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.

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

TYPICAL WHITE BALANCE VALUES

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

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

Pet photography • Time to get our furry friends ready for their close up

HOME PHOTO PROJECTS • Some fun indoor projects to really get your skills focused

High speed photography • A great tabletop project for the artistically adventurous

Explore the macro world • Who needs outer space when you can photograph ‘near space’?

Shallow depth of field and bokeh • Making blur beautiful

Scanner photography • Take a break from your DSLR and try something a little different

Food photography • Get arty with some everyday food items

BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY • We outline the essentials for successful black and white photos

Black and white photography • See the world in black and white as we introduce you to this timeless medium

Top 10 black and white photography tips • Our quick reference guide to getting started in the world of black...