you need.
8 8
? EXPLAINED
RED EYE
This term describes the effect of a
photographic flash reflecting off a
person or animal’s retina, making
their eyes appear to glow red.
Using a flash not directly aimed at
the subject can avoid red eye, as
can careful lighting. However, you
can remove red eye from a digital
photograph using an image-
COPY THE SELECTION CREATE A NEW IMAGE PASTE CROPPED IMAGE editing program.
04 Once you are happy with the part of the 05 Click File8New. You will be prompted to 06 Select Edit8Paste so your selection
picture you selected, click Edit8Copy. This save changes to your image. Select No, so reappears. Save this with a different
puts your cropped area onto the clipboard. This way your original image is preserved prior to any changes filename to your initial picture. Experiment with
you can preserve the original image if you change you made. You are presented with a blank canvas different cropping areas to find the best composition.
your mind later on. onto which you can paste the selection. Save each image with a different filename.
8 8 * WEB LINKS
Microsoft
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp
/default.asp
Information for beginners and
professionals, downloadable
software and technical support.
T
he internet has something to offer everyone, you’d even want to get online in the first place. all you need to do is to post your question in a forum
from an experienced digital photographer In the digital age, the internet is no longer one of online and you shouldn’t have to wait long for the
who’s never beren online, to someone taking life’s optional extras, especially if you’re into digital answers to come flooding in. There are plenty to choose
the leap from traditional photography to digital, and still photography. There are many different ways you can from – we’d recommend going to www.google.co.uk
finding their feet. In fact, the internet has so much to share your photos online but the practicality and and searching for ‘digital photography forum’ to get
offer, that sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start. advantages of the net go much further than that. For quick access to plenty of general forums as well as quite
Over the last few issues of Digital Camera Magazine, example, the web is an unparalleled source of a few specialised ones, like www.ukdiving.co.uk/
we’ve been looking at various ways of getting more out information on all the latest digital photography gadgets ukdiving/photoforum for digital underwater photography.
of the net, from online communities and ordering prints, and gear – complete with top opportunities for bargain
to web hosting and creating a full-on website. buys. Just compare some of the prices for memory cards How much does it cost?
This month, in the last of the series, we’re going to and other photographic accessories at a website like The good news is that getting online can be surprisingly
focus on exactly what kind of facilities to look for, www.7dayshop.com with even the best High Street inexpensive. Unlike playing games or watching DVD
depending on precisely what you want to do online. For prices and you’ll see what we mean. movies, photo editing software and access to the
more detail and information on any particular area, order Internet doesn’t demand huge specs from your PC. As a
a relevant back issue of the magazine. A full list of what Tricks of the trade rule of thumb, if your PC is good enough to download
we’ve covered in each issue of the magazine is shown Then there’s all the help, advice, tips and tricks you can photos from your camera, then it’s good enough to use
opposite, in the right-hand side bar. For now though, let’s get from online forums. Rather than having to phone for internet access. And if your PC doesn’t already have a
take a look at what options are open to you and why around trying to get an answer to a particular question, built-in modem, you can buy an internal modem for as
* WEB LINKS MAKING THE MOST OF MSN 8 At £6.99, the new MSN 8 has plenty of online
advantages, especially for digital photographers
BonusPrint
www.bonusprint.com
MSN
www.msn.co.uk
MSN Photos
8 8
http://photos.msn.co.uk
IncrediMail
www.incredimail.com
IMS Web Dwarf
www.virtualmechanics.com
Easily.co.uk
www.easily.co.uk
Photobox
www.photobox.co.uk
WS-FTP Pro SIGN UP, SIGN IN MSN PHOTO PLUS PICTURE IT!
www.ipswitch.com 01 Multiple sign-in facilities in MSN 8 mean 02 Sign up for MSN 8 and you get automatic 03 As an MSN 8 subscriber, you also get a free
7DayShop that everyone in the family can have their access to MSN Photo Plus, for sharing your copy of Microsoft Picture It! Express 7. Despite
www.7dayshop.com
own log-on and customised set of features. In true shots online and creating your own communities. the ‘express’ tag, it’s a surprisingly fully featured
Google
www.google.co.uk
multimedia style, everyone can also have their own There are also some slick tools for uploading your image-editing package with plenty of useful, yet
sign-in photo. photos, plus plenty of tips and tricks on offer. easy-to-use tools to make your shots look their best.
3 BACK ISSUES
AS SEEN IN DIGITAL
CAMERA MAGAZINE…
Over the last few months Digital
Camera Magazine has run a
complete series on internet
photography. You can order issue
2, 3 or 4 of the magazine by
phoning our Customer Services
ABOVE BonusPrint adds a raft of digital services department on 0780 444 8470.
to its conventional printing processes, via the Issue 1, however, has completely
company’s website sold out. We apologise for any
inconvenience caused.
