A Few From My Weekend Away
A Few From My Weekend Away
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Dai Capp

Original Poster:

1,641 posts

290 months

Tuesday 1st July 2008
quotequote all
Went up to Kinlochbervie at the weekend and took some pics on the way up and also at Oldshoremore...

On the way up - we purchased which was as well, we all needed a nip after Oldshoremore!



On a big rock on the beach



Same again



The beach itself - it is stunning



just some pebbles



On the way up on Kirkstone Pass near Ambleside



As you can see, unfortunately the weather wasn't with us - it was throwing it down and blowing a gale!

Let me know what you think...

Cheers

DC


AllTorque

2,646 posts

299 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
This isn't meant to sound disrespectful and is just my opinion as a 'non-phtographer', but I'd say the photographs are fine as snaps (memories) for your holiday album - however as artistic statements in themselves that you would presumably like to share with the world, they seem to be lacking a little in my opinion. There's no obvious theme for the photos, interesting subjects, unusual angles or pertinent effects say. It just seems like you've seen a nice view and clicked the button like we all do.

What were you trying to achieve, and do you think you accomplished it in accordance with your vision?

I've just bought my first DSLR last week, and am having the same thoughts about my own pictures. I'd like to try and make people say "wow" to at least one pic I show them!

What camera did you use out of interest, and apologies again for my opinion - you did ask!! :-)

Dai Capp

Original Poster:

1,641 posts

290 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
AllTorque said:
This isn't meant to sound disrespectful and is just my opinion as a 'non-phtographer', but I'd say the photographs are fine as snaps (memories) for your holiday album - however as artistic statements in themselves that you would presumably like to share with the world, they seem to be lacking a little in my opinion. There's no obvious theme for the photos, interesting subjects, unusual angles or pertinent effects say. It just seems like you've seen a nice view and clicked the button like we all do.

What were you trying to achieve, and do you think you accomplished it in accordance with your vision?

I've just bought my first DSLR last week, and am having the same thoughts about my own pictures. I'd like to try and make people say "wow" to at least one pic I show them!

What camera did you use out of interest, and apologies again for my opinion - you did ask!! :-)
Thanks for the feedback - I was a little disappointed as well - was thinking about compostition but the weather at Oldshoremore in particular was so bad I wasn't really able to get set up. The plan was to do some long exposure shots out to sea and as you say, find some interesting angles off the beach.

I was reasonably pleased with the clarity on the distillary and the composition on Kirkstone Pass but I'd agree - not my best!

The camera is a Canon 400d and most are shot using the 18 - 55mm stock lens. Kirkstone Pass was using my Sigma 70 - 300mm...

Cheers

DC

AllTorque

2,646 posts

299 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
I agree that the weather makes things tricky (or easy depending on what type of weather!).

My personal favourite is the stones - don't ask me why! Probably the colours. Did you try boosting any of the colours on the camera when taking the shots? Or perhaps tweaking in Picasa or similar? That would get them looking less insipid.

Also, I've heard that a polariser can help with reflections off water, and can improve contrast. Is that something you've considered trying? Perhaps the experts on here can comment more....

I'll post some of my initial efforts up too soon, and you can blast me back!! :-)

Marc

Edited by AllTorque on Wednesday 2nd July 15:15

Dai Capp

Original Poster:

1,641 posts

290 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
AllTorque said:
I agree that the weather makes things tricky (or easy depending on what type of weather!).

My personal favourite is the stones - don't ask me why! Probably the colours. Did you try boosting any of the colours on the camera when taking the shots? Or perhaps tweaking in Picasa or similar? That would get them looking less insipid.

Also, I've heard that a polariser can help with reflections off water, and can improve contrast. Is that something you've considered trying? Perhaps the experts on here can comment more....

I'll post some of my initial efforts up too soon, and you can blast me back!! :-)

Marc

Edited by AllTorque on Wednesday 2nd July 15:15
Thanks for the constructive input Marc - they are straight out of the camera so I'll have a play tonight to see if I can give them a bit more life. Not tried a polariser so that could be a next step.

As you can tell, landscape is not something I normally photograph, more cars and architecture, so I'm very much a newbie smile

Mrs DC liked to stones as well (and a jellyfish but I haven't put that up!)

Look forward to seeing your pics when you get them up...

All the best

DC

AndyKH

1,456 posts

226 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
Like previously said, they are a bit 'snapshot' like but with a very quick play in PS they turn into interesting shots.Hope you dont mind my playing about.




Dai Capp

Original Poster:

1,641 posts

290 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
AndyKH said:
Like previously said, they are a bit 'snapshot' like but with a very quick play in PS they turn into interesting shots.Hope you dont mind my playing about.


How to improve pictures in one easy lesson - brilliant!

I have to admit I am useless at manipulating images but you're right, a bit of cooking has made a big difference!

