Evening in the Mara

[Hilary Hann]

This is my first post of a photo for critique and hope the photo size is ok.
It was taken late in the day in the Masai Mara.
ISO800, f22, 1/125 (auto exposure), focal length 75mm
Canon 20D, 75-300mm lens.

Post production in Photoshop with levels, curves and increased saturation slightly to bring back the glow in the sky.

[Lance Peters]

Hi Hilary - A big warm welcome to the BPN Family - Hope you enjoy!!

Before we start - the file is only 20K in size which is not enough to be able to get a good look at your image.
It can be up to 200K and 1024 pixels on the longest side.
Here is the link for posting instructions
http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...read.php?t=839

If you still have trouble send me a PM :)

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks Lance for the welcome. This is a steep learning curve, getting these sizes right. The first one was saved at just under 200k, so it was a surprise to see it so small. This one just crept over the 200k, but if it decreases in size like the first then I really need to check all my settings.

This image is slightly different in tonings as I had to go back to my original because I'd done something silly first up. Never mind, learning all the time.

[Lance Peters]

Hi Hilary - something happening - it is still only 20kb when I download it.
Maybe step me through how you are resizing and what with!

[Hilary Hann]

That's strange. Ok. I have my image in Photoshop. I go to Image Size and change the image length to 1024px.
Then I've gone to 'save for web' and moved the slider until I get an optimised image around 200k. Then I upload it to Picasa at actual size. When I look at the image on Picasa, it says that it is 1024x552 pixels - 231kb. Then I copy the image address and put it into BPN. Then the gremlins take hold and render it down! :(

[Lance Peters]

Hi - try adjusting the JPG quality down - want it to say under 200KB when you look at it in Picasa. If its over 200 BPN does reduce the size.

[Hilary Hann]

I have brought the image down to 194px and uploaded it through Photobucket, in case Picasa was doing something strange.

[Lance Peters]

Now we are in Business!!!
To get the most from your camera - we will need to get you off of that automatic exposure setting :)
Aperture Priority - Shutter Priority - Manual and Exposure compensation will soon be your best friends. The camera is DUMB - It knows how to do one thing and one thing only - make everything a middle tone (18% grey)
For instance if you take a photo of a white wall on the A setting - the camera goes WOW this is so bright I need to make this darker - this is were you need to override the dumb camera and make the wall white as it should be with your exposure compensation.

Now to your photo - MOST of the time - if you are going to include something in your shot, its worth including all of it - the tree on the left hand side is slightly cut off - draws your attention, different matter if it looks like a deliberate compositional decision.

I think the sky could do with darkening a little - just to give the sky a little more drama.

Will leave it at that for this one - dont want to bury you - do check out our educational resources forum - lots of info in there.
Looking forward to seeing more :)

[Dave Leroy]

Good eye on the photo Hilary. It looks like a very pretty scene with a lovely sky. Keep posting and you will get a ton of good advice from the moderators and others. Looking forward to the next one. Dave

[Kyle Marie Barcelos]

I like the over all feel of the picture, just wish the tree on the left was all there. Other then that i like what you were going for, and a big warm welcome, keep them coming and TFS:)

[Hilary Hann]

Thank you all. Lance I do agree with what you have suggested. Isn't it interesting that you can look at your own photos and totally NOT see what you would see in other's. Developing that self critical eye is probably the most important thing to enhance ones own images. I shall start looking for another image to post using a more critical eye, in the mean time I will endeavour to make my 5 critiques of other people's images! But that is quite hard when you feel like you have so much to learn.

Lance, I have decreased my reliance on Auto exposure but I admit that I have been rather lazy.

BTW, I find it hard sometimes to decipher all the acronyms, is there a code deciphering link. :)

[Lance Peters]

Hi Hilary - I would start here........... http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ead.php?t=5596
Arties' Books both the hard copy and the Art Of Bird Photography II have a wealth on information - depends wheter you are a Bird or Landscape person as well.

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks Lance, I have Arthur Morris' book and disk but my husband has them under lock and key at present. I will get them eventually.

[Ken Watkins]

Hi Hilary,

There I told you it would be useful to participate on this forum, I hope you get as much benefit as I have from it.

There is so much to learn and this is the best place to find out virtually everything.

Cheers

Ken

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks Ken, you are completely right. Cheers
Hilary

[Gus Cobos]

HI Hilary,
A big warm welcome to the BPN family...:) I do like your capture on the final repost. I agree with Mr. Peters on the techs. and fine advise given. I might add that the image needs a little bit of color saturation and contrast adjustment to make it come alive...once again, welcome to the family. I'm looking forward to your next one...:):cool:

[Hilary Hann]

Thank you Gus, I am working on my next effort right now so thank you for your kind welcome and encouragement.

[Alfred Forns]

Big Warm Welcome Hilary !!!!!!! Glad you decided to post images .... best way to get ahead !!!

..can add I would like seeing the tree clearing the ridge, so getting a little lower closer could have done it ... if you were able to move around :) Really nice image !!!

[Hilary Hann]

Thank you Alfred, I wouldn't have thought of that and I could have moved if I had given the image the consideration it deserved. Excellent idea.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Welcome Hillary! Good to see another Aussie.
Since you are a member, you can upload directly when you are posting. No problems then. :)
You can add a graduated filter in ACR to darken the sky.

[Hilary Hann]

Thank you Akos, I'll try that with the filter but won't repost because I still don't have the whole tree. If I can get it work well, I'll try it on a different image before posting to see how my technique holds up.

Hope you enjoyed our 'dust' on your beautiful city! :)