4
FURTHER workspace. Go to WWW.adobe.com/support/techguides/
INFORMATION color/main.htm
C
olour management seems like a workspace such as the Adobe RGB (1998). This rather than editing. To set up these policies make the
0 EXPERT TIP tremendously technical concept for most
keen photographers, but it’s not complex
workspace is the best for accurate colour printing and
will not cause colours to change. Photoshop can be set
same Photoshop8Color Settings command as before,
but click the Advanced Mode checkbox, found at the
TIM DALY and it’s there to help you keep your images in top- to work with Adobe RGB (1998) as its default top left of the dialog box. Next, choose Convert to
COLOUR PROFILES
class condition. workspace by making the following command Working RGB from the RGB pop-up in the Color
BUYING CUSTOM The main problem is that digital image colours rarely Photoshop8Color Settings. When the dialog appears, Management Policies section.
PROFILES look the same when an image file is swapped pick the Custom option from the Settings pop-up menu
For many professional photographers,
custom profiles based on the
between hardware devices. There are several subtle found at the top. Next, click in the RGB pop-up and Profile mismatch reminder
idiosyncrasies of a particular output variations in the universal RGB colour mode such as select Adobe RGB (1998) from the list, as shown. While still in the Color Settings dialog, you can also set
device can be made or bought direct sRGB, Adobe RGB (1998) and ColorMatch RGB. These up Photoshop to prompt you with a visual reminder
from specialist services, like the US- are sometimes referred to as a workspace, and have Colour management engines each time an image file is about to be opened or
based Cone Editions. For a price, this their own unique colour palettes which can alter The conversion process can be managed by a tiny pasted from another source image – useful when a
company will make a bespoke
significantly when viewed in a software application piece of software called the Colour Management potentially damaging conversion is about to occur. It
output profile for your workstation if
under a different workspace. Module or Engine, sometimes referred to as CMM or gives you the chance to decide what to do before the
you print out and return their preset
colour chart. Once analysed, the chart To counteract this, there are tools installed inside CME. Both ColorSync and the Adobe (ACE) are image is opened. In the Color Management Policies
will be form the basis of a personal professional hardware and software to manage the management tools and both come with Photoshop, section, tick all options as shown.
profile which will adjust your colour transition. For example, you can choose to colour with the latter being the best option to use. When
images to fit a target paper and manage your monitor, input devices and output opening images that have been captured in another Tagging your documents
printer combination. devices so that consistent colours are maintained. workspace, you can configure your CME to deal with Once opened, worked on and ready for saving, the
the problem in a number of different ways called final part of the colour management workflow can be
Setting up the colour workspace policies. Most common is to convert images from a made. You can choose to save your images with your
Some workspaces have a smaller colour palette than smaller space into your current but larger workspace. workspace colour profile by doing a File8Save As
others, such as the sRGB space, so the best option is to The second option is to preserve the integrity of the command. At the bottom of the dialog box, tick the
use the largest and most universally recognised image’s workspace, useful if you are only viewing Embed Color profile option, as shown.
* WEB LINKS
Many hardware and software
manufacturers offer online advice
on how to cope with colour
management problems as follows:
SOLUTIONS You can deal with image files from different hardware/software formats by configuring your
machine to anticipate them, or by managing them through special ‘policies’
CONE STUDIO
www.inkjetmall.com
Delve into the useful tips on colour
management, especially useful for
older versions of Photoshop.
COLORSYNC
http://www.apple.com/colorsync/
Read about theory behind the
Colorsync colour management tools.
EPSON
http://www.photoexpert.epson.co
.uk/UK/EXPERTISE/how_to_icc_pa
ge1.htm
SET UP THE COLOUR WORKSPACE COLOUR MANAGEMENT ENGINES PROFILE MISMATCH REMINDER
Learn how to use printer colour 01 You can set a default workspace on your
02 These enable you to set up ‘policies’ which
03 This pre-empts any nasty surprises by warning
profiles with your Epson printer
workstation that all files will recognise. deal with foreign file formats on arrival. you when your colours will be affected.
4 KEEP A RECORD
Keep records if you’re paying by credit card over the phone. Print
off web pages after you have entered your details on them. Keep
notes of exact times and the name of the person who took your
order, if you’re paying by phone. Always keep your receipts.
Dealerbank
18 pages of the UK’s camera retailers
#
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TAL
FIRST FOR DIGI
Enquiries & Helpline: • A204 £169.99
........................................................................
SB-50DX Flashgun ..............£159.99 ............................. • Filmscan 1800 S/F £199.99
Tel 01494 88 33 99 Fax 01494 88 33 91 • A203 £214.99
........................................................................
