Pittsburgh Smoke Stacks

[thompsonvp]

I see these smoke stacks ( I'm pretty sure its just steam) everyday on my way to work. So I got up just a little after sunrise on my day off to capture this photo only I feel like it is lacking something. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

EXIF
Camera: Canon Rebel xTi
Shutter: 1/320 sec
Aperture: 9.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 27mm
Lens: Rebel starter kit 18-55mm (Need better glass.)

[Eduard]

The exposure looks good. Maybe try different angles/perspectives?

[windrider86]

Do you have anything specifc you are wanting help with?

[thompsonvp]

Sorry I guess I should have been more specific. One question I have is how does the depth of field seem and at what point do you start loosing quality over sharpness? I tried this at f16 as well and preferred a more open aperture, but that is just my preference. To Eduard, the next sunny day I get I'll try and find some other angles and see if that helps achieve the look I am going for. Thanks for the feedback.

[kirbinster]

Don't know your particular lens, but many lenses will be sharper with a slightly more open aperature than f/9. Also the focus seems a little soft, what were you focusing on? Did you boost the exposure in post procesing - as the sky seems to have some noise in it.

I really love stacks, and there was one in central PA that I was trying to get a shot of for over three years. The times I was there either the lighting was no good, it was raining, or I was in too much of a rush to get the shot. After three years I finally got the shot - here it is:


Camera: Nikon D5000
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 62 mm
ISO Speed: 200


So, go back a few more times and try again!

[thompsonvp]

I focused on the building just to the left of the stack but, in hindsight I probably should have focused on the white tower as it is the brightest area of the photo. I focused where I did because I wanted the smoke to be really sharp and it looked good on the lcd. Regardless it was a good learning experience. Maybe when I go back all the towers will be in use. I'll keep what you said about a wider aperture in mind and see what kind of results I get.

Your photo looks exactly what I had in mind as far as depth of field and sharpness. I believe you when you say it took you 3 years to get that shot. Clear sunny days are hard to come by around here. The weather always seems to work against me. Keep up the good work and I hope to hear from you again.