Lake Moraine

[Michael Weber]

Alberta Trip 017_3_1.JPG

Alberta Trip 017_3_1.JPG

Trying this again since I messed up the first picture. Took this shot with S95 while on a fishing trip. ISO 160, 1/1000, f2.5

Would love to hear thoughts on what I did wrong with the exposure and settings. It's too dark in some places. I realize working with a better camera would be a start, but I am just learning and will get there in time. Very interested in suggestions for how to deal with this type of lighting condition. Also, please comment on the composition and things that might have made it a better shot. Fire away...Thanks.

[Nikoner]

I generally like it. The only way you could improve it (in my opinion) would be to re-take it when the light is better (either at sunrise or sunset). You can hardly take great landscape shots at bright sunny day because the light is too harsh making the pines at the foreground too bright and the mountain at the left too dark. By the way, making a HDR image could also help

[Michael Weber]

Nikoner, Thanks. Just read up on HDR, now I understand what you are talking about. Great idea, I'll try it out and experiment a little. Lots to learn...appreciate the feedback.

[crockny]

Just playing with curves and levels could help this a lot. Unfortunately those two tall trees in the front left take my attention away from the beautiful scenery behind ...

[Krusty79]

To add to what Nikoner said, you can also take one exposure for the ground and one for the bright sky and blend the exposures using a layer mask. You will need a tripod for this.

Speaking of tripods, did you use one? Your picture isn't as sharp as I think it could be, so I wonder if you used one. If not, maybe you need to turn your IS/VR on or work on your camera holding technique.

I was also wondering why you composed the shot with those trees blocking the view.

Most lenses are sharpest around f/8 and you'll have better DOF at that aperture instead of shooting wide open at 2.5. For landscapes, you generally want a lot of DOF, so f/8 or f/11 is a good place to start.

I want to go back to Banff/Jasper soon....

[Nikoner]

It's not necessarily to take HDR shots with a tripod at daylight. I take most of mine by turning my camera to burst mode and then use the bracketing function. After that I just hold the shutter key until I take 3 shots (that takes less than a second). Of course the 3 pictures won't be perfectly aligned but it's something that Photoshop (or any other HDR compiling program) can handle

[Hill Country Hack]

I agree with Krusty...f8 or f11 is the way to go with landscape for the best DOF unless you want to purposely have not sharp background. Give this a read Hyperfocal Distance – Photographer’s Friend I found it informative and helped my landscapes.

I'm thinking you were trying to frame the river with the pines in the front. A good idea, but move more to the right as the trees will be further apart and may nicely frame the river at the "s" curve.

[milosh]

While the light is harsh, it is not the biggest drawback of this photo in my opinion. The overall appeal of the photo could be improved with good post-processing, but those two trees would always be blocking the view.

[Skoropada]

A lot of the advices seem oriented to a DLSR user, but the OP mentioned that the picture was shot with a S95.

I do agree on the light beeing to harsh and that the trees get in the way. There seems to be a beautiful reflection on the water that is hidden by the trees.
It might be worth a retake...

[Michael Weber]

Thanks to everyone for the great constructive comments. I truly appreciate the feedback. I'll be going back to Banff next spring and will have more time to experiment with better light and positioning.