SC-17TTL Sensor Cable ........£59.99
Battery EN-EL1 ......................£39.99
Olympus GWO Stock • Filmscan 3600 ..£399.99
Olympus C40..............£329.99
. • A303 ............................................ £239.99 Battery EN-EL2 ......................£39.99
Olympus C220 ..........£159.99 • Filmscan 4000..£749.99
Secure On-Line Shopping 128-bit encrypted shopping basket Battery EN-EL3 ......................£49.99
• A304 £339.99 Olympus C4000.........£299.99
www.digitalfirst.co.uk • Email info@digitalfirst.co.uk • A401
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£319.99
........................................................................
Battery EN-4 ..........................£84.99
URE 2-8 Lens Rings ......each £12.99
Olympus E20..............£949.99
Olympus P300 Printer £49.99
NIKON
or £69.99 with 60 • Coolscan IV £529.99 ......................
Offices & Showroom: Unit 12 • North’s Estate • PIddIngton . • F601/Dock ........................ £379.99 Case CS-E880/885 ................£19.99
sheets of paper & ribbon • Coolscan 4000..£1,099.99
HIgh Wycombe Bucks • HP14 3BE CS-P11 Case (5700) ..............£34.99
• S602 ............................................ £543.99 Case 990/995/990 ..................£29.99
GWO (Good Working Order):
• Coolscan 8000 ..£2,299.99
Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm • Sat 9am - 1pm • Fully tested
• S602 Pro £679.99
Subject to Availability • E & O E • Prices Subject to Change without Notice
MasterCard/Visa/Switch/Amex/Cheque/Council or School/University Orders. • M603 Kit
........................
£549.99
AC Adaptor EH-31/EH21 ........£49.99
AC Adaptor EH53AC ..............£29.99
• Fully guaranteed
• Complete in every way FLATBED
SCANNERS
............................
COURIER: Cameras £7.50 Scanners/Printers £9.95 • Jiffy Bags £3.95 Flash Bracket SK-E900 ........£58.99 Best deals in the UK
Memory Cards & Cases £1.99 • Prices include Vat @17.5% • S2 Pro Kit ........................ £1,889.99 Wideangle WC-E24 ................£69.99 .............................
Fuji Accessories
AC Mains Adaptor 3 or 5V ............£29.99
Wideangle WC-E63 ............£99.99
Wideangle WC-E80 ............£119.99
PENTAX CANON
Fuji Compact Case ......................£12.99 Fisheye FC-E8 ..................................£209.99
• Optio 430RS ............ £379.99 • D1250U2F ...................... £139.99
Fuji 4900/6900 Case......................£29.99 Telephoto TC-E15ED ............£119.99
............
£289.99
£239.99
• D2400UF
• 5000F
............................
........................................
£214.99
£149.99
CANON NP80 Batt ......................................£42.99
NP60 Batt ......................................£34.99 Nikon Filterkit (4)............................£37.99
Optio Case ......................................£9.99 • 8000F ........................................ £189.99
99 K AC-2E AC Adaptor......................£39.99
• Powershot A40£209. BC80 Charger ..............................£54.99 28mm Lens Protection Filter..........£12.99
DL-22 Battery ................................£29.99 EPSON
BC60 Charger ..............................£49.99 MD-D100 Grip..............................£234.99
• Powershot G2 £499.99 SM R2 USB Reader ......................£69.99 ‘Accredited Stockist’
MB-E5700 Lenshood ....................£17.99
SONY
........
OLYMPUS C40
NB-2L Battery for Powershot ........£39.99 • Dimage Xi £299.99 • E20P Zoom £1,099.99*
GOOD WORKING ORDER STOCK
NB-5H Battery for S10/S20............£29.99
Leather Case Dimage X ................£19.99
......................
SONY ACCESSORIES
..............
MICROTEK
4 MEGAPIXELS
BP-511 Battery for D60 ..........£49.99
Lithium Battery Dimage X ..............£29.99 • E20P Zoom Pro Kit*£1,299.99* NP-F550 battery for Mavica ......£54.99 • ScanMaker 5600 £199.99
BG-ED3 Grip for D60............£129.99 TCON-14B 200mm & WCON-08B 28mm lenses NP-FM50 battery for Cyber-Shot ..£54.99
£329.99 WC-DC58 Wide Lens G1/2 ..£109.99 • Dimage F100 £349.99 ..................
