Clouds over mountains

[mseigafuse]

Hi all,

I'd like to get some feedback on this picture.



I feel like my shots sometimes lack interest and I am trying to pay attention to composition rules and also do a little cropping and post processing to improve my shots. Comments or suggestions are very welcome.

This was taken with my old Vivitar wide angle (left over from my K1000se days).
Full EXIF on Flickr
Exposure: 0.022 sec (1/45)
Aperture: f/13
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0/10 EV

The original is here on Flickr

[wulf]

I think it struggles with drab colours and the lack of any sharp point of focus.

Two possible strategies:

1. Use a wider aperture. Your lens may be sharper at f/11 or f/8 than f/13 and I am sure you are far enough away from the hills for DoF not to be an issue.

2. Underexpose the picture a little. At the moment the cloud is slightly blown out and nothing is really dark. This would put a bit more detail in the cloud and some more intensity in the colour, which could be further emphasised with some post-processing.

Both of those would lead to you a faster shutter speed, which would probably also help. Unless you were using a remote release and the camera was tripod mounted, it is possible that you have a tiny bit of camera shake which further contributes to the blurriness.

Wulf

[mseigafuse]

Originally Posted by wulf

I think it struggles with drab colours and the lack of any sharp point of focus.

Two possible strategies:

1. Use a wider aperture. Your lens may be sharper at f/11 or f/8 than f/13 and I am sure you are far enough away from the hills for DoF not to be an issue.

2. Underexpose the picture a little. At the moment the cloud is slightly blown out and nothing is really dark. This would put a bit more detail in the cloud and some more intensity in the colour, which could be further emphasised with some post-processing.

Both of those would lead to you a faster shutter speed, which would probably also help. Unless you were using a remote release and the camera was tripod mounted, it is possible that you have a tiny bit of camera shake which further contributes to the blurriness.

Wulf

Thanks Wulf, I will have to try this shot again when the weather cooperates.

[soxboston]

A circular polarizer filter will help with any shot that has blue sky and clouds. Just gives the picture more contrast and depth.

[beckywithasmile]

I can't tell you exactly how to do this, but I've been working through a "classroom in a book" about photoshop, and I know there's a way to add the contrast back to a "drab" photo. (you might be able to find directions online)

[steinr98]

I think the biggest problem here is there is no central area of interest. You need something to standout to make the viewer want to keep looking. Shadows of the trees at early morning sunlight or late evening.. would help as they would make a pattern of interest, would be one suggestion.

[mseigafuse]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions everyone, I will try to take them onboard. I do think I need to work on composition...

Thanks for the feedback,
Mike