MAKE MY SHOT BETTER

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

The consensus on my Facebook page is that this is one of the best shots I got last weekend in the Blue Ridge Mtns, but I know it could be better. I'n not particularly PP savvy so any of you pros who would like to wow everyone with your skilz, have at it!

398201

[jetcode]

there are other images in that collection that are better

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

there are other images in that collection that are better


ahhh, jetcode joe, you are such a tease :D such as....???

[OdiN1701]

Best way to make it better is to go back and take it again, and get a better shot out of camera.

Can't really do much with this.

[RRocket]

long exposure

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

long exposure

So a longer exposure would have helped?

[chopper5654]

Best way to make it better is to go back and take it again, and get a better shot out of camera.

Can't really do much with this.

this.

the water is "frozen" suggesting a faster shutter speed. solution: slow it down to get the magical "blur" of running water.

the treetops are "hot" or a bit overexposed. you had a bit too much dynamic range for the camera to appropriately capture here. the waterfall is in a darker valley, but the sun is directly overhead. too harsh of lights, and too harsh of darks to get the whole thing properly exposed....so something had to give...here it was the light coming through the trees. there just isnt much of a natural way to fix that in pp. solution: next time, crop (in camera) the tree tops out if possible so that your camera's reading of the water wont overexpose any of the bright sunlight coming in from above. tough to do here, but just cropping the top inch out of this photo will improve things considerably.

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

Sorry, I should have posted exif earlier:

f/5
ISO 250
22mm focal length
0 Exposure compensation
1/50 sec

[canonwhore]

agreed, take it again. try for a time when the lighting isn't so harsh so you can do a longer exposure so the water has that 'frosted' look. water that is frozen looks like snapshots to me.

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

this.

the water is "frozen" suggesting a faster shutter speed. solution: slow it down to get the magical "blur" of running water.

the treetops are "hot" or a bit overexposed. you had a bit too much dynamic range for the camera to appropriately capture here. the waterfall is in a darker valley, but the sun is directly overhead. too harsh of lights, and too harsh of darks to get the whole thing properly exposed....so something had to give...here it was the light coming through the trees. there just isnt much of a natural way to fix that in pp. solution: next time, crop (in camera) the tree tops out if possible so that your camera's reading of the water wont overexpose any of the bright sunlight coming in from above. tough to do here, but just cropping the top inch out of this photo will improve things considerably.
Makes sense...guess a different time of day would've helped too...i have several shots of this at different exposures & shutter speeds..if I can figure out how to combine a couple in PS5 :p would that help?

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

Is this one better?

AV mode
1/10 sec
ISO 400
f/11
22/mm

398236

[advaitin]

I'd go for darker and tone down the bright spots, but reshoot is probably better.

[advaitin]

Speaking of the Blue Ridge, I have plans to cruise it sometime between 11 Oct and 22 Oct. Do you think there be any leaf color by then?

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

Speaking of the Blue Ridge, I have plans to cruise it sometime between 11 Oct and 22 Oct. Do you think there be any leaf color by then?


Firstly--what you did to the photo was AWESOME!! I have GOT to learn how to do that. reshooting is not possible (not for another year anyway). Is there any simple way to tell me how you did that?

Which part of the Blue Ridge are you going to? we were in NC, starting in Weaverville, NC. The leaves were just turning-- a few trees of really red but not much. For that part of the BR you should have spectacular color the week you mentioned.

Thanks for your time!

[chopper5654]

chellyroo,

i dont know if HDR would work well here. i have no experience in HDR work.

different time of day would work better, but that isnt always possible, either. sometimes you have to do the best you can with what you have. i have a lot of unwanted experience shooting in broad daylight. and, what works best for me when i have bright light and dark shadows, is to pick one, spot meter it, and make sure the part that wont be properly exposed, isnt in the shot to begin with. it takes some tinkering, but can produce nice results.

just takes practice to develop the "eye" for any given situation. you did fine, though. dont fret it.