I'd started playing in Picasa with the beach shots and using graduated tint - I'll keep having a play!

Cheers for these!

DC

GetCarter

31,293 posts

309 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
Sorry the weather was crap whilst you were up here...

... and yes, contrast is what you needed in the photos (IMHO).

But good light would have circumvented that.

Next good light not due for two weeks! (Having had 7 weeks of wall to wall sun, it's now the same with slanty-ways rain)

Dai Capp

Original Poster:

1,641 posts

290 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
GetCarter said:
Sorry the weather was crap whilst you were up here...

... and yes, contrast is what you needed in the photos (IMHO).

But good light would have circumvented that.

Next good light not due for two weeks! (Having had 7 weeks of wall to wall sun, it's now the same with slanty-ways rain)
Last time we were there (Inveralligin) we had cracking weather but this time was a bit grim!

Anyways - here's my first ever attempt at putting lipstick on a pig!




Cheers

DC


GetCarter

31,293 posts

309 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
Now you see I like that....

I live on the other side of the loch to Inveralligin. Next time you're up, we should meet up for a dram.

Flip Martian

23,812 posts

220 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
Flat light is the enemy of good photos. Its nice to see someone posting up pictures and then not throwing a tantrum when they don't get praised to the skies. And nice to see constructive criticism too.

A good trick often is to turn the "flat, low contrast colour photo into monochrome and play with the contrast levels a bit. I dabble a bit - might post some photos when I'm brave enough. Some very good snappers on here though!wink

AndyKH

1,456 posts

226 months

Thursday 3rd July 2008
quotequote all
I like the monochrome look of that sea shot too, i bet it only took a couple of mins and look at the difference. Might have another play with one of you sea shots as i think they have potential to be rather moody.

AndyKH

1,456 posts

226 months

Thursday 3rd July 2008
quotequote all
Not as interesting as the last batch but i think they're still nice shots.




Dai Capp

Original Poster:

1,641 posts

290 months

Thursday 3rd July 2008
quotequote all
Flip Martian said:
Flat light is the enemy of good photos. Its nice to see someone posting up pictures and then not throwing a tantrum when they don't get praised to the skies. And nice to see constructive criticism too.

A good trick often is to turn the "flat, low contrast colour photo into monochrome and play with the contrast levels a bit. I dabble a bit - might post some photos when I'm brave enough. Some very good snappers on here though!wink
I don't have an issue with criticism at all - for me it's the only way to learn, but you're right, some people do get a bit precious! I've been lucky here, people have been very constructive...

And yes, there are some very clever boys and girls on here - but that's good - again I learn by looking!

AndyKH said:
I like the monochrome look of that sea shot too, i bet it only took a couple of mins and look at the difference. Might have another play with one of you sea shots as i think they have potential to be rather moody.
Cheers - took a bit longer than you might think but only because I don't know what I'm doing properly yet nuts

This was done by adding a reddish tint, film graining and sharpening the image and of course turning it black and white..

Thanks for the tips etc etc

DC


Dai Capp

Original Poster:

1,641 posts

290 months

Thursday 3rd July 2008
quotequote all
AndyKH said:
Not as interesting as the last batch but i think they're still nice shots.

[
bloody hell that's spooky - here's my version I did yesterday when I did the monochrome one!



DC

AndyKH

1,456 posts

226 months

Thursday 3rd July 2008
quotequote all
Ha that is strange, i did a B&W version of it but didn't think it looked as good as a punchy colour version, we must be on the same wavelength my old bean.

rfn

4,609 posts

237 months

Thursday 3rd July 2008
quotequote all
Wow this thread is ace - amazing how easy it it to improve the pictures 100 fold - I shall be employing some of these techniques I think! smile.

CivicMan

2,211 posts

231 months

Thursday 3rd July 2008
quotequote all
Dai, you've got a couple of dust spots in the sky. They look like circular blobs, slightly darker than the surrounding area.





Edited by CivicMan on Thursday 3rd July 09:18

Dai Capp

Original Poster:

1,641 posts

290 months

Thursday 3rd July 2008
quotequote all
CivicMan said:
Dai, you've got a couple of dust spots in the sky. They look like circular blobs, slightly darker than the surrounding area.





Edited by CivicMan on Thursday 3rd July 09:18
Aye - spotted those, wasn't sure whether they were dust spots or rain drops as it was chucking it down. I'm going to do a bit of cloning at the weekend to get rid though!

Cheers

DC

AllTorque

2,646 posts

299 months

Thursday 3rd July 2008
quotequote all

Fantastic work by Andy there!!!! As you can see DC, the photos look SO much better after the 'alterations'. I really liked your effort too with the seascape.

Those stones definitely look "wow!" now!!

Keep up the fantastic work everyone...

Marc