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

picture 2

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12875965@N08/1498792160/

picture 3 - ISO 200, f6.3, 1/160s, 0ev

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12875965@N08/1498229013/

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

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12875965@N08/1499062916/

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

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12875965@N08/1499215198/

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

 

[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.

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

 

[mobilevirgin]

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