[advaitin]

Firstly--what you did to the photo was AWESOME!! I have GOT to learn how to do that. reshooting is not possible (not for another year anyway). Is there any simple way to tell me how you did that?

Which part of the Blue Ridge are you going to? we were in NC, starting in Weaverville, NC. The leaves were just turning-- a few trees of really red but not much. For that part of the BR you should have spectacular color the week you mentioned.

Thanks for your time!

In Photoshop CS4:
First I cropped the image, slightly more from the top and a little from each side and the bottom so I could use the rotation tool to bring the pool to level. Then I went to Image Adjustments to use the shadow/highlight tool to change both the brightness and the shadow areas until the mix pleased me. I also used the contrast adjustment at this time, but not enough. I used the burn tool (looks like a little hand with thumb and fingers making a circle) to darken the edges of the image all around, but especially at the top to get rid of the brightness in the leaves. I made the burn size much smaller and at 27 % I darkened the hottest whites in the water fall (the tool was set for midtones among the leaves and highlights for the foam). Finally I opened the contrast/brightness section under adjustments and brought the contrast up bit more til I was satisfied.

We should get to Virginia about the 14th and start down the Skyline and Blue Ridge drives on the 15th or 16th and take our time getting home on 22nd.

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

In Photoshop CS4:
First I cropped the image, slightly more from the top and a little from each side and the bottom so I could use the rotation tool to bring the pool to level. Then I went to Image Adjustments to use the shadow/highlight tool to change both the brightness and the shadow areas until the mix pleased me. I also used the contrast adjustment at this time, but not enough. I used the burn tool (looks like a little hand with thumb and fingers making a circle) to darken the edges of the image all around, but especially at the top to get rid of the brightness in the leaves. I made the burn size much smaller and at 27 % I darkened the hottest whites in the water fall (the tool was set for midtones among the leaves and highlights for the foam). Finally I opened the contrast/brightness section under adjustments and brought the contrast up bit more til I was satisfied.

We should get to Virginia about the 14th and start down the Skyline and Blue Ridge drives on the 15th or 16th and take our time getting home on 22nd.

I am going to print your post; thank you so much! I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip & I hope to see some photos from you!!

[jetcode]

chellyroo what camera did you use? the highlights are blown out

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

chellyroo what camera did you use? the highlights are blown out
Canon 50D. Someone posted that I needed longer exposure, but )and this may be totally wrong) wouldn't that have let in MORE light??

[advaitin]

Canon 50D. Someone posted that I needed longer exposure, but )and this may be totally wrong) wouldn't that have let in MORE light??

By longer exposure they meant to close the aperture down and/or use a neutral density filter (or two) to allow a longer timed shutter release. This requires a tripod, a cable release, knowledge of how to lock the camera mirror up (not always simple with Canon).

Besides the program and auto settings, you can control the aperture with the AV setting. In AV closing the aperture to f22, for instance, will force the camera to extend the time the shutter is open. This method provides a side benefit of increasing the depth of field so that more of what is in your image frame is in focus.

Tv setting controls the shutter only. If you use it and set your shutter on a longer exposure, say 1 minute, it forces the camera to change the aperture to its widest setting. Depending on the amount of light you have, this method might lead to overexposure. But it also decreases your depth of field to its most narrow point, requiring you to make sure that what you want to photograph is the point of focus in your viewfinder.

Then there is M, meaning you set both aperture and shutter based on metering or experience.

There are a lot of options, but the first major option is a sturdy tripod.

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

By longer exposure they meant to close the aperture down and/or use a neutral density filter (or two) to allow a longer timed shutter release. This requires a tripod, a cable release, knowledge of how to lock the camera mirror up (not always simple with Canon).

Besides the program and auto settings, you can control the aperture with the AV setting. In AV closing the aperture to f22, for instance, will force the camera to extend the time the shutter is open. This method provides a side benefit of increasing the depth of field so that more of what is in your image frame is in focus.

