The ultimate guide to digital photography (fully updated 4th edition)

I FULLY UPDATED 4TH EDITION c E IMAGI co.uk ~ ~ cdormUlki X-RI TE COLORMUNKI PHOTO DATACOLOR SPYDER3 ELITE Silver au Pr.- - - PANTONE HUEY PRO NIK SOFTWARE SILVER EFEX PRO Crooked Imaging is a family run business based in Higham, Kent We offer a friendly personal service, and are a one-stop shop for all your photoshop needs We supply photographic accessories by many of the major brands including Datacolor, X-Rite, Pantone, Tecco, Nik, Kood, Op/Tech USA, Sto-Fen, Lumiquest, Pedco, Manfrotto, Colorama, Just, Dust-Aid, Spudz, Matin, Marumi, Hoya, eakin, Velbon, Metz, Slik, Visible Dust, Crumpler, Tamrac, Kata, Sandisk, Lexar Free Delivery On All UK Orders! Tel: 01474 824632 / w w w c roo ked i mag i n co u k Scan & PDF: worldmags & avaxhome Scan & PDF: worldmags & avaxhome Welcome T here have been few creative revolutions as massive as the advent of digital photography Remember w hen most people used to w ield a camera only to take annual holiday snaps? Those w ho keep track of such things say that in 2009, around 55 billion digital photos were taken worldwide And that number is increasing by a few billion a year Thanks to digital, anyone can now take photos, anytime This guide is for everyone - no matter what their level of experience - who wants inside information and ideas on how to enhance and retouch photos on a PC, plus advice on techniques beyond simply pointing the camera and pressing the shutter button We'll show you the differences between the various types of digital camera; take you on a crash course in photographic theory and how to compose your shots; guide you through PC setup on Windows 7, Vista and XP; and give you techniques on using photo-editing software to improve your shots There's no point in taking photos if you don't show them, so you'll also find advice on how to print and share them online Whatever type of camera you use, it's easy to improve your photography through being aware of some simple principles that you'll find w ithin these pages and - far more important - getting out there and practising them Havi ng good basic kit is incredibly helpful, but w ith the right knowledge even the most basic digital camera can capture great shots In short, this is the only digital camera guide you'll ever need to buy But remember, there's no substitute for getting out there and taking photos of absolutely everything Ignore the odd looks as you grab that shot of the inside of a dustbin, and have fun w ith your photography David Fearon, Editor davidf@pcpro.co.uk The NEW EDson SP 3880 The professional A1+ large format printer has pigment Inks on board using EXCEED YOUR VISION Epson's uttrachrome KJ Vivid Magenta ink technology producing a wider colour gamut with excellent lightfastness Equipped with Epson's Micro-Piezo prlnthead technology the 3880 can print bordertess on a wide variety of media from 4" to 17" with auto-switching between matte and photo black Epson Stylus Pro 4880 Produce the highest level of print quality and reliability with Epsoo's latest ink technlogy In the form of the professional and robust 4880 Create consistent, photo realistic prints on a variety of media that last; the Ultrachrome K3 lnkset produces depth in tonal range with subtle shadows and gradations Enhance your productivity with high speeds, new drivers and simple controls Epson SP 7880,9880 and 11880 Add quality and productivity to In house production printing up to 64"wide and enhance performance in proofing, photography and even fine art reporoductions with Epson's new inkset.See the difference with the advnced Epson colour UltraChrome K1 Ink with Vivid Magenta and enhanced image processing technoLogy_ The new Vivid Magenta means there is extended colour representation of reds and blues and the black inks means you can achieve the maximum tonal range Epson SP7900 and 9900 The next generation of photographic printing technology Epson's x900 series uses their successful Micro-Piezo TFP printhead technology and Epson Ultrachrome HOR inkset With the capability of handling teo seperate ink channels with 160 nozzles per channel , and a ten colour screening algorithm, the 900 series gives you high quality prints with superior colour and clarity and a higher production rate The new inkset, with the addition of Orange and Green, means you are able to achieve a wider colour gamut than ever before ~" NEW Wacom Bamboo Touch - the best of both worlds \ With Bamboo, Wacom introduces a new, inspiring technology that provides a more intuitive WCJCom and simple way to work with computers By combining multi-touch functionality and pen tablet technoLogy in a single device, it provides the best of both worlds - and allows users to_ " "\, express their ideas and thoughts even more spontaneously and Immediately SERVICES Fi ne Art Printing, Retouching and Hi-Res Scanning Our services cover hi ·res film and flatbed scanning , retouching and on-demand gictee printing up to 64" roll widths We print one-ofts, short runs and editions for exhibitions, galleries, professional photographers , artists and private individuals Using the finest machines, with genuine manufacturer's pigment inks on acid-free, museum grade archival papers and canvasses, our high Quality work has served the likes of Bob Cartes Clarke, Getty, Chris levine, National Portrait Gallery and Qovrining Street We offer friendly advice to help you achieve the best results possible Colour Management Our on-site and remote colour management services will take the guess work and frustration out of your digital workflow From putting together equipment solutions to creating proof quality custom ICC paper profiles, let us help you save time and money and achieve consistent output Scan & PDF: worldmags & avaxhome Scan & PDF: worldmags & avaxhome CONTENTS 08 CHAPTER WHERE DO I START? The digital camera market can seem like a minefield 42 CHAPTERS 1-5 CHAPTER4 TAKING BETTER PICTURES You can improve your photos no end by learning the Get your bearings by reading our introduction to the basics of ComPOSition A few simple principles willie! main types of camera and their differences you see and grab shots you'd never have no!iced 20 60 producing creative shots The modern camera is stulle to 200; (78 p.O III> 10 500; {177 p , III> 10 2,000 ~ _oIMlQ< ~.*", """""'"""",", s !he _ _ www.clikpic.com fu'- J otICOO!> FREE on fa fIll lIilY tl l,rI Scan & PDF: worldmags & avaxhome :est-aligoed palter" \ from ead1 cokrnn - - - , _ .-_ -. .-, ( - _ CMecI< whether a coIouf p'olie is iM!alied bot loo'''''g in Pflnte, Pfoperties • Even though they may feel dry immediately, 24 hours befo re framing 188 Scan & PDF: worldmags & avaxhome ,., ';.-.J_",-,- - " " "" - ~ I ,.' _ " .- - ,• ~ , I'" ~ ••· v ;~ -:J :.,~ ~.- leave them lor at least t hem or pulting them in an album to prevent the ink smear ing - ~: t::.~:-~.:.:::'o:!,:.,.:.~~ , ,'":'.~ ~ :