water and cliffs

[NicD]

my first real attempts at the landscape
no filters used here either

take a look, theres more there
unfortuently not sure how to insert it so you can see it

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25440978@N03/2400155555/

thanks:)

[Epix]

The sky is blown out. You should try and darken the sky if you can. Post the original file and I'll give it a try. Just use the paper clip button when you make a post to attach a file.

Here's my attempt:

262422

[NicD]

tried posting the original but i think it may be to big
if you can, just take it off the site
if not please direct me on how i can get it on.
thanks

[tonydee]

G'day mate,

Solid composition - if that's a first attempt, it's mighty fine work. Still, it's clearly a very high dynamic range scene (i.e. high contrast from the rocks to the sky), and in order to retain details in the rocks, you've lost a lot of colour and detail at the bright end. Not much you can do about it you shot RAW and have already tried a "curves" adjustment in post-processing. HDR would be a candidate, but it doesn't fit well with moving scenes. I like the splashes your 1/200th of a second shutter speed caught mid-air.

Ultimately, the best solution to the lighting problems here is to go back at a different time of day. It's a fine scene, and a sunrise or -set might lift it further.

Cheers, Tony

[NicD]

wow that does look better
how did you do them exactly?
soft ware and tools?
i have no real knowledge of photo editing but would love to learn
cheers :)

[Epix]

Took 2 mins in Photoshop.

[chauncey]

It can be improved in PS, but it would be better if you had nailed the exposure.

That shot has potential, maybe a different time of day.

[NicD]

for next time how could i change the picture to make that better?
what kind of things, tripod? slower iso speed? etc etc

[Epix]

for next time how could i change the picture to make that better?
what kind of things, tripod? slower iso speed? etc etc95% of it is what time of day you take it. The lighting you took it in was just too harsh. The sky was overexposed and the foreground was underexposed. Likely because your camera's lighting meter was thrown off due to the bright water reflections. If you can, try the same photo again at sunrise or sunset (or even a really cloudy day) where the light is much softer and pleasing in photographs.

[chauncey]

Agree with Epix, at dawn or dusk would be better and easier to set exposure.

I would suggest chimping (checking your histogram between shots).
A longer SS would make the water/waves more silky looking. Experiment until you get what you want, try 3-5 secs to start with.

There are stickies at the top of most pages and this info is provided there, also the search button is a great resource.