Another Arizona POTN get together (3)?

I was in WA all last wk and took a shot of the space needle on a cloudy day and this is how it turned out. My question, how could i have taken this picture right the first time without it being so gray instead of having to adjust in PP later? I'm still learning and anything helps.

Comments welcomed thx guys
-f/5
-1/800
-iso 100
-44mm

Spot Meter one of the legs and open up about 1/2 to 2/3 of a stop...

I'll guess you were in Evaluative Metering and all that claggy sky fooled your meter and under exposed the tower itself. Of course, if you metered only the underside, it would have come out looking like you cut and pasted it over a white background in Photoshop.

IOW, you've got a dynamic range that is beyond what a digital sensor can handle. Earlier in the morning or later in the evening would have reigned that in more.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10457227
Spot Meter one of the legs and open up about 1/2 to 2/3 of a stop...

I'll guess you were in Evaluative Metering and all that claggy sky fooled your meter and under exposed the tower itself. Of course, if you metered only the underside, it would have come out looking like you cut and pasted it over a white background in Photoshop.

IOW, you've got a dynamic range that is beyond what a digital sensor can handle. Earlier in the morning or later in the evening would have reigned that in more.

Yes had it in evaluative, don't have spot meter on my XS only partial and center weighted. Which would have worked best? lol yea did try to mess around with it in photoshop and it indeed looked like a white background.

could you explain what you mean - earlier in am or pm would have reigned that in more?
thx flyingphotog

itsmejson wrote in post #10457348
Yes had it in evaluative, don't have spot meter on my XS only partial and center weighted. Which would have worked best? lol yea did try to mess around with it in photoshop and it indeed looked like a white background.

could you explain what you mean - earlier in am or pm would have reigned that in more?
thx flyingphotog

Please, call me Jay... ;0

My point was that the difference between light and shadow would have been easier to capture at either morning or evening twilight. Either before the sun was up or after it went down.

Notice the harsh shadows here:

So a "lens align" meet up seems in order, say sedona?? So much $ a lens, when we get everyone's lenses sharp, out to shoot sedona??
Anyway just a thought, about time we all got together anyway.......

Hatch1921 wrote in post #10456289
I agree... it isn't cheap... and I'm sure there are cheaper alternatives... but... if you have a ton of $ in gear... it's not a big exspese in the scheme of things.

Would be nice if all lenses just hit the mark to begin with. Jay and I were just talking about this. My 5D and 20D... no issues... 5D2... all lenses needed some adjusting.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10457373
Please, call me Jay... ;0

My point was that the difference between light and shadow would have been easier to capture at either morning or evening twilight. Either before the sun was up or after it went down.

Notice the harsh shadows here:

The camera can't capture the shadows if I've exposed for the walls.

Exhibit B:

This was probably 15-20 minutes after the sun had actually set so the ratio of highlights to shadows is much narrower.

gotcha thanks for the explanation jay. for my pic of the needle whether or not I changed the metering I still would have been left with the same outcome as your exhibit A. If I would have waited later or gone earlier then I could have ended up with Exhibit B? lol

cntry wrote in post #10457397
So a "lens align" meet up seems in order, say sedona?? So much $ a lens, when we get everyone's lenses sharp, out to shoot sedona??
Anyway just a thought, about time we all got together anyway.......

well don't know how to lens align on my xs but I surely am done for a meetup to sedona I've never been there yet since moving to AZ.

itsmejson wrote in post #10457431
gotcha thanks for the explanation jay. for my pic of the needle whether or not I changed the metering I still would have been left with the same outcome as your exhibit A. If I would have waited later or gone earlier then I could have ended up with Exhibit B? lol

More or less... If I'd have exposed my Exhibit A for the blue door, the walls would have blown out to a featureless blob of white. Likewise, had you exposed for the underside of the Needle, your sky would have totally blown out and a goodly portion of the legs as well.

That's why I suggested metering the legs but opening up a little since they're actually pretty light to begin with (above 18% grey) so you'd need a little positive exposure compensation.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10455995
Kristy, you can do the same thing with seven toy blocks or AA batteries and a yardstick for a lot cheaper...

Ha. TFF.

S.C.

In defense of not tweaking lenses:

Article

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10457540
In defense of not tweaking lenses:

Article

Nicely done.

S.C.

Ok, so it's just a meet-up, (hatch if you bring the stuff I'd like to check mine) Hypochondria...what...​.....I think a meet up is in order whether I'm a condriac or not (either I really suck or my 50D isn't focusing correctly). And if no lens fixing we meet-up and have fun shooting the Red Rocks, although mine will be blurry

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10457540
In defense of not tweaking lenses:

Article

cntry wrote in post #10452893
My biggest problem is with i Tunes, I just hate it, but in time I will figure it all out. So anyone have tips for any free apps for this phone? Not going to buy any till I decide if I'm going to keep it.......

i've never bought an app. usually the ones I find/need are free. every now and then i search the what's hot in free apps. pandora internet radio is one of the best apps when you need music. but since the 2 gig limit wireless works best with it. There are many articles out there on what apps people should get and I use that to help me find free apps.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10457540
In defense of not tweaking lenses:

Article

yes...that's why I don't check my equipment...I need to be better than my equipment first

cntry wrote in post #10457675
Ok, so it's just a meet-up, (hatch if you bring the stuff I'd like to check mine) Hypochondria...what...​.....I think a meet up is in order whether I'm a condriac or not (either I really suck or my 50D isn't focusing correctly). And if no lens fixing we meet-up and have fun shooting the Red Rocks, although mine will be blurry

How much cooler is it up in Sedona? Did they close Red Rock park? I would be up for something... just need a cool temp and location to meet LOL or a studio.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10457540
In defense of not tweaking lenses:

Article

Made me chuckle! No time to reply... have to go check my lenses... they could be losing focus as I type this.

Hatch

If you don't want to spent the $$$ buying it....

http://www.lensrentals​.com/rent/lensalign