How we test

Overcome common problems and create better-looking shots

Wendy Evans invokes solar power to help create a vintage print on chemical-infused paper

When everything comes together, there’s no better feeling, as Michael Topham experienced in Croatia

The Good Housekeeping Institute , or GHI, is the beating heart of our brand , where everything from slow cookers to sports bras is poked, prodded and put through its paces by our experts. On any given day in our west London lab , we could be testing the water-resistance claims of walking jackets by soaking them in the shower, or analysing hair swatches to see if a conditioner truly shines. We go to extreme lengths to ensure you can trust our product recommendations. We know the details matter. They’re what keeps your life running smoothly. Getting it right is simply good housekeeping.

We love moaning. The raw file won’t open, the firmware update wiped your settings. But spare a thought for the early adopters – when digital photography meant ghostly battery life, media cards that could barely hold a lunch break, colours that made everything look a bit ill. Peter Dench hears from top shooters about those early frustrations and breakthroughs, and adds his own…

Follow along as Eliza Ivanova explains her process for colouring artwork digitally without losing that innate sketchbook charm