Tv setting controls the shutter only. If you use it and set your shutter on a longer exposure, say 1 minute, it forces the camera to change the aperture to its widest setting. Depending on the amount of light you have, this method might lead to overexposure. But it also decreases your depth of field to its most narrow point, requiring you to make sure that what you want to photograph is the point of focus in your viewfinder.

Then there is M, meaning you set both aperture and shutter based on metering or experience.

There are a lot of options, but the first major option is a sturdy tripod.

Ok, I see. Thing is, I WAS using a tripod, my brand spanking new Monfrotto. But I didn't take any photos with any longer a shutter speed than about 1/10.

[advaitin]

Sorry, I didn't go back and reread. Actually, you did the right thing, except maybe leveling the camera, but that could be corrected in photoshop or other editing programs.

A lot of landscape shooters use neutral density filters to extend exposures past the camera's normal parameters. Especially useful are graduated ND filters that can be tilted or raised, lowered or turned upside down to compensate for brightness. This allows for the water to have a silky curtain-like appearance--which you came close to achieving already.

But, as you see, with experimentation, you can duplicate a lot of those effects in Photoshop.

[jetcode]

Compositionally this image lacks the dynamic to make it interesting. It also doesn't help that the highlights are blown out and the shadows a bit murky. These scenes are difficult to shoot because of lighting issues. I don't shoot scenes like this however you do have a shot in that collection that is really nice compositionally (though the highlights in the water are blown out).

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

Sorry, I didn't go back and reread. Actually, you did the right thing, except maybe leveling the camera, but that could be corrected in photoshop or other editing programs.

A lot of landscape shooters use neutral density filters to extend exposures past the camera's normal parameters. Especially useful are graduated ND filters that can be tilted or raised, lowered or turned upside down to compensate for brightness. This allows for the water to have a silky curtain-like appearance--which you came close to achieving already.

But, as you see, with experimentation, you can duplicate a lot of those effects in Photoshop.
Funny you would post about GND's; I just have gotten advice from someone else to try that!

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

Compositionally this image lacks the dynamic to make it interesting. It also doesn't help that the highlights are blown out and the shadows a bit murky. These scenes are difficult to shoot because of lighting issues. I don't shoot scenes like this however you do have a shot in that collection that is really nice compositionally (though the highlights in the water are blown out).

Would you share which one? Would you consider it one worth applying your talents to?:)

[jetcode]

Would you share which one? Would you consider it one worth applying your talents to?:)

There is an image that features the waterfall closeup across rocks and fills the frame. That has the most interest for me in terms of graphic composition. The highlights in the water appear to be blown out (saturated). As far as helping you that is your call entirely. I think you need to get your highlights under control and that may require some testing which you can do at home or locally. You want to expose highlights without clipping. Also I think you should be capturing to raw or .tif but not .jpg. I routinely practice imaging before hitting the road. I want to make sure I understand what my equipment is capable of and how to make the best of a scene. I will also spend several hours in the field working on a single exposure or shot.

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

There is an image that features the waterfall closeup across rocks and fills the frame. That has the most interest for me in terms of graphic composition. The highlights in the water appear to be blown out (saturated). As far as helping you that is your call entirely. I think you need to get your highlights under control and that may require some testing which you can do at home or locally. You want to expose highlights without clipping. Also I think you should be capturing to raw or .tif but not .jpg. I routinely practice imaging before hitting the road. I want to make sure I understand what my equipment is capable of and how to make the best of a scene. I will also spend several hours in the field working on a single exposure or shot.

I think I know which one you mean...I'm going to mess with it (hopefully not mess it up!) in PS5 to see what I can do with it. Probably end up turning it over to your capable hands;)

I did shoot a lot in RAW but converted many to jpeg to post them. What does clipping mean? I would have LOVED to spend more time there--but 1 1/2 hrs was about all my husband could take!

[jetcode]

I think I know which one you mean...I'm going to mess with it (hopefully not mess it up!) in PS5 to see what I can do with it. Probably end up turning it over to your capable hands;)

I did shoot a lot in RAW but converted many to jpeg to post them. What does clipping mean? I would have LOVED to spend more time there--but 1 1/2 hrs was about all my husband could take!

