UWGB Park

[Realist]

Here are some pictures I took at the UWGB park near my home. This time I tried to pay attention more to my composition. I think these pictures are much better than what I normally take. What do you think, am I actually getting better?

http://img36.picoodle.com/img/img36/5/11/18/f_00422copym_2740717.jpg

http://img01.picoodle.com/img/img01/5/11/18/f_00620copym_b9b7b08.jpg

http://img31.picoodle.com/img/img31/5/11/18/f_00818m_6802724.jpg

[tegan]

If you look carefully at your shots you will see how your camera lightmeter is working. If it is measuring for the sky and you have more sky in the photo then the sky will be exposed properly and the ground will be darker and underexposed. If you have more ground in the shot as in number 2, the ground will be properly exposed and the sky will be slightly on the brighter side.

Experienced photographers use a variety of methods to even out the exposure and get a perfect sky and perfect detail on the ground exposure-wise. One method is using a polarizing filter to create an effect like in your third shot in the sky but still retaining detail in the ground area. The problem with a polarizing filter is that it works best at right angles to the light source which is not always where your shot is. Another approach is a graduated neutral density filter which creates the effect of darkening the sky and brightening the ground area for more detail. When you do not have either of these you can point the camera down to the foreground area, slightly depress the shutter to lock in the light reading and then frame your shot with the sky and press the button. The sky will be on the bright side but you will have good detail and exposure in the foreground.

Postprocessing using Photoshop or PaintShop Pro can also be used to selectively brighten dark areas or areas where the colour is on the dull side because of exposure.

I would also suggest you look at www.photoinf.com for some very good tips on composition.

Tegan

[Realist]

Thanks for the advice. All of those shots were taken using a polarizer also. But I do not have a graduated neutral density filter. As far as exposure goes I understand how it works, because I shoot with a manual film SLR. It's a centerweighted light meter. I'm still learning so many of my shots are experimental, but now I'm really starting to step it up on the quality. :)