Wet Land

[BambiP]

This is my first post. I know I have so much to learn yet. I am just learning about ISO and Aperture and how to change my shutter speed. Could you tell me how I could have made this picture better? If I chose the right settings? Thanks so much.



Canon PowerShot SX130 IS
Shutter Speed 1/800
Aperture 8.0
ISO Speed 400
Flash Off

Only Editing done was on my Adobe Photoshop CS4 to enhance colors.

I hope I did this right.

[jentenna]

I like this scene, and I think the interplay of the different angles of the trees could make for an interesting subject. I think there are two things hurting you here:

1. Nothing is really in focus. You're aperture is stopped down properly, so it's not a problem of the depth-of-field. I guess the auto-focus (I assume you're not using manual focus?) just didn't catch it on this one.

2. Mixed shade/sun is tough on a sunny afternoon, because it's really hard to avoid blown out bits (over-exposed to the point of losing all detail/contrast), and still get the rest of the scene properly exposed. Here, my eye is constantly drawn to the blown out signs on the trees.

Anyway, standard disclaimer: I'm a newbie, but I do hope this helps....

[BambiP]

Originally Posted by jentenna

1. Nothing is really in focus. You're aperture is stopped down properly, so it's not a problem of the depth-of-field. I guess the auto-focus (I assume you're not using manual focus?) just didn't catch it on this one.

Thank you jentenna. Yes it was on manual focus. Sorry I guess maybe I should have added that. This is my first camera with the manual focus option so I am still learning. I did also use on my Photoshop while editing the Gaussian Blur Filter to brighten the colors. Not sure if maybe that was too much as well.

Thanks so much for your input.

[pesawa]

It's a nice scene with some potential. Besides the other comments I would add:

- If you have the chance to revisit, go back during golden hours, early morning after sunrise or late afternoon an hour before sunset

- Choose the main subject more carefully, could be anything: leaves, a bird, a small boat made from paper

- Try a low angle shot and use some of the trees to frame the shot of the creek

- Start off with the composition basics: rule of thirds, leading lines, ...

Hope this helps.

/p