*Free Olympus P300 GWO Printer Memory Stick 8MB ................£12.99
Including Neg & Slide Adaptor
WC-DC58N Wide Lens G3 ....£109.99 Minolta Leather Case F100............£19.99 . E10/20 Accessories: Memory Stick 16MB ..................£19.99
• ScanMaker 8700 S/F £599.99
TC-DC58 Tele Lens G1/2..........£79.99 Lithium Batteries F100 ....................£9.99
TC-DC58N Tele Lens G3 ........£79.99
LA-DC58 Lens Adapt. G1/2 ....£14.99
Minolta Case 304/404 ....................£19.99
TCON-300 420mm lens ......................£579.99
TCON-SA2 Support Arm ....................£179.99
Memory Stick 32MB ...............£26.99
Memory Stick 64MB ................£34.99
PRINTERS
LADC58N Lens Adapt. G3 ......£14.99 NIKON Coolpix TCON-14B 200 mm lens ....................£199.99 PCMCIA Adaptor ..................£69.99 CANON
MCON-35 macro............................£99.99 Floppy Disk Adaptor ..............£69.99
TC-DC52 Tele Lens A1/2/3/40 ....£79.99
• 2000 £179.99
..............................................
WCON-08B 28mm lens ..............£179.99
• Photo S330 ...................... £74.99
WC-DC52 Wide Lens A1/2/3/40..£79.99
LA-DC52B Lens Adapt. A30/40....£14.99 • 2500 £249.99
.............................................. B-32LSP Li-Po batt/charger Kit....£579.99 NEG & SLIDE • Photo S900 ................ £299.99
LA-DC52 Lens Adapt. A10/20 £14.99
Case300 Ixus V/V2/V3 ..........£19.99 • 775 £239.99
..................................................
Olympus General Accessories
AC Mains Adaptor ..........................£49.99
SCANNERS • Photo S530D
• Photo S820D
.................. £219.99
£269.99
Case 600 S30/40/45 ....................£19.99 • 4300 £399.99 ..........
£874.99
16mb Panorama Card ......................£19.99
32mb Panorama Card....................£32.99
HP HP
..............................................
• Photosmart 100 £119.99 ....
CANON SLR LENSES:
• D100 £1,549.99 64mb Panorama Card....................£64.99 • Photosmart S20 ......£209.99
EF USM 20f2.8 ..........................£399.99
......................................
128mb Panorama Card................£139.99 EPSON
EF-L USM 16/35f2.8 ................£1,169.99
EF USM 20/35f2.8 ......................£329.99
• D1H £3,199.99
........................................ Card Case - Leather ......................£12.99 MINOLTA ‘Accredited Stockist’
EF USM 24/85 f3.5/4.5 ..............£249.99 • D1X £3,575.99
........................................
Telephoto Lens 1.45x ....................£67.99
• ScanDual 3 £259. ..................
99 • Photo 830 ............................ £89.99
Wide Lens 0.8x ............................£119.99
EF USM 75/300IS f4/5.6..............£359.99
• D1X PRO KIT ......£3,649.99 Macro Lens ....................................£68.99 • Scan Elite 2 ..........£449.99 • Photo 915 ........................ £159.99
CASIO NIKON LENSES 43mm Lens Protection filter ..........£12.99 • Scan Multi 2 £999.99
..........................................
• Photo 925 ........................ £219.99
AF-D 18/35mm ....................£429.99 TV Monitor ................................£79.99
• QV-4000 ................................................ £349.99 43mm ND 4x ..................................£19.99
• Scan Multi Pro ....£1,899.99
c/w 1Gig Micro Drive ....................£53999 AF-S 17/35mm f2.8 ..............£1,199.99 49mm ND 4x (2100/700) ..................£19.99 •Photo 950 .......................... £339.99
General Nikon Accessories
CANON D60 BODY FUJI Finepix SB28DX Flashgun ..................£299.99
49mm Lens protect. (2100/700) ....£16.99
Flash Film Scanner ......................£159.99
MICROTEK • Photo 1290 .................. £314.99
& 1GIG MICRODRIVE
• A202 .................................................................... £134. 99 SB-22S Flashgun ................£124.99 Fast Charger incl 4 Batts ..............£65.99 • Filmscan 35 ........£119.99 • Photo 1290s ............ £329.99
£1,999.99 FROM STOCK SB-80DX Flashgun ..............£269.99
External Flash FL40 ....................£289.99 • Photo 2100 .................. £519.99
FREE USB CARDREADER
WITH EACH CAMERA*
(*SMARTMEDIA AND COMPACT FLASH CAMERAS ONLY)
SAVE £19.99
Epson Accessories (not included) FUJI FIREWIRE DUAL CF/SM ..£59.99 Traveljack ..............................£39.99 CardUSBReader Lowepro Digital SO20089 .................................... £14.99
USB A-B Printer Cable 1.8m..................£6.99 TO27 ............................................ £15.99
JACTRON 6-IN-1 READER Nixvue Vista Camera Case
USB A-B Printer Cable 3m ....................£9.99 SM/CF/CF2/MD/SD/MM/MS..............£49.99 TO16 ............................................ £25.99
10gig ....................................£399.99 (Please advise Camera)
Parallel Port Printer Cable 1.8m ........£6.99 FLASHPATH
20gig ....................................£449.99 TO322.............................................£11.99
ONLY ........................£59. 99
DYE SUB SM Floppy Disk Adaptor ..............£49.99
LEAD DATA EXPERT USB
30gig ....................................£549.99 with 128mb ............£69. 99
.......................................................................................
