I took this a few weeks ago when the Butterfly Milkweed was in full bloom. In spite of (or maybe because of) the mid day sunlight, I like the contrast between the sky and grass but I don't really like the variation in the sky from side to side.(polarizer at wide angle?) I tried several things to try and even it out but wasn't really happy with the results so I left it alone.
One of the things you can do to eliminate that polarizer effect with wide lenses is to simply not use one and then darken the sky evenly later. Or you could shoot one with the polarizer so that you get the nice rich color in the landscape and one without the filter for a clean sky, then blend the two together. You could also add puffy clouds......
I like the scene Ken, very indicitive of the Kansas prairies. I also like the contrast of the orange vs yellow blooms. I too have struggled with using a circ polarizer at wide angles, a few years back Tim gave me the very same advise.
I'm assuming you're shooting digital so I would have gone with two exposures or as it appears would have been possible in this case, processed a single raw file twice, once for the sky, once for the foreground, then blended. You may also have benefited from using some ND on the sky, if you're packing filters.
I'm so new to all this, I really don't know how to fix what you don't like.
So I'll just comment on the photo. I LOVE the contrast of the orange & yellow flowers against the green grass. Butterfly milkweed is one of favorites, and you've captured it well here.
Did you take this at the Tallgrass Prairie Reserve? Have you been to the Konza Prairie? LOVE both places!!! I don't think people who don't live in this area really have a full appreciation for the beauty of the tallgrass prairie or realize the diversity of wildflowers and wildlife it supports.
Tim, I don't know why I didn't try some shots without the polarizer. I will sure remember that in the future.
Wayne, I wish I would have thought of ND grad filter. I had one along but am just not in the habit of using it.
Angela, this was taken at Chase County Lake on one of the hills above the lake. I've come to really like some of the county parks in Kansas. Even though the Tallgrass Reserve is especially nice, the restrictions on hiking are too strict. I have never been to Konza but would like to try it. I saw your post in the other thread and it sounds great.
Discussion
4 repliesWhat do you think?
Thanks for looking.
I'm assuming you're shooting digital so I would have gone with two exposures or as it appears would have been possible in this case, processed a single raw file twice, once for the sky, once for the foreground, then blended. You may also have benefited from using some ND on the sky, if you're packing filters.
Good shot Ken, thanks for posting!
So I'll just comment on the photo. I LOVE the contrast of the orange & yellow flowers against the green grass. Butterfly milkweed is one of favorites, and you've captured it well here.
Did you take this at the Tallgrass Prairie Reserve? Have you been to the Konza Prairie? LOVE both places!!!
Tim, I don't know why I didn't try some shots without the polarizer. I will sure remember that in the future.
Wayne, I wish I would have thought of ND grad filter. I had one along but am just not in the habit of using it.
Angela, this was taken at Chase County Lake on one of the hills above the lake. I've come to really like some of the county parks in Kansas. Even though the Tallgrass Reserve is especially nice, the restrictions on hiking are too strict. I have never been to Konza but would like to try it. I saw your post in the other thread and it sounds great.