Book: John Hedgecoe’s The New Manual of Photography

I never get tired of reading this book - it’s brilliant!

I spent ages looking for a book on photography as a whole (i.e. Not just a lot of digital editing, nor a glossy coffee table book of someone else’s pictures and no learning).

This is excellent - covers all the science to photography: how a lens works; depth of field; types of cameras & lenses - and then goes on to give information on how to take particular types of photograph, from seasonal work to abstract - all with helpful examples and “expert tips”.  Well worth the £16.

Online shop: One-stop digital

I have to confess that I was one of those people who never bought on-line goods from outside the UK - I had read far too many disappointing stories.

But when I was after a wide-angle lens, the miser in me wanted the +£100 saving (with free postage as well!).

One-stop had really good reviews and I was not disappointed - you can even track your parcel online.

They are not always cheaper (my flash was not), but usually are, and definitely worth a look!

Software: Photomatix

HDR generating program.  Can create excellent (if slightly surreal) images from multiple exposures or one image saved at different exposures time.

Good for times where you cannot expose for both the dark shadows and bright highlights with one shot.

You can download and test-drive complete software for free, it just watermarks your outputted image until you purchase a license, so you can play around for as long as you like to see if you want it.

Helpful tutorials online and have a look in my gallery and see if you can spot some images I used this on!