sunset

[iluv2fly1]

I got so much help last time I posted so I'm back with another photo.

I took your advice and started shooting in manual and saving the images as raw format. It has been pretty difficult to figure out how to edit raw images (as soon as I save them as jpegs the colors are all crazy, but I need jpegs to upload). But I think I'm getting the hang out it. Any suggestions on better ways to do the settings (I'm still guessing at manual settings) or better editing techniques?




Camera Model Canon EOS 1100D
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/10
Av( Aperture Value ) 3.5
ISO Speed 400

[travelpat]

Concerning the editing: I would suggest a levelled horizon

[iluv2fly1]

I noticed that right after uploading it.

Although that is one of the things that irritates me with raw. I can't rotate in the raw program so I end up having to use a ton of programs for each photos... I suppose I need to change my photo routine.

[WayneW]

Nice colors! I don't know if you were going for a foreground silhouette, but, I think just a little more definition in the foreground would have added to this image. You could try a graduated neutral density filter for this.

[travelpat]

Originally Posted by iluv2fly1

I suppose I need to change my photo routine.

Lightroom? Nice and easy.

[iluv2fly1]

@Wayne: I'm not sure what I was going for. I just played around and I liked the silhouette, but I think I'm the only one. Do you mean a filter on the camera or filtering during editing? I haven't exactly figured out either.

@travelpat: I'm using GIMP since it is free. But for whatever reason, my raw files aren't opening in GIMP correctly so I'm stuck with Canon's program which isn't amazing. I was planning on looking around for another program, but I think I will stay away from the expensive ones.

[John Hendry]

what's wrong with photoshop camera Raw ?


all the best

[WayneW]

Graduated neutral density filters are filters for your lens. They reduce the amount of light coming through the lens without changing the color characteristics. Great for running water shots. Allows you to use an extended shutter speed to smooth out wave patterns, waterfalls, creeks, etc. A standard neutral density filter (rated in 1/3 f-stops) restricts the light throughout the frame (image), but a graduated n.d. filter would have allowed you to put the darker section of the filter on top to reduce light for the sky, and the lighter section on the bottom to increase light to the rocks.
I still like the colors.
Wayne

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11553617@N08/

[iluv2fly1]

Thanks Wayne for the explanation. That does sound like it would be pretty nice to have considering how often I take landscape shots where there is a significant difference in light between the sky and the land. However, if I do that, it sounds like I might need a tripod which I haven't gotten around to getting yet. I'll just have to add one more thing to my list.

[WayneW]

You're correct about the tripod! Don't waste money on a bargain basement tripod, but I wouldn't spend $300 on one either. Look on ebay for a good used one. A lot of people like ball heads but I use an old Bogen 3047 head mounted on legs that don't even have a name on them anymore. I've had to replace rivets with bolts and otherwise patch it back together, but it holds my Nikon D200 and 80 - 200 D 2.8 solid as a rock. Once you start using one, and realizing how much sharper your images are, you might put a shoulder strap on it and make it part of your regular gear. Try hand holding your camera for a test shot, then set the camera down on a table, countertop, etc., and take the same shot. Then look at the shots on your computer monitor and zoom in and compare them.
Keep shooting,
Wayne