Fire in the sky C&C

[Ben H]

A couple of things I'd say, which aren't immediately obvious when we're new (we've all been there!

The camera has a lower dynamic range than the eye. That means that, when you're standing there with a super bright source and foreground detail, is that the camera cannot capture all that. If you expose for the bright source, the foreground becomes almost a silhouette. If you expose for the foreground, the sky becomes completely white and blown out. In this way, you can't have you cake and eat it, so to speak

So - knowing that, try to avoid those situations where there is such an extreme light dynamic - ie don't shoot into the sun. (Like all things, there are exceptions, of course!)

Secondly, here is a useful technique. Ok, say you're taking the picture you posted, which is fine, and composed perfectly well. Take the shot. Ok. Now you've taken the easy shot, force yourself to get three more shots out of the scene. This will make you hunt around for interesting subjects, framing, angles, and composition.

So for example, you might get down very low and make the foreground rocks more imposing, with a little sun peeking out from behind them as shot 1. Perhaps zooming in and focusing on one of the bushes, with a glint of sunlit water behind them as shot 2. And then, maybe zooming in on the water on the edge of the reflections, angling the camera a little, and taking a beautiful textural water shot.

Forcing yourself to find extra shots in the scene is a really useful technique that can help you move beyond the obvious shot, and find some real creativity and spectacular images.

Seeing the opportunities has been quite a learning curve for me too - but once you've unlocked that side of your brain, before long you too will be lining up the obvious shot and finding it unsatisfying, and go hunting for something unique.

That's where a lot of the enjoyment comes in (at least for me). Of course, it all depends on what you want to get out of your photography. But I'd suggest to at least try this technique a few times...

[Fredric]

Wow, Ben, thank you for the tip!

This tip really hit home for me. The three more shots technique is something that I'll definitely begin practicing. Cheers Ben!

PaulaLynn, thanks for posting the image so that the marbles of knowledge left in its wake may be picked up by all of us newbies!

[tegan]

I AGREE 1 MILLION % Kiley. Tegan, your comment about the contrast and your technical experience is appreciated. BUT - This is a learning forum and your comments on what judges might have thought of this image 30 years ago is 100% irrelevant and your tone was too harsh and rude. It takes baby steps and YEARS to get to a level where creativity abounds. Let's be a bit more sensitive to where an OP is coming from please.

Thanks
Marko

I disagree 1 MILLION %. Learning what to shoot is as important as how to shoot it and that HAS NOT CHANGED. My tone is NOT harsh and rude. THAT IS YOUR CHARACTERIZATION of a straightforward, honest statement, because you disagree with it.

It is not irrelevant either. NO centre of interest is no centre of interest. Why should that be sugar coated? Why should it need to be sugar-coated?

When I taught children, it was not necessary. Why should it be necessary with adults?

Tegan

[kiley9806]

I disagree 1 MILLION %. Learning what to shoot is as important as how to shoot it and that HAS NOT CHANGED. My tone is NOT harsh and rude. THAT IS YOUR CHARACTERIZATION of a straightforward, honest statement, because you disagree with it."

"It is not irrelevant either. NO centre of interest is no centre of interest. Why should that be sugar coated? Why should it need to be sugar-coated?

When I taught children, it was not necessary. Why should it be necessary with adults?

Tegan

your tone is HARSH & RUDE because of the BLUNTNESS. CAPITALIZATION also seems to imply yelling...
many members would agree.
your knowledge & education is greatly valued & appreciated, but the way you deliver it leaves much to be desired.

my quote of yours in the previous message had nothing mentioning centres of interest.
it was "To make matters worse, this is considered a cliché shot by judges in high level evaluations and does not achieve any measure of success and I know that from the personal experience of having submitted similar shots a few decades ago. - Tegan"
there sure as heck is nothing 'sugar-coated' about that statement.
calling us children is not exactly what i'd consider opposite of harsh or rude either...

[PaulaLynn]

Wow, Ben, thank you for the tip!

PaulaLynn, thanks for posting the image so that the marbles of knowledge left in its wake may be picked up by all of us newbies!

Hey no problem... there is lots more "crap" where this came from..... happy to assist in the learning... LOL! LOL!