Scenic picture of the Estonian countryside (and storks)

[Bo_]

I was on holiday in Estonia (visiting my mother-in-law) - and I (of course) took my camera with me. And on the way to the ferry I had to stop to take this pic-ture of the scenic landscape and the two storks. In Denmark we don’t have that many storks anymore (mainly because of all the farming that removed the wet areas where the frogs live - no frogs - no storks) - so I was impressed with all the storks we saw on the trip!



But what about the scenic picture - how could I improve it?



The close-up was taken with a steady hand (as steady as you can hold it when cars and big trucks are driving by on their way to Tallinn). ISO 100, f/8, 1/400s. maximum zoom (454mm* thats 72mm on my S3IS)

[JJthethird]

Bo, In the first shot I would straighten the horizon and clone out the power lines. The second shot I would leave as is or maybe play with the levels a bit.
Just my humble opinion though, thanks for sharing.

John.

[subrataofkris]

Hi Bo_
The #1 picture looks grainy and out of focus (may be because of the low resolution), but has very lovely colours. I can give you a few tips:

In such bright sunlight and wide landscape, always use low ISO (80-200), that will keep the photograph less grainy.

Use very small apperture (f/16, f/22 etc), this will create a large DOF

Look for leading lines of S (rivers, paths etc.) - here you have a brook or stream. Use this to drive the interest in your shot (i.e. place the central character towards the end of it.

If you have a different subject (like the lamp post, try to place it following the rule of thirds (you have, though the tree on the right is a distraction)

Keep the view clear and simple - here the cables are spoiling the sky.

Keep your horizon at either 2/3rds of 1/3rd of the frame depending on what is interesting. Here the medow is interesting, show more of it and crop the sky.

Keep the horizon straight, if it is level ground - here it has tilted towards right.

These are standard rules and an analysis of whether you have followed them here. But you can break them and still make us wow, if you have a vision in mind. As all landscape photographers do, explore the sight and light first, then plan a picture and shoot.

I would like to see some more of Estonia in your posts.

[Palachandra]

Bo,

I like the second shot, is that the same nest you captured in first one?

I agree with JJthethird, on straightening the horizon and cloning out the power lines (even though I am not Photoshop expert).

In my village also, Frogs are diminishing, may be because of using pesticides for cultivation... In my childhood, I used to hear their song after the first rain when they comeout from underground with yellowish skin tones... I feel unlucky to not to capture their photos :-(

[Bo_]

Thanx for the hints!

regarding

In such bright sunlight and wide landscape, always use low ISO (80-200), that will keep the photograph less grainy.

Use very small apperture (f/16, f/22 etc), this will create a large DOF

I was using ISO 100 - It was a sunny day - but maybe it looks grainy because it was taken with my point&shoot canon s3is? I dont know?

My camera only gives me a max aperture of f/8 (it is not an dSLR )!

I fixed the horizon - and it looks a little better - but I should probably have used a little more time on location. But now I can learn a little more about pic-ture manipulation (sorry editing) on my computer…

[jiminyClickit]

Bo_,

Since we have such a diverse group of photographers, beginner to professional, with equipment ranging from a camera to bags full of expensive gear, I try to comment according to the written description of how, where and with what a photo was taken. These storks are shot clearly and with good light. One shows where they live, the other what they look like close up. They are equal or better in quality to your other recent posting. Well done. I hope your picture manipulation gives you good results, too.

[subrataofkris]

Hi Bo_

You can use Lightroom which is easier to use, but, if you want to spend hours on editing in Photoshop, this is the link for beginners
http://www.tipsfromthetopfloor.com/psc

Keep it up Bo_, keep taking a lot of photographs.

JC, I understood what you meant, thanks.

[jiminyClickit]

subrataofkris,

It's really difficult to be fair, given that diversity. Imagine going to a University and expecting a Freshman to give a dissertation for a doctoral thesis. Or asking a chef to prepare an elaborate 7-course meal with one pot and a spoon.

The Freshman can speak well about those things he knows. The chef can cook some foods well in the one pot. We only need to spend a minute to find out who we are commenting on, and whether the photograph is more at home in someone's living room, or being auctioned at Sotheby's.

Just noticing lately, it's tough trying to be helpful when the whole story isn't known. Sometimes it may be enough to just acknowledge an image was recorded and we can tell mostly what it is. I'm not sure it helps to improve the photographer, but if he quits in disappointment from some harsh critique, what good can come of that?

subrataofkris, nothing personal; you did spark a thought in me, though.