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Thread ID: 126313 2012-08-20 09:43:00 Photography question globe (11482) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1295700 2012-08-20 09:43:00 I've just got back from a trip to the south island, and many of the photos i've taken of the southern lakes, with the mountains in the background and the blue sky and mountains look quite washed out. Its a decent camera - a DSLR - so am wondering whether I should be using a filter on the lens to capture the shparness and brightness of the scene.

Any tips most appreciated, cheers
globe (11482)
1295701 2012-08-20 09:45:00 yes I once talked to a pro who never took any pictures without some sort of filter especially outside ones gary67 (56)
1295702 2012-08-20 09:47:00 yes I once talked to a pro who never took any pictures without some sort of filter especially outside ones

did the conversation go as far as filters that could be classed as all rounders or different types for different situations ?
globe (11482)
1295703 2012-08-20 09:55:00 In the days of film I solved such problems with a "circular polarising" filter. While looking through the lens, rotate the filter until it's darkest (or otherwise looks OK)

These days I use Photoshop to lasso the washed-out area, feather the selection, then proceed to adjust the image
BBCmicro (15761)
1295704 2012-08-20 09:56:00 different ones for different situations. Nick G (16709)
1295705 2012-08-20 09:59:00 A filter works for B&W photos. Most are not much use for colour unless of course you want them with a strange tinge. Washed out mountain and sky ok would indicate an exposure problem. CliveM (6007)
1295706 2012-08-20 10:02:00 Polariser might be useful. Makes it less reflections, more saturations, more bluey skies.

You may also do a double shot with a digital SLR instead of filters. See here:
www.luminous-landscape.com

You can use a software like Photomatix to be easier also.
Nomad (952)
1295707 2012-08-20 10:06:00 What settings did you have the DSLR on?
Have you got a .RAW file of each pic as well as the .JPEG?cos you can adjust a .RAW in more ways than a .JPEG.
Otherwise you can adjust the exposure, colour balance etc manually on the camera.
The pics you have taken could be improved with Photoshop if you or a friend have it.
Some other software such as GIMP (free) might do it too.
KarameaDave (15222)
1295708 2012-08-20 10:13:00 I have found that especially with movie photography that if you have too much sky in your scene your shot can be ruined by too much light. The mountains in the background can be washed out while the sky looks okay. Bobh (5192)
1295709 2012-08-20 10:13:00 I used several different settings but predominantly I was lazy and used the auto mode. globe (11482)
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