Initial Work

[zutty]

I'd like to present a couple of examples with No processing at all. My purpose at this point is to see if my compositional instincts are on the right track.On these initial shoots I bracketed the exposures into 3 frames with a .3 exposure difference.

.3 of a stop difference makes no sense because you are adding only a tiny bit of dynamic range at either end. Typically one brackets at least one or two stops on either end so the dynamic range is extended significantly.

I didn't realize that Lew. The D800 has three settings for bracketing .3, .7 and 1. If I wanted to bracket in any different increments how would I do that? Thanks!

 

[zutty]

Yes, difficult but doable.

the downside is that one never stops improving critical abilities.

the plus is that you don't have to hone your abilities only on your own work; you can look at other people's work - and the critiques - and learn from each of them.
look at 50 pictures a day and try to decide whether they are well done or not, read the critiques if there are any - at the end of a month your ability to 'see' the defects in your own work will be vastly improved.

I wrote these two articles (they are essentially the same so I won't charge you double) Lew Lorton Photography | How to improve your photography: your own twelve step program and Lew Lorton Photography | 11 Tips for Beginning Photographers - How to Start Taking Pictures.

See if anything in there might be helpful.

Again, Good advice Lew. I'm going to check out your articles this evening. And again to use my music analogies, when I was studying music I studied all the great masters of the past, from Beethtoven to Ellington to Coltrane and tried to apply what I heard to create my own style. I think I might apply this to photography as well. Hey, Lew-You have a tip jar anywhere? Grin...

 

[The_Traveler]

On page 134, there is a table showing the potential increments - and showing that you can use many more than 3 shots.

The entire point of bracketing is to get usable exposures across a wider range than the normal dynamic range of your camera sensor.
If the dynamic range of the scene is great, you bracket with many more shots, and choose your increment.

With the great sensor on the 800, the need for close intervals would diminish, I would imagine.
I admit that I rarely do HDRs because I don't shoot landscapes, but when I've done them I've used a full stop interval and done 3 or 5 exposures.

 

[zutty]

Thanks again. I need to re-read the manual..several times! I just finished your articles and it all makes perfect sense the way you put it. But I need to gain experience and keep looking, watching and learning. I also need to really also learn to use LR, Photoshop and apply them to what I see in my mind's eye.
Meanwhile the sun is going down and I'm tempted to go out in the lowering light and see what I can find to practice. I'm very fascinated with low light photography and will try and experiment with night time stuff as well. I just wish I could physically do as much as I'd like to. I'm going to try to look into still life subjects and try and find interesting canvas within my limitations.

 

[The_Traveler]

Zutty,

Not to worry. Like anything else worthwhile, from playing the piano to making love, it takes a lot of practice and interest to get any better.

 

[zutty]

Just got in from my second shoot. Here are some examples. Absolutely no processing. Used my 70-300 hand held and just tried to see what interested me.

 

[zutty]

Here I used PS to "switch" the light on.

 

[ajandali]

Those images were created using the Digital Blending, and in this video I show how to do it, Enjoy!

 

[manaheim]

Put the photo processing effects on the shelf for a while. Worry more about composition and exposure. When you have a firm grasp of that, THEN return to cool tricks like HDR and whatnot.

 

[zutty]

Put the photo processing effects on the shelf for a while. Worry more about composition and exposure. When you have a firm grasp of that, THEN return to cool tricks like HDR and whatnot.

I agree..But what is the best way besides just experience and doing to expedite honing my compositional and exposure skills? With my health deteriorating I simply don't have a lot of time.

 

[The_Traveler]

Put the photo processing effects on the shelf for a while. Worry more about composition and exposure. When you have a firm grasp of that, THEN return to cool tricks like HDR and whatnot.

I agree..But what is the best way besides just experience and doing to expedite honing my compositional and exposure skills? With my health deteriorating I simply don't have a lot of time.

Look at lots of pictures, read the comments, practice.
Don't waste time on the dead ends of niche techniques that you will quickly tire of.

 

[zutty]

Thanks Lew. Do you think my eye has any promise at this point? Strengths weaknesses?

 

[Light Guru]

View attachment 74833View attachment 74834View attachment 74835

Those images were created using the Digital Blending, and in this video I show how to do it, Enjoy!

What does this have to do with the original thread? The OP wanted feed back on his images and you have done nothing more then a shameless self promotion for your video.

 

[Light Guru]

Put the photo processing effects on the shelf for a while. Worry more about composition and exposure. When you have a firm grasp of that, THEN return to cool tricks like HDR and whatnot.

Exactly. Also work on your focus. The first two the focus look off.

 

[zutty]

I see the focus issue. Taking my tripod and being more patient might be a good start. I remember during my musical studies that if I was diligent and patient I would reach a point where my progress would sort of "click" and I'd reach the next level. I think this will be the same in my photographic development.