Help me pick my PaD for yesterday

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

04/25/2005 02:54:36 PM · #1

I decided to go for a bit of a drive down to Cape May, NJ from New York City. ~200 miles later, I shot and shot and shot - shot a lot because program metering didn't seem to work so well. I ended up with some pretty cool stuff, but can't decide what to post for yesterday's PaD.

Please help.

Cape May, NJ - April, 2005

Also, I'd love some tips on making clouds really pop. Are there any tutorials out there?

Thanks,
Ara

dewed

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

04/25/2005 03:01:24 PM · #2

have you tried using a circular polarized filter for the clouds? Makes sky bluer, colors a little more intense and the clouds stand out.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/25/2005 03:04:26 PM · #3

Originally posted by dewed:

have you tried using a circular polarized filter for the clouds? ...

Yep, had it on my 18-55 all day. =]

Message edited by author 2005-04-25 15:05:08.

moodville

Nikon D100

04/25/2005 03:42:22 PM · #4

A graduated neutral density filter really helps with clouds, among other things.

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

04/25/2005 03:44:24 PM · #5

They're all nice shots, but my favorite from the batch has to be CRW_2082.jpg as the two sources of blue, among the nicely colored earth tones, make the image very appealing to me.

Message edited by author 2005-04-25 15:45:04.

KaDi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

04/25/2005 04:23:45 PM · #6

I like 2160--the light is nice and the subject slightly ominous.
=o

04/25/2005 05:35:03 PM · #7

Originally posted by moodville:

A graduated neutral density filter really helps with clouds, among other things.

Thanks, I need to give those a try. I've been holding off on spending on filters to see what filter size a nicer (than the 18-55) wide zoom will be.

04/25/2005 05:40:37 PM · #8

Originally posted by brianlh:

They're all nice shots, but my favorite from the batch has to be CRW_2082.jpg as the two sources of blue, among the nicely colored earth tones, make the image very appealing to me.

Thanks, I really liked that one too. In fact, I was struggling with which version to post, the hypersaturated one or, the B&W one:

Although this isn't the original conversion, I like it too.

04/25/2005 05:46:37 PM · #9

Originally posted by KaDi:

I like 2160--the light is nice and the subject slightly ominous.
=o

Thanks! I had trouble framing it before the ferries passed. FYI, a nearby sign explains the wreck in the foreground:

S.S. Atlantus
Remains of experimental concrete ship. One of twelve built during World War I. Proven impractical after several trans-Atlantic trips because of weight. Broke loose during storm (June 1926) went aground. Attempts to free her were futile.

moodville

Nikon D100

04/25/2005 06:30:31 PM · #10

Originally posted by BikeRacer:

Originally posted by moodville:
A graduated neutral density filter really helps with clouds, among other things.

Thanks, I need to give those a try. I've been holding off on spending on filters to see what filter size a nicer (than the 18-55) wide zoom will be.

If you use the Cokin filter system then it doesnt really matter what size the lens is. You have to get an adapter ring for the lens in order to fit the system and they're pretty cheap so you can get a ring set for all lenses.

04/25/2005 07:03:16 PM · #11

Originally posted by moodville:

Ok, thanks. I'll look into them. =]

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/25/2005 07:36:57 PM · #12

Anyone with any tips for punching up clouds in post-processing? I used to use the PS shadow/highlight tool a lot, but feel that it gives a blended/artificial look to most shots. I've tried curves and levels, but my technique is lacking. Maybe I need to mask the sky off and process them seperately, but I find selection so difficult with trees or any complicated objects on the interface from sky to horizon.

bucket

Canon EOS-30D

04/25/2005 07:51:04 PM · #13

Great shots-esp. 2184 and 2082..love the clouds in 2184..wouldn't touch those ones..

04/25/2005 09:08:08 PM · #14

Originally posted by bucket:

Great shots-esp. 2184 and 2082..love the clouds in 2184..wouldn't touch those ones..

Thanks! I like the way 2184 and 2082 came out too, but I was looking to improve the clouds in 2062, 2087, and 2160.