Trip to Warm Springs Ranch at Boonsville, Missouri : for C&C of course...

[IzzieK]

OK...I will start using my hot shoe level from now on. I thought it was only meant to be use with a tripod so I don't bother using it without my tripod. On another note, I worked on the original NEF file of the same building in question this morning and after many tries I finally decided to use the customs option of Photoshop and this is what I came up with. Can you please take a look if I got it right this time, Dave? I was looking at the difference between what I submitted earlier and this one and I got the side of the roof straight as opposed to the other one which has a little bit of a roundish thing on it...



On another note, there is this image of a barn here at CiC that I saw last night that was leaning backwards, perhaps because the OP photographed it while tilting his camera upwards...

Thanks Dave for the further instructions...I still have a lot of buildings to edit via the lens correction which I hope I do not have to do so I will practice some more just in case. In the meantime, I will follow a short list on how to use an UWA lens that I saw yesterday in my research and observed some more image postings here which I want to emulate because they loo good. Here is the short list:

Here’s a short list of the basic rules to observe:
1. Include something(s) of interest in the foreground otherwise you will get vast expanses of nothing. In landscape this can mean going low to include foreground flowers for example or getting really close to rocks so that you can see the rock grain.
2. Look for strong compositional lines as this will add drama to your shots. This happens naturally with wide lenses anyway so you are just working with the natural perspective of the lens.
3. Look for interesting skies as ultra-wides capture wide expanses of sky and emphasis the lines in the cloud formations.

[Dave Humphries]

I think the latest is looking better Izzie, although the magnification is smaller/angle of view is larger, which makes it less easy to compare with LyteBox switching.

I saw that barn and thought that first off; it needed a rotation, beyond that, it is quite tricky to say - yes, the camera is almost certainly pointed upwards and the structure might actually be leaning backwards anyway - the timber parts seemed at more of an angle than some of the brick parts, although they're so short, it is difficult to say (so I didn't in that thread).

[Helen Kolb]

Absolutely love the B+W image Izzie. Love horses too..... Helen

[IzzieK]

Absolutely love the B+W image Izzie. Love horses too..... Helen

Thanks Helen...I wish I do not have to edit buildings and such but it is my first time to use this new lens and I am overwhelmed. I didn't know it could be so hard. My other horses' shots are sort of waylaid for now but I will try to upload some baby ones too -- soon...I hope. Thank you for passing by and commenting and stating your preference. I appreciate it very much.

[John 2]

Nice set of images Izzie. I too like the mono but I would raise the shadows slightly and brighten the sky slightly as has already been suggested. Pushing up the exposure a little might be all you need. When it comes to distortion, the Warp tool is the hardest to use effectively. I prefer to use a combination of the other Transform tools so for instance for the Barn end:

1. Slight rotation to level the horizontals.
2. Use the Perspective tool to correct the verticals by pulling out the bottom handles until the RHS is vertically correct. The LHS is still slightly leaning but see below.
3. Use the Distortion tool by pulling down the bottom centre handle to stretch the barn and correct for height. You don't need all of the FG and it also makes more of the tyre tracks as a lead in.
4. Still using the Distortion tool, pull out the top LHS handle slightly to finally correct the verticals on that side.
5. Crop - you may not wish to.
6. Select the sky and use the Highlights/Shadows tool to bring back some detail in the sky.

I have also lifted the shadows inside of the barn so that it takes your eye through to the rear door.

Just my take on the image and how I would go about correcting any distortion. Others may do it differently but I hope it helps.

[IzzieK]

Yes...it did help, John...in fact, I did not do much editing yesterday of other stuffs but practice on your method and I like it very much, it is easier to analyze each sentence and do it as per your instructions. I will upload the result in the next post below so this particular post will be saved with your instruction...thanks again for the extra help...'appreciate it very much...

Nice set of images Izzie. I too like the mono but I would raise the shadows slightly and brighten the sky slightly as has already been suggested. Pushing up the exposure a little might be all you need. When it comes to distortion, the Warp tool is the hardest to use effectively. I prefer to use a combination of the other Transform tools so for instance for the Barn end:

1. Slight rotation to level the horizontals.
2. Use the Perspective tool to correct the verticals by pulling out the bottom handles until the RHS is vertically correct. The LHS is still slightly leaning but see below.
3. Use the Distortion tool by pulling down the bottom centre handle to stretch the barn and correct for height. You don't need all of the FG and it also makes more of the tyre tracks as a lead in.
4. Still using the Distortion tool, pull out the top LHS handle slightly to finally correct the verticals on that side.
5. Crop - you may not wish to.
6. Select the sky and use the Highlights/Shadows tool to bring back some detail in the sky.

