Little help please...

[tjc]

Ok... here goes...

I`ve only started all this photography m`larky just recently so I`m learning all the time but have still got the "L"`s on.

I`m hoping to go out and about in wee while so hopefully I`ll get some answers to this before I go but I was wondering if I could get some advice on sky`s...

My main thing atm is landscapes and I`m getting better, learnig about DoF and composition etc but the sky in some of the shots is just staying "bland".

The weather has actually been really good up here, we`ve had a good summer so there are some really nice sky`s but the sky in my pics doesn`t do it justice.

I see a nice scene... take the pic and everything looks reasonable except the sky... I can have a lovely blue sky with nice white fluffy clouds but it just doesn`t show up in the pics... it stays bland and kind of overexposed? (But just the sky, the rest of the pic is not overexposed)

I would very much appreciate if some kind soul(s) could point out where I`m going wrong...

Cheers.

tj.

 

[dod]

Looky here

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=81828

 

[DavidUK]

I feel your pain! (being the op of the linked thread!)

I bought a Cokin ND8 filter which I've had a play with once already and plan to give it another go on sunday with a visit to Chatsworth.

 

[tjc]

Thanks guys...

Looks like I`m gonna have to go shopping then. Which I like, but the wallet doesn`t

Some good tips in your original thread though David so I`ll give some things a try untill I can get a filter...

Thanks again both...

 

[bongo]

I found the same problems. My skies were blown and on the rare occasion they weren't my foreground was really dark.

I bought a Cokin ND8 grad filter and also found that using a circular polariser helped bring out a much bluer sky.

 

[DavidUK]

Thanks guys...

Looks like I`m gonna have to go shopping then. Which I like, but the wallet doesn`t

Some good tips in your original thread though David so I`ll give some things a try untill I can get a filter...

Thanks again both...

No problem

Cokin filters aren't expensive, I bought an adapter ring, filter holder and the ND8 from a branch of Blighs in Harrogate, think I paid about £40 but can't remember if I bought something else that day too!

 

[Nod]

7day do Cokin filters but they're waiting for stock of the ND grads.

 

[DavidUK]

7day do Cokin filters but they're waiting for stock of the ND grads.

The branch of Blighs I visited had a shelf full, no stock problems... not sure if this is a national chain, Im sure there was one in Leeds once upon a time but I'm not sure about other towns and cities

 

[tjc]

I found the same problems. My skies were blown and on the rare occasion they weren't my foreground was really dark.

I bought a Cokin ND8 grad filter and also found that using a circular polariser helped bring out a much bluer sky.

Cheers bongo... I`ll be investing for sure.

No problem

Cokin filters aren't expensive, I bought an adapter ring, filter holder and the ND8 from a branch of Blighs in Harrogate, think I paid about £40 but can't remember if I bought something else that day too!

Lol...

Ahh... £40 (give or take) doesn`t sound too bad. I`ll be off getting myself a filter then...

If you guys have any more tips for helping this blown sky then please post em up.



Cheers again.

 

[tjc]

Ok...

I`m thinking I`m gonna go for the Cokin ND8 filter as mentioned by you guys and I`ve been doing a bit of searching around but was just wondering if any of you know of a good place to go shopping (online)...

Plus the few places I`ve had a look at show the filter etc, tell you what it does, but don`t seem to show you sizes...

I`m looking for a 55mm screw-in circular for the 18-55 lens that came with the D60 but the filters I`ve come across don`t seem to show sizes as I say. How am I supposed to know I`m gonna get a 55mm? (I know that sounds daft but I`ve been at a few places where no sizes seem to be shown :shrug: )

I was kinda thinking of getting a C-PL Circular Polarizing filter too so would I be better going for some kind of filter kit?



Cheers.