Iced In Cape Cod - C&C Welcomed

Thanks so much Mike. I did learn a hard lesson about my cameras this weekend -- I should have shot the sunrise/landscapes with the D810. I only brought the D3S with me as I know it can handle anything; however, I am really missing the pixels of the D810 on the landscapes. Now I know :-)

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Originally Posted by Mike Buckley

I hope you build a special wall with special lighting designed to showcase the print.

Anyone who doesn't display this at the larger size in the Lytebox is missing out big-time.

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Thanks so much Grahame. My only excuse for the high ISO is my brain must have been frozen...

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Originally Posted by Stagecoach

Absolutely splendid scene Kim, the light on that snow is magical. Are we going to see more sunrises now.

On a technical note, why the high ISO?

Grahame

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Thanks Graham :-)

I knew some may mistake the snow for sand, so that's why I mentioned. I do have images of the Bay side; however, they are a bit bland as it looks like Antartica.

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Originally Posted by GBO25

LOVE it. I can't appreciate how cold it must be but the sparkles from the snow (that I thought was sand on my first look) is just wonderful.

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Wow, thanks Binnur!

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Originally Posted by bnnrcn

I think this is your best image so far Kim. Excellent !

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Thank you for viewing and commenting Donna and Matt. I appreciate it.

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Originally Posted by DonnaK

Like everyone has said, this is just stunning in every way. Your camera settings and your positioning on the beach really made this shot spectacular.

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Originally Posted by Rebel

Amazing shot Kim :)

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Thanks for your comments Chris and John. :-)

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Originally Posted by Chri5

Great shot, Its perfect. Definitely one for printing

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Originally Posted by Shadowman

Nicely captured, great combination of cold and warm.

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9° and a stiff wind...yet your photography is so inviting that I wish I were bundled up and there! Beautiful image and great eye. I love it!

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Originally Posted by KimC

My only excuse for the high ISO is my brain must have been frozen...

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I'll mention this again at the risk of being really boring: If you had used Auto ISO and Aperture priority, you wouldn't have had to worry about a cold brain; the camera would have done the thinking for you and the shot would have been made at ISO 100 rather than ISO 1250. That's at the aperture that you chose. If under different circumstances a higher ISO value had been required, the camera would have automatically chosen the lowest possible ISO.

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Originally Posted by KimC

Took a little adventure to Cape Cod for a few days. The Cape Cod Bay was totally frozen, and the ocean side was partially frozen with slush. This is my FIRST ever sunrise shot. We were in Chatham, on the ocean side. The glistening is from the snow, as most of the sand was covered. It was very early in the morning and only 9 degrees with a nice stiff wind.

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A great picture Kim - and me "complaining" on the upmost level: Not knowing how to do it: the glare of the sun is to excessive, overpowering the lightly lit snow cristals on the beach, I think.
Erwin

You're not boring Mike, I know I should be on Aperture priority; however, I am reluctant to move there at this point as I am learning so much on manual. Perhaps I should do a little of both?

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Originally Posted by Mike Buckley

I'll mention this again at the risk of being really boring: If you had used Auto ISO and Aperture priority, you wouldn't have had to worry about a cold brain; the camera would have done the thinking for you and the shot would have been made at ISO 100 rather than ISO 1250. That's at the aperture that you chose. If under different circumstances a higher ISO value had been required, the camera would have automatically chosen the lowest possible ISO.

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Thanks for your comment Erwin. As this was my first sunrise image, I'll have to do some reading and see how the sun should appear.

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Originally Posted by Krawuntzel

A great picture Kim - and me "complaining" on the upmost level: Not knowing how to do it: the glare of the sun is to excessive, overpowering the lightly lit snow cristals on the beach, I think.
Erwin

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Originally Posted by KimC

I know I should be on Aperture priority; however, I am reluctant to move there at this point as I am learning so much on manual. Perhaps I should do a little of both?