TO323.............................................£11.99
32MB 8 x speed..............................£24.99
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DISC A Builder
FULL SOFTWARE Picture Window Pro 3.5
This March…
Picture Window 2.5
DEMO SOFTWARE FREE SOFTWARE
Color Mechanic 1.1 ColorCastFX 1.0
OTHER Digital Photo Librarian
Virtual Tours Dup Detector 3.0
Tutorial files Futuris Imager 2.6
We’re giving away a plethora of free software, plug-ins and demos this month – Camera test shots Image Enhance 3.22
the cream of all this booty being Picture Window 2.5 for your digital darkroom Camera database iMprinter 2.0
Manufacturer web links JPEG Comment Editor
1.0
W
elcome once more to this month’s disc edition of the magazine this month. And finally,
pages. We try to keep things interesting make sure you visit our website at DISC B Picture-shark 1.0
for you each month so you’ll find the www.digitalcameramagazine.co.uk for FULL SOFTWARE RGB Lights 1.0
full version of Picture Window 2.5 on disc A. It more tutorials, camera reviews, plus you can Multiple Image VCW VicMan Photo
provides you with a suite of tools developed get the opportunity to chat to thousands of Resizer .NET Editor 7.0
for digital photography adjustments and other digital photography enthusiasts. Multiple Unzipper
enhancements – a digital darkroom if you will. (demo) PLUG-INS
Follow our tutorial to help you get started and Jeremy Ford FotoPrinter 3.0 SE Digital ROC Plug-in 1.1.1
you’ll also find excellent help information built into Senior New Media Editor EmbossWorks Deluxe
the software too. Jeremy.ford@futurenet.co.uk DEMO SOFTWARE Flexify
Last issue we told you that this month we’d be ParcSoft PhotoBase 3.0 MasterBlaster Deluxe
giving you the option of a DVD and CD version of ■ Don’t forget issue 6 which will include a Canvas 8 Mezzy Deluxe
Digital Camera Magazine. Unfortunately this choice of CD or DVD. Why not subscribe every DVD Picture Show 1.0 nik Color Efex
plan has been delayed until next issue. Apologies month and save yourself some money? Turn to FamiliaBuilder 3.0.2 Photo Abstract Set
to anybody scouring the shop shelves for the DVD page 80 for more details… Lightbox 2.0 PhotoKit 1.0
Panoweaver Simplifier 1.0
Professional 3.0 SwapShop Deluxe
Photo2VCD Professional
VIRTUAL TOURS Our virtual tour enables you to get a proper feel for the five
digital cameras we’ve reviewed this issue
1.63
PHOTORECOVERY 3.0
OTHER
Reader gallery
Reader support
FLY AROUND DETAIL SHOTS TEST SHOTS We are careful to thoroughly test each
01 Use the pink arrows to the left and right 02 We’ve provided nine detailed images of 03 We’ve taken test shots in four different CD but in the event of a problem,
of each camera image to spin the each digital camera so you can have a lighting situations to enable you to view please call our reader support team on
camera around. Rollover the outside arrows to auto- really thorough look at each of them. Zoom into the the image quality of the individual cameras. These 01225 822743. In the event of your disc
rotate the camera in that direction or click the inside required close-up shot by simply clicking the include a detail picture, a skin shot, plus indoor and being physically damaged, please see the
arrows to manually rotate the camera to the relevant thumbnail image or pressing the number outdoor shots. See a large version of each shot by back of the disc case for details of how to
position you want. key shown below each one. clicking the thumbnail or pressing the number key get a free replacement.
displayed below each image.
* SOFTWARE
SPECIFICATIONS
TWEAK IMAGES This handy little program enables you trim and rotate your images to
perfection as well as adding some borders and complimentary text
PUBLISHER ACUMEN BUSINESS SYSTEMS
PRODUCT STATUS FULL PRODUCT
CONTACT INFORMATION WWW.ACUMENSYSTEMS.COM
AS SOLD FOR £9.99
SERIAL NUMBER NOT REQUIRED
R
esizing any number of images can be a
lengthy and time consuming process.
You might, for example, be creating a
website to show off your latest batch of
photographs and find yourself having to manually
create thumbnail after thumbnail. But it need not
be like this. Using Multiple Image Resizer .NET, you
can automate the entire process, leaving you with
more time to concentrate on other things.
