California Shots [C&C Welcome]

Josey Wales

Hi,

I've been lurking around this forum for a while but this is the first time I've put up some photos. There were taken a couple of weeks ago in California.

For the record I'm a complete novice and am just getting used to a new camera. Any comments are welcome, good or bad.

Thanks.

http://thissiteison.com/myPictures/IMG_0715.jpg

&

http://thissiteison.com/myPictures/IMG_0807.jpg

Borderfox

Some nice shots, first one reminds me of sitting on the dock of the bay. I wouldnt be mad on the black and white conversion

Thirdfox

Let me guess, you're using a Canon IXUS 75?

For the first shot perhaps shifting the seagull of centre would result in a better shot as I found the background more interesting. The seagull would compliment the scenary rather than be the focal point.

Time Magazine

Is that San Diego?

440Hz

I like the second one, a stronger conversion might have worked better though, would be interesting to see the colour version of this?

Stephen P

Nice shots. I'd also like to see the colour version of both shots

Josey Wales

Thirdfox wrote: »

Let me guess, you're using a Canon IXUS 75?

How did you know?

Ibid wrote: »

Is that San Diego?

No, the first one is of Stearn's Wharf in Santa Barbara. The second photo is of the financial district in San Francisco.

440Hz wrote: »

I like the second one, a stronger conversion might have worked better though, would be interesting to see the colour version of this?

Unfortunately, I don't think I have a colour version of the photo. I set the camera to B&W for taking the shot. I had read somewhere that doing this rather than changing the colour in post editing would give a better result.

Thirdfox

Josey Wales wrote: »

How did you know?
...
Unfortunately, I don't think I have a colour version of the photo. I set the camera to B&W for taking the shot. I had read somewhere that doing this rather than changing the colour in post editing would give a better result.

I'm magically psychic (hint: look at a programme called iExif by Panda) - integrates into firefox and explorer. Here's some of the info that your photo contains

Make = Canon
Model = Canon DIGITAL IXUS 75
Orientation = top/left
X Resolution = 180
Y Resolution = 180
Resolution Unit = inch
Date Time = 2007-10-05 00:20:35 - Is your camera's clock wrong? Or did you really take the picture at midnight?!?
YCbCr Positioning = centered
Exif IFD Pointer = Offset: 196

Exposure Time = 1/500"
F Number = F4.9
ISO Speed Ratings = 80
Exif Version = Version 2.2
Date Time Original = 2007-10-05 00:20:35
Date Time Digitized = 2007-10-05 00:20:35
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Compressed Bits Per Pixel = 5
Shutter Speed Value = 8.97 TV
Aperture Value = 4.59 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Max Aperture Value = F4.91
Metering Mode = Pattern
Flash = Flash did not fire, auto mode
Focal Length = 17.4mm
Maker Note = 2380 Byte
User Comment =
Flashpix Version = Version 1.0
Color Space = sRGB
Exif Image Width = 2592
Exif Image Height = 1944
Interoperability IFD Pointer = Offset: 3334
Focal Plane X Resolution = 11520
Focal Plane Y Resolution = 11502.959
Focal Plane Resolution Unit = inch
Sensing Method = One-chip color area sensor
File Source = DSC
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Manual white balance
Digital Zoom Ratio = 1x
Scene Capture Type = Normal






It is always better to convert in post-processing (if you have good software). The in-camera engine doesn't give you any control on what comes out. Even Picasa has a more powerful B&W converter. But it does take a little more time...

Josey Wales

Thirdfox wrote: »

Date Time = 2007-10-05 00:20:35 - Is your camera's clock wrong? Or did you really take the picture at midnight?!?

I noticed later on that I had not changed the date and time on the camera to the local US time. Also thanks for the tip on post processing.

Thirdfox

No problems - when it comes to taking photographs I think it's very important to have the image in your head before taking the photo. (Not that I do it often enough myself ) randomly snapping things can sometimes get you great, on the spot shots but a carefully planned shot will more likely deliver better results.

Shots aren't bad for a first try Keep on shooting!

City-Exile

It would help if you kept the pier straight in the first one.
The sun is too strong in the second one, & you don't get enough contrast in the buildings. You'd have been better off with the sun behind you.

Fenster

You wouldn't get a photo in San Diego right now for all of the smoke. :[