Nathaniel Alpert
Member
Despite the massive indifference, here is another contribution from my studies at the Kalaluau Overlook on Kauai. Shot in the mist, the colors wink in and out, sometimes muted sometimes bright.
Shot in the mist, the colors wink in and out, sometimes muted sometimes bright
Despite the massive indifference, here is another contribution from my studies at the Kalaluau Overlook on Kauai. Shot in the mist, the colors wink in and out, sometimes muted sometimes bright.
Mike,
I appreciate your comments. I am looking for detailed suggestions about how to improve this photo. This scene was quite foggy, atmospheric, if you will. I travel with two bodies, a 20D and a 5D, along with a 16-35 L, a 24-105 IS L and the 70-300 IS DO. I try not to change lenses in the field.
This composition was beyond the reach of the 24-105. It was shot at the extreme limit of the DO, 300mm, which is not its best range. I bought the DO, thinking it would be a better travel lens than the 70-200 L lenses. I am not sure I would do it again. But one can make good pictures, provided you understand its behavior.
I agree with you that out of the box, it is not the most contrasty lens. However that is not a good excuse for failure with this lens. Much can be done in post processing. Are you saying that the DO caused some kind of "look" at the back of the frame? If so, I am not sure if I agree. There was a considerable variation in exposure values between the forground and background.
-Nat
Hi Nat
Sorry, I was not saying the lens had caused the low contrast - I started out saying that and then failed to correctly edit my comment. I have both the 70-300DO and a 70-200f4L IS and whilst the 70-200 is undoubtedly a better lens in terms of optical performance the DO is relatively unobtrusive and portable, so I've kept it so far. Also, as you say, provided you take care when using it the results are good. It was also fun using it on a friends 20D at a wedding last year...
I took the liberty of copying your picture into photoshop and having a bit of a play - I hope you don't mind. If would start off by using either levels or curves to brighten the highlights slightly (in complete contrast to my earlier comment!) and just move the blackpoint upwards very slightly. This brightened the image and gave a bit more contrast. If you wanted to go further you could use unsharp mask to increase local contrast and mask the layer to just work on the lighter background, but this might be a step too far and lose the soft quality from the misty atmosphere.
Just a couple of thoughts.
Mike