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We all learn differently. You are making so much progress in such a relatively short period of time that it seems reasonable to me that you should continue on whatever learning path you have already determined.

As for using both manual and aperture priority processes, the only fundamental reason I can think of for using both during your learning curve is when one method is particularly more helpful in a given situation than the other method. You might be better off mastering one process before moving on to master the other process.

Another factor to help you make your decision about that is to consider what your short-term goal is. As an example, if your goal while at Cape Cod was to become more and more comfortable using manual mode, that goal would have guided you in the obvious direction even if it meant making certain other sacrifices. However, if your goal was to get the very best shot at the lowest ISO possible when hand holding the camera without having to remember to manually check your ISO value and shutter speed while being under the pressure of rapidly changing light in freezing cold and when being perhaps sleep-deprived, that goal perhaps would have guided to learning how to use aperture priority first and then later when combined with auto ISO.

The one point you should feel comfortable with is that once you have mastered using manual mode -- and you seem to be advancing well with it -- you'll be able to very easily switch to using aperture priority with or without auto ISO.

The only thing that really matters is to appreciate that there are many modes you could have used to make the exact same photo -- shutter priority, aperture priority, manual mode and each of those with or without auto ISO. I mention it in that context because too many people insist that there is always a "best" method when I don't believe that's the case. I only mentioned the use of auto ISO combined with aperture priority as a solution to your complaint that you forgot to attend to the ISO value.

Thanks for the detailed response Mike - I appreciate it. This past weekend was about learning... And learn I did. I'll start using aperture priority based on the guidance you provided.

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Originally Posted by Mike Buckley

We all learn differently. You are making so much progress in such a relatively short period of time that it seems reasonable to me that you should continue on whatever learning path you have already determined.

As for using both manual and aperture priority processes, the only fundamental reason I can think of for using both during your learning curve is when one method is particularly more helpful in a given situation than the other method. You might be better off mastering one process before moving on to master the other process.

Another factor to help you make your decision about that is to consider what your short-term goal is. As an example, if your goal while at Cape Cod was to become more and more comfortable using manual mode, that goal would have guided you in the obvious direction even if it meant making certain other sacrifices. However, if your goal was to get the very best shot at the lowest ISO possible when hand holding the camera without having to remember to manually check your ISO value and shutter speed while being under the pressure of rapidly changing light in freezing cold and when being perhaps sleep-deprived, that goal perhaps would have guided to learning how to use aperture priority first and then later when combined with auto ISO.

The one point you should feel comfortable with is that once you have mastered using manual mode -- and you seem to be advancing well with it -- you'll be able to very easily switch to using aperture priority with or without auto ISO.

The only thing that really matters is to appreciate that there are many modes you could have used to make the exact same photo -- shutter priority, aperture priority, manual mode and each of those with or without auto ISO. I mention it in that context because too many people insist that there is always a "best" method when I don't believe that's the case. I only mentioned the use of auto ISO combined with aperture priority as a solution to your complaint that you forgot to attend to the ISO value.

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Originally Posted by KimC

Thanks for the detailed response Mike - I appreciate it. This past weekend was about learning... And learn I did. I'll start using aperture priority based on the guidance you provided.

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Kim,

I'll put another one in and not for one minute suggesting it is the way to go or better than any other method as all methods can achieve the result you want if undertaken correctly.

Personally I would not consider using Aperture Priority to take the above shot for the one reason that in doing so I have to adjust EC (press an additional button) to make any likely corrections (bias) to what the camera has chosen.

In Manual (comparing to Aperture Priority) by centering that meter before the shot I'm using exactly the same 'metering' measurement as Aperture Priority would have used, corrections based on histogram/blinkies or experience are simply undertaken by turning the Speed wheel to set the meter to the required offset you want from centre.

To me it just feels a far smoother procedure than having to press that additional EC button and also look at figures.

Hi Kim,

Just to say that this image is divine... Over the top, breathtakingly beautiful!

