Digital Camera World January 2020

With 2020 almost upon us, why not ring it in by following our top hints and tips for having your best-ever photo year? Contributing editor Claire Gillo is on hand with 13 pages of advice and insights, from page 40. Winter does afford some excellent opportunities for outdoor photography, of course, but its shorter days can present some lighting challenges – not when you’re toting a camera that can almost see in the dark, though. And that’s the theme of our Grand Bath Photo Walk, in association with Panasonic Lumix and Sigma, where we assess the low-light performance of the Lumix S1R (p90). Also in this issue, we discover how Eric Meola captures his incredible photographs of storms (p132), test the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mk III (p110) and reveal the…

Eric Meola Editorial photographer Eric shoots a variety of work for his day job – but he spends every summer chasing tornadoes and capturing amazing shots. Find out how he does it on page 132. Jo Bradford Camera phone photographer Jo has untapped the rich potential of the camera built into her smartphone. Join her on Dartmoor to see how it has transformed her photography. Claire Gillo Creative photographer Photographer and journalist Claire is constantly coming up with new ideas and approaches, and shares some of her latest projects in Photo Active. Adriana Benetti Longhini Landscape photographer Adriana’s work straddles Africa and Europe. Join her on page 30 as she unites animals and the landscape in northern Italy. Quintin Lake Roving photographer Quintin has been walking around the UK coast, taking remarkable photos and showing a new way to look at our country. Join…

Smartphone photographer Jo is an award-winning photographer who shoots wild and windy Dartmoor. She delivers a range of photo walks and guided tours, and is the author of Smart Phone, Smart Photography. www.greenislandstudios.co.uk On a cold and showery autumnal day, I meet Jo Bradford at the iconic Haytor on Dartmoor. As we greet each other in the visitors’ car park, the sun is hitting the impressively large granite rock in the distance. This, teamed against the ominous and fast changing sky, we both agree is a great picture – unbeknownst to me, Jo has shot it before my arrival. However, we aren’t there to photograph or explore this well-known tor or even anywhere nearby; we’re heading deeper into Dartmoor, and so I jump into Jo’s car to embark on a photography adventure. After winding…

ProCamera Android smartphones come with a ‘Pro Mode’ to access advanced features, but iPhone users will need to install a pro app to access similar features – ProCamera is Jo’s choice. Most decent and up-to-date smartphones offer the option of shooting raw files, but Jo usually picks the high-quality TIFF option. Focos If your phone doesn’t have an aperture setting on the camera, look into getting Focos. This app is perfect for creating blurred backgrounds that your smartphone can’t achieve on its standard setting. Select your aperture setting and focus-point on the screen to achieve accurate results. Slow Shutter Cam Your smartphone can’t open the shutter curtains like a DSLR would, as it doesn’t have the same mechanical parts. Instead the Slow Shutter Cam app shoots a sequence of images, then blends them together to…

1 RavPower FileHub Plus This wireless travel router backs up Jo’s images as she goes, meaning running out of space on her phone isn’t an issue. She also has the reassurance that if her phone breaks or gets lost, all of her images are safely stored away. This device can also charge your phone when you are out and about. 2 Map and compass Dartmoor is a wonderful location, but it is also wild and dangerous if you don’t take care. A map and compass are a must for navigating through the expansive terrain. 3 North Face gloves These gloves can be used on a phone touchscreen, so Jo can keep her hands warm while shooting. 4 Joby GorillaPod This small tripod can be wrapped around branches or used from low on the ground. It’s easy and…

Shoot portrait The weather is such an important part of your image, so by switching your camera to a portrait orientation, you can capture more of this aspect. Think carefully about what you are including in your frame as well as excluding. Look down Many photographers look up to see what’s in front of them, which is good for landscapes; but by looking down you can track for animals. On Dartmoor this means deer, ponies, sheep or cows. Go local Dartmoor is Jo’s local stomping ground – if, like her, though, you want to start a 365-project (see p44) or simply get out more with your smartphone, you’re more likely to succeed if you stay local. Experiment There are no right or wrong answers, so be experimental in your smartphone photography. Don’t be put off by people…