Camera Labs

These are a few older photos from my first real trip with my DSLR and my first shots in RAW. I only had my camera about a month at this point and I wasn't using my f-stop correctly. I've been going back and revisiting some of my earlier shots as I learn Photoshop to see what I can do with them. I would love to see your comments, I enjoy the feed back, Thanks!

This first one I am the happiest with except trying to get rid of the flare, every time I try the clone repair it doesn't repair right. I like the contrast of the corner with the sun. Should I crop out that bright washed spot in the bottom right? I didn't think it looked as good cutting that big rock in half to do it.

Gatlinburg Smokies1 by sherpa1d, on Flickr

This is the same spot as the one above just a different angle. I dropped the clarity just a bit trying to make it softer

Gatlinburg Smokies2 by sherpa1d, on Flickr

I'm not as happy with this one, it looks muted. I may tray again

Gatlinburg Smokies3 by sherpa1d, on Flickr

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Mike "The Squirrel"
Canon 550D | Canon EF 35mm 1:2 | Canon 50 f/1.8 II | Sigma 18-125mm DC OS | Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD | Canon 430EX II
Military Issued Canon 40D | Canon 55-250mm IS

No.2 is my favourite, composition is vastly better than 1 and 3.

Constructive comments - all images taken at eye level, great sharpness, great shutter speed selection.

Maybe some landscape compositions where you're closer in would look good, some nice detailed shots at 150-200mm using the rocks to frame the image.

Just my two cents!

Incidentally, are you using an ND filter or tripod? Camera settings?

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I'm not a fan of milky water, they look like an after thought to me, (personal choice). I like the last one which shows life in the water and agree it looks a bit muted. Perhaps some contrast levels will help, I'm sure you can improve this with some PP, it's not that far off.


Cheers

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Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.

No ND filters, no tripod and I don't know why I set #3 to iso1600
1. 18mm f/8 1/5 iso100
2. 18mm f/10 1/3 iso100
3. 85mm f/5.6 1/125 iso1600

I didn't like the angle I was shooting, I was on a bridge for the first 2 looking down. I've got 1 more from this batch I'm going to finish up and post. Thanks for the comments!

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Mike "The Squirrel"
Canon 550D | Canon EF 35mm 1:2 | Canon 50 f/1.8 II | Sigma 18-125mm DC OS | Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD | Canon 430EX II
Military Issued Canon 40D | Canon 55-250mm IS

There are plenty of places like this in the UK, and typically I just walk up the bank or like yourself I stand on bridges.

I saw a review of a lens where the reviewer had waders on. He was covered up to his waist, allowing him to get into interesting positions in the middle of the river.

I've got Wellington boots, need waders! Would be useful for marshland.

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UKmitch, I was watching a video of a guy giving tips for nature photography and he was sitting rib deep in the water with a camo blind around him and his tri-pod sunk deep holding his canon and a nice 300mm+L. I wish I had a weather sealed, my T2i I worry about.

Here is the forth one. I'm pretty happy with it but is it too bright? This is a wooded seen I kinda think it should be darker??? The middle of the pic looks a little washed, it is creek mist.

Gatlinburg Smokies4 by sherpa1d, on Flickr

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Mike "The Squirrel"
Canon 550D | Canon EF 35mm 1:2 | Canon 50 f/1.8 II | Sigma 18-125mm DC OS | Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD | Canon 430EX II
Military Issued Canon 40D | Canon 55-250mm IS

Let me know if you spot the bad Dodge job

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Mike "The Squirrel"
Canon 550D | Canon EF 35mm 1:2 | Canon 50 f/1.8 II | Sigma 18-125mm DC OS | Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD | Canon 430EX II
Military Issued Canon 40D | Canon 55-250mm IS