in need of a confidence boost

So what do you think is wrong with them? Is it a composition thing rather than a camera/post processing thing?
 
OK, some C&C for that shot.

To start with the most obvious, it's on the ****. Shooting water one of the most basic things is to get the horizon level, even half a degree off will look odd. Easily solved, cheapest way is a clip on spirit level.

Next do you remember me saying that the camera would struggle? It has in this shot, you've exposed for the nice sky which has meant lots of very deep shadows, the foreground is completely black. If you'd exposed for the foreground the sky would have been completely white. The only way around this is to either use filters or exposure blending / HDR.

You're only new to photography so setting yourself a target of nailing a perfect sunset is a touch optimistic, don't let it get you down, keep trying.

The location has potential, as does the composition, you just need the ability to record the scene successfully.
 
markmullen said:
OK, some C&C for that shot.

To start with the most obvious, it's on the ****. Shooting water one of the most basic things is to get the horizon level, even half a degree off will look odd. Easily solved, cheapest way is a clip on spirit level.

Next do you remember me saying that the camera would struggle? It has in this shot, you've exposed for the nice sky which has meant lots of very deep shadows, the foreground is completely black. If you'd exposed for the foreground the sky would have been completely white. The only way around this is to either use filters or exposure blending / HDR.

You're only new to photography so setting yourself a target of nailing a perfect sunset is a touch optimistic, don't let it get you down, keep trying.

The location has potential, as does the composition, you just need the ability to record the scene successfully.
Click to expand...

yeah I had my exposure set at -2 to help the colours stand out but didnt know the foreground would end up so dark

as for Blending and HDR I dont have the proper software or a clue how to do it

Thanks for the comments
 
birrew said:
yeah I had my exposure set at -2 to help the colours stand out but didnt know the foreground would end up so dark

as for Blending and HDR I dont have the proper software or a clue how to do it

Thanks for the comments
Click to expand...

Since you've only just started it is perfectly excusable to not know how to do exposure blending or HDR, what I'm trying to point out is that you're trying to capture a scene that is quite difficult to do well, don't be disheartened when it doesn't come out perfect first time.
 
birrew said:
I think whats so annoying that I'm using all the hints and tips that I've been giving and they didn't seem to work but as you said i'm not going to be perfect straight away
Click to expand...

Don't get caught up in what you think is perfect because its what everyone else is doing, your own "thing" should mean more than keeping up with the Jones's.
Before you go on a shoot ask yourself what is your main goal, what do you want to achieve and what will you do to achieve it, try not to get bogged down with technicalities or settings.
Use a tripod
Iso100
F16
And adjust your shutter speed until your happy.
Framing is more important than settings with landscape so keep that in mind. Use basic rules like thirds and keep horizons bang on.
Only shoot when there is interest, nothing adds drama like clouds or waves.
Experiment with different lenses, its not all about wide angles.
But shoot what you want the way you want it. Your not being paid to produce a certain look or feel so essentially your free to translate landscape into whatever you like.
 
The advice you're getting here is good. Mark's right, this is a tough shot with the wide dynamic range so don't beat yourself up! The reality is if you wan to get a not too bright sky and no too dark foreground you need an ND grad filter. Yes, you can use HDR or exposure blending but an ND grad is a ton easier.
 
The boat one is pretty good, I would give it a little more room in the corner it's cropped just a little tight for my taste.
 
Pics looking good, I think the Sunset 2 pic would benefit from an ND grad filter??
Cheers,

Ste
 
nickjohnwatson said:
I like the second one :-) just need to watch the horizons are level as this makes a big difference but apart from the horizon its really nice
Click to expand...

I've ordered a clip on spirit level to help me out as my tripod doesn't have one and it's a ball head

Ste_Lord said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/58mm-Grad...es_CameraLensesFilters_JN&hash=item3f0e0d7a2a

Some cheap (3 for £9.99) ND grad filters on ebay at the moment..... Just need to check if they are the right fitting for your DSLR!

Cheers,

Ste
Click to expand...

Ill got have a look right now lol
 
birrew said:
Hi All

Had my DSLR for a week And I've taken Pictures of almost every thing around the house, so I tried my hand at sunset photo's this evening but they didn't turn out very good at all and think its knocked my confidence

can anyone recommend anything that taken photo's that may help boost my confidence again?

Cheers

Wayne
Click to expand...

Are you kidding me? I've just looked at you Flickr page and you've got some superb images up......cotton wool and barbed wire is ace! So is Nea and Mya.......boat 2 and the sunsets just need a bit of pp work IMHO.

