Moon over Lake Tahoe at dusk

[Krusty79]

I think these are two of the better shots I have taken, but I know there is room for improvement. My main concern is the softness of these images (the moon is too fuzzy!). My tripod was on a rock and I didn't even have the legs extended. I used a wired remote shutter release. I shot at f/10 - should I have used a smaller aperture? I know I screwed up by leaving my ISO setting at Auto - it used ISO 800 for these shots (damn!). Is that the main problem? When I shoot at a smaller aperture like f/10, I have been lazy and not really checking where the camera was focusing - should I have manually focused these about 20 or 30 feet into the image? A .6 Lee soft ND grad was used on these. Any other C&C is welcome. Thanks for looking...

Greg


2 second exposure



3.2 second exposure

[danbaileyphoto]

These are really nice shots! The fuzziness of the moon could be your lens. It's such a small, bright light source, it could be that different quality lenses render such subjects with slightly different results. You could try shooting a scene like this with a different lens and check your results. Often times, though, it's hard for the camera lens and sensor to render small singular bright lights like the moon without at least some distortion.

Worth some experimentation, anyway.

[RichardTaylor]

I like #1

Normally for shots like this I manually focus. F8-F11 sounds about right.

Re the moon being a bit soft.
Did you have any other filters on the lens besides the ND grad?
Or maybe the ND grad made it a bit soft.

[Krusty79]

Thanks, I was hoping that you guys would give me a critique. Thanks for the complement Dan. I only have the kit lens now, so I don't have another I can use for comparison. I wouldn't mind getting that 10-20 Sigma lens one day! I was wondering how much of the fuzziness was due to me and how much could be the lens.

Richard, I only used my Lee ND grad. No UV or polarizer or anything else. I seen other guys on Flickr with much clearer shots than mine who have used Lee ND grads. I have the resin one - I don't know if they make a better glass version.

The only other factors I can think of are the mirror lockup and IS setting. I didn't use the mirror lockup (actually, I have never used it, but may have to look into that). I believe I had the IS on, which I've read you're supposed to turn off when using a tripod. Could that have contributed to the softness? Why is it bad to leave the stabilization on when using a tripod? If it's not that, it may just be a limitation of my lens.

Hopefully, my images are indicative someone who is starting to "get it."

[RichardTaylor]

It depends on the lens.
Just check the instruction manual.

For my 24-105 & 100-400 The manual says to turn it off when on a tripod "as it may cause "errors".

The manual for later lenses (like the 55-250) don't say this.

[navcom]

You're getting it Krusty. I like the first one better. Landscape orientation is much more pleasing for a scene like this. Portrait takes away from some of the mood and makes it more "stressful" and compressed. It feels more caged.

Many of the things you mentioned can contribute to softness. And the lens will have some play in it as well...in which case the brightness of the moon will contribute to the softness, just like it does with the sun.

Here is my mental "checklist" to get the sharpest images for just about every landscape scene I shoot...

1 - Turn off auto exposure and use manual
2 - Start with an aperture between f/8 and f/13. Depart from it only when DOF requirements outweigh diffraction (rare) or the rare occasion where you need a faster shutter speed.
3 - Set the ISO to the lowest the camera can produce
4 - Use hyperfocal distance focusing (or manual at the very least). Never use auto focusing...it will bite you...usually in post processing
5 - Use a tripod...always
6 - Use a remote shutter release or cable
7 - Use the camera's delay/mirror lock function
8 - Turn off the IS

I use this checklist all the time. It's not meant to be a set of "rules"...just a guide...but by using it you are guaranteed to get the sharpest images your camera can muster...for the most part.

[RichardTaylor]

+1 navcom

That's a good check list.

[Michael_2010]

I think those are very nice!

It is going to be hard to get a crisp looking moon with a long shutter speed even with filters.

[Phil Holland]

Nice shots...FYI your tripod is actually more stable without the legs extended.

[Krusty79]

Thanks Dan, Richard, navcom, Michael & Phil for the feedback. I was just telling my friend before my Tahoe trip that the more I learn about photography, the more little details I notice that have to go into a good image. Then I go out and mess up my ISO setting!

navcom - that's a great list. Until it becomes routine, I might even print it out and keep it in my camera bag. I usually use landscape mode for landscape shots, but I tried taking one in portrait mode because the moon was up in the sky. I usually use aperture priority to control the DOF, but I'll start experimenting with manual. I'll also start focusing manually and try the mirror lock.

I thought my tripod would be more stable without the legs extended, but I don't ever hear about anyone shooting like that. I'll also try comparing shots with and without my ND grad and see if I notice any difference in sharpness.

Now, I want to go back and retake those shots, but I've used up my vacation time for the year. Oh well, there's always next year...