waterscape

[spljosh]

This is my first post and want to see what everyone thinks. I am a newbie so any help would be appreciated. Dont be shy.I shot this using nikon d3100 with an 18-55 vr lens.

1/50
manual
f4.0
iso 100
no flash

[windrider86]

Moved your post so you have your own thread!

[flytyer57]

Welcome to the forum.

This photo looks overexposed. I would have suggested that you need a longer exposure to really get that water to look silky smooth (unless you weren't try for that) but at your settings a longer exposure would have overexposed even more.

I would suggest an aperture of at least f/10 and a neutral density filter and possibly a circular polarizer to cut down on that bright sky which is way overblown here.

A tip for proper exposure for beginners using manual mode: Set your mode to Auto, press the shutter halfway so the camera focuses and record what the aperture and shutter speed is. Then go to manual and set those settings on your camera. After a while, it will just come natural for you to set your camera settings and get a decent shot.

[spljosh]

Thanks for the replys. I will try and do as you said and collect the setting in auto to use in manual. I did take multiple pictures at different setting at this location. As i said i am a newbie and learning. I do really appreciate the critiques.

[Czrich86]

Nice job and welcome to DPS!

I agree with flytyer that it's a over exposed. As far as the composure goes, I would like to see this in a vertical format with the water running down one of the sides. The trick I use to fix over exposure and get a longer shutter speed if you don't have an ND filter is to use the smallest aperture you have (f22 for me) and adjust the shutter speed accordingly. Also make sure your ISO is turned down.

Keep on shooting!

[netnai]

Hello, i am also a newbie in this forum so... i would try to help you (i hope!) with my humble opinion.

The image is beautiful, a nice place. Colors and details. But for me, maybe a bit too much white the sky and the waterfall is a bit cut in the base .

Optionally, I would use a longer exposition to capture the water with more silk aspect. And use a software to enhance lightly the colors.

That's all.

[Krusty79]

It's a nice scene, but shot at the wrong time of day. I would shoot this in the golden hours if possible, to reduce the dynamic range problem. Otherwise, you could bracket your shots and try HDR. An exposure blend would be tough to do because the intricacy of the shapes.

I would also try to get down closer to some foreground interest in the shot, whether it's a plant or the little stream.

I would use a smaller aperture to get more DOF. Most lenses are sharpest around f/8. I wouldn't go much smaller that about f/13, or you may start to get diffraction, which degrades sharpness.

[Hill Country Hack]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

It's a nice scene, but shot at the wrong time of day. I would shoot this in the golden hours if possible, to reduce the dynamic range problem. Otherwise, you could bracket your shots and try HDR. An exposure blend would be tough to do because the intricacy of the shapes.

I would also try to get down closer to some foreground interest in the shot, whether it's a plant or the little stream.

I would use a smaller aperture to get more DOF. Most lenses are sharpest around f/8. I wouldn't go much smaller that about f/13, or you may start to get diffraction, which degrades sharpness.

That's some good feedback Krusty.

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by Hill Country Hack

That's some good feedback Krusty.

Thanks. Does that mean a check is in the mail?

[Infinite Monkey]

Welcome to DPS.

I like what you've got here but think you can make it better. For me, you've got too much going on in this image. The real point of focus seems to be the stream and the vegetation immediately surrounding it. Plus the stream is too centered in the image to provide a really dynamic perspective. The bridge and the blown out sky don't add much to the overall. If you can go back and re-shoot, try moving the stream out of center (rule of thirds) and working more with the water and the red plants. This should also help control the dynamic range and allow for a better exposure. Very nice start, though. Congrats.