Settings for travel photos

tibbitts · 02-08-2011, 05:49 PM

A potential problem with pre-focusing using the half-press is that it's easy to let up for just a fraction of a second and have the lens refocus, so you might be careful to make sure that's not what's happening.

Paul

Vilkvaale · 02-09-2011, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by tibbitts

A potential problem with pre-focusing using the half-press is that it's easy to let up for just a fraction of a second and have the lens refocus, so you might be careful to make sure that's not what's happening.

Paul

Thanks, Paul, prabably that`s my problem. I`ll try all suggestions soon.

Vilkvaale · 02-10-2011, 12:37 PM

Hi,

this is an example. I don`t understand what is wrong there, I was trying to focus on person, but she looks dull, actually image is hazy. ISO 400; Shutter 1/60, f/13.
Thanks for any advices.

Inga

Gashog · 02-10-2011, 01:19 PM

That's lens flare. Do you have a haze filter screwed on? Are you using a lens hood?
It's very hard to get both sky and earth exposed properly in mid day light, even if it's cloudy. There just isn't enough dynamic range in the camera to do it. Graduated neutral density filters or HDR is the standard answer. Also, fill flash can bring your subject up enough to darken the sky. Taking landscape pictures at sunrise or sunset is another good way of getting some sky in your photo.

I would start by getting used to Av mode. Set your aperture somewhere around f/8-f/11 and go take some more pictures. Careful to keep the sun off your front element. Maybe try a few without the filter.

Why did you chose f/13 and 1/60 for this shot?

Vilkvaale · 02-10-2011, 11:39 PM

Hi, Gashog,

I don`t use any filters and I don`t have lens hood

So Is I understand in such light conditions I can`t expect a lot without using some filter + photoshop.
I`m not sure why I chose that settings but i can imagine that I used Tv with speed 1/60 and aperture was set by camera....

Ok, next time I`ll try f/8-f/11, as other guys also suggested in this thread.

Thanks

cats_five · 02-11-2011, 02:05 AM

Lens hoods are not too expensive unless you buy a genuine Pentax one, and they can make a huge difference.

IMHO the image is dull because you have got a lot of bright sky and dark shadows so the dynamic range is too much for the camera - here you have the sky acceptably exposed but the buildings, and Inge, are all underexposed so lack contrast.

If you framed the shot without the sky you would get a far punchier result. Equally if you used the other side of the street where presumably the sun was shining on the buildings you would also get a punchier result.

When you look with your eye you are looking at a fairly small area, and the eye and brain are incredibly good at seeing what you want to see. The camera is brutal in seeing what it sees, learning to see like a camera is part of the process of taking better pictures.

02-10-2011, 12:37 PM	#18
Vilkvaale Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: RIX Posts: 38 Original Poster	Hi, this is an example. I don`t understand what is wrong there, I was trying to focus on person, but she looks dull, actually image is hazy. ISO 400; Shutter 1/60, f/13. Thanks for any advices. Inga Attached Images

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Newbie! K20d dark photos & settings	rtrox	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	16	11-09-2010 10:53 PM
Travel Random Travel Photos	Christopher M.W.T	Post Your Photos!	6	10-31-2010 02:18 PM
Soft spot in photos? Humidity? Settings	bugsy603	Photographic Technique	9	06-14-2010 06:52 PM
I'm unhappy with K-7 settings. Help me custom the settings like k20.	netuser	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	16	09-01-2009 08:39 AM
Taking mosaic stitch photos with k20? What settings?	segvoia	Photographic Technique	4	08-17-2009 03:12 PM

02-08-2011, 05:49 PM	#16
tibbitts Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 2,193	A potential problem with pre-focusing using the half-press is that it's easy to let up for just a fraction of a second and have the lens refocus, so you might be careful to make sure that's not what's happening. Paul

02-09-2011, 06:57 AM	#17
Vilkvaale Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: RIX Posts: 38 Original Poster	Originally posted by tibbitts A potential problem with pre-focusing using the half-press is that it's easy to let up for just a fraction of a second and have the lens refocus, so you might be careful to make sure that's not what's happening. Paul Thanks, Paul, prabably that`s my problem. I`ll try all suggestions soon.

02-10-2011, 01:19 PM	#19
Gashog Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NY Photos: Albums Posts: 523	That's lens flare. Do you have a haze filter screwed on? Are you using a lens hood? It's very hard to get both sky and earth exposed properly in mid day light, even if it's cloudy. There just isn't enough dynamic range in the camera to do it. Graduated neutral density filters or HDR is the standard answer. Also, fill flash can bring your subject up enough to darken the sky. Taking landscape pictures at sunrise or sunset is another good way of getting some sky in your photo. I would start by getting used to Av mode. Set your aperture somewhere around f/8-f/11 and go take some more pictures. Careful to keep the sun off your front element. Maybe try a few without the filter. Why did you chose f/13 and 1/60 for this shot?

02-10-2011, 11:39 PM	#20
Vilkvaale Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: RIX Posts: 38 Original Poster	Hi, Gashog, I don`t use any filters and I don`t have lens hood So Is I understand in such light conditions I can`t expect a lot without using some filter + photoshop. I`m not sure why I chose that settings but i can imagine that I used Tv with speed 1/60 and aperture was set by camera.... Ok, next time I`ll try f/8-f/11, as other guys also suggested in this thread. Thanks

02-11-2011, 02:05 AM	#21
cats_five Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 835	Lens hoods are not too expensive unless you buy a genuine Pentax one, and they can make a huge difference. IMHO the image is dull because you have got a lot of bright sky and dark shadows so the dynamic range is too much for the camera - here you have the sky acceptably exposed but the buildings, and Inge, are all underexposed so lack contrast. If you framed the shot without the sky you would get a far punchier result. Equally if you used the other side of the street where presumably the sun was shining on the buildings you would also get a punchier result. When you look with your eye you are looking at a fairly small area, and the eye and brain are incredibly good at seeing what you want to see. The camera is brutal in seeing what it sees, learning to see like a camera is part of the process of taking better pictures.