Campaganza 2012

[campbell]

You can approximate the effect even with simple image tools like Picasa...for free

[graeme]

No way Campbell, you cant expose for the foreground an then pull back the sky by 3 stops or more, even shooting raw. The data just isn't there. Impossible to capture the dynamic range. You'd get close with a bunch of bracketed exposures and a copy of potatoshop, but life's too short. You wouldn't get anything so striking with from a single exposure without the filter. Doing it properly is why Smee's pics stand out as quality images, IMO.

I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying the Picassa way as a learning experience, but don't expect wall-hanging results.

[campbell]

Thank you Graeme. Once more I am exposed as an armchair theorist

Well anyway, our family snaps get what we need from Picasa and I thought I would share that just in case. Absolutely in agreement with the dynamics that Smee's pics demonstrate, for sure, and it's horses for courses really isn't it.

[smee]

Absolutely gorgeous pictures.....

The ND Grad filters are an absolute must though for landscape photography and providing the impact that they do to the sky. What filters are you using Andrew, and have you found a suitable one for your 10-20? I've looked at cheap all the way through to the expensive and keep putting the purchase off!

Dave

I use the cokin filter sets 100mm I think from memory (X sized?).
You can get smaller square filters but they are a waste of time. I already have a Hoya prodigital slim circ polarising filter and a Pro digital UV filver on the 10-20 so I can only really go to about 11 or 12mm with the sigma before the filter holder comes into view, Often I tolerate a little bit of holder in the frame and clone it out later but it's a faff.
If I was going to go full frame and spend lots of money on L glass then I would probably upgrade to the Lee glass filters but the cokins were expensive enough! I think I got them from crooked imaging and find their rates fairly competative and postage is fast. I'd rather spend the time getting the original shot right as I hate spending time in post production.

Thanks again for the kind comments, I've not een at this photo lark long and feedback is always helpful.

[campbell]

I used Cokin gear for a few years when I still had 35mm kit. Lovely stuff. Very little of it left now though as my gear was nicked in a burglary nearly 20 years ago and I only replaced what I used regularly, ie not filters!

Note to self, though...a polariser is worth re-acquiring right enough

[dirkpitt]

Absolutely gorgeous pictures.....

The ND Grad filters are an absolute must though for landscape photography and providing the impact that they do to the sky. What filters are you using Andrew, and have you found a suitable one for your 10-20? I've looked at cheap all the way through to the expensive and keep putting the purchase off!

Dave

I use the cokin filter sets 100mm I think from memory (X sized?).
You can get smaller square filters but they are a waste of time. I already have a Hoya prodigital slim circ polarising filter and a Pro digital UV filver on the 10-20 so I can only really go to about 11 or 12mm with the sigma before the filter holder comes into view, Often I tolerate a little bit of holder in the frame and clone it out later but it's a faff.
If I was going to go full frame and spend lots of money on L glass then I would probably upgrade to the Lee glass filters but the cokins were expensive enough! I think I got them from crooked imaging and find their rates fairly competative and postage is fast. I'd rather spend the time getting the original shot right as I hate spending time in post production.

Thanks again for the kind comments, I've not een at this photo lark long and feedback is always helpful.

...ummm what size spanner was that again andrew

[rossybee]

Great pics

Lovely dog - what breed?

Mr Smee's mutt; it's a Cocker Spaniel / Jack Russell cross. She is a wee cracker (if a little grumpy with other dogs )

Och my springer is an absolute darling with humans but hugely grumpy with dogs unless he knows them, so maybe it's a spaniel thang

[Ferg]

Very much enjoying those pics...top skills.

[Gooldie]

Thanks everyone for a fantastic weekend.
Spent more time driving than photomatographying and most of my efforts were frustrated by tourists parking the hire cars either in front or in the background of most of my shots so fairly limited selection here.

As always comments welcomed.



[]], on Flickr

Arisaig sunset 1 by ah_mr_smee, on Flickr

Arisaig steps copy by ah_mr_smee, on Flickr

Arisaig steps vert by ah_mr_smee, on Flickr

Arisaig pan 2 by ah_mr_smee, on Flickr

Arisaig reflection by

Thanks

These 5 photos are absolutely stunning,