Every digital camera on the market today has some sort of ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) to handle processing and the basic functions of the camera. Sigma's latest compact and SLR cameras utilise TRUE II processing engines which handle all the image processing. Richard Kilpatrick looks at the technology behind them.

Infra-red photography was full of challenges in the days of film and, until recently, almost impossible with modern digital cameras. It's a little known fact that, with the latest Sigma digital SLRs, the ability to capture IR images has become somewhat easier. Richard Kilpatrick looks at the possibilities.

The digital SLR first surfaced in various forms in the mid 1980s, in forms as prototypical as the 120MP sensor demonstrated by Canon is now - using tube, then CCD technology and still video capture. The CCD sensor for single, still shot capture would come into its own with the Kodak DCS and related systems, though these models would continue to be a compromise of five-figure prices and quality barely better than a single-frame capture from a Laserdisc - but in the early days $23,000 to capture 700 pixel wide video frames was not unheard of, with devices like the Fuji ES-1 holding a small specialist market.

Richard Kilpatrick shares his 20 top tips for people getting into photography. These range for the best times to shoot to understanding the benefits of RAW.

Creating stunning portrait images is down to two key things - your ability to pose your subject and control the light. It really is that simple. Mastering these basics will transform your people pictures from ordinary photos that show little more than what a person looks like, into professional-quality images your subject will love.

of course, you can use a tool such as Focal Point, from OnOne Software. This is a powerful Photoshop plugin which lets you define the parts of your image you want in sharp focus, and without using layer masks or other advanced Photoshop editing, create realistic lens-quality blur.....

The Foveon CMOS sensor, as Sigma users know, is unique among camera imaging devices in abandoning the almost universally used Bayer mask approach in favour of a much more elegant three layer architecture which holds the promise of accurate colour rendition at each pixel site. Here, Julian Ashbourn gives his take on the subject

In the three previous articles on local nature photography we have looked at the basic camera and lens types that can be used to good effect. If this has got your interest roused, you might have found a more specialized interest and want to get some more suitable gear. Here we look at dedicated lenses that fall into ultra telephoto and macro ranges.