James Paterson
The lead technique writer on Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine and N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, James is a fantastic general practice photographer with an enviable array of skills across every genre of photography.
Whether it's flash photography techniques like stroboscopic portraits, astrophotography projects like photographing the Northern Lights, or turning sound into art by making paint dance on a set of speakers, James' tutorials and projects are as creative as they are enjoyable.
He's also a wizard at the dark arts of Photoshop, Lightroom and Affinity Photo, and is capable of some genuine black magic in the digital darkroom, making him one of the leading authorities on photo editing software and techniques.
Latest articles by James Paterson

Create a convincing composite – N-Photo 149 video tutorial
By James Paterson, N-Photo published
Video Learn the fundamentals of layers and masks, and create simple yet convincing composites

Blend a creative composite in Affinity Photo – N-Photo 152 video tutorial
By James Paterson, N-Photo published
Video Forget selections and masks: use Blend Options in Affinity Photo to create incredible composites instead

Create glowing effects in Affinity Photo – N-Photo 150 video tutorial
By James Paterson, N-Photo published
Video Create stunning shapes and glowing effects with simple Affinity Photo skills to add pizazz to your portraits

How to 'clip' layers in Affinity Photo – N-Photo 154 video tutorial
By James Paterson, N-Photo published
Video Use clipping in Affinity Photo to position one layer inside the shape of another, while taking advantage of 15 FREE textures

Create vintage effects in Affinity Photo – N-Photo 151 video tutorial
By James Paterson, N-Photo published
Video Create the look of a 19th-century wet plate in Affinity Photo with editing tricks and our free borders

Add motion with a circular swoosh in Affinity Photo – N-Photo 153 video tutorial
By James Paterson, N-Photo published
Video Use layer masking and subtle shadows in Affinity Photo to create striking circles with vibrant colours

Explore Adobe CC’s Adaptive Presets – N-Photo 154 video tutorial
By James Paterson, N-Photo published
Video Get to grips with Adobe CC's powerful Adaptive Presets in Lightroom and Photoshop’s Camera Raw

How to use creative clipping masks in Photoshop – N-Photo 152 video tutorial
By James Paterson, N-Photo published
Video Learn to use creative clipping masks to craft a dynamic digital effect in Adobe Photoshop CC

How to paint with Photoshop's Smudge Tool – N-Photo 153 video tutorial
By James Paterson, N-Photo published
Video Learn the key features of this fun Photoshop tool and create stunning painterly effects

Hand-tint old photos in Photoshop – N-Photo 151 video tutorial
By James Paterson, N-Photo published
Video Learn how to perfect Colorize, this spookily good filter in Adobe Photoshop CC

How to use the Crop tool in Photoshop – N-Photo 150 video tutorial
By James Paterson, N-Photo published
Video Explore the powerful features that lurk within the simple-to-use yet invaluable Crop tool

How to enhance videos in Photoshop – N-Photo 149 video tutorial
By James Paterson, N-Photo published
Video Learn to use your existing photo-editing skills on moving images to create a natural-looking and striking aesthetic

Get creative with baby photography and play with digital backdrops
By James Paterson published
TUTORIAL Here's how to get creative with your baby photography and create stunning composite images

Repair and retouch your damaged prints in Affinity photo
By James Paterson published
Video Restore your old prints and bring them back to life using layer skills in Affinity Photo

Get creative with flower composites and layer blending skills in Affinity Photo
By James Paterson published
Video James Paterson gets creative with flower composites and layer blending skills in Affinity Photo... and it’s far easier than it looks

How to blend photos taken at different focal lengths for balanced compositions
By James Paterson published
Video Combine two different focal lengths with a mix of shooting and Photoshop skills for perfectly balanced compositions

Try these FREE tinting treatments to master monochrome in Affinity Photo
By James Paterson published
Video Master monochrome in Affinity Photo with classic analogue effects using our 16 free tinting treatments

Create mythical beasts in Photoshop and learn essential compositing skills
By James Paterson published
Video Create fun animal combos and discover a host of essential Photoshop skills, mad doctor James Paterson explains

Photoshop tutorial: Digital graduated filters enhance landscapes in seconds
By James Paterson published
Video Gets to grips with the Graduated Filter tool and use them to enhance landscape scenes

Photoshop tutorial: Enhance a dull sky in your landscapes
By James Paterson published
tutorial Enhance a dull sky in your landscapes by dropping in a dramatic sunset with simple Photoshop CC skills

Use time blending to merge the best light in your landscape photography
By James Paterson published
TUTORIAL James Paterson explains time blending for gorgeous sunset landscapes

Learn how to shoot jaw-dropping Milky Way galactic core photos
By James Paterson published
Video This is how to achieve incredible astrophotography images of the Milky Way's galactic core

Raw power! Edit your Raw files in Affinity Photo to make them look their best
By James Paterson published
Video Get the most out of editing your portraits, with Affinity Photo's powerful processing tools
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