Chimney Rock, Pt. Reyes National Seashore

Hello All,

Chimney Rock felt like it was experiencing gale force winds when I took this photo. I was experimenting with hyperfocus, but fretting about going over the cliff didn't let all the information transfer from my brain to my camera...so its soft. However, I would love your comments on composition and photoshop work - curves and sharpening (unfortunately the upload is a bit small to comment on... )

1/200
f/9
iso 200
25mm
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L

Thanks,
Michie

ps. also posted a turkey vulture on NPN in man & nature

Interresting composition, with the sharp flowers in front and the whole scenery behind. Very nice angle.

Thank you Dan,
I'm still trying to get hyperfocus...

Don't get so hung up on what is hyperfocus or not. I don't know what that is. Just stop down and focus until it is all sharp. If it's still not in focus, then either use a wider angle or step back a little.

Anyways, this is a very nice angle on a popular spot. I like how you show the Ocean, and then the inner bay slightly on the opposite side of the ridge. The weather was pretty horrible on my first visit as well.

Thanks Richard,
Its nice to hear that from a pro - the hyperfocus thing...

It was blowing, but at least it wasn't foggy

lol, when it is blowing at Point Reyes, it is blowing whether there is fog or not. I only had a light sweater on because I underestimated how cold it would get. So I walked that peninsula trail where the elk are and my nose was running uncontrolably and my eye (contact lens) was watering like crazy. Photography really wasn't on my mind anymore by that point. It must have been 80mph winds because I got knocked down a few times.

Richard,
You ain't kidding me!!!! I was belly crawling to the edge and worried that my contacts would fly off my eyes every time I blinked. I had other things to worry about than pressing my aperature preview button - hahahaha.
but - thanks really, about the hyperfocus thing - I have a 5D and sometimes it's hard to see through the screen to check the stop down of the aperature, but it's nice to know there are other ways to do it....

Hey, what do you think of an upgrade for me to the MKIII if and when it makes it out??? vs. a 600mm 4L - I'm not too much into wildlife/avian, but like it when I stumble upon it....or use the pro body with my 400L and 2x (for autofocus - bird flight/tracking, etc...)

Thanks Richard for your input.
michie

haha, crawling on the edge in that weather and contacts was what you were worried about?

Depends on your budget. If money isn't an issue then sure go after the big stuff. I honestly don't know what I would do with a 600 though. unless you are shooting shorebirds several football fields away. I've read that a 400 x 1.4 is a good combo to work with and something I could see myself buying. I'd rather just save my money though if I had 5D. for birding just get a 30D. you get the speed and the conversion factor for a fraction of the cost.

Richard,
naw....wasn't worried one bit...scared sh--less is more like it - hahahahah.

wondering myself how often the 600 would come out - hmmmm a 30D with the 1.6 factor and the 400 with a 1.4 might be an interesting option...do you know if autofocus works with that combo? use 2 cameras??? i thought a full-frame camera was the only way to go???? or have i been hoodwinked into the "mine is bigger" nonsense???

From what I understand, I think the 1.4x converter with a 400 means you have to manually focus. I don't think that is a big deal since if you are using that much reach, you are probably just shooting static bird on a stick or water portraits.

The reason why I brought up 30D is because you were asking about bird and long lenses. 30D is faster than a 5D and has the conversion factor. When shooting things frame-filling objects like birds, you won't be able to tell the difference between 8 and 12 mp. Now if you were only shooting scenics or anything else with small details then the 5D is a better option because of the extra detail and full-frame if you are into wide angles. Don't get caught up in gear though. If I only had the budget for either a trip or an extra piece of equipment. I'd spend my money on a trip. Gear means nothing if you're not planning on using it.

Richard,

My current strength is landscapes - so the megapixel count helps for cropping... - I don't go ultrawide too often with my 5D because I have a Sigma 15-30 - bought it when I had a 10D and so the vignetting didn't show up - my 24-70 is my mainstay.

Funny thing that you bring up a trip...in November I'm booked for an Arthur Morris 3-day at Bosque Del Apache....so...the 600 AND the trip...but I think I may have come to my senses - I can rent the bazooka (as long as I don't drop it) and a tripod with a wimberley head from Mr. Morris. - and so the cash is burning a hole in my pocket - I'll wait to see how the MKIII fares - fast AND a 1.3 factor - although a MKII N or something may look pretty too as they phase them out... (I would like the chance to shoot birds in flight) or a large printer (although I have a smugmug account and their print service does a decent job and they have a guarantee to boot!)... So the gadget hound is hot on the trail for something - a new gitzo tripod with a Markins head, other lenses, a laptop.

Its Friday - sorry for the ramble.

Yeah I agree, defeinetly rent before deciding to drop down $10,000 on gear you are unsure about.

I agree with Dan - a very nice composition. The near/far thingy works well as presented.

I do wish that the posted image was a little larger so that I could study the details some more.

yeah - but then you would see how crunchy it is since my DOF was slightly off

Hey Michie,

I like how the slice of FG seems to fit right in with the cliffs. The flowers are just bold enough to grab my attention initially and your composition then leads my eye through the photo. I dig it!