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Joggie van Staden
{K:41700} 1/22/2007
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Hi Eb - I understand your approach clearly. Clear crisp coloured landscapes is one of your trademarks for me and I am sure you would want to keep it that way. That does not prevent one to use whats available to get there. My personal approach was always to use the filters and PS but only to such an extent that it remains undetected. Sometimes one goes beyond that to enhance something or creat a specific effect - yes by all means! I appreciate your frustration with the absence of the sun. I live in sunny South Africa and when the sun is gone for more that 3 days we get depressed here! Kind regards.
Joggie
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Eb Mueller
{K:24960} 1/21/2007
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Joggie, I would prefer not to use the ND grads too! I try to solve dynamic range problems however I can. :-) I use Highlight/Shadows, or combine two exposures of one RAW file, or several bracketed exposures. The latter, as you know, is tricky because of subject or camera movement. I have also been using Photomatix which does a better job than PS HDR and is also quicker and arguably better than layer masking approaches. I have also seen such excellent use of ND grads that I purchased a set for myself. I have also seen some terrible examples and hope not to similarly misuse them! You will be first to let me know if I do that! This photo is actually manipulated with a simulated ND grad filter in PS. I did it for dramatic effect rather than to resolve a dynamic range issue. As a natural landscape the shot is extremely flat and boring but I had the ND grad effect in mind when I took the photo. Unfortunately during the winter everything is grey and bland here because of the damp, cold, overcast conditions. If there is sun peeking through, it is very low on the horizon. I find landscape photography very restrictive under these conditions! With judicious use of PS, one can make the best of it, as I tried to do here!
Eb
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Joggie van Staden
{K:41700} 1/20/2007
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Beautiful light and composition Eb! Find the ND filter just slightly too strong in the top half. Nonetheless a great shot!
Joggie
(personally I dont use ND filters very much, Ive seen so many shots which are spoiled imo because one can pick up the use of the filter immediately. I prefer natural landscapes to be natural as far as possible - would like to hear what you think on the topic - Take care!)
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Eb Mueller
{K:24960} 1/13/2007
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Thanks for lovely comment, Ina! There is no horseshoe - just the dry plant stalks.
Eb
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Pat Oates
{K:3046} 1/12/2007
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Eb - Nice mixture of colors and shades. The background has a sepia look.
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Ina Nicolae
{K:44481} 1/12/2007
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Superb grasses in the foreground, I love the low POV, the colors are beautiful! Is that a horse shoe on the ground (right above the title word "Boost")? Great landscape, Eb :) Ina
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Eb Mueller
{K:24960} 1/11/2007
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Hi Kes and thanks for your comment. I don't feel entirely convinced when I manipulate an image and therefore appreciate the feedback. You will likely get good results from any brand circular polarizer. I use the econo Tiffen on my kit lens and the expensive B&W on my pro lenses in 77mm. For grads, I purchased the Cokin Z-Pro ND kit from B&H. It is the most economical way to get the 3 (4x6in.) ND grads, the Z-pro holder and a wallet - but you will have to purchase the 77mm adapter ring separately. There is also a kit with tinted grads. The Z-pro series filter holder is big and will handle ultra wide angle lenses without vignetting. Also the Z-Pro ND grads are better than in the cheaper and smaller P-series. You may also wish to spend more money and go for the Singh-Ray brand which will fit the Cokin holders. I have not compared and can make no recommendation about spending the extra money. I really enjoy my 12-24 f/4 Nikkor but most of the time, I find it convenient to use the wide end of my 17-55 f/2.8 rather than carry another lens. I bought the 12-24 before the 17-55 and used it more then. The 18-200, I have no experience with. It would seem to be handy for travel!
Eb
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Ibrahim Youssef
{K:5579} 1/11/2007
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Hi Eb
This is a beautiful shot with great exposure, i like also the contrast, very well done.
Best regards.
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![Nelson Moore [Kes] -](http://images.imageopolis.com/images/5/7/8/7/5787/1481659-micro.jpg)
Nelson Moore [Kes] -
{K:20241} 1/11/2007
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Hi Eb! A wonderful warmth here and the foreground detail makes the shot. I'm starting to shop around for a couple of filters...my plan is to get 77mm filters for the 12/24 lens (that I don't have yet) and step down rings for for the 18-200 (lol, that I don't have yet!). What would you recommend for a ND grad and polarizer?
Regards, Kes
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Giuseppe Guadagno
{K:34002} 1/11/2007
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Good choise the filter Ebb. The colours of the grass makes the photo for me. I like also the very emotive atmosphere.
Ciao.
Giuseppe
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Shirley D. Cross-Taylor
{K:174043} 1/11/2007
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WOW...Fantastic work, Eb!:)
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ricardo longhi-frantz
{K:9628} 1/11/2007
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impressive landscape! well done!
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Leo Régnier Я£
{K:67696} 1/11/2007
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WOnderful landscape Eb!!! Love the point of view and the colors!!! Congrats my friend,
Leo
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