I have also lifted the shadows inside of the barn so that it takes your eye through to the rear door.

Just my take on the image and how I would go about correcting any distortion. Others may do it differently but I hope it helps.

[IzzieK]

Both of this shots are taken at the Foaling Station:

Foal #1 -- some noise problem here but at least it is straight...The black blob at the side is part of the metal where I put my camera close to...



Foal #2 Nursung foal so this is a butt shot...nice butt!!!



We must have quite a few logged in this morning...the upload speed is too slow...

[Rob Ekins]

Izzie,
If you want to shoot these beautiful structures and get good at it I think you really need to use a tripod for every shot with a great level, $2 levels are hit and miss, go German and spend some cash,

If your cameras has grid lines in live view ditch the bubble level altogether and use the grids to compose.

This is what a cheap hot shoe level looks like sitting on my professional 300mm construction level.


Next: Slow down, take time to compose and look for all of the issues that people are pointing out to you, It won't take long for it all to become second nature, the best tip I ever got from a pro was slow down on site, it will save you hours in post

[JohnRostron]

An interesting set of images, Izzie. My Sony A55 has an electronic level that can be seen in the viewfinder (if selected) when composing the shot. I find it particularly useful when taking multiple shots for panoramas. I would be surprised if Nikon or Canon did not offer a similar facility.

PS I prefer the colour rather than the B&W!

John

[IzzieK]

Izzie,
If you want to shoot these beautiful structures and get good at it I think you really need to use a tripod for every shot with a great level, $2 levels are hit and miss, go German and spend some cash,

If your cameras has grid lines in live view ditch the bubble level altogether and use the grids to compose.

This is what a cheap hot shoe level looks like sitting on my professional 300mm construction level.


Next: Slow down, take time to compose and look for all of the issues that people are pointing out to you, It won't take long for it all to become second nature, the best tip I ever got from a pro was slow down on site, it will save you hours in post

Thanks for the tips...I will do that (Slow down...) when we go to Grant's Farm next week or somewhere near that date as any Budweiser farms will be close to the public by November 1...I have a need to go to practice and get my shots correct on camera so less editing later. My problem is that on a tour, it is a fast pace move and one gets to listen (not me..) to the narratives first before going to another portion of the farm, all walking tour for 1.5 hours. While the talkies were going on, I sneaked away to take some photographs and was told off to get off the grass. At Grant's Farm, I think we can pay $25/head for a private tour. I will surprise my husband so he will not have to be my mule either.BTW, I have a Manfrotto leveler. Cheap at $27? Anyway, I am trying not to use my live view as I only have 2 batteries on my camera with me...I have I think the rule of third on my camera and yes, I also have a leveler on my camera via the camera itself. I wasn't thinking...all these tools at my disposal and my thinking was how to use a UWA lens. Can you believe that?! Oh well...one lesson learnt.

Thank you for your suggestions and reminders and comments. Truly appreciate it very much.

[IzzieK]

An interesting set of images, Izzie. My Sony A55 has an electronic level that can be seen in the viewfinder (if selected) when composing the shot. I find it particularly useful when taking multiple shots for panoramas. I would be surprised if Nikon or Canon did not offer a similar facility.

PS I prefer the colour rather than the B&W!
John

Thanks John...having read your reply after Rob, I remembered having seen that app leveler in my camera. It won't be too much of a bother to enable it either...Thanks for the reminder. And your preference. I appreciate your passing by and commenting.

[Dave Humphries]

Thanks John...having read your reply after Rob, I remembered having seen that app leveler in my camera. It won't be too much of a bother to enable it either...Thanks for the reminder. And your preference. I appreciate your passing by and commenting.

Hi Izzie, (John),

I had forgotten your (high end Nikon) camera would probably have one of these, so thanks to John for reminding us all.

All the more daft since I use the feature on my D7100 a lot. One down side with it is that (on D7100, at least), I cannot get it to stay activated, what I mean is that if I activate the level, shoot, switch off camera, move to new location, switch camera on again, I have to separately remember to turn it on again. Unlike some other viewfinder features which are remembered.

The electronic level also only works in one dimension*; i.e. rotating lens barrel to get the camera level for left and right sides. It doesn't help you with regard to the camera being pointed up or down slightly, which is useful on a tripod especially, but I have even used that hand held (carefully).

* but it works whether the camera is held in landscape or portrait orientation.


Rob's cheap hot shoe level check and error indication is a possible concern - and equally, how do we know the hot shoe is mounted accurately to the sensor (in two dimensions) - all I can say is that I find using one (I did not buy the cheapest) helps me.

