pls hlp me get better pics

[Sailfish]

I want to start taking more landscape pictures. I have seen some lovely pics on here. What can I do to help get a better pic? My pic's just don't seem to have the same level of crisp sharpness. For example, what would make the image below a better pic?

Mal

http://members.iinet.net.au/~sailfish/pics/river.jpg

[soupdragon]

On average it's not a bad shot.

In the old days I would have put a grey grad in front of the lens to give the sky some drama, but I guess that can all be done in PS now.

[weemannie]

I'm on my laptop at the moment, so its difficult to tell how sharp the image is. As a scene it looks nice with the reflections in the water.

Most digital camera photos need sharpening, its the nature of the beast! Ironically, the better the digital camera is, the work is needed.

Sharpening is either carried out in camera or subsequently, using a program such as Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro etc.

If you shoot JPG then you can vary the sharpening in camera, by either using different presets or, if your camera allows (sorry I'm not familiar with the 300D) create your own settings. Your manual should be able to help you out on this.
Alternatively, if you shoot RAW then use your software to sharpen the image for you.

[Sailfish]

Sorry guys, should have indicated, but this is already heavily PSed. Trying to make something out of nothing! This particular shot wasn't actually shot in RAW, but I do now shoot nothing else. This is the origional as it came out of the camera.

Mal

http://members.iinet.net.au/~sailfish/pics/river_orig.jpg

[martin-images]

Hi mal
I think that in digital especialy with dslr you are better to underexpose your shots by 1/2 to 1 stop
assuming you are in Raw mode, the reason i say this is that it is easier to bring shadow detail back into your pictures, you then dont blow your highlights thus giving greater control over editing, as regards sharpening dont over procces, go to this link and get this free down load, it says 10d finisher but works great with the 300d, i used it when i owned that camera and it realy helps, give it a go
http://fphoto.org/10D-sharpening/

Martin

[sparker1]

I think you overprocessed the pic trying to make it outstanding. Fact is, the scene is nothing special. The first step to making a beautiful landscape shot is to have a beautiful scene, then your photographic and editing skills come into play.

[Sailfish]

I think you overprocessed the pic trying to make it outstanding. Fact is, the scene is nothing special. The first step to making a beautiful landscape shot is to have a beautiful scene, then your photographic and editing skills come into play.

I think you are dead right. It was a 'nice' spot. But I just couldn't make anything of it in a photograph!

[Sailfish]

Hi mal
I think that in digital especialy with dslr you are better to underexpose your shots by 1/2 to 1 stop
assuming you are in Raw mode, the reason i say this is that it is easier to bring shadow detail back into your pictures, you then dont blow your highlights thus giving greater control over editing, as regards sharpening dont over procces, go to this link and get this free down load, it says 10d finisher but works great with the 300d, i used it when i owned that camera and it realy helps, give it a go
http://fphoto.org/10D-sharpening/

Martin

This is a neat set of actions. I'll hang onto this one. Thanks :D

Mal

[bikerider]

It's very hard to get good results at this time of day, getting up pre-dawn is the sure way, or very late afternoon/dusk and the 20mins after sunset, long exposures really brings out the colours.......if you have to shoot in the bright day, the other way to go is infrared, real or photoshopped (I've attached a sample of a film infrared shot).
Roger.

[rssfhs]

I personally prefer the original. I think you went overboard with the color saturation. And as the other people said, get up early. The light between 9:00am and 4:00pm is usually no good for landscape photography.