Newby 1st trip out

[cowasaki]

Hello everyone,

Just been out to Cuerden Valley Park with my daughter to take a few pictures for the first time. I have included five of the pictures because I like the first two of them BUT I was having problems taking a picture I wanted and was looking at getting some advice (see pictures 3-5)

picture 1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12875965@N08/1498237191
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/1498237191_253527d8ef.jpg

picture 2

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12875965@N08/1498792160/
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/1498792160_ffe3084f78.jpg
picture 3 - ISO 200, f6.3, 1/160s, 0ev

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12875965@N08/1498229013/
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/1498229013_1930878849.jpg

picture 4 - ISO 125, f5.6, 1/125, 0ev

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12875965@N08/1499062916/
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/1499062916_30afe14145.jpg

picture 5 - ISO 125, f11, 1/500, -3ev

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12875965@N08/1499215198/
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/1499215198_fd0444c129.jpg

I know the first two pictures aren't landscapes etc but it is the landscape pictures I am having problems with.

The problem is that if I set the exposure correctly for the park the sky is just white even though it was an overcast day.

I reduced the exposure by a 1/3 each shot for 8 shots but some of the sky was still blown out even though the ground was black!

I was using a D200 with a Nikon AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR2 DX ED IF

Do I need a filter? Am I just rubbish at taking pictures? Should I go back to my ixus?

------

Just added another one

picture 6

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12875965@N08/1499073936
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/1499073936_2062afa6bc.jpg

[RobertP]

Your bright sky problems can be overcome (though not always) by ND grad filters or a polariser (if the sun is to the side of you as you shoot). Some info in this thread (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=34942).

When you can't solve the problem with filters then the only other option is taking 2 (or even 3) shots on a tripod with different exposures and combining them. High Dynamic Range (HDR) processing does just that with extreme darks and lights and can make a natural blend or an extreme one depending on settings.

The first portrait is nice but the white balance looks wrong.

[cowasaki]

The first portrait is nice but the white balance looks wrong.

Thanks, that's another thing I have been having a few problems with,do I leave it on auto or do I try and set it myself. That shot was taken with the WB set for cloudy. It's clearly and experience thing.

[RobertP]

I'd leave it on auto as it usually gets it right. If you shoot RAW then it is very easy to change it afterwards if need be.

[cowasaki]

Thanks for that, I will leave it on auto for now. I only shoot in RAW so I can sort it later.

[mobilevirgin]

That 1st shot is really nice. I don't know if the WB is off or not, but there's a nice warm light to it. I like it. The 2nd one - its a nice pose, but she's too far away. I think the same goes for 6 too and her eyes are closed. They're a bit soft - sharpen them up a touch after you've re-sized them.

I'm rubbish at landscapes too, so I'll leave that for others to deal with

[cowasaki]

Yes I realised her eyes were closed so I took another picture then uploaded the wrong one !!

Here is the correct one

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/medium/mel_cuerden_1_.jpg

[mobilevirgin]

Much better - still a tad soft though. And I think I prefer the B&W as opposed to the sepia. Still, nice work.