DSLRUsers.com

This is my first time taking this sort of picture. Just would like to know what I could have done to take a better picture.

Was I limited by :

- the lenses? (kit version 18-55)
- shutter/ap settings?
- weather?

Thanks.

definatly shutter/aperture problem.
It needs a longer exposure which will require a tripod to keep the camera still while you expose for say 5 to 10 secs depending on the light.
If you don't have a tripod you could bump up your ISO levels between 800 to 1600, although picture noise will become aparent.
The weather isn't really a factor here as you can overcome these with adjusting the shutter speed/aperture/ISO
Try the ISO option for a quick fix.
Your lens selection is fine just use the 18mm end of the lens to capture the wide angle look.

What Paul says is spot on, but having taken the picture, there's a lot you could do in PP to bring back some of the image - eg a curves adjustment or DEE in NC or a curves adjustment or Image/Adustments/Shadow & Highlight in PS CS for a quick start.

Hi thanks for the feedback.

The thing was, I wanted it to appear dark but clear, and the sky and light to be a little more significant. Kind of like an artsy shot.

Maybe if you spot metered off the light and sky you will achieve this look, then use PhotoShop to boost the colours or darkness for the stadium.
Not sure if a neutral density filter on your lens would help in this situation.

Exactly what Paul said before plus I hope you're shooting in NEF. It'll let you save some details in those shadows.

Paul wrote:Maybe if you spot metered off the light and sky you will achieve this look, then use PhotoShop to boost the colours or darkness for the stadium.
Not sure if a neutral density filter on your lens would help in this situation.

Sorry, I don't know what is "spot metered". So I will need to play around with photoshop a bit then?

Here was the settings (this is a JPG not NEF) :

Make - NIKON CORPORATION
Model - NIKON D50
Orientation - Top left
XResolution - 300
YResolution - 300
ResolutionUnit - Inch
Software - PictureProject 1.5 W
DateTime - 2005:07:21 20:47:54
YCbCrPositioning - Centered
ExifOffset - 220
ExposureTime - 1/1600 seconds
FNumber - 3.50
ExposureProgram - Shutter priority
ExifVersion - 0221
DateTimeOriginal - 2005:07:21 18:37:22
DateTimeDigitized - 2005:07:21 18:37:22
ComponentsConfiguration - YCbCr
ExposureBiasValue - 3.00
MaxApertureValue - F 3.48
MeteringMode - Multi-segment
LightSource - Auto
Flash - Not fired
FocalLength - 18 mm
UserComment -
SubsecTime - 04
SubsecTimeOriginal - 04
SubsecTimeDigitized - 04
FlashPixVersion - 0100
ColorSpace - Uncalibrated
ExifImageWidth - 3008
ExifImageHeight - 2000
InteroperabilityOffset - 822
SensingMethod - One-chip color area sensor
FileSource - DSC - Digital still camera
SceneType - A directly photographed image
CustomRendered - Normal process
ExposureMode - Auto
WhiteBalance - Auto
DigitalZoomRatio - 1 x
FocalLengthIn35mmFilm - 27 mm
SceneCaptureType - Standard
GainControl - None
Contrast - Normal
Saturation - Normal
Sharpness - Normal
SubjectDistanceRange - Unknown

Maker Note (Vendor): -
Data version - 0120 (808530480)
ISO Setting - 0
Image Quality - FINE
White Balance - AUTO
Image Sharpening - AUTO
Focus Mode - AF-A
White Balance Adjustment -
Exposure Adjustment - 
Ê
ISO 2 -
Tone Compensation - AUTO
Lens type - AF
Lens - 6
Flash Used - Not fired
AF Focus Position - Center
Bracketing -
Color Mode - MODE3a
Light Type - NATURAL
Hue Adjustment -
Noise Reduction - OFF
Total pictures - 6
Optimization - NORMAL
Editor version - PictureProject 1.5 W


Here's a lighter version :

Paul wrote:definatly shutter/aperture problem.
It needs a longer exposure which will require a tripod to keep the camera still while you expose for say 5 to 10 secs depending on the light.
If you don't have a tripod you could bump up your ISO levels between 800 to 1600, although picture noise will become aparent.
The weather isn't really a factor here as you can overcome these with adjusting the shutter speed/aperture/ISO
Try the ISO option for a quick fix.
Your lens selection is fine just use the 18mm end of the lens to capture the wide angle look.

Thanks Paul for these advice. I didn't have a tripod and was taking photos around the beach new my place. I found the weather to be unhelpful. The water was dark and lochlike, the sky was colourless, overall just a moody set.

Here are some other pictures taken on the same day :

Any feedbacks?

These last shots are taken under difficult conditions. They both seem to want a bit of extra contrast. The last one shooting into the sun is difficult to get a balance between hightlights and darkness - just one of the limitations of digital photography.

In the first one I like the contrasting of the bright kite colour on the muted backgroud - brings it to the center of attention - especially when some contrast is added.

The second one with the direct sunlight you have captured some nice mood that and a little contrast and maybe some filters and level adjustment should enhance this.

I hope you don't mind, I had a bit of a play in photoshop (just quick) to see if my tips were any good ..... hmmm not great but these are the results.

First image with just contrast increased


Second image with contrast some levels adjustments and a sunset filter (warm/red) applied



You also seem to have some dust on your sensor - can be seen on the lower right third of both images.

If you aren't happy with me modifying your images just let me know and I will take them down.

Cheers,

JordanP,

Thanks very much for the image update!

Firstly, I agree, the setting was not the most ideal. I went back to the same beach yesterday, same story, very cloudy and lack of life from the waters and sky.

Secondly, the subjects were difficult to capture. Basically, I just want to capture something/anything on the beach that we have. Now if those surfers were doing stunts like jumping or bringing their dogs, then I may have more interesting photos.

Thirdly, I realise there are great places for photography, and there are crappy ones. Makuhari beach is not so bad, but not so good either. It doesn't help when there are factories on both ends of the beach. Maybe that explains the gloomy skies and muddy looking waters. No wonder few people swim there.

I really like how you brought out the colours in my photos! Will be rushing for my copy of Photoshop soon. What do you think of my first one though? Anyway, I think I've improved on my shot selection after my roadtrip so a gallery has been set up (just click on my blog to see them). Feel free that check that out.

As for the dust, well I'm off to Akihabara to buy the cleaners!

The image of the stadium.... I would add saturation and contrast to the sky area only