PHOTOGRAPHY - maximum size of print allowed is A4 mounted.

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This new page is devoted to those members who enjoy photography be it snaps for home and friends to enjoy or exhibition images cleaned up on a graphics program and entered in the local show. Some photographers still use roll film cameras but the latest SLR type digital cameras are making the film user think again. The major stumbling box is the time and knowledge required to become familiar with computers and the software required to regain the new ground again. Never forget that whatever system you use, the camera is only the tool; the final image is King.

Top ten tips on taking better Photos.

1.Lighting is one of the most important aspects to creating a good picture.

Bright sun can create harsh shadows and glare that make people look hard and haggard. Using a flash in bright sunlight may seem odd, but it can fill in the shadows and soften the image. Cloudy days are often the most flattering conditions for outdoor photography. The softer light can make people look younger, especially on "well-seasoned faces" because it reduces the depth of wrinkles.

2.Before shooting, think in terms of framing your subject. Most people just point and shoot, paying little attention to the background or surrounding scenery. Compose your shot by finding the best angles that complement the subject. Try framing the subject in with interesting foreground and background elements. Try climbing up on objects to stand and shoot from, or squatting or lying down to get interesting angles.

3.Experiment with placement. Centering the subject isn't always the best shot. Having the main subject off-center can create interest and allow for a more interesting background to be included. The trick here is to first center the subject and lock in the focus, since most cameras focus on the center object, then after setting the focus, move the camera so that your subject is off-center. This way the subject will be in focus rather than being blurred because the focus is on something in the background.

4.Most pictures of children are of them looking up. Get the camera down to eye level with them before shooting for better kid shots.

5.Fill the viewfinder with your subject to create impact as I did with the flower and duck close-ups.

6.Be patient and wait for the right moment, the right lighting, or the right mood. Taking pictures is not a horse race. The best shots often happen naturally rather than being staged or forced.

7.Taking landscape or panorama shots often turn out flat and disappointing. Create better landscape shots by including a strong point of interest, or frame the landscape in with interesting objects in the foreground such as boulder.

8.Learn your camera. Many people don't use half the features they have available. Some cameras come with a panorama mode, infinite focus, action mode, burst mode, portrait mode, macro mode and many other options they never use that would enhance what they're trying to do.

9.Use a tripod. Many pictures turn out a little blurry because the photographer moves slightly when shooting. A tripod holds the camera steady and helps create crisp, sharp images. A compact tripod with telescoping legs can be bought for under £20.00. The adjustable telescoping legs allow the camera to be leveled on uneven terrain, which is important because, after all, the world is not flat.

10.Practice! Since it costs nothing with a digital camera to shoot and shoot and shoot and view the pictures on your computer, there is no reason not to shoot for the sake of becoming a better photographer. If you only dig out the camera for special occasions, you're really using the special occasion for practice, and your photographic memories probably won't be as special as they could be.

This straight forward advice is courtesy of BoogieJack.com a webmaster's resource site.