Prairie sky + Early Fall Reflections

[deschnell]

Here are two - prairie sky is bracketed (photo taken this past spring, when I was playing around), the other is an over-processed NEF in Lightroom.
#1 - Sky

#2 - Reflection

 

[D-B-J]

For the first... HDR HDR HDR HDR HDR. Seriously, learn it (if you don't already know). That first shot has so much potential, but the blown highlights really ruin it for me.

Jake

 

[D-B-J]

OH! And maybe a graduated neutral density filter too...

 

[D-B-J]

Oh crap, I just realized the first is bracketed... HOW IN THE WORLD did you end up with such blown highlights?!?!

 

[deschnell]

Because I don't have auto bracketing, it was windy, I was standing in a million mosquitoes without a tripod, and I was doing the best I could quickly to capture the moment in JPG. So I did the best, without having drastic ghosting. It was also one of my first attempts at bracketing a shot last spring, and honestly I haven't done many of them, since it's rare to have a windless day on the days I'm able to go out shooting. Without auto bracket, I can't dial in quick enough to prevent motion/ghosting on my d31.
I just happened to have the camera with me that day as I was driving home from work.