Steve'sDigicams

Norm66 · Aug 4, 2003, 8:31 PM

Here are a couple shots from the shore of a creek that runs behind my house. It's not the most exciting landscape I know, but it's what I have nearby.

This one I thought got exposed ok, light enough for detail in the dark areas without overexposing the lighter leaves. I tend to think the overhanging branch leads you to the subject (the boat),boring as it is. It was near the 10x zoom limit of the cam. I do wonder if a greater depth of field would have helped the overhanging branch stand out more. Thoughts?

This one is looking the other way down the creek. It's a little overexposed at top-right but it turned out OK. But the longer I look at it the more I think there's something wrong with it. Again, I wonder if D-of-F is the problem.

I must admit that looking critically at photos is a humbling experience. It's quite new to me and your input is very helpful.

Cheers.

Norm66 · Aug 6, 2003, 10:41 AM

Shameless bump for comments. Is this just a case of 'if you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all'? :?:

fenlander · Aug 6, 2003, 11:02 AM

mmmm - what's to say? Nice creek - looks good for swimming (it's low 90s outside, so my mind is wandering...).

So you stood a long way way back, pointed the camera (slightly askew in the second pic) at max zoom and pressed the button. The camera took a picture. YOU used the words "not the most exciting" and "boring".

As for DOF, the best way to control that is to get in close and set a wide aperture - not a lot you can do from a distance since everything's at infinity.

I think you need to find an angle that's not boring. Maybe you should roll up your trousers and wade up the river until you can control the DOF on that tree (damn - my mind's on swimming again). You might find lots of interesting details en route and end up with something more than snapshots.

Seriously, big zooms are very useful on the right occasion, but they do tempt you to just stand back, point and click. Should be on the restricted list really. Don't zoom - WALK...

Well, you did insist...

fenlander

Norm66 · Aug 6, 2003, 11:37 AM

Fenlander, thanks.

"...something more than snapshots. "

Well, that's what I'm trying to accomplish by posting pics here. Post pics, pros cut 'em up, maybe I learn something.

Do you or anybody have any good website or book suggestions that might help me in learning composition? It's clear to me that I need some help. Or perhaps I'll stick to taking pictures of my dog. At least he's an interesting subject.

Or maybe babies. Can't go wrong with baby photos...

Again, any advice or suggestions would be very welcome.
Cheers.

steve6 · Aug 6, 2003, 12:59 PM

Go back and repeat when the lighting is softer and less harsh - evenings and early morning.

Don't forget the tripod.

jazcan · Aug 6, 2003, 4:01 PM

Norm,
You might want to have a look at Klaus' site:
http://www.hertz-ladiges.com/eng/indexeng.html

He has lots of useful technique info and also some tips on graphics editing. Of course, he also has a beautiful collection of photographs!!!

By the way, I do like the second shot and adjusting the levels just a bit would bring down some of the harsh lighting.

Aug 4, 2003, 8:31 PM	#1
Norm66 Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 63	WV creek Here are a couple shots from the shore of a creek that runs behind my house. It's not the most exciting landscape I know, but it's what I have nearby. This one I thought got exposed ok, light enough for detail in the dark areas without overexposing the lighter leaves. I tend to think the overhanging branch leads you to the subject (the boat),boring as it is. It was near the 10x zoom limit of the cam. I do wonder if a greater depth of field would have helped the overhanging branch stand out more. Thoughts? This one is looking the other way down the creek. It's a little overexposed at top-right but it turned out OK. But the longer I look at it the more I think there's something wrong with it. Again, I wonder if D-of-F is the problem. I must admit that looking critically at photos is a humbling experience. It's quite new to me and your input is very helpful. Cheers.

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Aug 6, 2003, 10:41 AM	#2
Norm66 Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 63	Shameless bump for comments. Is this just a case of 'if you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all'? :?:

Aug 6, 2003, 11:02 AM	#3
fenlander Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 251	mmmm - what's to say? Nice creek - looks good for swimming (it's low 90s outside, so my mind is wandering...). So you stood a long way way back, pointed the camera (slightly askew in the second pic) at max zoom and pressed the button. The camera took a picture. YOU used the words "not the most exciting" and "boring". As for DOF, the best way to control that is to get in close and set a wide aperture - not a lot you can do from a distance since everything's at infinity. I think you need to find an angle that's not boring. Maybe you should roll up your trousers and wade up the river until you can control the DOF on that tree (damn - my mind's on swimming again). You might find lots of interesting details en route and end up with something more than snapshots. Seriously, big zooms are very useful on the right occasion, but they do tempt you to just stand back, point and click. Should be on the restricted list really. Don't zoom - WALK... Well, you did insist... fenlander

Aug 6, 2003, 11:37 AM	#4
Norm66 Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 63	Fenlander, thanks. "...something more than snapshots. " Well, that's what I'm trying to accomplish by posting pics here. Post pics, pros cut 'em up, maybe I learn something. Do you or anybody have any good website or book suggestions that might help me in learning composition? It's clear to me that I need some help. Or perhaps I'll stick to taking pictures of my dog. At least he's an interesting subject. Or maybe babies. Can't go wrong with baby photos... Again, any advice or suggestions would be very welcome. Cheers.

Aug 6, 2003, 12:59 PM	#5
steve6 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,050	Go back and repeat when the lighting is softer and less harsh - evenings and early morning. Don't forget the tripod.

Aug 6, 2003, 4:01 PM	#6
jazcan Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 371	Norm, You might want to have a look at Klaus' site: http://www.hertz-ladiges.com/eng/indexeng.html He has lots of useful technique info and also some tips on graphics editing. Of course, he also has a beautiful collection of photographs!!! By the way, I do like the second shot and adjusting the levels just a bit would bring down some of the harsh lighting.