First pre-dawn landscape setting

[Jarrod268]

Here are a couple of shots from Friday morning before sunrise.
Here are the challenges I'm finding -

1) Obviously I don't have a graduated ND filter so I had to composite two images together. I do have some on order and this should get better.

2) As a beginner working within a window of time is stressful to some degree. It throws off my thought process on composition. I feel rushed because I'm trying to race the sun. You can see this in the not so great compositional choices and other mistakes. Image 1 is cropped because I did not follow the rule of thirds and I centered the horizon. Beginner's error and in a rush. I also have a balance issue from left to right. Too much open space on the right.

3) There was some fog early - more prevalent in the distance. It's just another factor to consider as a newbie.

What do you all do in situations such as this when working within a window of time? What do you do to "slow things down" for you and think more clearly?

Image 1 - D90, Tokina 12-24 @ 12mm f/11

Image 2 - Nikon D90, Tokina 12-24 @ 24mm f/9

 

[*LoveMyLife09*]

I'm not one to critique since I am still learning but I like number one for some reason.

 

[C C]

if i were you i'd edit the first one and crop out the fence, i'd show u if i were aloud to edit them haha

 

[tirediron]

Looks like you're off to a good start. I agree that the fence in #1 is a detriment. It's a perfect leading line, but it leads your eye right out of the image.

As far as 'slowing time', the key is preparation. Arrive early, plan your shot(s), have your equipment configured and ready to go. Often times getting 'the' shot means going several times. You can never arrive too early!

 

[spacefuzz]

If it really matters for me to get that killer sunrise shot I will sometimes scout the area the day before (if practical) so I can get an idea of the layout. Then I hopefully have to to get some compositional ideas before I show up in the dark, and usually very groggy. Sometimes google earth can help with that too, if your trying to get big features in your pics.

 

[Jarrod268]

Thanks all. I've been there to look around a few times. There are a lot of things there, its an equestrian so its a matter of spending more time there I guess.

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