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Student Resources

Can't afford Photoshop?

Get Elements…

Okay so I know on the basic photography course I told you all get it right in camera and then you don’t need to use Photoshop, well that is correct, get your exposure, white balance and picture styles correct in camera and then you won’t need Photoshop.

“What about all that creative stuff” I hear you cry, with the layers and the textures and those floating people?! Well that is where you will need Photoshop, which for most of us is too expensive, but do you need the full version to do 99% of the things photographers need?

The answer is no, you do not! Adobe Elements has all the elements you need to get creative, you can purchase it cheaply from Amazon, just click on the link to the right to purchase it.

Also worth a look to accompany it is Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski’s book which is a step by step guide to everything you can think of from colour correction, converting to black and white, looking at RAW to how to present your images. The thing I love about Scott’s Books is they are so easy to understand and you do not need to read Chapter 1 to understand Chapter 8!

So that has got you going, below you will find some other good tutorial books, software, DVD’s and alternate versions if you have an older copy of the software:

 

Latest Books and Software


Software
Adobe Photoshop Elements 12


Book
Adobe Photoshop Elements 12 for Digital Photographers


Software
This is the full version of Adobe Photoshop CS6 (PC)


Software
This is the full version of Adobe Photoshop CS6 (MAC)


Book
Adobe Photoshop CS6 for Photographers
(my personal favourite)


Software
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5, serious about RAW and Cataloging then you need this software! Combines Bridge, Camera Raw and some of Photoshop easing your workflow.


Software
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5, serious about RAW and Cataloging then you need this software! Combines Bridge, Camera Raw and some of Photoshop easing your workflow.
(Student/Teacher Edition)


Book
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5, serious about RAW and cataloging then this is the book for you.


Colour Passport for RAW
This is a great tool for getting your colours correct and fixing your white balance. Comes with software that generates a profile specific to your camera. If you are colour blind this is a must!


Color Munki Photo
This is the tool you need to colour correct your displays and to profile your printers. DO NOT buy the Color Munki Display as this will not work for photos, only for graphic design.


Software (HDR)
Photomaix Pro is the best alternative HDR software after Photoshop CS6, with lots of great presets to get you going


Photoshop Compositing Secrets
If you are serious about Photoshop and want to learn to composite like a pro, then this should be your bible! A Fantastic book by Matt which will get you compositing like a pro in no time.

Best Accessories


Cokin Filters P-Series
Great kit to get you going, make sure you buy the right size ring for your lens. This is a grad kit to balance your skies and ground.


Mini Mag-Lite
This is the cheapest I could find one, worth keeping a couple of these around!


Hot Shoe Level
Fantastic for making your tripod and camera nice and steady


UV Filter 58mm
This is to protect your lens, they are available in different sizes.


Macro Filters 58mm
This is the cheapest way to get close without spending out hundreds on a dedicated macro lens.


Manfrotto Tripod with Pan and Tilt Head
Please note this is for the legs only, you will also have to purchase a head.


Manfrotto Tripod with Ball Head
This is the head I use, quite heavy but isn’t going to move. Great all round head however not so good for taking pano shots.


Manfrotto Pan & Tilt Head
A lot more levers on this but better when shooting wide landscapes or if you want to move small increments in one direction only.


Giotto Tripod
Not the make I use but is joint industry leader with Manfrotto so you can’t go wrong.


Giotto Tripod Ball Head
Same as the Manfrotto Ball Head but looks good if you pair it with your Giotto tripod.

Flash units and lenses


Canon 600EX-RT
This is the newest strobe on the market, my 580EX MKII is now discontinued.


Nikon SB-910
This is the latest Nikon strobe and is also at a competitive price.


Canon 50mm f/1.8 Prime 
This is worth being in any ones bag.


Nikon 50mm f/1.8 Prime
Slightly pricier than the Canon’s version but worth every penny.


Sigma AF 70-300mm for Canon f/4-5.6 DG Macro Capable 
This is the one I have, great budget lens for portraits and birds. Nikon Version Available


Sigma AF 70-300mm for Nikon f/4-5.6 DG Macro Capable
This is the Nikon version of the lens I have, great budget lens for portraits and birds. Canon Version Available


Canon EF 70-200mm L USM Lens f/4.0
Definately on the wish list, this is the next step up from the Sigma at just under £500, also available at f/2.8 but expect to pay around £1900.


Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens 
Sorry Nikon fans, no inbetween lens for you, this beauty will set you back a nice £1600.


Canon 85mm f/1.8 Prime
Great for portraits and another classic to have in the bag.


Nikon 85mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Prime Lens 
Great for portraits and another classic to have in the bag.


Speedlight Diffusion Dome
Universal fit, produces amazing soft light diffusion for your Flashgun.

Camera Clubs and Associations

The Kent County Photographic Association is the ‘umbrella’ organisation, affiliated to the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB), serving photographic clubs and societies throughout the Kent.

The Federation of South London Photographic Societies exists to encourage interaction betweeen member clubs through competitions and other events.

This is a link to the Society of International Nature & Wildlife, on this page you will find links to all camera clubs in Essex.

The Royal Photographic Society was founded in 1853 ‘to promote the Art and Science of Photography’, a mission it continues to this day.

Membership is open to everyone interested in photography in the UK and throughout the world, be they amateur or professional, artist or scientist, young or old. Members may also join one or more of the specialist Groups within The Society. Events are also organised by local Regions or Chapters.

This website is the automotive work of Darren Woolway our Creative Director.

The AOP is the leading organisation representing those in the professional photographic industry. We provide one clear voice, campaigning on copyright, promote best practice through information sharing, market members’ work and provide all-important networking opportunities, including the hugely popular AOP Photography Awards.

Free photography course notes

In this section you will find downloadable notes from our photography courses, click on the relevant course to download. Please note the files are password protected, if you have attended a course you would have been given the password. If you cannot remember the password or forgot to write it down please email studio@raidphotographic.co.uk with your name and the date you attended the course and we will send you the password.

Click to download:

(These notes are Free)