Mt. Ranier Sunrise

[Noslocg]

Hi All.... This is my first post. I am new to the photography world and want some feedback on my pics. Hopefully I can learn a thing or two. All suggestions are welcome.

[Steph_B]

Hi All.... This is my first post. I am new to the photography world and want some feedback on my pics. Hopefully I can learn a thing or two. All suggestions are welcome.

Hey this is nice! The highlights and shadows have retained some details and the warm colors are definitely adding some punch to the overall scene. I particularly like the fact that Rainier and its reflection have the same tonality. Did you use a split ND filter?

I also like the fact that the water is mirror-like.

Good job

PS: have you tried to crop a little bit to get a panoramic view? That might add some dynamism to the scene.

Oh... and welcome! I hope you will find this site useful and continue sharing your vision of the world.

[Chunk]

Ya can't learn anything from me. That's great. Welcome.

[F-15_Flyer]

Well you look like a pro to me.

Very nice picture, and welcome to the forums. You WILL enjoy your stay. ;)

[Noslocg]

I actually stitched together a panoramic picture, but I did not take the pictures on manual so there is a sligh color variance in the blend (I used a stitching program, not quite the photoshop wiz yet) but I still think it looks alright. Quite frankly I dont even know what a split ND filter is, so I am going to have to say I did not use one.

[villenadecorte]

I actually stitched together a panoramic picture, but I did not take the pictures on manual so there is a sligh color variance in the blend (I used a stitching program, not quite the photoshop wiz yet) but I still think it looks alright. Quite frankly I dont even know what a split ND filter is, so I am going to have to say I did not use one.

I really like this pano here. This is very different and captivating.
Your original is also really great!
I agree with a lot of Stephs comments on the reflection and the tone throughout. Looks very even.
Welcome!
VillenaDeCorte

[Lava Lamp]

I actually stitched together a panoramic picture, but I did not take the pictures on manual so there is a sligh color variance in the blend (I used a stitching program, not quite the photoshop wiz yet) but I still think it looks alright. Quite frankly I dont even know what a split ND filter is, so I am going to have to say I did not use one.

Welcome and nice way to start. Really a very good photo. I've looked a few times and can't find a suggestion.

A split ND filter is a scew-on piece of glass that goes on the the end of your lens and acts like sunglasses. The "ND" refers to neutral density, which means it custs down the amount of light without changing any colors. The "split" refers to the fact that only the top half cuts down the light, the bottom is clear. You use it when you have a really bright sky, for example, and the ground is relatively dark. The spit ND allows you to even things out for maxium clarity. A graduated ND filter works the same way, except the difference between top and bottom is gradated from clear to darker to even darker to darkest.

[Noslocg]

Good to know, I really could have used an ND filter in Switzwerland. I took about 60 pictures of the alps and the peaks are all washed out, but the bottoms look fine. Do you know if there are ND filters available for a G3?

[Steph_B]

Good to know, I really could have used an ND filter in Switzwerland. I took about 60 pictures of the alps and the peaks are all washed out, but the bottoms look fine. Do you know if there are ND filters available for a G3?

There are lots of different type of split NDs. Have a look for example at the Singh Ray filters. They are producing the Galen Rowell ND filters which are probably the best in the market. The complete set will take you back $600 though! A cheaper solution are the Cookin P filters. They are not that great, as they give a magenta cast to your pics (nothing that PS cannot remove though)... But when you have no dough....

What's a G3? If you have a thread at the end of your lens, you should be able to put any type of filter.

If you are serious about Landscape photography, one of your best investment would be John Shaw's books. For $30, you will have all the nitty gritty details (and more) about the techniques used in this field.

If you are serious about learning how to use PS, John Shaw also wrote an e-book that he is directly selling on his website (www.johnshawphoto.com/). Another $30 or so, but it's a real life saver! (I apologize to all who might disaprove of me using this forum to advertise commercial products - I have no economic interest whatsoever in JS business! I just love his work!).

I really like the panoramic version. It's a much more balanced composition. The slight difference in color cast can be corrected by PS.

Great job. Please post more of these! Even if they are not that great. This is a site where we should all learn. I've seen posts from people complaining that some shots are really not good... Well, that's exactly the point!!! A bad pic will force you to think how to do better. A good pic is never as informative in terms of the learning process.

Am i making sense (did not get my coffee yet!)?

Anyway... looking forward to more of your posts!

Cheers,

Steph.

[Noslocg]

Steph,

Thanks for the advice, I will definetly have to take a look at that book. The G3 is an older version of canon's power shot series digital cameras (4 mega pixles), the G6 is their newest version. Problem is it does not have the thread on the end of the lense. I am looking into buying a SLR digital, possibly the 20D, just need to get the cash. I just landed my first real job, so I think I will have to start saving! One more thing, do you have some advice as far as removing the color differences in the panoramic. I have spent some time messing with the brigtness/contrast...not really knowing what I am doing... some guidance would be great.

[Steph_B]

Steph,

Thanks for the advice, I will definetly have to take a look at that book. The G3 is an older version of canon's power shot series digital cameras (4 mega pixles), the G6 is their newest version. Problem is it does not have the thread on the end of the lense. I am looking into buying a SLR digital, possibly the 20D, just need to get the cash. I just landed my first real job, so I think I will have to start saving! One more thing, do you have some advice as far as removing the color differences in the panoramic. I have spent some time messing with the brigtness/contrast...not really knowing what I am doing... some guidance would be great.

I would advise you to STAY AWAY from the brightness/contrast knob! One way of correcting for the color cast in the sky is:
- select the portion of the sky which has the color cast using the magnetic mask selection tool. Now your sky is going to be divided into two parts: a Reference and a Colored part.

- select the sampler tool from the tool bar. Press the shift key and click on the Reference sky, as close as possible from the edge with the Colored part. You will have a window that will pop up and that will indicate the RGB value of your selection. Now do the same on the Colored part (once again, as close as possible from the border with the Reference). There will be a new RGB value that corresponds to the Colored part of your sky.

- Now, if the two RGB are the same, then both parts have the same color. Hence, by using the Levels tool, play around with the sliders up to the point where the RGB of the Colored part correspond to the RGB of the Reference part. Once this is done, deselect your mask.

- You will probably still notice some boundary effect where the border used to be. Use the Clone tool to correct for it.

Is this making any sense?

In general, the Photomerge is a terrible tool to do panoramics (I always end up with a big line in the sky!). John Shaw gives a very good methodology to build panoramics. But I am going to respect his copyrights here!

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Steph.