Buying the Right Photo Equipment: 70 Tips from the Top (Rocky Nook)

Cover Page......Page 1
Title Page......Page 2
Copyright......Page 3
Contents......Page 5
Introduction......Page 7
Choosing a Lens......Page 10
1 Bringing distant subjects closer Using telephoto lenses......Page 11
2 Increasing the feeling of space Using wide-angle lenses......Page 12
3 Be prepared Using standard lenses......Page 13
4 Maximize your flexibility Using Zoom lenses......Page 15
5 Discover new worlds Using macro lenses......Page 16
6 Keeping things sharp Using fixed focal length lenses......Page 17
7 Adjusting the closest focusing distance Using extension tubes......Page 19
8 Increasing telephoto range Using teleconverters......Page 20
9 Shooting in low light Using wide-aperture lenses......Page 22
10 Producing extreme spatial effects Using fisheye lenses......Page 23
11 Architects like straight lines Perspective control (PC) lenses......Page 24
12 Fantastic landscapes Using a 24 mm lens......Page 25
13 The perfect focal length for travel photos Using a 50 mm lens......Page 28
14 Minimizing distortion in portraits Using a 105 mm lens......Page 29
15 Long lenses for getting right up close Using a 300 mm lens......Page 31
16 Preventing unwanted reflections Using a lens hood......Page 32
17 Creative images with variable focus Using Lensbaby lenses......Page 33
Filter Know-How......Page 36
18 Consistent exposure throughout the frame Using a graduated gray (ND) filter......Page 37
19 Lengthening your exposure time Using a gray (ND) filter......Page 38
20 No more fingerprints on the lens Thanks to skylight filters......Page 39
21 Photographing through glass without reflections Using a polarizing filter......Page 41
22 Intensifying colors Using a UV filter......Page 42
23 Shooting in mixed light Using a white balance filter......Page 43
24 Adjusting a compact camera\'s lens range Using telephoto and wide-angle accessory lenses......Page 45
25 Shooting close-ups without an expensive specialty lens Using close-up lenses......Page 46
Using a Tripod to Keep Things Steady......Page 48
26 A stable base for your camera Tripods......Page 49
27 Preventing camera shake Using a remote shutter release......Page 50
28 Flexible tripod heads Ball heads......Page 51
29 Support for heavy lenses Using a monopod......Page 54
30 Constructing panorama images Using a panorama head......Page 55
The World of Flash......Page 58
31 Freezing movement Using portable accessory flash......Page 59
32 Simulating daylight in a studio Using studio flash......Page 60
33 Adjusting flash to provide the right effect Using a swivel flash unit......Page 61
34 Controlling contrast Using portable reflectors......Page 63
35 Making flash softer Using a diffuser......Page 64
36 Keeping control of flash Using a flash bracket......Page 65
37 Reducing flash contrast Using ring flash......Page 66
Protecting Your Gear......Page 68
38 Safely stowed on the road......Page 70
39 Protecting your lenses Using lens bags......Page 71
40 Both hands free With a photo backpack......Page 72
41 Diving with your camera Using an underwater housing......Page 73
42 Keeping your equipment clean Using a camera cleaning kit......Page 75
43 Outdoor camouflage Using a purpose-built hide......Page 76
44 Braving the weather Using a rain cover......Page 77
45 Don\'t forget your tripod Tripod bags......Page 78
Other Useful Accessories......Page 80
46 Mastering difficult lighting Using a light meter......Page 81
47 Controlling color rendition Using a color meter......Page 84
48 Helping a \"confused\" camera meter Using a gray card......Page 85
49 Setting white balance manually Using a white card as a reference......Page 86
50 Creating a neutral background Using your own props......Page 88
51 Protecting your batteries from the cold Always carry spares......Page 89
52 Keep your batteries ready for action Using a charger......Page 91
53 Back up your photos regularly Using a portable hard disk or card reader......Page 92
54 Extra power for your camera Using a battery grip......Page 94
55 Retaining a clear view Using a viewfinder eyecup......Page 95
56 Always keep some memory in reserve Using a spare memory card......Page 97
57 Constant companions Compact cameras for everyday use......Page 98
58 Keeping the horizon straight Using a spirit level......Page 99
59 Viewing the monitor image on a computer Using a wireless transmitter......Page 102
The Digital Darkroom......Page 104
60 The computer— mankind\'s new best friend Image processing software......Page 105
61 Digitizing your negatives Using a scanner......Page 106
62 Controlling the entire digital image-processing workflow Using a RAW converter......Page 107
63 Papering the walls with panoramas Using stitching software......Page 109
64 Increasing the dynamic range of an image Using HDR software......Page 111
65 Organizing your images Using image management software......Page 113
66 Creating digital archives Using external storage media......Page 114
67 Presenting your images on the Internet In a web gallery......Page 116
68 Color matching your monitor and your prints Using monitor calibration hard- and software......Page 117
69 Choosing a photo printer Inkjet technology is improving fast......Page 120
70 Choosing your paper carefully Normal and art grade photo paper......Page 121
What Equipment Do the Pros Use?......Page 123
Afterword......Page 125
Photo Credits......Page 126
F......Page 127
P......Page 128
Z......Page 129