@spaceman you're just jealous! They weren't there yesterday to give you an update, actually too windy to get camera out - slogged 10min (one way) with gear for nadda! lol
When it comes to a polarising filter, that can be left on all the time and adjusted as needed. If you find yourself shooting in low light situations and shutter speed is starting to work against you, that's when you may want to take it off.
As for the ND filter, that's used for more specific things, like if it's a really bright day but you want to keep your aperture wide open for a depth of field effect, but your shots are blowing out. It can also be used to force a longer exposure, like if you're trying to get a cotton wool effect on some rapids. Basically, use this one if there's a particular effect you're going for which can only be achieved by allowing less light down the lens.
I love your pelicans! That's a great collection of images :)
You've got great images, I'll mention some ideas of what I might try. It's a tricky area offering advice on photographs because I feel like I'm stepping on peoples personal style, so please feel free to completely disregard anything you don't like ;)
The hair flick: On this one, I'd try two things. I'd reduce the exposure, to darken it a bit, and I'd open the aperture right up to push the background further out of focus. Both of these things would increase shutter speed significantly, which should also help to really catch that moment in sharp clarity.
Seagulls and bottoms: It's great already. Although, I might try cropping the two smaller images containing birds a little tighter so the bird/s are larger.
Pelicans: Love it! If it was taken in RAW, I might try recovering some of the detail lost in the areas that have gone to true white. In these images though, it's not a huge deal.
At the moment, the chaps head is in the middle of the image. If using the rule of thirds, his body might occupy the left third, his head would be at the top-left intersection and his arm would point along the top third.
The horizon is also intersecting with his head which isn't ideal. If you crouch a little while taking the photograph, you will effectively force the horizon to sit lower. Try to get the horizon to sit on the bottom third. This will take clutter away from his head and arm which are really the guts of the shot.
@bink Alleluia! I'm an educator so I appreciate the time and your thoughts. How can I improve if people are too timid to give it to me? Yeap know the rule of thirds, try to use it and break it .... but can't tell if I had it in mind with this particular shot probably not ... I was trying to get the two main icons in with my model son in a hurry ... obviously portraits are not for me then? lol
Will set the pelicans up again in a few weeks when I get back from Melbourne ...
Love your comments and say a HUGE thank you! Fee free to critique your heart out on others you deem could use it. I know some pix are just ones for the day with little care or attention given but you'll know which are which.
@bink I do not have a dslr, but had done quite a bit with hard film, I don't understand how you would reduce exposure, other then by doing it with faster shutter speed. Unless you are choosing what asa you want to use. Maybe this question doesn't make sense.
Hi Richard. On many digital cameras (including some compact cameras), there is an option to reduce or increase the exposure. This in effect changes the shutter speed, but it's done in a way that's measurable in stops and is more dynamic than setting a fixed shutter speed.
On a camera that doesn't have this feature, as you said, you'd adjust the shutter speed directly.
A lot of folk like to shoot with the thirds displayed on their viewfinder to help compose the shot. I'm not sure this is possible on DSLR's though... I don't think it is on mine. I can completely relate though if the moment was brief and getting the shot was more important than figuring out the perfect composition. That's where some cropping later on (in something like Photoshop) can take those thirds into consideration.
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When it comes to a polarising filter, that can be left on all the time and adjusted as needed. If you find yourself shooting in low light situations and shutter speed is starting to work against you, that's when you may want to take it off.
As for the ND filter, that's used for more specific things, like if it's a really bright day but you want to keep your aperture wide open for a depth of field effect, but your shots are blowing out. It can also be used to force a longer exposure, like if you're trying to get a cotton wool effect on some rapids. Basically, use this one if there's a particular effect you're going for which can only be achieved by allowing less light down the lens.
You've got great images, I'll mention some ideas of what I might try. It's a tricky area offering advice on photographs because I feel like I'm stepping on peoples personal style, so please feel free to completely disregard anything you don't like ;)
The hair flick: On this one, I'd try two things. I'd reduce the exposure, to darken it a bit, and I'd open the aperture right up to push the background further out of focus. Both of these things would increase shutter speed significantly, which should also help to really catch that moment in sharp clarity.
Seagulls and bottoms: It's great already. Although, I might try cropping the two smaller images containing birds a little tighter so the bird/s are larger.
Pelicans: Love it! If it was taken in RAW, I might try recovering some of the detail lost in the areas that have gone to true white. In these images though, it's not a huge deal.
Shark!: I'd suggest using the rule of thirds with this one. If you're not sure what I mean, have a look here: http://www.secondpicture.com/tutorials/photography/rule_of_thirds.html
At the moment, the chaps head is in the middle of the image. If using the rule of thirds, his body might occupy the left third, his head would be at the top-left intersection and his arm would point along the top third.
The horizon is also intersecting with his head which isn't ideal. If you crouch a little while taking the photograph, you will effectively force the horizon to sit lower. Try to get the horizon to sit on the bottom third. This will take clutter away from his head and arm which are really the guts of the shot.
Will set the pelicans up again in a few weeks when I get back from Melbourne ...
Love your comments and say a HUGE thank you! Fee free to critique your heart out on others you deem could use it. I know some pix are just ones for the day with little care or attention given but you'll know which are which.
Welcome to 365 btw!
Hi Richard. On many digital cameras (including some compact cameras), there is an option to reduce or increase the exposure. This in effect changes the shutter speed, but it's done in a way that's measurable in stops and is more dynamic than setting a fixed shutter speed.
On a camera that doesn't have this feature, as you said, you'd adjust the shutter speed directly.
"... obviously portraits are not for me then?"
I hope that's tongue in cheek :P
A lot of folk like to shoot with the thirds displayed on their viewfinder to help compose the shot. I'm not sure this is possible on DSLR's though... I don't think it is on mine. I can completely relate though if the moment was brief and getting the shot was more important than figuring out the perfect composition. That's where some cropping later on (in something like Photoshop) can take those thirds into consideration.
Cheers again and only honest critiques accepted, none of this 'don't want to hurt your feeling's' stuff. see ya for now.