[JGB]

I think this was one of those times I wish I'd heard of Raw, the scene was beautiful, but had a very wide dynamic range, dark hills in front, the sun setting on the one below the moon.

Here was my selected closer up shot from the kit 50-200., with a bit of darkening to bring out the moon it gets across some of what I wanted, but it doesn't have the feeling of the warmth I could see on the hills disapeering, and the cold/dark where I was riding setting in.



Original with the 35ltd, I just couldn't get the size of the moon to show up as huge as it was, which was why I switched out lenses.

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Last edited by JGB; 12-05-2010 at 11:16 PM.

[akanarya]

nice capture

[stanic]

why frustrated? first shot is very nice

[JGB]

To get the light on the hill, I had to use a virtual graduated filter, I think it looks harsh and unatural, and that the crop could be chosen better. There's just something off about it.

[jbinpg]

You are being too hard on yourself. The longer FL is a fine shot. This is one of those times you should leave this shot alone for a few days and come back to it with more objectivity.

Jack

[smf]

I like the first image very much as presented. I'm unsure why you think the cropping is off. You might try cropping a bit from the right and/or a bit from the top.

All best,
Stu

[dawsonjm]

I also want to congratulate you on a fine image with the long lens. I would not crop it at all, it looks good just like it is.

As far as the virtual ND filter goes, the effect is pretty good now. As you mentioned, you would have had more to work with if you had a RAW capture. With Lightroom, it is not any effort at all to process a raw file, and the results are surely worth it.

[Miguel]

Self-criticism is a healthy perspective, but it should be balanced by external feedback too.

That first shot is very well done. I like the tone and colors; they feel warm enough for me. The illumination of the ridge adds a lot of visual interest.

Nice work.

M

[vievetrick]

I agree with the others, give it a few days you will like it. I find myself looking at shots days, weeks or even months later and thinking, wow I took that -- well done now switch the camera to RAW and move on! :-)

[Ameiji]

The first one is very picturesque. Just waiting to be framed.

[JGB]

I have a confession to make, I actually changed out the image, after more work in LR, I got the one you see now, the original was much more artificial looking and I hadn't realized I could use multiple graduated filters(that uses 3)When I replaced the one on my gallery software with that one, I also replaced the one over here, it's hotlinked to my gallery.
I am fairly satisfied with the new one, thought the hill still irks me.

[Sparkle]

Try cropping the first photo from about an inch above the moon, down about a half-inch to the left of it to a point about an inch into the hill and then across to the right of the third tree on the ridge. Then enlarge it to your liking. An auto enhance should give you what you appear to want. It should turn out pretty good, but don't expect a silk purse from a sow's ear.

[kswier]

I also like the first photo. What focal length did you use to get the moon that large?