I have been reading the posts here almost daily for several months now and have already learned alot. I am very new to photography and am looking to learn as much as I can to make myself a better photographer.
This past September I got married and for our honeymoon my wife and I went on a cruise to Alaska. Alaska is such a beautiful place and want to go back and spend more time on shore than was allowed with a cruise. Below is one of my photos taken on a whale watching trip out of Juneau. The weather was very turbulent with harsh winds and rain while we were out on the boat but the whales were very active. My question is what should I do differently in conditions such as this (wind, rain, fog, low light...). Also, anything I should try in post processing? I'm sure I am leaving something out but I think I'll stop at that. Thanks for your time.
Michael
Monticello, AR
Canon XSi, 55-200mm
Posted by Bryan Simpson on February 17, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Hi Michael and welcome to the CSNP. As you've discovered there is quite a group of talented photographers that hang out here.
I don't know of any secrets to handle the conditions you encountered other than the obvious. The only way to handle low light is either higher ISO or increase aperture or slower shutter. Each approach creates other challenges. You are constrained to keep a fast enough shutter to keep the breaching whale in focus, lower f/stop will decrease the depth of field and higher ISO could introduce noise. It's enough to drive a guy crazy.
I would advise shooting RAW as it gives you better control in post processing. On the shot you posted, I would clone the dust spot in the sky and maybe level the horizon. I can't comment on the overall color/contrast, etc. as I am at work and this monitor is not calibrated.
It's a cool shot. My wife and I have been considering an Alaska cruise for our 25th anniversary next year.
Hope to see more of your shots!
Posted by Dottie L Lloyd on February 17, 2010 at 9:22 PM
Welcome MIchael! What a neat shot! I bet seeing those whales took your breath away. Imagine the power behind that leap. Great to have you aboard. Hope you can try to make some of our gatherings.
Posted by Brad Mangas on February 18, 2010 at 1:04 AM
Hi Michael and welcome!
Your shot looks good fella, I think you handled it well. Conditions as you described are very challenging for a photographer. But with that challenge comes the opportunity of very unique and dramatic shots. The only particle advice I could give for such situations is check you lens frequently and keep it cleaned off of drops and moisture. Even a slight amount will dramatically effect the sharpness of the shot. That doesn't seem to be the case with your shot the sharpness around the whale looks pretty good. With an opportunity such as this I probably would have my camera set on continuous shooting mode, as to blast off as many shots as possible with each showing of a whale. And filling up the ol memory cards like a hot knife through butter.
The best way to improve your skills Michael, practice. Just like for us all. The more you do it the more question will arise with how to achieve a look you want.
Sometimes posting the metadata along with the shot can give a little more insight in to what might help. But mostly keep shooting, keep posting, and keep asking questions. But the most important, keep having fun with your photography.
Thanks for jumping in, this really is a wonderful place to learn and grow.
By the way, congratulations on the marriage and an awesome honeymoon.
Posted by Larry Fischer on February 18, 2010 at 7:45 AM
Aside from the other comments, I would suggest this:
Selectively darken the water slightly and add a tint of green and a touch of contrast; I would darken the tree line slightly and lighten the foggy sky. I would add selective contrast to the whale and add a touch of color saturation; level the water horizon.
Send me an e-mail and permission to copy your photo and I'll do a workup for you.
Keep posting. You'll have a great time.
Welcome, welcome.
First of all thanks for the replies. Your suggestions and kind words are great. I have made some adjustments and hope my repost works. I did clone out the distant bird in the background. I also adjusted the levels and brightness/contrast of the background. For the water I selectively darkened and added some contrast. I also added a slight tint of green. I apologize for not putting all the metadata, it is now posted. This shot was taken in a series of shots in continuous shooting mode. All were interesting in their own way but this one turned out the sharpest. On the tour boat we would stand on the back observation deck while the whales were up then I would run into the cabin to dry my lens while waiting for the next ones to appear. With all the spray and blowing rain mist keeping the lens dry was the most challenging.
I had several interesting shots from this trip. I will try to post a few more later.
