Horizons from Hill near my House

[ccting]

ISO 100,
Aperture f6.3
Focal Length: 18mm
Len: VR Kit Len 18-55mm Nikon
Lighting: Very Dull
Nikon D5100, aperture Mode for f6.3
Shutter speed 1/200
Original file size 1.5GB

1) Anything to be improved for the post-production?
2) I found that most profs out there use smaller aperture, such as f8, f16 (sunny16), or even the smallest. My justification is a) f6.3 is the sharpest for 18mm for my len b) I wish to get sharpest for the nearest object and blur a bit for the background. Is that reasonable?

[windrider86]

Please see the critique sections rules/guidelines for information to be included. Thank you in advance for editing your post. Please feel free to ask if you need help!

[Krusty79]

You have some cool colors in the shot, but it looks oversaturated to me. Also, the image looks soft, as there are many areas, even in the foreground, that are not sharp. Shooting at 1/200, I would expect to get rid of any camera shake. Did you use a tripod?

The purplish color and the vignette in the sky isn't really working for me, as I like it more realistic. You did blur the trees in the background, but I'm not sure why unless you wanted to emphasize the foreground. If so, you should make sure that the foreground is sharp.

Although you have a nice scene there, it helps to have focal point for the eye to rest on.

[ccting]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

You have some cool colors in the shot, but it looks oversaturated to me. Also, the image looks soft, as there are many areas, even in the foreground, that are not sharp. Shooting at 1/200, I would expect to get rid of any camera shake. Did you use a tripod?

The purplish color and the vignette in the sky isn't really working for me, as I like it more realistic. You did blur the trees in the background, but I'm not sure why unless you wanted to emphasize the foreground. If so, you should make sure that the foreground is sharp.

Although you have a nice scene there, it helps to have focal point for the eye to rest on.

The initial file size is about 1.5GB, and I compress it to 32KB..
==>Nope, I don't have a tripod, and did not have the time to borrow from my brother. I just use the panning approach that was not right one.. I was in hurry. I should have a tripod with VR NR off.

==>Nope, i did not blur the trees in the background, i use relative low f-number (6.3) for narrow DOF to gain the blur effect for feel of depth. Another reason of blur is compression from 1.5GB to 32KB, and may be because of amendment in lightroom. I agree with you, i wish to get the sharpest for foreground but did not realize when i took the pictures. I took more than hundred of images within 20 minutes before i rushed back for my baby.

==> The purple of the sky is unrealistic. I purpusely recolor them for the color harmony according to color wheel.. ;D

Yes, it was a very nice scene but we are no longer get access of the hill. The authority is building fences around the hill. The fence will block the scene even you have the permission to get up there again.

Thanks again for your advice. This is almost my first serious shot of landscape after I bought my camera.

Many not notice that the sky can be purple everyday, particulary when the sky is clear. Try to pay attention after sunset, just 3 minutes and the scenario is so called the Apenglo..(purple sky for 2-3 minutes after sunset)

[Krusty79]

A tripod is pretty much a must for panoramic shots. Did you stitch several images together to make this one? Most lenses are sharpest around f/8. To get a lot of depth of field, you could shoot at f/11 and avoid the blurring. I would recommend trying that.

Too bad you won't be able to go back and reshoot. I'm down at sea level, so I don't get the alpenglow down here. I'll look for some next time I go to Yosemite or Lassen.

[ccting]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

A tripod is pretty much a must for panoramic shots. Did you stitch several images together to make this one? Most lenses are sharpest around f/8. To get a lot of depth of field, you could shoot at f/11 and avoid the blurring. I would recommend trying that.

Too bad you won't be able to go back and reshoot. I'm down at sea level, so I don't get the alpenglow down here. I'll look for some next time I go to Yosemite or Lassen.

A good tripod is very costly, where the cheap one not stable. i don't want spend money on tripod.
Time is the issue for me, I almost don't have time to shoot.
my len f6.3 sharpest for 18mm and f8 for the rest
i believe sharpness does not matter for the web
The MTF curve for my len is not good, fall down sharply near the edge.. and great distortion for 18mm

thanks for your advice. will shoot like that once my baby can independent from me...