Pt. Lobos

[Infinite Monkey]

I think I've got a little bit of a dynamic range problem here. And while I tried to use the pine tree on the left to bring the eye into the shot, the water may make it all too center oriented. I'd like to get some general critiques and comments along with any suggestions as to how this shot could be improved.

Thanks for your time and thoughts.



Here's the Exif data:

Camera Nikon D80
Exposure 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture f/5.0
Focal Length 32 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash

[Krusty79]

When you shoot in the afternoon, you're going to have that problem a lot. There is too much of that branch on the left for my taste and it doesn't help that part of it is in the shade. A polarizer might have reduced some of the glare in the shot.

I'm curious why you used f/5 when I would think you would want more DOF.

I love Point Lobos and really looked forward to bringing my DSLR there. However, I couldn't find any compositions that I really liked. I was pretty surprised by that. Plus, they kick you out before the golden hours, so I couldn't get any sunset shots.

[Infinite Monkey]

Krusty -- the more I look at that shot, the more I agree about the branch. When I shot it, I figured it would help create a keyhole effect but it turns out to be more of a distraction. I was using a CPL but I'm not really happy with it. It's a decent Hoya filter but the results have been underwhelming.

You're right, too, about the aperture. I could easily have shot this at f/8 or even f/11.

Point Lobos is one of my favorite places but I know what you mean about being surprised by the tough and limited shooting opportunities. Search on "Point Lobos" on Flickr to see how few good shots there are. Given how beautiful the place is, that just doesn't make sense.

Thanks for your continuing input. It definitely helps.

[Krusty79]

Maybe the sun was not at the correct angle to get much of an effect from the polarizer.

I did search Flickr for Point Lobos photos and there weren't that many I really liked. So, I guess I'm not the only one who had a hard time finding good shooting spots. I'll bet the scuba divers can get some cool underwater shots. Getting kicked out a 5 pm is a pain.

[Infinite Monkey]

Flickr is an interesting resource. I generally do Flickr searches before I go someplace to see all of the angles and images that don't work and promise myself not to take the same shots. Often I see images that I recognize as being something that I'd be tempted to try but realize upon seeing them why they don't work.

I dove for years and the diving at Point Lobos is great. Entry point is Whaler's Cove but some of the best dive spots are a long swim either across the cove or out the mouth of the cove to some of the big wash rocks outside. Photography opportunities are mainly limited to macro but there's plenty of that.