WITH PHOTO ACTIVE.

How do you create pictures from nothing, or bring out the full potential of every chance that presents itself? Well, professional photographers just don't have the time to hang around in the hope that something will happen as if by magic. They MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. This might involve something as simple as placing a figure in the right spot to bring a landscape to life, or it could mean using a battery of lighting techniques to add vibrancy to otherwise ordinary subjects. All these aspects of making pictures happen will be explored over the next few months.

The professional is always proactive, and we will be showing you many subtle - and some not so subtle - ways of making things happen so that you will always get the pictures you want.

BEAT THE WEATHER Don't give up when the weather turns foul - just adjust your thinking. We explain how to keep working to beat the gloom

BRIGHT SPARKS How to add real sparkle to photographs of craftsmen and workmen when they use tools like welding torches and grinding discs that produce sparks. You'll find it easy to create great spark pictures with the help of the simple lighting diagrams on these pages.