Family members will not make good companions on a shoot unless they bring a good book to read or want to relax or meditate for awhile or are a part of the scene!

Clipping is the same as blowing out shadow or highlight detail and it means you have exceeded the range of sensor detection and everything beyond the threshold will have the same value regardless of content. In 8 bit 255 represents the whitest white and any other variation above 255 will be clipped to 255. Not a nice thing to have happen to an image and it's a constant problem to address unless you are dealing with a low contrast scene.

[shannyD]

here is my go ;)
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/daisydeadpeddles/full-falls-needs-cloning8.jpg

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

Wow that's a really cool rendition! everything was so green, it's interesting to see it with fall colors.

[LeuceDeuce]

I'd go arty with it since you can't go back for a year.

I think you needed another point of focus in the image though; someone in the waterfall, a bird flying through or a few perched in the trees, an animal drinking/eating.

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

Another very cool rendition! Yeah, if only there could've been a little fawn sipping from the pool...:)

[obie1964]

Speaking of the Blue Ridge, I have plans to cruise it sometime between 11 Oct and 22 Oct. Do you think there be any leaf color by then?

I was there last weekend and the leaves were just starting to change. You should have excellent colr between the 11th and 22nd. Planning to go back then myself

[Jim M]

Is this one better?

AV mode
1/10 sec
ISO 400
f/11
22/mm

398236
This one is a bazillion times better. The shutter speed was slow enough to streak the water. Use it.

[F4 Cyborg]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2513/3992160804_eb215c34fe_o.jpg

Blame it on me coffee

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

This one is a bazillion times better. The shutter speed was slow enough to streak the water. Use it.
Hey, I'm a bazillionaire! lol thanks yeah I like it better too, it kinda got lost in among the 200+other shots! i'm having a hard time keeping them organized....

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2513/3992160804_eb215c34fe_o.jpg

Blame it on me coffee
Hey that's gorgeous! I have GOT to learn how to do this!

[F4 Cyborg]

My favorite weapon in photoshop (is, are,) Layers. I made a few layers with color and saturation adjustments then, one for contrast and blended. Then smart sharpened almost to the point of way to much but, stopped short just barley. I selected just the falls and did a saturation adjustment then, I sharpened it a bit more. If you look at the falling water around the edge of the rocks you can almost pick up an edge of where I selected then sharpened it right to what I could see was the edge of to much. Kinda of gave the water veins instead of grain. Then I just rotated it a bit to level it out and cropped a bit. The original raw file would have given more latitude for pixel editing ( PS ) but it gives an Idea. I liked the photograph and thought I would throw my 3 cent's in. Glad you liked.

[jetcode]

While the many incarnations offer creative and interesting perspectives and textures the fact that there are blown water highlights which look like solid white blobs destroys the image in my opinion.

Didn't mean to drop the bomb but if someone can fix the water either with blending or cloning I think the image may make it.

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

My favorite weapon in photoshop (is, are,) Layers. I made a few layers with color and saturation adjustments then, one for contrast and blended. Then smart sharpened almost to the point of way to much but, stopped short just barley. I selected just the falls and did a saturation adjustment then, I sharpened it a bit more. If you look at the falling water around the edge of the rocks you can almost pick up an edge of where I selected then sharpened it right to what I could see was the edge of to much. Kinda of gave the water veins instead of grain. Then I just rotated it a bit to level it out and cropped a bit. The original raw file would have given more latitude for pixel editing ( PS ) but it gives an Idea. I liked the photograph and thought I would throw my 3 cent's in. Glad you liked.
Yes, and thanks for the play by play! I neeeeeed this kind of instruction!

[Michelle Brooks Photography]

While the many incarnations offer creative and interesting perspectives and textures the fact that there are blown water highlights which look like solid white blobs destroys the image in my opinion.

Didn't mean to drop the bomb but if someone can fix the water either with blending or cloning I think the image may make it.

Bombs away!;)