Reaching for the stars

[tanusreechakraborty]

Hi all,,
this is my first picture upload in DPS...
I would like to get your feedback on the shot

[S_Sanyal]

Hi Tanusree, very nice first post. Interesting composition. I like the way the reflection / light beam falls in between the rock in the foreground.

But I feel that in spite of the monochrome output, he lighting is way too harsh and contrasty with no detail in the sun's reflection in the ripples. also the very interesting crack in the rock is washed out by glare !

It may certainly help us help you better and also learn if you please post the exposure info like shutterspeed, aperture value etc.
Also specific questions you may have about specific aspects in the picture.

Cheers

[tanusreechakraborty]

Saptarshi thanks - i really appreciate the comment
here's the data f/8, 1/200, ISO-100 I changed it to monochrome in RAW processing
yes, even i am sad that the reflection is OE, but i liked the stars anyway which was a surprise element for me!
please advise so that i can improve

[S_Sanyal]

Thanks for the info.

There may be little you can do to save THIS image, which though not perfect, is good enough for a start. As you have shot in RAW you may want to increase the fill light (Dont know what program you use to process raw images, but lightroom or gimp is useful) to lower the dynamic range in PP. and then maybe locally brush over the washed out part to see if you can salvage something, though i doubt it would help as it looks almost completely blown. This remark is more in hindsight, so you can have a go at the raw file and see what helps.

As for the starry ripples or whatever, it looks pretty nice and is caused by the lense's elements depending on which lense you use ( you can provide that info too along w camera model for technical suggestions). In my experience, the best "stars" are seen in images shot through my cheap 50mm f/1.8.

For future, (from your EXIF) I'd say that the aperture could have been smaller), perhaps f/11, f/16? and balance that w say, 1/160s speed. that may darken your image as shot, but keep more detail. Remember, its often more flexible to illuminate darker portions of a raw image than recover highlights once washed out. So you may want to keep that in mind next time.

Having said that, no amount of processing can match the magic of light at the right hour, and this looks like late morning or afternoon (either 10-11 am or 3, 4 pm?), if you get a chance in future, aim for say 5am-7am or 5pm-6pm, depending on which part of the world you live in and see the same type of image show a dramatic improvement.
All the best.

[windrider86]

Heres a link for the critique rules/guidelines. Please check them out. Thank you!

[S_Sanyal]

Heres a link for the critique rules/guidelines. Please check them out. Thank you!

i think she means you still havent asked your specific question

which even i'm curious about..is there anything exactly you need help with /critique on ?

[tanusreechakraborty]

Dear Moderator, Thanks - I understood ... :-)
Dear Saptarshi, ... my specific question was about almost everything :-) - as I am an amateur, would like know know the pro's comments on the composition, framing, aperture choice, shutter speed, and the overall quality of the pic - which I think you have been kind enough to tell a lot about already - sincerely appreciated.
I would like the similar critical evaluation on my many other pics which I will upload one per day as per rules :-)
today too, i uploaded another... please check and comment

thanks
tanusree

[S_Sanyal]

Hahah, a lot of us folks here are amateurs, not sure how many "pro", but everyone is pretty committed and many are very experienced so that attitude is heartening..

Anyway, I couldnt find any of your posts in critique, have you submitted in a diff. section?