Millionaire's Mile - Winston Park, Durban

[Neville Bailey]

I took this picture on a whim, in heavily overcast conditions. The scene struck me as I drove down this leafy road (commonly known as Millionaire's Mile in Winston Park, Durban) and I immediately pulled over and took the shot.

Any comments on the exposure and composition?

Pentax *ist DL camera, f/5.6, 1/125 sec, ISO-200, 55mm focal length.

[Krusty79]

The composition is good with a leading line into the image. A car or bike on the road might provide a good focal point.

The image does look underexposed to me, though. I took your image and did a Levels adjustment. I just used the Auto button in GIMP. I think this has more "pop."

Also, I wonder why you didn't use a smaller aperture for more DOF.

Levels: Getting the Professional 'Pop'

[3bayjunkie]

are you serious. this looks exactly like the photo out of the book Understanding Exposure. Same angle and tree line. Uncanny!

[EOBeav]

Originally Posted by 3bayjunkie

are you serious. this looks exactly like the photo out of the book Understanding Exposure. Same angle and tree line. Uncanny!

A little ironic, since my comment was going to be "Nicely composed, but underexposed."

[Neville Bailey]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

The composition is good with a leading line into the image. A car or bike on the road might provide a good focal point.

The image does look underexposed to me, though. I took your image and did a Levels adjustment. I just used the Auto button in GIMP. I think this has more "pop."

Also, I wonder why you didn't use a smaller aperture for more DOF.

Levels: Getting the Professional 'Pop'

Thank you for the feedback - that's exactly what I need to know! In fact, I think I will go back to the scene when there is more light and shoot it again with a car on the road and with a smaller aperture, for more DOF.

[Neville Bailey]

Originally Posted by 3bayjunkie

are you serious. this looks exactly like the photo out of the book Understanding Exposure. Same angle and tree line. Uncanny!

Now this is getting freaky! Last night I happened to be reading the ebook version of "Understanding Exposure" and I also came across the photo you mentioned and thought to myself that it was so similar to mine!

What are the chances of me taking such a similar shot, and then seeing it in the book and then you noticing it as well, all on the same day?!

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by Neville Bailey

Now this is getting freaky! Last night I happened to be reading the ebook version of "Understanding Exposure" and I also came across the photo you mentioned and thought to myself that it was so similar to mine!

What are the chances of me taking such a similar shot, and then seeing it in the book and then you noticing it as well, all on the same day?!

***cue Twilight Zone music***

Looking forward to seeing your shot after you reshoot this.

[Neville Bailey]

Today was a clear day, so I headed back to the scene and took the following shots, one with a bicycle and one with a vehicle. I made the aperture smaller to get more DOF.

Pentax *ist DL camera, f/11, 1/90 sec, ISO-200, 55mm focal length.



Pentax *ist DL camera, f/11, 1/90 sec, ISO-200, 43mm focal length.



What do you think?

[Krusty79]

I like the composition, but not the time of day. Your first shot had the benefit of the diffused lighting of an overcast day. On a sunny day, the light is harsher. I would take this shot again in the golden hours when the light is soft again.

I would also try taking a shot from a lower perspective, close to the ground just to see how it looks.