As the name would suggest, this program ADD YOUR IMAGES RESIZE THEM ROTATE THEM
enables you to resize a number of images in one 01 Launch the program and go to the Select 02 Use the next tab to indicate which 03 The Rotate tab can be used to determine
fell swoop. But it doesn’t stop there – you can also tab. Click Add Folder of Images. Select processing options you would like to use if images should be rotated or flipped at
choose how images should be resized (as a fixed your folder to add an entire folder or select images on your images. Move to the Resizing tab to scale all. As you change options, you will need to refresh
size or as a percentage of the original image), independently by clicking Add Individual Images. down your images to the ratio you want. the preview by clicking on the Refresh link.
whether images should be flipped or rotated,
and what sort of border should be used to
frame each picture.
Once all of these options have been set, you
can select some text to overlay onto your images
– perfect if you would like to add copyright
information to prevent your work being used by
anyone else. When all of this has been done, all
that is left to do is decide how your resized
images should be named, where they should
be stored and which image format they should
be saved in.
While this program is perfect for creating
website thumbnails, it can be used for any
purpose, even if all you ADD BORDERS ADD TEXT SAVE YOUR IMAGES
want to do is convert a
04 If you would like to add a border to your
05 You can also add text to your images –
06 Finally, on the Save tab, you must select
folder full of images into a resized images, use the next tab to such as copyright information. Click on the file format to save images in and the
different file format. It’s a select your options. You can change the type of the Text Options tab, enter your text and choose the naming convention to be used. You can then move
useful tool whatever your border to use as well as its colour and thickness. font and positioning your would like to use. to the final tab and hit Go.
requirements may be.
Upgrade
The company behind Multiple Image Resizer .NET, Acumen Business Another free tool is Net Tester, which may be used by network
Systems Ltd, produces a whole range of other software – some of which is administrators or those with home networks to check all available
available free of charge! machines on the network at any one time. .Net tester then reports their
Working on a similar idea to Multiple Image Resizer, Multiple Unzipper IP addresses back to you.
enables you to work with several zipped archives at once so you can Take a look at the company’s website (www.acumensystems.com) and
quickly and easily uncompress a number of files in one action. you can find out more details on all these useful products.
Picture Window 2.5
Picture Window is a professional image-editing and photo-enhancement tool that offers you an unparalleled level of control over your work
* SOFTWARE
SPECIFICATIONS
PUBLISHER
PRODUCT STATUS
DIGITAL LIGHT & COLOR
FULL VERSION
PHOTO EDITING Picture Window 2.5 has all the tools you need for some nifty digital
manipulation. If you like this, why not check out version 3.1?
CONTACT INFORMATION WWW.DL-C.COM
AS SOLD FOR $49.95
SERIAL NUMBER NONE REQUIRED
E
quipped with your camera and Picture
Window 2.5 from this month’s cover
disc, you can turn your computer into
your own personal digital darkroom. The program
places at your disposal a wide range of power
tools covering every aspect of image editing.
Whatever alterations you make to your images,
Picture Window 2.5 makes it easy to revert to an
earlier version of your work should you make a
mistake. As well as the usual undo feature, every
time you make a change, apply a filter or special BROWSE YOUR IMAGES TWAIN SUPPORT SLIDESHOWS
effect, a new window will open containing the
01 Picture Window includes a useful Browse
02 The program also features TWAIN
03 Digital slideshows are great way to send
newly transformed version of your file. This means option which can be used to preview the support so you can acquire images from out a whole collection of images to
that it is easy to take an original image and try entire contents of a folder of images. You can then other sources, such as a scanner. You can then use people. Simply click File8Slideshow and double click
out a number of ideas and view them all on open individual images or print out miniature Picture Windows tools to adjust the image as on the empty box to start adding pictures to the
screen simultaneously for easy comparison. reference sheets. necessary, using the usual methods. slideshow selection.
As well as special effects and filters, and the
usual range of graphic tools, Picture Window also
offers a collection of options brought together in
the Miscellaneous Tools window. From here you
have access to a number of useful features such
as lighten, darken, smudge, red eye removal,
sharpen and blur. The fact that all of these tools
and their various options are available from a
single window greatly increases common image
enhancement tasks.
The Monitor Calibration tool can be used to
ensure that what you see on screen precisely
matches the output of your printer, so you will not
waste time on an editing session only to have to
redo it when your printout is not up to standard. CALIBRATE YOUR MONITOR PAINT AND CLONE TOOLS MISCELLANEOUS TOOLS
With support for layers, masks, and boasting
04 Before you start image editing, you
05 The top tool bar can be used to access
06 The Miscellaneous Tool window should
extremely customisable options, Picture Window is should calibrate your monitor. Turn the some of the basic image tools such as be your first port of call for the common
ideal for those looking for professional results contrast right up and click File8Calibrate. Adjust the paint brush and the clone tool. Cick on a toolbar image editing tools. Select your tool from the drop
without the hand-holding of wizard interfaces. settings for the best picture output. button for the appropriate options box. down list and set the option below.
