I need some help and I need it fast!

[sharrij]

After day one of our mountain-snow-ski trip, I realized that I am doing something terribly wrong. Can you guys please take a look at these few pictures and tell me how to make my future shots better? I've tried different ISO speeds, f-stops and even shooting on auto ....My active d-lighting has been adjusted here and there and I still don't like the way these shots came out. Can someone please direct me in the right direction while I still have 6 more shooting days and lots of snow! A few more at Flickr: sharrijinnah's Photostream

Thanks!


Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture f/10.0
Focal Length 48 mm
Focal Length 47.6 mm
ISO Speed 3200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash


Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1600)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 105 mm
Focal Length 106.8 mm
ISO Speed 3200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash

[quekbc]

It appears to be a white balance issue. Lowering the temp should improve it.

[sk66]

+1 looks like you might have your WB set to "cloudy". Also the camera will want to underexpose in prominently white scenes...up the exposure compensation.

[DestinDave]

What is your metering mode?
It looks to me like you might have Spot or Partial Metering on and if you're centering on dark objects (the tree trunk, the barn, etc.), then the metering is way off the snow/light values blowing them out..
Try using Average weighted metering (averages the entire scene), and if there is a lot of sky and snow, increase 1 or 1-1/2 stops EV.

[Digidave]

My active d-lighting has been adjusted here and there and I still don't like the way these shots came out.

Active d-lighting is meant to soften the shadows. The problem with that is that it is a universal adjustment. Meaning, that it effects the entire photo. It lessens the dynamic range of the entire scene which then makes your photos look flat(no depth).

I think your photos need a little more depth to them. Take for instance the photo of the tree, it has no texture to it. That's being effected by your active d-lighting robbing you of the shadows. I would like to see those same shots with active d-lighting turned off. My guess is that they would have much more texture & be more pleasant in appearance.

[autofocus]

with all that light...why 3200 ISO?

[sharrij]

Thanks for all of your advice. I am fairly new, so forgive my confusion. Is there a set of "standard" settings one should use for snow? i.e. ISO, Shutterspeed, etc. I'm not sure I know how to lower my white balance, "up" the exposure or spot metering/partial metering. I wish someone could tell me what to set everything to and I could just do it! I want to get the most out of the next 6 days, but seem even more confused now!

[sharrij]

I'm really not sure. Trying to figure it all out

[benchdog]

First thing I suggest is to set your ISO to 400 or less, with all the light you have I would start with an exposure of 1/250 then to 1/500, WB to auto. Look at the results and go from there.

This and 5 bucks will get you a cup of coffee at your favorite cafe.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by sharrij

Thanks for all of your advice. I am fairly new, so forgive my confusion. Is there a set of "standard" settings one should use for snow? i.e. ISO, Shutterspeed, etc. I'm not sure I know how to lower my white balance, "up" the exposure or spot metering/partial metering. I wish someone could tell me what to set everything to and I could just do it! I want to get the most out of the next 6 days, but seem even more confused now!

Well then, in order to get the most in the next few days I'm going to suggest you do a "2 button reset" on your camera and "go pro"... Program mode....