Golden Gate, Fort Point and the Headlands

PilotBrad

Here's a few of my shots from a workshop last weekend. A few more can be found in the gallery.

PLEASE be critical. What works, what doesn't? What could be improved?

1


2


3


4


5


6


7

run_kmc

Personally, I like #6 the best. Has a painting like quality to it. Well done!

schmoo

Fantastic set!! Looks like the workshop was a great time and you got some real wallhangers from it. I don't have any complaints about any of them. If anything, I think you could leave #4 out, simply because it's similar to #6, and 6 has a cleaner comp.

chrisdg

Brad - Aperture Academy workshop?

I like #5 the best!

PilotBrad

Thanks for the comments. 6 is becoming my favorite.

It was my first time using my new ND Grad filter and polarizer, and I think they really helped balance out the exposures.

Yes, it was an Aperture Academy workshop.

Alpha_Plus

Great set! I'm looking at getting an ND soon. Which density did you use on those shots?

#6 is my favourite

chrisdg

Alpha_Plus wrote: »

Great set! I'm looking at getting an ND soon. Which density did you use on those shots?

I'm not the OP, but in my opinion, if you are only getting one Grad ND filter, start with the 3-stop soft-step grad.
http://www.singh-ray.com/grndgrads.html

Next purchase could be a 2-stop soft-step grad. Hard-step filters are really only viable if you shoot flat horizons such as ocean or plains. With small apertures common to landscape images, that hard-step delineation sometimes becomes too obvious in the image.

I started with both 2-stop grads and most of the time, it's just wasn't strong enough. I often ended up doubling up my 2-stop hard and 2-stop soft by using them together at the same time. This is a sample of that combined 4-stop grad at the same exact beach as the original poster, and parts of the sky are still blown out.
http://chrisdg.smugmug.com/Photography/2010-Marin-Headlands/11789718_WVfV2#832866888_3rmpJ-A-LB

Either way, ND grads are a must have for any serious landscape photographer. DOn't hesitate to get one or two or three or four

PilotBrad

chrisdg wrote: »

I'm not the OP, but in my opinion, if you are only getting one Grad ND filter, start with the 3-stop soft-step grad.

That's what I have... a 3-stop soft.

Chris... Nice shot! We wanted to go down the beach to those rocks, but the tide was too high and the waves too big. Now I have me an excuse to go back.

ront

While I like them all, #4,5,6 and 7 are amazing!! Awesome light!

Ron

kevincaophotography

I'd love to see a bit more contrast in number 1, but that's my personal preference. All of the others are completely beautiful. I cannot comment on how to improve any of the others "better". Love the focus of #2, texture of #3, movement of #4,#5,#6, and simplicity of #7. Great shots!

PilotBrad

Thanks ront and Kevin. I agree, #1 really isn't doing it for me... I'll play around with it in LR and see if I can't improve it a bit. THANK YOU for the feedback!