Abandoned Rail

[Electricseashell]

Critique Please
Canon Powershot A400
Location Memory Trail connect to Millenium Park Grand Rapids MI

[RSStory]

I have walked across that....

[PhotosbyChuck]

Assuming the subject is the bridge, it's out of focus. The settings completely blew out the sky and many other elements including the bridge are overexposed. This is a scene with a lot of light and dark areas at the extremes. It's challenging to shoot -- so please don't let this keep you from trying it again. When you do, consider focusing on the bridge and then bracketing your exposure. If your camera cannot auto-bracket, do it manually.

[r_fredrick_smith]

I wonder if this qualifies as an old abandoned rail.

This would make a good theme for us to explore. Of course some areas of the country would have more to offer than others.

Cheers,
rfs

[Electricseashell]

Originally Posted by PhotosbyChuck

Assuming the subject is the bridge, it's out of focus. The settings completely blew out the sky and many other elements including the bridge are overexposed. This is a scene with a lot of light and dark areas at the extremes. It's challenging to shoot -- so please don't let this keep you from trying it again. When you do, consider focusing on the bridge and then bracketing your exposure. If your camera cannot auto-bracket, do it manually.

Some of the out of focus was a mist in the air.. but not to say its not overexposed.. My intention was to capture the bridge and the mist as a reminisce of times past. I was struck with thinking of its history and wanted to share it.. could I save this photo making it black and white and auto adjust?

Could you explain bracketing exposure?

[Eric E]

Exposure bracketing (Auto Exposure Bracketing or AEB on my Canon) takes a standard exposure (what you metered) and automatically (if your camera is capable) stops down, takes another shot, and then stops up and takes a final shot. On my Canon the amount of exposure bracketing can be set in 1/3 stop increments from 1/3 to 2 full stops.

It is useful if you're not sure what the "creatively correct" exposure is.

If your camera can't bracket automatically, take a shot, stop down, take another shot, stop back up to your first shot, stop up the amount you stopped down, and take your final shot.

Sorry if the explanation doesn't make sense. It makes sense in my head, but I don't always verbalize it as good as I know it "in my head".

If that doesn't make sense I'm sure someone else can explain it differently.

[PhotosbyChuck]

Originally Posted by Electricseashell

I was struck with thinking of its history and wanted to share it.. could I save this photo making it black and white and auto adjust?

Could you explain bracketing exposure?

Please feel free to share anything. And, understand that any critique given is an opinion.

B&W doesn't really save a photo. Go ahead and play with B&W conversions ... you never know what you'll find. You might find that ethereal effect you were hoping to capture by a combination of a soft paper and film grain if your conversion filters allow it.

Bracketing is taking multiple photos of the same scene with different exposure settings. For example, suppose you meter a scene at f/8, ISO 100, 1/250 sec. You could shoot 2 more....1 shot at 1/125 sec and 1 at 1/500 sec. That would give you 3 shots: first shot is what your camera metered, second is 1 stop slower and the third is 1 stop faster. That way you have a bit of a safety net.

Pros do not shoot this way generally because they meter very carefully and know how to read their histograms. But this little "trick" is from film days and is regaining popularity with the advent of HDR.

[Electricseashell]

Originally Posted by PhotosbyChuck

Please feel free to share anything. And, understand that any critique given is an opinion.

B&W doesn't really save a photo. Go ahead and play with B&W conversions ... you never know what you'll find. You might find that ethereal effect you were hoping to capture by a combination of a soft paper and film grain if your conversion filters allow it.

Bracketing is taking multiple photos of the same scene with different exposure settings. For example, suppose you meter a scene at f/8, ISO 100, 1/250 sec. You could shoot 2 more....1 shot at 1/125 sec and 1 at 1/500 sec. That would give you 3 shots: first shot is what your camera metered, second is 1 stop slower and the third is 1 stop faster. That way you have a bit of a safety net.

Pros do not shoot this way generally because they meter very carefully and know how to read their histograms. But this little "trick" is from film days and is regaining popularity with the advent of HDR.

So I understand completely... I am taking three different photos, not overlaying exposures right?

[PhotosbyChuck]

Originally Posted by Electricseashell

So I understand completely... I am taking three different photos, not overlaying exposures right?

Yep, that's right. HDR is a digital technique whereby you can overlay all 3 to get the best composite exposure. However even if you don't intend to combine them into an HDR composite, you can choose the best of the 3!

[Electricseashell]

Thanks I really appreciate your taking the time to explain. Noted


r_fredrick_smith said he would like to explore this as a theme I'm game