Peter Cope is an experienced photographer and author. His interests in digital technology began at university where he worked on the development of electronic assemblies - image photon counting systems - that would ultimately lead to the imaging sensors used in today's digital cameras. Peter has lectured extensively on photographic and digital subjects and his work has appeared in a number of magazines in the UK and the US, including What Digital Camera, Total Digital Photography and Digital Pro. He lives in Bristol.

1. WHAT A PICTURE! : What turns a snap into a photograph? Creating well balanced and structured images Developing an Eye for Composition Looking around the viewfinder Rules of composition - and how to use and abuse them Keeping things on the level When all else fails... Adjusting compositions digitally Cropping for creative impact Mastering the technique: Pictures within Pictures Page out: Did I really shoot that? Typical compositional faux pas 2. THE PERFECT PORTRAIT The Perfect Portrait: the key elements from setting up through to printing, taking in formal, informal and candid portraiture Making a good portrait brilliant After the event: Retouching of skin tones, wrinkles etc Lighting the portrait in the field Quick tips on composition Pro tips for great portraits High and low key effects Mastering the technique:: Adding Character 3. GETTING THE MOST FROM EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS Exploding the Myths and Mystique. Planning Establishing a Theme Dos and Don'ts Presentation Mastering the technique: Creative Candids and Cutaways 4. A TRIP TO THE COUNTRYSIDE: BECOME A LANDSCAPE EXPERT Building on the foundations of composition, discover how to take great landscape shots, with classical and contemporary approaches A Sense of Scale The Sweeping Vista vs. Meaningful Details Mood Panoramas, Collages & Joiners Page Out Quick Project: Homage to Hockney: The Joiner 5. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR HOLIDAY AND TRAVELLING Holidays and travel are great excuses to take lots of photographs. Add a little thought and planning and you can achieve results that are leagues apart from those of the casual holiday snapper. The Secrets of Success Shortcuts and Cheats to Great Travel Photography The Stock Shot vs. the Novel Approach Capturing Atmosphere Mastering the technique: Travelling in the Real World 6. WHEN IT'S RAINING OUTSIDE: STILL LIFE IN THE STUDIO Forget the fruit bowl, staple of the oil painter, still life photography includes everything from photographing collections and hobbies through to close up and macrophotography. The Impromptu Studio Controlling the Environment The Staged Set Product shots Macro and Microphotography Mastering the technique: A Matter of Support 7. GOING TO EXTREMES: LOW LIGHT AND NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY As night falls most photographers put their cameras away. Shame. Evening and night make for some of the best in photographic images Techniques for low light photography Colour and the Fading Light Sunset and Sunrise: Shoot the beauty, avoid the Cliche Night and Astrophotography Page Out Quick Project: Theatre and the Arts Mastering the technique: Cities and Cityscapes 8. IMAGE PORTFOLIOS AND COLLECTIONS Photographs are designed to be seen. In this rounding-off section we look at how to effectively enjoy, share and promote your photography All About Presentation Printing Masterclass Image Storage and Archiving Traditional and Contemporary Image Delivery Exploiting the World Wide Web 9. RESOURCES Classified Glossary Further Explorations Bibliography etc