Thanks again,
Michael
Canon XSi 55-250 mm
250mm, 1/320 sec, f/5.6, ISO: 400
Welcome Michael. I look forward to seeing more work from you.
Posted by John Moore on February 18, 2010 at 3:31 PM
Glad to have you on board Michael, and I look forward to seeing more of your work. I'm a Canon shooter, and a couple of cameras ago had one of the the Digital Rebels. Nice shot of the whale.
Discussion
7 repliesI have been reading the posts here almost daily for several months now and have already learned alot. I am very new to photography and am looking to learn as much as I can to make myself a better photographer.
This past September I got married and for our honeymoon my wife and I went on a cruise to Alaska. Alaska is such a beautiful place and want to go back and spend more time on shore than was allowed with a cruise. Below is one of my photos taken on a whale watching trip out of Juneau. The weather was very turbulent with harsh winds and rain while we were out on the boat but the whales were very active. My question is what should I do differently in conditions such as this (wind, rain, fog, low light...). Also, anything I should try in post processing? I'm sure I am leaving something out but I think I'll stop at that. Thanks for your time.
Michael
Monticello, AR
Canon XSi, 55-200mm
I don't know of any secrets to handle the conditions you encountered other than the obvious. The only way to handle low light is either higher ISO or increase aperture or slower shutter. Each approach creates other challenges. You are constrained to keep a fast enough shutter to keep the breaching whale in focus, lower f/stop will decrease the depth of field and higher ISO could introduce noise. It's enough to drive a guy crazy.
I would advise shooting RAW as it gives you better control in post processing. On the shot you posted, I would clone the dust spot in the sky and maybe level the horizon. I can't comment on the overall color/contrast, etc. as I am at work and this monitor is not calibrated.
It's a cool shot. My wife and I have been considering an Alaska cruise for our 25th anniversary next year.
Hope to see more of your shots!
Your shot looks good fella, I think you handled it well. Conditions as you described are very challenging for a photographer. But with that challenge comes the opportunity of very unique and dramatic shots. The only particle advice I could give for such situations is check you lens frequently and keep it cleaned off of drops and moisture. Even a slight amount will dramatically effect the sharpness of the shot. That doesn't seem to be the case with your shot the sharpness around the whale looks pretty good. With an opportunity such as this I probably would have my camera set on continuous shooting mode, as to blast off as many shots as possible with each showing of a whale. And filling up the ol memory cards like a hot knife through butter.
The best way to improve your skills Michael, practice. Just like for us all. The more you do it the more question will arise with how to achieve a look you want.
Sometimes posting the metadata along with the shot can give a little more insight in to what might help. But mostly keep shooting, keep posting, and keep asking questions. But the most important, keep having fun with your photography.
Thanks for jumping in, this really is a wonderful place to learn and grow.
By the way, congratulations on the marriage and an awesome honeymoon.
Selectively darken the water slightly and add a tint of green and a touch of contrast; I would darken the tree line slightly and lighten the foggy sky. I would add selective contrast to the whale and add a touch of color saturation; level the water horizon.
Send me an e-mail and permission to copy your photo and I'll do a workup for you.
Keep posting. You'll have a great time.
Welcome, welcome.
the fisch
Good morning all,
First of all thanks for the replies. Your suggestions and kind words are great. I have made some adjustments and hope my repost works. I did clone out the distant bird in the background. I also adjusted the levels and brightness/contrast of the background. For the water I selectively darkened and added some contrast. I also added a slight tint of green. I apologize for not putting all the metadata, it is now posted. This shot was taken in a series of shots in continuous shooting mode. All were interesting in their own way but this one turned out the sharpest. On the tour boat we would stand on the back observation deck while the whales were up then I would run into the cabin to dry my lens while waiting for the next ones to appear. With all the spray and blowing rain mist keeping the lens dry was the most challenging.
I had several interesting shots from this trip. I will try to post a few more later.
Thanks again,
Michael
Canon XSi 55-250 mm
250mm, 1/320 sec, f/5.6, ISO: 400