Vietnam and Washington Memorial

[Corey Thompson]

Took this shot awhile back and I'm just now getting around to processing it. This was taken with the 17-85mm kit lens(which I'm not a fan of) on my 40D.

[EOBeav]

Can you post your EXIF data? I wish the names on the wall were a little more in focus. Compositionally, I do like how the lines lead me straight to the monument. I visited Washington DC when I was in high school, and this memorial stuck out in my mind the most.

[tlpphoto]

I like the parallel leading lines of the lights and wall moving towards the Washington Monument. The clouds are great as they had interest to what could be a dull sky.

This is a common shot (one I've done myself) and hence difficult to do and have it look unique. I like that you can see the wall and the lettering, just wish it were a little sharper so you could perhaps read the letters. Perhaps this is partially due to the lens -- not a bad kit lens, but not an L grade either. The other item that is distracting is the completely blown out Washington Monument.

If I were to return to the National Mall and re-capture this shot, I would try focus stacking and HDR, and perhaps both. Perhaps even a lensbaby if you have one. Something to make this your own.

Thanks for sharing and keep shooting.
Tim

[Jim Bryant]

Love the leading lines going right up to the Washington Monument. Good eye for lighting, graphics and design.

[Corey Thompson]

Originally Posted by EOBeav

Can you post your EXIF data? I wish the names on the wall were a little more in focus. Compositionally, I do like how the lines lead me straight to the monument. I visited Washington DC when I was in high school, and this memorial stuck out in my mind the most.

Sure, if I left out any exif data let me know:
17mm
F/4
25 seconds
iso 100
date picture taken: 11/1/2008 @ 8:11pm

Thanks for the feedback. I wish the names on the wall were more in focus too. I think it was a combination of the kit lens and the cheap $30 tripod that I was using. I have a gitzo tripod now, which is a lot more sturdy, and a better selection of lenses. I'd love to go back and shoot some more photos.

Originally Posted by tlpphoto

I like the parallel leading lines of the lights and wall moving towards the Washington Monument. The clouds are great as they had interest to what could be a dull sky.

This is a common shot (one I've done myself) and hence difficult to do and have it look unique. I like that you can see the wall and the lettering, just wish it were a little sharper so you could perhaps read the letters. Perhaps this is partially due to the lens -- not a bad kit lens, but not an L grade either. The other item that is distracting is the completely blown out Washington Monument.

If I were to return to the National Mall and re-capture this shot, I would try focus stacking and HDR, and perhaps both. Perhaps even a lensbaby if you have one. Something to make this your own.

Thanks for sharing and keep shooting.
Tim

Thank you for the feedback, it's much appreciated. I didn't realize it until you pointed it out, but you're right, the Washington monument is blown out. I've never heard of a lensbaby before, what exactly is it? I think a night time, b&w HDR shot would look good if I were to pull it off right. I would have to process it in a way where it doesn't look cartoonish.

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Love the leading lines going right up to the Washington Monument. Good eye for lighting, graphics and design.

Thank you

[windrider86]

Please read thru the guidelines/rules and include the information asked for. It will help a great deal to those who wish to help you! Thank you

[50 Proof]

I tried to keepthe exif data attached to the photo but it might have gotten stripped out when I resized it and uploaded it to my server. I typed out some of the exif data, per request, in my post above in case if it got stripped from the photo. Is there an easier way to post this information?

[windrider86]

usually try and ask something specific that you're wanting help with. Perhaps its composition? Editing? Colors. settings? or anything else you can think of

[tlpphoto]

Originally Posted by Corey Thompson

Sure, if I left out any exif data let me know:
Thank you for the feedback, it's much appreciated. I didn't realize it until you pointed it out, but you're right, the Washington monument is blown out. I've never heard of a lensbaby before, what exactly is it? I think a night time, b&w HDR shot would look good if I were to pull it off right. I would have to process it in a way where it doesn't look cartoonish.

Corey,
A lensbaby is a lens which allows you to place a "sweet spot" of focus anywhere in the frame and the focus in the rest of the image will fall off quickly. It's all manual (manual focus, you change aperture by inserting different size "washer like" rings). It can provide some really unique images to ordinary scenes. There was a recent post on DPS about it as well titled: Beating the winter blues with a Lensbaby Composer!

Tim

[Corey Thompson]

Originally Posted by windrider86

usually try and ask something specific that you're wanting help with. Perhaps its composition? Editing? Colors. settings? or anything else you can think of

I'll definitely keep this in mind for next time. Thank you!

Originally Posted by tlpphoto

Corey,
A lensbaby is a lens which allows you to place a "sweet spot" of focus anywhere in the frame and the focus in the rest of the image will fall off quickly. It's all manual (manual focus, you change aperture by inserting different size "washer like" rings). It can provide some really unique images to ordinary scenes. There was a recent post on DPS about it as well titled: Beating the winter blues with a Lensbaby Composer!

Tim

Thanks for the link, I'll be sure to take a look at that post.