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Originally Posted by KimC

Took a little adventure to Cape Cod for a few days. The Cape Cod Bay was totally frozen, and the ocean side was partially frozen with slush. This is my FIRST ever sunrise shot. We were in Chatham, on the ocean side. The glistening is from the snow, as most of the sand was covered. It was very early in the morning and only 9 degrees with a nice stiff wind. (Open for best view)

ISO 1250; 1/2500; F11; 24mm

http://i61.tinypic.com/2zojih5.jpg

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I have to say Grahame, your comment is spot on for me... I hadn't thought about it until you so eloquently stated it...but that's what I don't like about that mode.... The EC button is very awkward. I do exactly the same thing in manual and I'm becoming fairly comfortable with it. Perhaps when it's warmer, that EC button will not be so akward for my difficult to maneuver hand. Thanks so much for your comment.

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Originally Posted by Stagecoach

Kim,

I'll put another one in and not for one minute suggesting it is the way to go or better than any other method as all methods can achieve the result you want if undertaken correctly.

Personally I would not consider using Aperture Priority to take the above shot for the one reason that in doing so I have to adjust EC (press an additional button) to make any likely corrections (bias) to what the camera has chosen.

In Manual (comparing to Aperture Priority) by centering that meter before the shot I'm using exactly the same 'metering' measurement as Aperture Priority would have used, corrections based on histogram/blinkies or experience are simply undertaken by turning the Speed wheel to set the meter to the required offset you want from centre.

To me it just feels a far smoother procedure than having to press that additional EC button and also look at figures.

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Thank you so much Christina - means a lot coming from you with the landscapes you create :-).

It will be a special gift for someone...

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Originally Posted by Brownbear

Hi Kim,

Just to say that this image is divine... Over the top, breathtakingly beautiful!

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Originally Posted by KimC

I'm becoming fairly comfortable with it.

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Actually, not quite yet. If you were fairly comfortable with it, you would have used ISO 100 rather than 1250. The difference between the two is huge -- about 3 1/2 stops! That's just a casual observation rather than a criticism.

You mentioned that the EC button is awkward. If it remains awkward after consistent use, your thinking is valid. Until you have used it consistently, you don't have enough viable information to have an informed opinion. Sorry to be blunt, but I hope that perspective is helpful.

More important, remember that I recommended using Auto ISO as your solution to failing to attend to the ISO value. You can use Auto ISO while using manual mode (though I've never done so and can't think off the top of my head if there is any significant difference when using it in shutter priority or aperture priority modes.)

Point taken Mike. You are 100% correct... If I was, my ISO would have been right on.

I appreciate you taking the time to challenge my thinking.

I was asked to use back focus for a bit, but was challenged (very frustrated) with that as I had to use one of my weaker fingers. I did eventually shut that off. I do need to experiment and make sure my opinions are based on sufficient trials and tribulations.

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Originally Posted by Mike Buckley

Actually, not quite yet. If you were fairly comfortable with it, you would have used ISO 100 rather than 1250. The difference between the two is huge -- about 3 1/2 stops! That's just a casual observation rather than a criticism.

You mentioned that the EC button is awkward. If it remains awkward after consistent use, your thinking is valid. Until you have used it consistently, you don't have enough viable information to have an informed opinion. Sorry to be blunt, but I hope that perspective is helpful.

More important, remember that I recommended using Auto ISO as your solution to failing to attend to the ISO value. You can use Auto ISO while using manual mode (though I've never done so and can't think off the top of my head if there is any significant difference when using it in shutter priority or aperture priority modes.)

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Originally Posted by KimC

I do need to experiment and make sure my opinions are based on sufficient trials and tribulations.

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Exactly. We're very fortunate that digital cameras provide so many options for accomplishing the same result. We can't know which option best fits our own needs until giving them sufficient time that our motor skills become automatic. If our motor skills don't adapt to a particular option after a sufficient amount of time, it doesn't matter how effective that particular option is for others; it only matters how a particular option is effective for you.