Request for Betterment Tips

[dimitrz]

Hi Gang,

I would be making another trip to the location below.

The purpose of the trip would be to correct the errors commited while taking the below pictures.


Hence I would appriciate if you guys could give me feedbacks on Composition , Techinues or anything else that you might think could make the photos better.

(Apart from Shutter Speed that is - one reason why I am going back )

What about changing the metering mode to centre weighted average ?

If everything goes well my polorzing filter would be getting delivered before I leave - Planning to experiment with that - espcially to cut down on the water glare - any pointers that you think important is most welcome.

Lastly would be interested to know which of these photos you liked and why - thanks

Shot 1


Exif : 1/640 s, f/5.6 ( approx f/22 in DSLR), ISO 80, Evalue -1.30 eV, metering Pattern, Auto WB

Shot 2


Exif : 1/400 s, f/5.6 ( approx f/22 in DSLR), ISO 80, EV -1.30 eV,Metering Pattern, Focal length 13.1 mm, Auto AB

Shot 3


Exif: 1/200 s, f/5.6 ( approx f/22 in DSLR), ISO 80, EV -1.30 eV,Metering Pattern, Focal length 30.3 mm, Auto AB

Shot 4


Exif :1/640 s, f/5.6 ( approx f/22 in DSLR), ISO 80, EV -1.30 eV,Metering Pattern, Focal length 6 mm, Auto AB


Look below for Few Additionals queries with a diagram

Cheers

[Matthias099]

I like the first one best, but the other ones are very good also. Aside from a polarizing filter I can't recommend anything else. A polarizing filter would really make the colors become more vibrant.

[oldwolf]

i liked the second one best.

the spray off the front of that rock is moving diagonally in the frame so it gives it more of a sense of motion/action.

i'm not talking about the spray or stream of water you can track from the top of the fall but the spray that looks like it's coming out of the rock.

[Aperture Nine]

The first one, can you take it from a more elevated point? A tree perhaps?

Oh man, your country looks awesome. I am from a country with humans everywhere and nature nowhere.

Have a nice trip and enjoy it for me as well!

[Major_Small]

I like the first one best, but the second one has a lot of potential. You'd need to re-shoot it from different angles for it to take the top spot though.

[dimitrz]

Additional query on the subject

1) Based on the articles that I read – professional photographers choose anything from f/16 to f/32 for landscape photography- how do I know when to use a f/16 and when to stop down to as low as f/32 ? These shots were taken at f/5.6 ( approx f/22 in a DSLR ) – shall I down it further can go up to f/8 (f/32)

2) What aperture value would work out best in the above photos ?

3) How can I utilize a polarizer to the best with regards to the above scenarios especially Shot 1

The below given diagram is to emphasis on the location & angle. can someone advise me ( referring diagram & Shot 1) as to at what angle of sun the effect would be best for retaking Shot 1. Cant remember which way was east.


Diagram


Kind of big query (apologizes )
Cheers

[dimitrz]

A special thanks to all of you for the feedbacks & votes - Much appreciated

Originally Posted by Major_Small

I like the first one best, but the second one has a lot of potential. You'd need to re-shoot it from different angles for it to take the top spot though.

Unfortunately there was a picket fence right in front of me. And that was the only angle at which I could avoid that, however let me see if I can improve on that angle.

Originally Posted by Aperture Nine

Oh man, your country looks awesome. I am from a country with humans everywhere and nature nowhere.

Thanks , Yes you are absolutely right – India is a very diverse and beautiful country – a haven for photographers owing to the fact that you can find every possible topic here . Right from Desert to lakes , from high snow filled mountains to deep blue seas, from barren lands to lush jungles , from exotic birds to exotic wild animals and from rural culture to modern wonder.

Having said that Europe is a beautiful place having its own charm & uniqueness - I would love to photograph the snow covered peaks of the Alps , the icy terrain on & off cost Sweden, the Black forest of Germany, waterways of Venice & the bulls of Spain - just to name a few. Ps which part of Europe are you from ?

No tree at that point- actually shot from a platform - let me see

Cheeers

[Aperture Nine]

Originally Posted by dimitrz

Having said that Europe is a beautiful place having its own charm & uniqueness - I would love to photograph the snow covered peaks of the Alps , the icy terrain on & off cost Sweden, the Black forest of Germany, waterways of Venice & the bulls of Spain - just to name a few. Ps which part of Europe are you from ?

I am from the flat Denmark. Zzz. Sweden is close, though. Here? There is nothing interesting and summer lasts for 3 months then colours disappear and we are covered in darkness. Whow, you know more about Europe than I know about India. Perhaps I will go there one day, I can see that I will have to bring many memory cards!!

[PhotoNewt]

Hello, examined your photographs are here are a few of my thoughts:

1. Your photos look underexposed to me; my guess is you tried to dial some compensation for the bright light to help decrease the exposure speed which leads to point #2.

2. Your EXIF suggest you took this photos around mid-day, at this time of the day the light is just too bright and too harsh for any serious attempt at landscape photography. Even at the smallest aperture correct exposure will call for a shutter speed of about 1/500 - with the addition of a polarizer this figure will come down to only about 1/125 which is unlikely to give you the smooth water effect you are looking for.

3. The best times for this type of work is near sunrise or sunset (about 30 minutes before and after are the best). At these times the intensity of light is such that will allow the use of slower shutter speeds more approprate for the effect you want. Also the light will be warmer giving better and richer colors to the scene.

4. In regards to aperture settings, depends on the DoF needed for the scene - you will need a lot more DoF when shooting a beach scene for example than a waterfall. The reason is the latter is located on a defined plane, where the beach scene extends to infinity. For a waterfall I would choose f/8 to f/16 on my camera, for a beach scene more likely f/22. I would not use f/32 (when available) do to significant diffraction - if you have a full framed sensor, like many pros do, f/32 is more usable but most professional photographers I have met over the years usually limit to f/22.

5. In your camera, I would feel OK with an aperture of f/5.6 as you selected before, the DoF obtained is good for the subject. You need to remember that as you decrease the aperture your DoF will increase but also the potential for significant diffraction.

6. Using a polarizer filter will certainly help. Since your diagram has no reference to sun position is difficult to provide specific information. The polarizer effect will be maximum when the sun is at 90-degrees to the direction the lens is pointing at; during sunrise or sunset it will be more effective for side lit scenes. The main advantages a polarizing filter will provide include: more saturated colors on the sky and the vegetation, reduction in water reflections if any present, will decrease the intensity of light by 2-stops allowing to use lower shutter speeds at the same aperture. This last one can allow you (along with lesser light intensity during sunrise or sunset hours) to use shutter around 1-2 seconds for optimal water blurring.

7. In regards to composition, photo #2 has the greatest potential. If you could find a location at the base of the waterfall the photo will be more effective in conveing a sense of majesty to this natural scene. I would advise if possible going there without a camera during the day and walk around, look at multiple angles, scout possible locations you can reach with your gear so you can be prepared when is time to take the shot. Also if shooting from the base, a vertical orientation may help isolate the waterfall and reduce the clutter. Finally, don't be afraid to use a telephoto setting if needed to help achive the "look" you want.

Hope this helps you on your next attempt.

[dimitrz]

Thanks to each and every one of you for your feedbacks - I am still in the process of going through the answers in detail.


Photonewt : My fault - was not clear regarding the diagram question. What I meant was - since in the diagram I have shown the angle at which the shot was taken - based on your experience if the Sun was at which position in the diagram would you think the pol filter be effctive ( just want to use that a guide in checking the sun's position since I would still be new to the Thumb & finger concept)