Photographing in less than ideal weather conditions can be a real challenge. However, if you’re up to it, you can achieve emotional and beautiful images – even in unfavourable circumstances.

The meter in your camera may be part of the most advanced metering system available, yet it cannot be considered accurate all the time. This is not because of a technological shortfall, but because of a simple principle: your camera’s meter is designed to meter for reflected light and reflected light varies according to the surface colour or tone.

Photography has become my most honest form of communication. Creatively, I am able to affect others and encourage them to view our surroundings differently. The process of capturing an image has evolved each time I press the shutter.

Most people wait for special occassions to get their cameras out. But having a digital camera gives you the freedom to take more photos and experiment a little with your everyday photos.

Here are are 10 tips that will help you take your digital photography to the next level.

Recently I got into a somewhat heated discussion at a Camera club meeting and immediately wished I hadn’t. It was the same old fight. Yet again it was the subject of Photographic purity, the alleged softness of zoom lenses and the argument that you can’t use filters because ‘that would be changing reality’. These “sacred cows” of the photographic gerontocracy need to be slaughtered – once and for all.

Surf photography always seems to be the preserve of professional photographers shooting pro surfers doing the pro circuit for nice glossy surf magazines.

A good subject in itself does not mean a good photo. Composition, lighting and color make important differences to the final image. But there’s another aspect of your image that’s just as significant as the subject – the background. Often photographers are so excited and so intent on taking the pictures that they forget about everything else in the frame. We’ve all been guilty of that.

Photography is all about framing. We see a subject – and we put a frame around it. Essentially, that is photography when all is said and done.