Random Shots from Alaska

[Edd43]

Hello,
As a new member, I am very interested in getting a little C&C on some landscape shots I took last summer while vacationing in Alaska. I know I have a lot to learn from those of you that have been at this a lot longer than I have. I try to follow some of the rules (suggestions?) on composition, such as not always putting horizon in middle, showing some foreground elements, but not sure I accomplish very well.
Anyway I am attaching four shots that I feel are some of the better ones. They were all taken as JPEG using a Canon T3i and 18-55mm kit lenses (glacier shot was with 55-250mm kit lens). No post processing. I have tried my hand at some post processing on some other shots using Canons DPP and Photoshop Elements (I can't afford the full Photoshop now!)
Thanks for any comments, critical or otherwise.

[Clive Kirby]

Hi and welcome
Some cool shots - I like the first and last particularly. Your work on composure has paid off, these are pretty good. Perhaps you need to look into exposure. There are a lot of good articles in CIC. The glacier is a bit over exposed (not surprising though as this would be a difficult shot to get right for anyone with the sun reflecting off the glacier and the foreground in shadow). If you are trying more shots like this get a grad filter or take several shots at different exposures and try to blend them together in the computer.
regards
Clive

[Jeffbridge]

Nice shots, looking forward to seeing more.

[Sergio M.]

I like all the images, Ed. Very well done considering they are straight out of camera with no post processing. Good advise from Clive about the grad filter and exposure blending.

Sergio

[deetheturk]

Hi Ed,and welcome to CiC,nice images bud,thanks for sharing!

David

[chauncey]

Alright Ed, you've dipped your toe in the water and coughed out some decent, albeit, somewhat overexposed, newbe shots. Now, do ya want to dive in the pool?

Start shooting RAW format and use the software that accompanied your camera. Study/learn that manual.
Watch these tutorials http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...on%20T3i&sm=12 to learn your new gear.

[IzzieK]

If you like Photoshop and can't afford it yet, try GIMP. It is free. I like all your shots. They have a lot of potentials. Good eye for composition. #1 need a second or third shot to be merged with the first.

[Wavelength]

Ed, this is really nice set of images; hope to see more of your works....

Regards

[bnnrcn]

Hi Ed,I like all of them,especially the last one,welcome

[Edd43]

Thanks for all the comments. Re your comments Clive, I do bracket many of my shots. Actually all the photos I submitted, except the aerial mountain shot, were bracketed (three shots at cameras selection and a couple at about +/- one stop.). Re your comments Chauncey, I actually do take a lot of my shots in both RAW and JPEG. Memory cards are cheap!
I really look forward to the help I can obtain from CIC and you experienced photographers in working with the photos once I have taken them. I think Clive is also right in that I could probably help some of my landscape shots with a grad filter. I have already considered this, but also have tried some HDR processing with some of my bracketed shots. I have used the trial version of Photomatix, but not decided whether to purchase.
While waiting for spring (hopefully soon) I will continue to keep up with your tutorials and good advice on the forums. Also continue to work with PS elements and spend time with the DPP program that came with camera. Also hope to get out soon and start shooting a little more.

Ed

[NorthernFocus]

Hi, Ed. Nice job on all of the compositions. If you are using any version of PS Elements 8 or later, it has a rudimentary HDR function. How you access it is different between versions. If you tell us which version you have someone can probably tell you where to find the HDR blending. A couple of comments as follow:

On the first image, nice job of framing. The bit of sky at upper left should be eliminated by cropping or cloning. In future be conscious of that during capture.

On the glacier shot, you really got a nice composition. Nice balance of FG, mid-range, and distance. Glaciers are tough to shoot and you did good. The overall blue tone caused by the haze detracts from the nice blues you captured in the ice. Increasing contrast and warming the upper half of the image would be a significant improvement IMO.

Looks like you enjoyed your trip. Last summer was some of the clearest summer weather on record.