I recently bought my first DSLR with a basic kit lens. My friend saw the equipment and told me that the quality of my lens will improve if I use a UV filter on it. Do filters really improve optical quality and would you recommend their use? Ankita Singh, Chandigarh, via post The quality of… Continue reading On Protective Filters
Category: Ask The Expert
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Inbuilt Sensor Cleaner
Most of today’s DSLRs claim to feature an inbuilt sensor cleaning technology. Is it worth depending on this technology, or is it better to go to an authorised service centre for intermittent sensor cleaning? Vijayakumar B Musale, Kolhapur Yes, it is worth depending on this technology. The inbuilt sensor cleaner reduces the amount of dust… Continue reading Inbuilt Sensor Cleaner
Photographing Jewellery
I am a jewellery shop owner from Madurai and I use a compact camera to shoot pictures of the jewellery displayed in the store. I use these images in the store’s brochure and on the web. How can I avoid shadows and reflections from spoiling the images? Mohan Shetty, Madurai Since the jewellery is accessible… Continue reading Photographing Jewellery
How to Pan
I saw a picture in which a boy running was sharp, but the background was blurred. It was not out of focus, but had some sort of movement. How does one do that? Ritika Chawla , New Delhi Firing the camera’s on board flash kept the subject sharp while panning horizontally helped create the lines… Continue reading How to Pan
The Smooth, Glassy Effect
How do I create that smooth ‘glassy feel’ effect on water bodies? Rayan Modi, Udwada, via email The amount of blur on glassy effect you want depends on the shutterspeed. Accordingly, reduce the speed to 1/8sec or even as slow as 5sec. Use a low ISO and narrow aperture. You will also need a tripod… Continue reading The Smooth, Glassy Effect
Film Camera vs Digital Camera
My parents’ film camera and lenses work even after forty years. My digital camera broke down in about five years. Planned obsolescence, or a sign of the times? Answer by: Girish Mistry, Photographer and Dean, Shari Academy Your parents’ film cameras were built rugged, most likely having been made of steel, titanium, and aluminium alloy,… Continue reading Film Camera vs Digital Camera
Recovering Investment of Equipment
What are the effective ways for hobbyists (non-professionals) to recover the investment of their equipment? Answer by: Zishaan A Latif, Photographer and Filmmaker Why is it so necessary to recover everything in life? How much weight and pressure we put on recovery rather than on output? It amazes me how much time is wasted on… Continue reading Recovering Investment of Equipment
How to Represent a Community
Some photographers, while documenting the queer community, often make images from a certain perspective. How does one, especially those who are not from the community, represent their narrative correctly? Answer by: Tanvi Dhulia, Features Writer, Better Photography The first question to ask yourself when you feel the desire to photograph any marginalised community which you… Continue reading How to Represent a Community
Wildlife Photography
Every single aspect of wildlife photography seems expensive. Is there an easier way? Answer by: Nayan Khanolkar Wildlife Photographer, Naturalist, and Educator Many young photographers come to me with this query. I’m going to tell you what I’ve told them—wildlife photography is not expensive. Many photographers think that safari photography is the only form of… Continue reading Wildlife Photography
Pop-up Flash for high ISO
Is a pop-up flash important when ISO speeds go up to 6400 and beyond? Answer by: K Madhavan Pillai, Chief Editor, Better Photography In a very basic sense, a pop-up flash is very useful to fill in shadows in harsh light, or to add a bit of sparkle to the eyes, apart from illuminating a… Continue reading Pop-up Flash for high ISO