Upgrade
Picture Window Pro 3.1 only areas with similar colour, enabling you to make accurate masks more
If you liked the power of Picture Window 2.5, take a look at some of the easily. Other improvements and additions include rotation during cropping,
new features included in version 3.1. All operations now include support for cropping to irregular shapes, a new Fan special effects transformation,
48-bit colour, and there is better colour management available, with full support for shadowed text, greater ranges in the blur and sharpen dialog,
support for ICM profiles. Mask-making has been improved with a number of cropping in the print dialog and more. Find out more by visiting the Digital
new features, including a new smart brush mode that selectively masks Light & Color website at www.dl-c.com
TEXT OPTIONS MASK OPTIONS COMPOSITE TRANSFORMATION
07 Using the Text option (Transformation
08 Masks can be used to protect certain
09 You can use the Composite
Text), you can precisely control the areas of an image while you work on Transformation tool to merge two
appearance and positioning of text over your others. Click the M button on the toolbar to display images together or to add a special effect to an
pictures. The preview option enables you to try out the Masks options. To make masked areas less existing image. The gradient blend, for example,
ideas before committing them by clicking OK. obvious, remember to feather the edges. fades in an image from the centre of the screen.
Color Mechanic more control over your images than other tools which simply apply a
Another product that may be of interest is Color Mechanic. This is a colour uniform filter to the entire image.
correction plug-in tool that works with Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Extremely impressive results can be achieved using Color Mechanic by
Elements as well as other plug-in-compatible, image editing programs. The simply adjusting the slider settings. In just a few simple steps you can
key feature of this particular colour correction tool is that it enables you to perfect your images. Again, you can find out more by visiting the Digital
adjust individual colours without any others being affected. This gives you Light & Color website at www.dl-c.com
FotoPrinter 3.0
Complete package for editing and improving your photos, or printing them out with fine control
* SOFTWARE
SPECIFICATIONS
PUBLISHER MEDIENTEAM66
PRODUCT STATUS FULL PRODUCT
CONTACT INFORMATION WWW.MT66.DE
AS SOLD FOR APPROX £10
SERIAL NUMBER Internet access required
F
otoPrinter is a versatile photo editing
and presentation program that makes it
easy to import images from your
camera and print them out for maximum impact.
Installing the software is very straightforward, with IMPORT THE IMAGES TOOLS OF THE TRADE ENHANCE YOUR IMAGES
the minimum system requirement being modest:
01 Photos can be obtained directly from 02 Along the top of the main screen is a 03 Moving along, you find tools for changing
Pentium PC, 32MB of RAM and 500MB of hard a TWAIN-enabled digital camera or collection of 15 tools for editing and to true colour, adjusting image saturation
drive space. scanner, or from a location on your PC by clicking adjusting your shots. The first couple enable you to and tweaking brightness and sharpness. The tools
FotoPrinter works with any version of Windows ‘disk.’ Key functions within the program can also reduce the number of colours in an image for can handle basic quick fixes only. Look for a
from Windows 95 onwards. Although the software be accessed by right mouse clicking. turning it to a grayscale colour palette. dedicated package for more intensive corrections.
is free, you do need to obtain a user ID and
registration key, which you can do by going to the
maker’s website. Oddly, the program asks for the
registration details when you close it, but online
registration only takes a matter of minutes.
Another quirk is the interface: unlike most photo
editng programs, there are no pull-down menus,
and the graphical, colourful appearance is much
more reminiscent of Kai’s PowerTools or Power
Goo. Although this software is not time-limited,
you need to pay a small upgrade fee (just under
£5) to use the advanced photo-editing effects and
add printable frames to your shots. One big MORE IMAGE TWEAKS FREE IMAGES ADD SOME TEXT
advantage of FotoPrinter is its ability to set your The strange-looking squiggle (ninth Along the bottom of the main screen Text can also be added to photos for print
printer margins. Every printer has non-printable 04 along, top bar) lets you adjust gamma 05 you’ll notice a modest selection of 06 out or inclusion on your website. Before
areas (top/bottom/left/right). Consequently, blank settings, while the next one along alters royalty free photos. Click the Underlay text can be added, you need to select
margins may occur when printing on preprinted the rotation. Next to that are tools for mirroring an tool and you can merge two images for an easy, drag and drop mode, then enter the details in the
paper. To fix this in FotoPrinter, select the ‘Adjust image and moving it around the printable area. yet dramatic, effect. dialog box which pops up.
Printer’ option in the Print menu. The “Test” option
is located here. Clicking on this option generates a
test printout. On this printout, measure the actual
distance between the vertical line and the left
margin of your page (x) and the distance between
the horizontal line and the top page margin (y).
