Help me out please

[Hockey-whino]

I am just getting into photography and I decided to take some sunset pics on the Wando River here in SC. I used a tripod, but I couldn't seem to get the sharpness that I wanted. Please critique and tell me how make it better.


f16 iso200 1/6sec 55mm


f5.6 iso200 1/60sec 55mm

[dcclark]

Hi Hockey, and welcome to the critique section! My first guess is that you probably just didn't have the focus where you wanted it. It's possible that your camera chose to focus on something in the foreground (like the water grass) if you let it choose automatically. The photos don't look like they had camera shake problems, and you said you'd used a tripod, so my guess is focus point choice.

Do you remember how you chose (or let the camera choose) the focus point?

[Hockey-whino]

As i remember... I think these were taken with AF. I tried to to do everything manually at first, but nothing turned out at all. The first pic I took I tried to use longer exposure with a higher # aperture. I couldn't get them to turn out. Like I said I'm a noob and trying to put the limited knowledge I have to use.

By the way thanks for the pointers

[dcclark]

I always have focus problem in low-light situations, because of the lack of contrast -- the AF system has trouble in those sorts of cases. Often I try pointing the camera at anything which is in the right general location and has a clearly defined edge or color change, autofocusing on it, switching to manual, and recomposing (so that the focus stays the same). That often helps, along with a smaller aperture (high f/value).

[wulf]

Moved to the technique area because (a) you can only present ONE picture for critique at a time, (b) this illustrates a general technique question and (c) I'm feeling kind this morning

BTW, you were using a tripod or other solid anchor weren't you? Those are low shutter speeds for handheld shots, especially the first one.

Wulf

[Taallyn]

Where did you focus? To get the most sharpness from front to back, focus about one-third of the way into the composition and use an aperture like f/11 to f/16 depending on your camera.

[RoyL]

Took a copy of your first image and it sharpened up nicely in photoshop. Won't post it here.

Looking at both images they just need a bit of sharpening to lift them. If you edit your images try using UnSharpMask, if you have it, and try 75% with a radius of 0.6 and no Threshold. This will apply a fine sharpen to edges, you can try adding again if not enough.

You might find that some tonal adjustment, Curves, would really help as well. Didn't try it so not sure.

[Hockey-whino]

Originally Posted by wulf

Moved to the technique area because (a) you can only present ONE picture for critique at a time, (b) this illustrates a general technique question and (c) I'm feeling kind this morning

BTW, you were using a tripod or other solid anchor weren't you? Those are low shutter speeds for handheld shots, especially the first one.

Wulf

Wulf Sorry for the mess up... won't happen again. Yes I used a tripod, I used the low shutter speed because of the low light. Still learning and experimenting

[Hockey-whino]

Originally Posted by RoyL

Took a copy of your first image and it sharpened up nicely in photoshop. Won't post it here.

Looking at both images they just need a bit of sharpening to lift them. If you edit your images try using UnSharpMask, if you have it, and try 75% with a radius of 0.6 and no Threshold. This will apply a fine sharpen to edges, you can try adding again if not enough.

You might find that some tonal adjustment, Curves, would really help as well. Didn't try it so not sure.

I would love to see how your adjustments look. Any pics that I post will not have any Photoshop fixes with them. I want to learn how to use the camera better first. Then I will learn the photoshop to perfect the rest. Thanks for the info and advice.


HockeyWhino

[RoyL]

Originally Posted by Hockey-whino

I would love to see how your adjustments look. Any pics that I post will not have any Photoshop fixes with them. I want to learn how to use the camera better first. Then I will learn the photoshop to perfect the rest. Thanks for the info and advice.

HockeyWhino

The two things should go hand in hand. And while working in photoshop take note of adjustments you make that can be corrected in camera.

I have edited the first image...........



The problem with the images cannot be corrected by adjustments, they lack any kind of interest or subject that can draw you into the image. The shots are basic snapshots with no composition.

I have recently placed some composition links up, take a look at them and get some idea's on how to compose better.

Golden Rules of Composition

There are a few links, and some further down in posts.