Better Photographs Blog

This is where to find my most recently added pages, along with other news and information that will help you to produce better photographs.

If you have not come across Blogs and RSS before, they have many advantages. They enable you to control what you receive, ensure that you never miss the news that you want and you don't have to keep revisiting your favourite websites to keep up to date on the latest information - click here to find out more.

New to Mac?

Having problems with Printing? Take a look at this.

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Converging Verticals - How to straighten them to create better photographs.

Converging verticals in a photograph can make buldings look as though they are falling backwards. It is very easy to correct this if you want to.

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Artistic Images - Creativity with the stroke of a mouse.

Artistic images take photography to the next level by allowing your creative juices to flow; with a little help from imaging software.

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Travelling Light

Pro DSLR Results from a Compact Camera Much has been said about the new Olympus PEN system. As a user of their film and digital SLRs for over 30 years, I had to give it a try. On my last trip to India, I decided to leave my E-3s and lenses behind and place my trust in an E-P2 with its 14-42 mm zoom lens. I was more than pleasantly surprised at the very high quality of the results from a camera that gave me all the function I needed and which fitted into my coat pocket. Some of the results can be seen in the Gallery of Better Photographs and there is a special cashback deal available on their brand new entry level model right now.

Team Work - Another Free Image

This Month's Free Downloadable Photograph July 2010 - "Team Work" The Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus), also known as the Red-backed Sea-eagle, is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers.

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Too Dark - How to bring back what's lost in the shadows.

Sometimes a photograph turns out too dark. Fixing this problem is easier and quicker than you might think.

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Depth of Field - Separating the subject from its surroundings.

Using the camera's aperture to obtain the best depth of field is not always possible.

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Digital Photography Tips - some of the best can be found here.

Some of the best Digital Photography Tips can be found in these websites and books.

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Free downloadable photographs, free help and now you can help as well.

At Better Photographs you can get free help from fellow photographers, receive free downloadable photographs and give your help as well.

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Sloping Horizon - Returning to the straight and level.

We don't always notice a sloping horizon. Sometimes it's because our attention is on the foreground, at other times we are not quite as "level headed" as usual!

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Swarovski Spotting Scope - An Outstanding Alternative for Photographers.

Swarovski Spotting Scope Review - Why this scope is a viable long lens alternative for wildlife photographers.

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Monochrome - Sometimes known as Black and White, Greyscale and Other Variants.

In photography, monochrome means single colour. It often refers to black and white, greyscale or other single colour images such as sepia.

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Picture Frame - The best place for your better photographs.

It's not surprising that better photographs are displayed in a picture frame. A little imaging artistry can make them look even better ... and save money as well.

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Image Sizing - It's too easy to get this wrong if you don't know the basics.

Image sizing is not complicated but it is sometimes confusing. Understanding the basics is all you need to get it right every time.

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The Colour Wheel - Understand it and your shots will improve instantly.

An understanding of the colour wheel has always been fundamental to photography. It's not surprising, given that colour is a crucial part of our world.

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Better Digital Photo Printing

Better digital photo printing depends upon getting your colour management right every time.

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Sound Advice from a Chief Judge

Top photographer, zoologist and television presenter, Mark Carwardine shares his thoughts and gives valuable advice about Wildlife Photography. With the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010 competition now in full swing, we bring you news of a new feature on ethics in wildlife photography, written by Mark Carwardine. As chief judge of the WPOY Competition, Mark gets to see more wildlife images than most. In this special feature he considers the rights and wrongs of wildlife photography and provides food for thought on issues surrounding digital manipulation, photographing captive subjects, using animal models, using bait to photograph wildlife and the recent concerns around camera trapping. Mark also shares his wildlife photography code of conduct. Here are his key points to remember: Always photograph animals from a safe and respectful distance. If an animal shows any sign of stress, move further back or leave altogether. Be patient and never try to force an animal to do something. Remember that the impact of many people is cumulative: you might be the 100th person that day to yell "Hey moose" while the poor creature is trying to feed or care for its young. Never encroach on nests or dens during the breeding season. Treat the habitat with the same regard that you have for the animals themselves. Respect local cultures and customs when you are working abroad. Check published recommendations, such as the excellent code produced by the Nature Group of The Royal Photographic Society. Finally, always be honest and truthful when captioning your photos. The feature, entitled The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, by Mark Carwardine is published in the May issue of BBC Wildlife Magazine, on sale now. Din't forget, you can learn from Top BBC Photographers in our Wildlife Photography Masterclasses.

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Landscapes with a Difference

With so many excellent photographs on display, an intimate landscape will often catch the viewer's eye ... and the judge's! Our latest masterclass gives an insight to landscapes with a difference - and it's written by a leading photographer who happens to also be a judge of photography competitions and exhibitions.

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Building Photography - How and When?

What is the best way to improve your building photography?

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PhotoShop CS5 ...