Enter these values in the corresponding fields
(X and Y). Your printer will now be adjusted.
PhotoRecovery for digital media 3.0 DVD Picture Show 1.0 Arcsoft Photobase 3.0
* SOFTWARE
SPECIFICATIONS * SOFTWARE
SPECIFICATIONS * SOFTWARE
SPECIFICATIONS
PUBLISHER LC TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHER ULEAD PUBLISHER ARCSOFT
PRODUCT STATUS DEMO PRODUCT STATUS DEMO PRODUCT STATUS DEMO
CONTACT INFORMATION WWW.LC-TECH.COM CONTACT INFORMATION WWW.ULEAD.CO.UK CONTACT INFORMATION WWW.ARCSOFT.COM
T E T
his application can undelete deleted images or recover ven though you’ve turned to digital, the slideshow is not a his is a photo and media management application for the
files from formatted media cards – as long as you haven’t lost art. DVD Picture Show enables you to build digital non-professional. To justify the $49 price tag there are
placed fresh data on the card. Simply direct it to the media slideshows that you can master to either CD or DVD. You basic editing and adjustment tools, slideshow functions
card and it’ll scan the device displaying the list of files it has can add menus, music and special effects. If you burn to DVD the and a Web album builder, which takes a folder of images and
recovered. Then, just copy them to your hard drive for safekeeping. disc should be compatible with most standard DVD players. automatically creates a thumbnail image gallery.
* SOFTWARE
SPECIFICATIONS * SOFTWARE
SPECIFICATIONS * SOFTWARE
SPECIFICATIONS
PUBLISHER PRISMATIC SOFTWARE PUBLISHER CONCEIVA PUBLISHER APPLIED SCIENCE FICTION
PRODUCT STATUS FREE PRODUCT STATUS DEMO PRODUCT STATUS DEMO
CONTACT INFORMATION WWW.PRISMATICSOFTWARE.COM CONTACT INFORMATION WWW.CONCEIVA.COM CONTACT INFORMATION WWW.ASF.COM
Y T T
our hard drive’s cluttered enough without keeping his file/image browsing add-on supports many other his Photoshop plug-in makes image correction simple by
duplicate files. Dup Detector can identify and delete applications. Lightbox offers a visual thumbnail listing of doing the adjustments automatically. It focuses on colour
duplicate files regardless of the file name (it compares images (and other media files) so it’s easy to find the fading (scanned photographs) and light castings. The
pixel data instead). Matching images are displayed with image image you’re after. Partial integration means the image can be example images on the developers website show some remarkable
previews plus the option to delete them. This application is free. imported into your application. This package costs just under $30. transformations and our tests also produced excellent results.
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here aren’t many people who are prepared to build a two-storey
Mark Harris, Will Smith, Sandy Gardner, Joe Apice,
observatory onto the side of their house, but Doug Rich likes to do Ed Davis, Tim Daly, Simon Danaher,
things differently. By night this air traffic controller from Hampden in Joe Cassels, Matthew Richards
Maine, USA sits in front of his $4,000 telescope, hooked up to an even more
PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTRIBUTORS
expensive digital camera and laptop and snaps distant stars once every 47 (Where not credited inside)
©WWW.REXFEATURES.COM 2003
seconds. Now the amateur astronomer has seemingly achieved the impossible – Future Network Photo Studio, Getty Images UK,
Rex Features UK
discovered the remains of star that exploded over 150 million years ago and
completely missed by his more professional and expensively equipped
astronomical compadres.
ADVERTISING
Doug Rich discovered the supernova, named 2003O, by accident during [t] 020 7317 2600
a routine star search that sees him shoot 100 galaxies a night for the five Michelle Blackwell Ad Manager
[e] michelle.blackwell@futurenet.co.uk
nights a month when the weather is clear enough to see any stars at all. the electronic images he takes are seemingly unremarkable sheets of grey, Ben Shoesmith Sales Executive
Realising that the extinct star couldn’t be found on any of the 9,500 celestial peppered with tiny black dots. But that doesn’t seem to bother 54 year old Rich, [e] ben.shoesmith@futurenet.co.uk
maps in his possession, he immediately registered the find with the Central who told local newspaper the Kennebec Journal that the discovery was his own [t] 020 7317 0259
Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams, making it the 15th supernova to be Super Bowl “You wouldn’t find something like this at Wal-Mart,” he said. But then
discovered so far this year. you can’t imagine Wal-Mart selling observatories, two-foot long aluminium NEW MEDIA
James Brown Group New Media Manager
Sadly, the images Rich took won’t be adorning the space above the fireplace: telescopes or star-shooting digital cameras either. [e] james.brown@futurenet.co.uk
Jeremy Ford Senior Disc Editor
[e] jeremy.ford@futurenet.co.uk
James Guest New Media Development
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