Rocky Bay

[thenunsofgaborone]

Here's a shot of the sea I took on a recent trip to South Africa near Durban on the east coast at sunset. I'm not greatly experience with this sort of stuff as I am predominantly a wildlife photographer but sometimes there isn't much about and I have wide angled lens, some grad filters, a tripod and a cable release so I have a go. I do enjoy it but the results are never quite as good as the real thing. I struggle to capture the sky and although I often take bracketed shots I'm not really happy with the HDR results. Any suggestions, metering help tips good plugins etc. would be greatly appreciated.



EXIF Data

Canon EOS 40D
iSO 100
Sigma 10-20mm
f22
5 secs
AV
-2/3 EV
Metering: pattern


Flickr: thenunsofgaborone's Photostream

[navcom]

Quite honestly, you've done a great job. I agree that HDR can have unpleasant results. I'm a little confused...did you use bracketing/HDR or an ND grad filter for this shot?

Only two things I can think to comment on. First, it does appear to be a bit washed out. You might want to adjust the contrast a bit. The other thing is I would recommend using a bit larger aperture. f/22 is not "forbidden" but diffraction can creep in and make things a bit "fuzzy"

Nice job!

[thenunsofgaborone]

I didn't bracket this shot but I did use a ND Grad filter. I'll play around with the contrast a bit, it's the washed out feeling of the sky I'm not happy with thanks. As for the f/22 didn't know that so around f/16 better or lower still.

Thanks that' been helpful.

[MSidPhoto]

Nice shot...looks smokey...good shot.

[navcom]

Originally Posted by thenunsofgaborone

I didn't bracket this shot but I did use a ND Grad filter. I'll play around with the contrast a bit, it's the washed out feeling of the sky I'm not happy with thanks. As for the f/22 didn't know that so around f/16 better or lower still.

Thanks that' been helpful.

I don't want to give the impression that you can't use f/22. They make the aperture go that small so you can use it. But it's a trade off. If you need depth of field (which most landscapes do) you get more diffraction. If you want less diffraction, you get less DOF.

I usually stick in the f/11-f/13 range for most of my landscape work, but on occasion I will step down to f/16 or even f/22 but it's rare and the need has to justify the means.

If my need is to slow down the shutter, I will always opt for a ND filter before resorting to a really small aperture.

All that being said, you're photo is great! The use of a ND grad was a nice choice.

[radityopradipto]

It's perfectly fine for me actually...
Love the washed out sea ^^
Silky smooth!

[beedee]

I love what you have achieved in this photo, it is so interesting and colourful.

Beedee

[CJWilkes]

I don't mind the closed ap. I would add a bit of contrast and rotate the photo to the left just 1 degree. It is tilting to the right ever so slightly. You can do a curves balance and fix it so it brings about a richer color. Aside from that I think you did a beautiful job! Truly!!! The water looks lovely.

[thenunsofgaborone]

Thanks everyone for looking at this and commenting it has been very helpful indeed and reassuring. When I get time I'm going back to the RAW image and see what I can achieve a second time. Also with the rainy season upon us here and some more dramatic skies I should have a few more opportunities to practice which is what it is all about.

Thanks again.

PS CJWilkes you're right about the tilt but I had to look long and hard, well done for spotting it.

[wal]

Nice one and beautiful colors.. love the red reflection on the stone..