With regard to using viewfinder gridlines, they are fine if there is plenty in the shot to line them up with, which I guess there is here, but this is not always the case. Again this is something I use all the time, so much so, I didn't even think to ask if you were.

Cheers, Dave

[Rebel]

Nice shots Izzie, my favourites are the first and last

[Stagecoach]

Good set Izzie, thanks for sharing your travels

As for getting things level, (or near enough) when you do not have time or are not using a tripod use the horizontal grid in the viewfinder, if you have it turned on

Grahame

[Ndukes]

Thanks John...having read your reply after Rob, I remembered having seen that app leveler in my camera. It won't be too much of a bother to enable it either...Thanks for the reminder. And your preference. I appreciate your passing by and commenting.

Izzie, I have the function button (below the preview button) on the front of my Df programmed to activate the level indicator in the viewfinder. I use it pretty much all the time shooting landscape hand held. If I remember correctly (???) my D7100 (which I sold 18 months ago) had the same setup. I suppose my pianistic skills developed over the last 'ehmmmmmmm' years give me good dexterity with my 4th. finger. So my routine is to set aperture, check all settings and then activate level indicator, all through the viewfinder, immediately before shooting.

Hope this helps.

[IzzieK]

Hi Izzie, (John),

I had forgotten your (high end Nikon) camera would probably have one of these, so thanks to John for reminding us all.

All the more daft since I use the feature on my D7100 a lot. One down side with it is that (on D7100, at least), I cannot get it to stay activated, what I mean is that if I activate the level, shoot, switch off camera, move to new location, switch camera on again, I have to separately remember to turn it on again. Unlike some other viewfinder features which are remembered.

The electronic level also only works in one dimension*; i.e. rotating lens barrel to get the camera level for left and right sides. It doesn't help you with regard to the camera being pointed up or down slightly, which is useful on a tripod especially, but I have even used that hand held (carefully).

* but it works whether the camera is held in landscape or portrait orientation.

Thanks for this info...I was out using my bubble leveler yesterday to prepare for my trip Friday. I will have more opportunity in Florida practicing my lens.

Rob's cheap hot shoe level check and error indication is a possible concern - and equally, how do we know the hot shoe is mounted accurately to the sensor (in two dimensions) - all I can say is that I find using one (I did not buy the cheapest) helps me.

With regard to using viewfinder gridlines, they are fine if there is plenty in the shot to line them up with, which I guess there is here, but this is not always the case. Again this is something I use all the time, so much so, I didn't even think to ask if you were.

Cheers, Dave

No...that time around, with that new lens, I was hoping and praying and did not get anywhere...sometimes praying do not work without practice. I am practicing... and yes, I prefer the lines better and now with the bubble leveler stationed on my camera, I might come up with something good... instead of hoping for a miracle good shot...

[IzzieK]

Nice shots Izzie, my favourites are the first and last

Thank you Matt for commenting and stating your preference. I do appreciate it very much.

[IzzieK]

Good set Izzie, thanks for sharing your travels

As for getting things level, (or near enough) when you do not have time or are not using a tripod use the horizontal grid in the viewfinder, if you have it turned on

Grahame

I try not to disturb your peace and traumatize you some more with my whining shots, Grahame...but thanks for still being here for me. Yes...thank you for your advice...I will turn it on from now now. I do appreciate your taking the time to look at my shots...they were all a pain in the butt just pp-ing but it is how I learn...

[IzzieK]

Izzie, I have the function button (below the preview button) on the front of my Df programmed to activate the level indicator in the viewfinder. I use it pretty much all the time shooting landscape hand held. If I remember correctly (???) my D7100 (which I sold 18 months ago) had the same setup. I suppose my pianistic skills developed over the last 'ehmmmmmmm' years give me good dexterity with my 4th. finger. So my routine is to set aperture, check all settings and then activate level indicator, all through the viewfinder, immediately before shooting.

Hope this helps.

Yes it did, mate...thanks I have to learn that forth finger technique...and thanks for reminding me that I have not touch my piano for almost two weeks!!!! Last time I saw it was when I decided to have fun and turned the karaoke feature on it... My favourite is still GREAT BALLS OF FIRE!

[Ndukes]

Yes it did, mate...thanks I have to learn that forth finger technique...and thanks for reminding me that I have not touch my piano for almost two weeks!!!! Last time I saw it was when I decided to have fun and turned the karaoke feature on it... My favourite is still GREAT BALLS OF FIRE!

You have to play that standing up Izzie!