Pre-Dawn Shot of MBS

[aloyloy]

1. in what area is critique to be sought?
Composition, exposure and angle. Picture taken at F8. Wonder is it always better to take landscape photos at F22?
2. what one hopes to achieve with the piece of work?
Hopes to achieve more details of the buildings. Just can't seem to get that in this picture.

3. under what circumstance is the picture taken? (physical conditions/emotions)
Gloomy and cold morning. My very first time waking so early to take a picture there. The place is so quiet and peaceful. Great feeling

4. what the critique seeker personally thinks of the picture
I like the lighting and the reflection capture in this picture. But not sure how to further improve on the details of the buildings.

 

[nabelrock]

hi there, your photo is clean and sharp enough, but I think if your exposure is a few seconds longer you will get a cleaner reflection on a really flat water surface. Reflection is a bit cut-off for the 1st tower, also you can increase the vibrance and/or color saturation a bit to bring out some colors. Angle is good, I cant think of another angle that could capture everything like your shot did. Aperture wise, try to research on your lens' sweet spot, yeah most of them @ f8 are ok, but personally I prefer f11-f16 and f22 is already too much and already out of the sweet spot range. During landscape shoots, I try to shoot the same frame at different apertures and exposure durations, then choose the best one when I reach home. Usually shots at f11 gets my vote on my setup.

just a newbie's observation, not sure if it counts for anything but hope it helps

 

[DeSwitch]

Hi Aloyloy,

I'm learning too. I see the white structure on the left a tat too bright. I had the same problem last week and I cover it with a black cloth for 1/3 of the exposure.



Nabelrock, hope you dont mind me asking. how do one achieve smooth reflection of the water surface? I tried 102s and still did not have a smooth surface. What other conditions is needed.

BTW , I was shooting at night.

 

[nabelrock]

Hi DeSwitch, most probably timing is a key too, when the wind is negligible and the water is calm, here's one from one of the threads (Numnumball) I subscribe to, the water is so flat the reflections looks very nice.. from his posts usually the good timings are very very early in the morning. I hope to imitate this one day

Hi aloyloy, if you mind me posting this, please PM me and I'll remove it

NNB - #27.

 

[PixelHero]

Hi Aloyloy,

I'm learning too. I see the white structure on the left a tat too bright. I had the same problem last week and I cover it with a black cloth for 1/3 of the exposure.

how do u cover the structure with a black cloth? pls explain the method?

 

[PixelHero]

Hi Aloyloy,

I'm learning too. I see the white structure on the left a tat too bright. I had the same problem last week and I cover it with a black cloth for 1/3 of the exposure.

how do u cover the structure with a black cloth? pls explain the method?

 

[allenleonhart]

how do u cover the structure with a black cloth? pls explain the method?

just wave a cloth infront actually. its something like the good old "black card" techniques lar. go google on it

 

[aloyloy]

hi there, your photo is clean and sharp enough, but I think if your exposure is a few seconds longer you will get a cleaner reflection on a really flat water surface. Reflection is a bit cut-off for the 1st tower, also you can increase the vibrance and/or color saturation a bit to bring out some colors. Angle is good, I cant think of another angle that could capture everything like your shot did. Aperture wise, try to research on your lens' sweet spot, yeah most of them @ f8 are ok, but personally I prefer f11-f16 and f22 is already too much and already out of the sweet spot range. During landscape shoots, I try to shoot the same frame at different apertures and exposure durations, then choose the best one when I reach home. Usually shots at f11 gets my vote on my setup.

just a newbie's observation, not sure if it counts for anything but hope it helps

Hi , thank you very much for the critique. Here is another shot taken on the same day but with longer exposure, guess you are looking for this effect haha..

 

[allenleonhart]

its a matter of timing actually. if u want still water, shoot before 630 am, thats when merly starts puking and water starts moving...

 

[kwttan]

Hmmm... I find the horizon for both pictures uploaded by TS are titled. I find 2nd picture somehow is not as sharp as first, however I prefer the color tone of 2nd picture. Anyway, keep up the nice work!

 

[nabelrock]

Hi , thank you very much for the critique. Here is another shot taken on the same day but with longer exposure, guess you are looking for this effect haha..

Yep, this one's exposure is a lot better, nice colors too, a bit of sharpening and a little more contrast and it's all good

 

[DeSwitch]

2nd shot is nice. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[ArcticFox]

Since it's only the MBS building, you should take with the three towers facing directly at you (One Fullterton is ideal) I prefer the latter one because of its composition, it looks more 'spacious' compare to the earlier one. The colours are also more vibrant since it's closer to the Golden hours.

 

[jk1881]

all is nice
i like it

 

[The Moving Chair]

Personally, I would prefer if the reflection is not cut off at the bottom. It makes the image incomplete. Secondly, the lotus shape thing is too bright, which takes my attention away from MBS, which I reckon from your title, is the main subject. Thirdly, compositionally, this is slightly off balanced, because it is left heavy. I found it interesting that nabelrock cited NNB's photo. For me I find that photo rather well balanced compositionally. While it is 50-50, but the balance makes it pleasing to view. Just my 2c.