Out and about on a Friday

[Deemac]

Here's some of todays efforts - 08/08/2008 (I had a day off work and the weather was wonderful for a change) Like last post - tripod mounted, ND Grad lens mount, spirit level (I really must use this more), remote trigger (ditto), auto exposure bracketing (-2, 0, & +2), HDR blended with RAW files (ditto). C&C most welcome.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh116/deemac1965/40DA_3316_7_8edit1Sm.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh116/deemac1965/ThursoHDR01Sm.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh116/deemac1965/40DA_3244_5_6edit1Sm.jpg

[North Light]

Deemac,
Some more excellent photographs,wonderful sky in the first, my favourite is the third, nice processing.

Re. spirit level, I recommend the gridded screen you can get for the 40D, a simple but effective way of controlling verticals and horizontals.
Entirely agree about using tripod and remote release, it's rare that I hand hold a camera now, a monopod is a good compromise when one doesn't want to take a tripod.

[Deemac]

Thanks Northlight. Yes, slowly but surely I'm learning to S . . L . . O . . W down when taking photos out in the field. Quality NOT quantity. Previously I had an attitude of saturation bombing with the camera (hopefully at least some will be good images!!)

The photo taking mindset changes when tripod mounted/FULLY manual settings/remote trigger etc. etc. Your forced to consider composition more and wait for just the right moment and get all the settings/gear sorted.

I'm also finally getting to grips with HDR (I discovered Photomatix recently - much better than PS CS3 attempts I feel). Not quite there yet, but definately going in the right direction (I just LOVE that sky in shot one). The jury's still out on the vitues or RAW, but I realise I have to bite this bullet for my images to improve and get more control out of the files.

[North Light]

Deemac,
I have to admit that I virtually never take JPEGS, even then I set the camera to store JPEG and Raw. I am also finding that I am using HDR less than I used to, the current generation of DSLR's have a wider dynamic range, with a good original exposure and good processing the need for HDR is reducing.
Photomatix is definitely my preferred s/w for HDR, I discovered it about 18 months ago and worked with it a lot over last winter, it is possible with RAW files to process files with different exposures, and then produce an HDR image, this has worked well for me even with files from my first DSLR a Canon D60.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2110531619_dc150a28ec.jpg

Cromarty Harbour, Ross and Cromarty.
HDR from single RAW file. Canon 5D
http://www.flickr.com/photos/north_light/2110531619/in/set-72157602044197987



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2249/2168757925_bf6467fc72.jpg

Breaker, John O'Groats harbour, the combination of a swell from the North East, and a offshore wind from the South West.
HDR image from a single RAW file. Nikon D300
http://www.flickr.com/photos/north_light/2168757925/in/set-72157602044197987

[North Light]

A couple of older photographs, re-processed and produced as HDR images.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2095/2131139027_730cd8460a.jpg

Beer beach, Devon, England. Deckchairs during the season, waiting for the weather, and the tourists.
HDR image from single RAW file, 3 exposures created in Camera Raw at 1 EV steps, processed and tone mapped in Photomatix Pro 3.0 Beta, and post processed in Photoshop. Canon D60
http://www.flickr.com/photos/north_light/2131139027/in/set-72157602044197987

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2120/2120407233_2a452033b5.jpg

West Bay, Dorset, England.
HDR Image from single RAW file, 5 exposures created with Camera Raw at 1 EV steps, Processing and Tone Mapping with Photomatix Pro, Post-processed with Photoshop. Canon D60
http://www.flickr.com/photos/north_light/2120407233/in/set-72157602044197987

[Raven]

Spirit leven and remote trigger?? Haha, gadgets for old men :-) Do you boys really wobble so much that you can`t handheld anymore?

Deemac, PM brings out the textures on the stones in shot three reall nice!

@ North LIght, the one with the crasher is a cracker!

[Julia]

WOW, what great photos! A pleasure to view them as always.

[North Light]

Raven, in my case I guess it's something to do with the less than graceful slide into old age, fits well with the bifocals and the lack of hair!

[Deemac]

Here's a few more from the same session.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh116/deemac1965/40DA_3220_1_2edit1Sm.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh116/deemac1965/40DA_3268_69_70edit2Sm.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh116/deemac1965/40DA_3289_90_91edit1Sm.jpg

[Deemac]

Northlight, I like your fishingboats and cloud rays/rocks shots - fabulous.

Raven, the wobble started quite some time ago!! Anyway, those 30 second long exposures, handheld are getting much more difficult these days ;-))

[Raven]

That is one of my versions of the great skies from yesterday.

@ Deemac, personally I think that your second batch is better than the first.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/Scotland-visions/casksm.jpg

[North Light]

Deemac,
I'm going to agree with Raven here, the compositions in the second batch are better, the two of the track are my choice, if pushed I would pick the Black and White.

Raven,
Nice wide vista with a stunning sky, I'm guessing Loch More.

[Sporran]

Super photos, folks! :) Deemac, your view of Thurso Castle is my favourite, and North Light, I'm most taken with your first and last photos. Interesting sky in yours, Raven! :cool:

[astroman]

Great photos above by all - a joy to view as always.

Some good advice also - maybe I need to take a bit more time sometimes setting up to take the photo rather than simply taking quick snaps when I spot a scene I like.