I'm trying to keep in mind (or put it on paper) lighting conditions for my locations through the year. I'm keeping compass in my photo vest pocket all the time to check light angle and remember it (better still to put in on paper) for further use. Keep chart of sunrise/sunset times and sun angle at sunset/sunrise with you. That way there is (almost) no unpleasing surprises when coming to photographing site. And you'll have reference for further usage. Weather forecast and personal experience with weather on your location are also very important. When you are on location (mind you, I'm often using large format) walk around checking angles and forms that you'll photograph. Keep in mind that foot prints are very specific subject, so walking into the scene you are planning to photograph might not be a good idea. Carefully examine weather you would like to use limited DOF or would you like to go with as much DOF as possible and determine you focusing point accordingly. Does you scene needs a grad filter (or will you be photographing with merging photos in PS in mind). When composing, watch out for rubbish (man made and things that don't belong into your scene). Look around frame edges if there is logical end of your composition there. Determine your shutter speed (blurred water, blurred grass and leafs moving in the wind, moving clouds). Will motion blur add to your composition? Meter the scene while you are waiting for the light to come, so that when it arrives, you'll be prepared. Enjoy your outing as much as possible. Your pleasure will increase number of keepers.
That is from top of my head. It helps when you are starting out to write your workflow on paper and to have that paper with you (you would not believe how many different ways to destroy 5x4 film are out there and we are inventing new ones all the time ).
Raw conversion is the same as for birds: colour temperature and things, only that you might develop one frame multiple times for merging it in PS. Once in PS, the most important thing to keep in mind is, what you would like to achieve. What the final product should looks like. Once you know that, it's the same way as with birds: multiple layers, contrast adjustment and things.
In terms of sharpening, I use typical usm settings, but have found selective sharpening of use. This is certainly true if the photo includes considerable fg interest, when I will give the fg maybe one more pass of sharpening than the bg.
Marko has covered about everything and more that I can think of. Personally I have very limited time for photography so usually end up trying to make the best of the conditions I happen upoun. I usually have a sunrise/sunset compass with me so I can make notes of good places and what may be the best place to go at specific times of year and in different weather conditions.
For web sharpening the Marc Adamus technique is brilliant. I don't do many prints but when i do I tend not to sharpen at all and always get good results.
Tristan
Posted by Graeme Lee on August 24, 2007 at 3:40 PM
Thanks very much guys... I just need to wait until my children grow up a bit
Are there any better sunset/sunrise compasses than others?
Are there any better sunset/sunrise compasses than others?
I find THIS WEBSITE very useful for the sun rise and sun set poitions, as well as the moon rise,moon set, amount of moon illuminated, etc
It's then just a case of taking an ordinaty compass with you to see where the sun will come up,set,etc. Useful if you already have a compass I guess but if you don't perhaps a specific sunrise/sunset one may be more beneficial.
The only snag with the website above is the information can only be seen on that particular day, so if you check it today it'll only give you todays readings which are good enough to use for today obviously, or even the next few days, but not a lot of use if you wish to think weeks or months in advance.
I wouldn't take any notice of their weather forcast though,it's rubbish IMO, with the Met Office generally being more accurate.
Posted by Graeme Lee on August 24, 2007 at 6:26 PM
Discussion
8 repliesHas anyone got a workflow that is pretty fundamental to their images? I have a workflow for birds and that's it
Interested in what sharpening techniques are used for landscapes too as I'm am finding this difficult to get to grips with
Many thanks
Graeme
Marko
That is from top of my head. It helps when you are starting out to write your workflow on paper and to have that paper with you (you would not believe how many different ways to destroy 5x4 film are out there and we are inventing new ones all the time
Raw conversion is the same as for birds: colour temperature and things, only that you might develop one frame multiple times for merging it in PS. Once in PS, the most important thing to keep in mind is, what you would like to achieve. What the final product should looks like. Once you know that, it's the same way as with birds: multiple layers, contrast adjustment and things.
I do hope this helps.
Cheers,
Marko
In terms of sharpening, I use typical usm settings, but have found selective sharpening of use. This is certainly true if the photo includes considerable fg interest, when I will give the fg maybe one more pass of sharpening than the bg.
For web presentation, I have found Marc Adamus' sharpening technique very good.
http://pacificnw.naturephotographers.net/tips/photoshop.htm
Hope that helps in some way. In general, my PS workflow is just the same as for any other images.
For web sharpening the Marc Adamus technique is brilliant. I don't do many prints but when i do I tend not to sharpen at all and always get good results.
Tristan
Are there any better sunset/sunrise compasses than others?
I find THIS WEBSITE very useful for the sun rise and sun set poitions, as well as the moon rise,moon set, amount of moon illuminated, etc
It's then just a case of taking an ordinaty compass with you to see where the sun will come up,set,etc. Useful if you already have a compass I guess but if you don't perhaps a specific sunrise/sunset one may be more beneficial.
The only snag with the website above is the information can only be seen on that particular day, so if you check it today it'll only give you todays readings which are good enough to use for today obviously, or even the next few days, but not a lot of use if you wish to think weeks or months in advance.
I wouldn't take any notice of their weather forcast though,it's rubbish IMO, with the Met Office generally being more accurate.