JohnyT
 
Hi Wayne.

Don't expect too much from yourself too soon. It's easy to look at amazing photos and convince yourself you will never be that good.

I'm sure we are all guilty of thinking this at some stage!

Here's one of my early (by all means terrible) shots;
168870_10150384154440305_4367597_n.jpg


A year later:
262343_233838729973502_5451827_n.jpg


You'll get there mate, just enjoy the experience and learning curve.

I remember starting looking at a pro's website thinking "I would love to produce work like that" ...a few months back I went back to the same portfolio and realised I have achieved my goal.

As long as you have passion, an open mind & willingness to learn, you will be producing great images every time in the not too distant future!

PS: The best thing I've done in terms of photography was to join this forum. I have learned so much from others.

Hope you get your motivation back!
Phil.
 
Last edited:
Johnytuono said:
Are you kidding me? I've just looked at you Flickr page and you've got some superb images up......cotton wool and barbed wire is ace! So is Nea and Mya.......boat 2 and the sunsets just need a bit of pp work IMHO.

JohnyT
Click to expand...

Thanks johny

I'm happy with my portraits they came up not to bad IMO

but landscape not so much but was really happy with the one of the boat tonight

Phil Young said:
Hi Wayne.

Don't expect too much from yourself too soon. It's easy to look at amazing photos and convince yourself you will never be that good.

I'm sure we are all guilty of thinking this at some stage!

Here's one of my early (by all means terrible) shots;
168870_10150384154440305_4367597_n.jpg


A year later:
262343_233838729973502_5451827_n.jpg


You'll get there mate, just enjoy the experience and learning curve.

I remember starting looking at a pro's website thinking "I would love to produce work like that" ...a few months back I went back to the same portfolio and realised I have achieved my goal.

As long as you have passion, an open mind & willingness to learn, you will be producing great images every time in the not too distant future!

PS: The best thing I've done in terms of photography was to join this forum. I have learned so much from others.

Hope you get your motivation back!
Phil.
Click to expand...

Yeah my motivation has came back tonight after capturing the boat

ill be out tomorrow morning and tomorrow night so hopfully capture a few others
 
Phil Young said:
Hi Wayne.

Don't expect too much from yourself too soon. It's easy to look at amazing photos and convince yourself you will never be that good.

I'm sure we are all guilty of thinking this at some stage!

Here's one of my early (by all means terrible) shots;
168870_10150384154440305_4367597_n.jpg


A year later:
262343_233838729973502_5451827_n.jpg
Click to expand...


Real growth there.. Loving that second image.. extremely engaging portrait!
 
birrew said:
Well spirit level turned up today so my horizons should been alot better now :D

and as for ND grad filters I've order a set but would do they actually do?
Click to expand...

In basic terms they balance the brightness in an image so that the camera can record it all, they darken your skies whilst leaving your foreground lighter.

The easiest way to use them is to use liveview if your camera has it, on a tripod, slide the grad in and watch as the sky gets darker.
 
markmullen said:
In basic terms they balance the brightness in an image so that the camera can record it all, they darken your skies whilst leaving your foreground lighter.

The easiest way to use them is to use liveview if your camera has it, on a tripod, slide the grad in and watch as the sky gets darker.
Click to expand...

aww thanks

can understand why and how they help now
 
birrew said:
yeah portrits came out reasonably good my landscape are rubbish
Click to expand...

I've been shooting over 25 years and I can count on one hand the number of good landscape shots I've taken. Of course that's a lot to do with the fact that I don't put any effort into landscapes, as an expressive medium they do nothing for me.
 
Phil V said:
I've been shooting over 25 years and I can count on one hand the number of good landscape shots I've taken. Of course that's a lot to do with the fact that I don't put any effort into landscapes, as an expressive medium they do nothing for me.
Click to expand...

Everyone has there preference's

i'd like a board experience of different area of photography as I get but doing the same thing over and over

i'm the same during my day job as a engineer I'm always looking for something different to do keeps me more interested

Plus im nightshift this weekend so plenty f time to hunt through the forum and read my books to learn more
 
Phil V said:
I've been shooting over 25 years and I can count on one hand the number of good landscape shots I've taken. Of course that's a lot to do with the fact that I don't put any effort into landscapes, as an expressive medium they do nothing for me.
Click to expand...

And I'm the opposite, 99% of my shots don't have a person in them.

It's a good job we're all different isn't it.
 
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