Help with lighting, image from Deep Creek Alaska

[totalyfrozen]

Ok so how do I keep the trees and rocks from being washed out? I guess I could have waited till the sun went down farther but is there another trick I could have used? camera settings??



Thanks!

[bob_r]

Did you try using a neutral density filter? This should have given you the same results as waiting for the sun to go down farther.

Bob R

[totalyfrozen]

no, but now I have a good reason to go out and get one LOL.

is there a way in photoshop to correct this? I did what I could with it to clean it up but still.. still learning photoshop..

[gldiana]

Make sure you get a SPLIT ND filter, not just a regular one.
Also, they come in different intensity depending on how many f/stops you want to remove.

[totalyfrozen]

Cool Thanks! So what density would you recommend to start with? or which one is most comonly used?

[gldiana]

I would say go with something middle of the line (.4) and as you get to know it and see the results build a collection to help you with all kind of light settings.
You'll find all you need at BH, Adorama, Calumet and even Amazon.

[bob_r]

Make sure you get a SPLIT ND filter, not just a regular one.
Also, they come in different intensity depending on how many f/stops you want to remove.

I think you need both types, but for this shot, I think a regular ND would have worked better. Split filters work better when faced with bright skies, shooting into the sun or anytime that only one area of the scene needs to be darkened. I don't see that being the case in this shot.

Bob R

[gldiana]

I dunno, it seems to me like the bottom part of the photo is a lot brighter than the rest. Could be the junky monitor at work.

[totalyfrozen]

ok I will look into at least getting one of each to start out with and go from there.

[gldiana]

I had a Cokin system for many years but would only fit small diameter lenses (55mm) so before my trip to Japan I got the Cokin P series (up to 82mm) for my 24-105 L and I used the Split ND with that a lot. Without that probably I would not have been able to take many of the shots at all.
One of the advantages of the Cokin system is that the filter slides in the holder so you can move it up and down and rotate it, which is great when your bright area falls away from the middle of the frame or diagonally.

[totalyfrozen]

I mainly want it for my 50mm 1.8 lens. I have been using that alot.

[bob_r]

I had a Cokin system for many years but would only fit small diameter lenses (55mm) so before my trip to Japan I got the Cokin P series (up to 82mm) for my 24-105 L and I used the Split ND with that a lot. Without that probably I would not have been able to take many of the shots at all.
One of the advantages of the Cokin system is that the filter slides in the holder so you can move it up and down and rotate it, which is grate when your bright area falls away from the middle of the frame or diagonally.

I use the Cokin P system too. It's a pretty cheap way to go since you only have to buy the adapters for the different size lenses. I don't use their system for polarizers so don't know how effective those are.

Bob R

[hw771230]

I have another idea that may work. The split and grad NDs are a good idea though, b/c they can really cut down on this type of thing.

If you shoot in RAW you may be ably to double process and combine the two in PS. I love this technique, but use it rarely. Process one for the darker areas, and one for the brighter areas, then use a layer mask to combine them and show just what you want from each shot.

I do love my grad ND though.

Caleb

[totalyfrozen]

I will also give that a try thanks!

[digitaljohn]

Caleb has a good idea also you could do a HDR or two exposures and combine them. Grad ND works very well but make sure you stop down the lens when adjusting the filter position. the regular ND will not help with the log in the lower left. I have seen images like this that can be reworked in Raw to get better results. It is a good idea to carry a Grad ND, regular ND and a Polarizer with you if you are shooting digital. You have lots of options so it's not a dead end.
Have fun
John