Filter Tests - how do they look?

[Jarrod268]

Still trying to get the hang of using filters correctly...I think before hand I was trying to make shots with too much of an exposure variance between the sky and foreground.

How do these look? More balanced? I know I don't have an interesting foreground and the wind was blowing slightly making my grass less sharp.

1)

Fairview Sunset-2793 by shakes268, on Flickr

2)

Fairview Sunset-2799 by shakes268, on Flickr

 

[chaosrealm93]

i think the grass is a bit bright in the second pic

 

[Jarrod268]

i think the grass is a bit bright in the second pic

I noticed that after I posted it - show raw, easy fix and correcting it now.

 

[mwcfarms]

And I am going to disagree and say its a bit dark in the first lol. What filters are you using. I think both could use a boost in color and contrast. Look at me manaheim. You've ruined me.

 

[chaosrealm93]

^ lol

 

[Jarrod268]

And I am going to disagree and say its a bit dark in the first lol. What filters are you using. I think both could use a boost in color and contrast. Look at me manaheim. You've ruined me.

I only set camera calibration and clicked "auto" exposure setting. I applied lens correction and that's pretty much it. I used the clarity slider a bit but not much.
It's a Sing-Ray 3 stop reverse graduated neutral density filter.

 

[mwcfarms]

I know I am devils advocate lol. But I would try and bring out a bit more of the clouds if possible, do it in layers if you can and then brighten the foreground in one. Too bad you have the wildflowers in the vertical. I would have liked to see that in the horizontal one in first. I see a bit of it at the bottom but not like the strong element in the second. And I have no clue what program your using for editts but the recovery slider in lightroom might be able to help you with cloud detail some. I do think the color of the sky are lovely.

 

[Jarrod268]

How are these - tried to bring out the clouds - too overprocessed? or better?

1)

Fairview Sunset-2793 by shakes268, on Flickr

2)

Fairview Sunset-2802 by shakes268, on Flickr


and since you liked the flowers in the foreground...
3)

Fairview Sunset-2791 by shakes268, on Flickr

 

[reedshots]

you didn't say what filters you are using - on camera, or in PP ND filter or what.

 

[MWG]

I like the last picture you just posted alot. good work. only if you could have had alot of clouds,

 

[Jarrod268]

you didn't say what filters you are using - on camera, or in PP ND filter or what.

I didn't in my first post - but the follow up response I did. It's a Singh-Ray reverse graduated neutral density filter. Slot type. The first 2 photos were posted with very little PP.

 

[mwcfarms]

How are these - tried to bring out the clouds - too overprocessed? or better?

1)

Fairview Sunset-2793 by shakes268, on Flickr

2)

Fairview Sunset-2802 by shakes268, on Flickr


and since you liked the flowers in the foreground...
3)

Fairview Sunset-2791 by shakes268, on Flickr

I think the third one is the best out of these three. I see in the first you brought out more detail but in doing so the right upper portion of sky went really dark. Not sure why, the portrait orientation or vertical shot is ok but I can not tell what your focus is on. The ground or the colorful sky. If its the flower maybe a different angle and for the sky I don't think the clouds are dynamic enough for it. Again just my thoughts. I really like the third. I found the green leads me nicely through the center of the shot with the trees framing both sides kind of a visual pathway.

Again I'm not a professional but I do shoot a lot of landscapes myself so I just comment on my thoughts and what I like. Keep posting and keep shooting. Thanks for sharing.

That being said I will say I would have preferred number one with the gorgeous sky colors but because it went really dark in the upper portion I say three is the best out of these.

 

[Jarrod268]

Thanks, I have since tried to remove the dark area - the added contrast produced that.
I appreciate the comments and I'm glad you liked the third. The main thing for me was trying to get used to using my filter. I knew I didn't have an interesting subject (actually none at all except for a field of grass) - I just wanted to get a sunset that was somewhat pleasing (or at least relaxing to look at). I figured since I've only had my camera since February I need to practice different things even if I'm not working on composition - maybe just exposure.

If gas prices were not so high right now I would do more exploring and try to find a nice subject to frame but right now I was lucky to just find a field with no fence that faced west.

Here is the one with a lightened right side of the sky, also brought up the exposure a bit on the closest part of the foreground. I think it gives it some depth.


Fairview Sunset-2793-3 by shakes268, on Flickr