Creative photography

[ShutterbugGail]

I feel so fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time to capture this sunrise. I've taken hundreds of photos of sunrises and this is the absolute most spectacular:

http://www.pbase.com/gailb/image/87613846

[bdery]

Gail,

that is indeed a spectacular capture. The composition (and cropping) are excellent, the people add a depth to the picture, the colors are amazing. There is some evidence of noise in the sky, maybe that could be removed? But I'm not sure if it's not my LCD acting up on this, it seems to happen from time to time.

Excellent work in any case.

[pentachris]

Wow, that's a very good shot, Gail!  I'm not a morning person at all, so that's the closest I'll get to seeing a sunrise this year.  Thanks for posting!    

[Deb]

Lovely shot Gail! I like the angle of the shoreline vs the straight horizon. Gives a nice dynamic to the scene; not static.

[rhinorick]

Wow.  Awesome shot Gail.  

Well done!

I would say you were blessed.

What a creation!

[Mike54]

That is a very special shot indeed Gail, worth having done up big and hung on a prominent wall. I can visualize visitors to the gallery standing there feeling a part of the moment.

[dimitrz]

Only one thing to say - I Envy you because its my dream to take such photos - did you use any filter if so whyich one. plus what is 'matrix (5) ' is it = pattern metering mode ? and what is Exposure Program program (2) . I have a Sony DSC H2

Thanks

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi dimtriz and welcome!

No I didn't use a filter for that image. I shot strait with the camera.  

I believe matrix is the same as pattern metering mode. There is some information about digital camera metering modes here:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-features/camera-modes/metering.php

Exposure Program mode is known as P mode on many digital cameras. The camera automatically sets the shutter speed and aperture based on the brightness of the scene. However, unlike full automatic mode, the user can adjust some settings such as exposure compensation, white balance, ISO, focusing and metering modes.*

P Mode is the primary shooting mode I use.

You may find these tips on photographing the sun helpful:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/nature/sun.php


* please note that all the terms mentioned in conjunction with P Mode are explained at the main site. For more information about a particular setting, use the Search feature found at the top right of all pages in the main site.

[dimitrz]

Hi  Gail , Congratulations the bug appears to be fixed .

I wanted to ask these questions after reviewing your photo & EXIF  in detail; follwing are my queries  


1) F-number  is f/2.8  : how come the aperture was set to F2.8 instead of F/8 or F/22-  wouldnt the DOF be higher at a smaller apreture ? What was the reason/logic for a large aperuture selected by you ?

2) ISO speed ratings is ISO 100 ( Was the ISO manually selected by you - if yes how come you stuck to 100 and not 200?)

3) Exposure bias value is -0.33 eV ( why did you slightly underexpose the photo ?)
  
4) Contrast was selected as Soft and Sharpness is Hard   ( What was the thought process behind soft contrast and hard sharpness )

5) Finally where excatly did you focus - was it on the streak of light above the three men on beach ?

Thanks your answers would help me to improve my landscape photography

Cheeers

Dimitrz

[ShutterbugGail]

Congratulations the bug appears to be fixed.

Yes, thankfully it is. For those wondering, we're talking about a minor glitch after the new forum was installed recently; we're not talking about insects.  

1) F-number  is f/2.8  : how come the aperture was set to F2.8 instead of F/8 or F/22-  wouldnt the DOF be higher at a smaller apreture ? What was the reason/logic for a large aperuture selected by you ?

To be honest, I let the camera decide what aperture to use. I shot in P mode. The effect of a wider F-number will not affect a photo taken of a distant subject (ie. at infinity) as much as if I was taking a close-up shot).

2) ISO speed ratings is ISO 100 ( Was the ISO manually selected by you - if yes how come you stuck to 100 and not 200?)

I always keep my compact digital cameras set at ISO 100 or below because it produces the least amount of noise.

3) Exposure bias value is -0.33 eV ( why did you slightly underexpose the photo ?)

To be honest, I forgot to change the setting.    I arrived late at the scene and the colors were changing so fast. I just keep shooting rather than fuss with settings.

4) Contrast was selected as Soft and Sharpness is Hard   ( What was the thought process behind soft contrast and hard sharpness )

I'm going to have to check the EXIF data and get back to you on this because I always turn down sharpness.

5) Finally where exactly did you focus - was it on the streak of light above the three men on beach ?

Probably, yes. My camera has AE Lock, so I lock exposure where I want it, then focus where I want to by moving the camera and depressing the shutter button half way. Then when both focus and exposure are locked independently, I do a final recompose. Not all digital cameras have this feature.

[dimitrz]

Thanks Gail ...your answers have helped unravell la lot of aspects. Beware i'll be back with a better sunset photo    just kidding

[kbarn]

Your picture is positively breathtaking!  I'm just starting out. My Sony Alpha came in the mail yesterday.  I'm learning so much from all your posts.  Thanks!!!!

[ShutterbugGail]

Welcome kbarn and thank you for your kind words! As mentioned, I feel fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time the morning I captured those sunrise shots.

Glad the information at Digicamhelp is helpful. Please feel free to ask questions here when you have any. Also, at the top of all pages in the main site is a search field. Type in a word or phrase of a digitgal photography subject that you're interested in.

[kbarn]

Being from New England I wasn't familiar with Hobe Sound so I looked it up on Wiki.  They have a cool sunset photo there.  It must be quite the place to shoot if the pictures I've seen are any indication.  I hope my camera and I get there someday.  

[ShutterbugGail]

Hobe Sound is a lovely, quiet little community about 30 miles north of West Palm Beach FL. If you visit some day, make sure to head south and stop at Jonathan boy thingyerson state park; then do south about six miles more to see the Jupiter Inlet lighthouse; all great places to take photos! Do a web search on these topics to find out all they have to offer.

btw, I haven't been to the New England area in a very long time but it, too, is a stunning area to photograph...and stop to eat lobster rolls along the way. Yum!