Uncle Dick's Workshop - Friday 9

Every Friday at 10:00AM - we will be bringing you the sort of cutting-edge expertise that leaves ragged bits and sore fingers - Uncle Dick's Workshop. The advice is free - free from good sense in most instances....It really cranks up around the first of April.

Q:      How do I get more depth of field in my macro shots?

A:      Depth O Spray. It is an aerosol can that you can get in camera shops. You hold can about 15cm away from the subject a press the button – depending on how thick a layer you spray you can get sharp focus from the front element of the lens to infinity. I find it is best to give 2 or 3 thinner coats and allow adequate time for the spray to dry between them. If you try to do one thick layer it runs and you get areas of blur.

You can also get green or orange Depth O Spray if you are working with flourescent or tungsten lighting.

Q:      Every time I turn my camera on it makes a grinding noise.

A:      I’ve got the opposite thing. Whenever I turn on the coffee machine it flashes and takes my picture. Wanna trade?

Q:      How can I pack my 3 camera bodies and 8 lenses into a school backpack under 1 Kilo for my trip up Mt. Everest?

A:      Woolpress.

Q:      No, really. I want to get professional pictures of the glories of the Himalayas and I don’t want to pay for excess baggage.

A:      Leave the cameras and lenses at home. Pack the school bag with traveller’s cheques. Buy postcards and post them back to yourself – they will have been taken by professionals and will be glorious. Try not to annoy the Sherpas, there’s a good fellow.

Q:      How many professionals should I employ for my wedding?

A:      Four. Two shooters, two loaders. Five if you want to detail someone to pick up the brass afterwards – this can pay for itself if you are using factory loads.