Creative Photography The Complete Manual

Discover how to push your digital camera skills to the limit! There has never been a better time to learn photography. Imaging technology has come on in leaps and bounds in the space of a few short years, and to be able to get the best out of your camera, you need a good understanding of the fundamentals. Within the pages of this guide our team of professional photographers will take you through our comprehensive guide to becoming a far better photographer. 100% unofficial.

The Complete Photography Manual

INSPIRATIONAL IMAGES

GETTING STARTED • Take the first step into the world of digital photography

Know your camera • A quick guide to all the major dials and buttons

The right camera for you • We highlight the main types of digital camera

What lenses do I need? • We take a look at the main lens types available for your camera

Why do I need a tripod? • An essential piece of equipment

Flashes and lighting • Add light and boost your creativity

Photography software • How to bring your photos to life

Types of light modifiers • Make light yours to command

Filters and filter systems • Some must-have filters for creative photography

USING YOUR CAMERA • Master your camera and learn how to get the most out of it

Basic composition • The simple rules that make a good picture great

Shutter speed and camera shake • The shutter of your camera is simply a mechanical barrier

Aperture and depth of field • With aperture you can control how much of your picture is in focus

ISO and image noise • Increasing the ISO setting will give you faster shutter speeds, but there’s a price to pay

Focusing • Getting the best out of your autofocus system

Focal length and zoom • Understanding how focal length works in composing shots

Exposure and metering • Accurate exposure is the key to good photography

Shooting modes • Choosing the best setting for the correct shooting conditions

White balance • White may not be as white as you think

TAKE BETTER PHOTOGRAPHS • Some tips that can help you improve as a photographer

EXPLORE FURTHER • We present some more detailed photographic fundamentals

Mastering exterior lighting conditions • Be the master of good exposure with our handy guide

How to photograph women • Some handy tips to bear in mind when shooting a female portrait

How to photograph men • Male portraits have their own special kind of language when it comes to posing

Natural light portraits HOW IT’S DONE • Taking photos of landscapes is one thing, but when you decide it’s time to get involved in portrait photography, it can seem quite a daunting prospect. You might imagine it requires armfuls of expensive equipment and lots of lighting gear. Don’t worry; there are a few simple things that you can try to see if portrait work is for you. Indoor natural light is certainly a great and easy way to dip your toe into the portrait world. There are a few basics to be aware of, but it’s nothing that a photographer of any skill level can’t handle.

Go wild with your landscapes • Some great advice on capturing the perfect landscape shot

Macro photography • Are your subjects ready for their extreme close-up?

Shooting amazing sunsets HOW IT’S DONE • Surely, we all love a sunset? A blazing red sunset is lovely to behold and can make for some great photos, if you know how to get the most from the fiery scene in front of you. Of course, good exposure control is paramount to ensure you capture as much of the tonal range of the scene as possible. Moreover, the scene itself requires a couple of things to make it a success from the point of view of...