One More

[Jim Poor]

I'm not sure about the square crop or the "extra" vegetation in a couple places.

Camera Make: NIKON CORPORATION

Camera Model: NIKON D3

Image Date: 2008:03:21 06:29:58

Flash Used: No

Focal Length: 600.0mm (35mm equivalent: 600mm)

Exposure Time: 0.0056 s (1/180)

Aperture: f/4.0

ISO equiv: 200

White Balance: Auto

Metering Mode: Matrix

Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)

Comment: (C)JIM_POOR

[Robert Amoruso]

Jim,

I like the light and the sea oats. I am guessing that you left the OOF BG along the lower edge as a compositional anchor and if that is the case I would say not for this image. The sea oats silhouetted against the sky would work wonderfully by themselves here. This is a "keep it simple" image. I would recommend a vertical image with the sea oats on the left as they are leaning right and have them 1/2 to 2/3 into the image vertically. You would have had to go lower to get that BG sky only.

You are definitely on the right track and you saw the possibilities of this scene. Nice going.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hi Jim,
I like the fact that you are looking for landscapes. Like Robert said.........all about comp and color/light. You got 1/2 right. Your sky color is a landscapers dream. It's tough using a 600mm for landscape shots........try working with the 24-105 before the light gets great for birds..........now.........imagine the sea oats as a bird........isolate the 1..........and eliminate the other distracting ones.
Still.........glad to see you here...........and we'll make you a landscape guy yet!
Roman

[Maxis Gamez]

HI Jim,

I have to agree with Robert on this one. Too much going on to focus on the little and gentle leafs.

[Mike Moats]

Hey Jim, cool idea and great color. I think Robert had a good idea on the vertical crop.

[Jim Poor]

Thanks everyone. I have a few verticals of this same scene. I also have a few with the sky more in focus and the oat more oof, which I've learned is probably a no-no. I've got a few ideas for a composite or two though :D.

I need to figure out which of my lenses to really concentrate on for landscapes and go out with just one or two of those. Of course, I also need to figure out where to go around here for good subjects too :D

In addition to the "big glass," 600 & 200-400, I have the following little lenses:
10.5mm
20mm
50mm
14-24mm
17-55mm
105mm VR
70-200mm VR
70-300mm VR

I'm thinking that fisheye compositions area bit beyond me at the moment, but it's small and light so no trouble carrying it. I should probably weed out a lens or two.

So, which do you think I should concentrate on for Landscapes? I'm thinking about carrying 14-24, 105 (in case I find an interesting macro along the way) and the 70-200.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Am I correct that the D3 is full frame? If yes...IMO use the 17-55 and the 70-200 (you can use it for birds too) at full frame most shots are above 17mm. You cover most ground this way. Alternative is to get the 16-85??? Nikon is putting out. Not a nikon guy.....don't have feedback on it,
roman

[Jim Poor]

Yes the D3 is full frame. With the 17-55 ( A DX lens) you can only take advantage of the full imaging area at somewhere around 24mm. I actually tested that out on my first D3 when I got it, but don't remember the exact focal length where you start to loose the full frame.

I also have the D300 for a DX sensor. . .

[Gayle Clement]

Beautiful background, Jim. I agree with the vertical crop.

I love the 10.5 fisheye. In Capture you can correct the fisheye distortion with one click and then crop. It's not as sharp as the 12-24 but gives a great wide angle.