landscape photo for C&C

[ucddyan]

So I'm slowly trying to work on this photography thing. I got a tripod for Christmas and took it out at a friend's house to play around. I really liked this photo, though I realized only later that the ISO was set way to high and it's a pretty grainy photo (I always forget to check the ISO, the sun was going down quickly and I was in a rush). I probably could have also not been so wide on the lens, but again, I was in a hurry to set up the tripod and get a picture.

I'm wondering what you all think, am I getting better at this photography thing? (I did enhance the contrast and saturation)

Nikon D200, 18-200mm lens @ 20mm, F8, 4sec, ISO 1600

 

[dxqcanada]

Well you have recognized that there are some "wrong" elements to the photograph.

Of course a high ISO may not be wrong if you wanted to add that noise effect to the image.

Yes, I do agree with you on the angle of view ... the entire view is not very strong.
That is more important than the ability to enhance the colour/saturation/etc.

A weak subject/scene cannot be Photoshopped into a great picture.

Don't rush ... you need to stop and take more time to think before pressing the shutter button.

 

[New Hampshire]

For landscapes you should strive to use as small an aperture as possible and as low an ISO as possible. Since you had a tripod this would be no problem, though if one goes handheld this becomes a serious problem of balance. Also consider using lens lockup feature if your dslr has it.

Now, as for composition, overall not much wrong except your horizon is awfully close to the middle. Try and remember your rule of thirds. Either go for 2/3 of the ground or 2/3 of the sky.

Brian

 

[ucddyan]

Thanks for the advice guys. dxqcanada - Although I wish I had more time to set it up, I'm not necessarily disappointed with the composition I ended up with (though I see now that the horizon is pretty close to the center - I wish I had put the tripod a little lower and I wish I had been more to the right and not at 20mm). I'm not dumb enough to think you can fix a bad photo with Photoshop, but I honestly didn't think this photo was particularly horrible to start out with. New Hampshire - I appreciate the info about the landscape tips, I will definitely keep them in mind next time!