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atmosphere Anonymous
How do I learn how to set the right exposure and aperture to catch the atmosphere of the scene properly without having to correct it too much with photoshop afterwards? Right side is auto, left side I played around with shutter speed and aperture, middle is after extensive use of the color balance and contrast sliders in photoshop.
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Camera-Specific Properties:Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS2 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution180 dpiVertical Resolution180 dpiImage Created2006:10:22 12:03:32Color Space InformationsRGBImage Width1555Image Height282
>> Katsu
>>29721
Practice. I know it sounds cliche, but that's how it is. Everything either absorbs or reflects light and to different degrees. You need to learn how to see what the camera sees and in time, hopefully you'll be able to get a feel for what settings you need to use to get what you want. I think I have the same problem. Usually my shots are overexposed or slightly underexposed. I always feel disheartened because the moment I want to capture is gone and I feel stupid taking a picture of an unwanted subject just for the sake of the settings... but maybe I should.
>> Anonymous
And whats wrong with post processing ? Too lazy ?

It's not bad idea to overexpose photo as much as possible without blowing highlights, you can always darken the image, but you can't make it brighter without significant lose of quality. Amirite ?
>> Katsu
>>29764
There's nothing wrong with post processing. However, if you can get what you want in one try, you won't have to mess around with post processing a lot. Simply enough, if you know what you're doing, then you'll save time on PP and get more time to take more pictures. =)
>> ??????? !KEBab7wem6
>>29764

Nothing wrong with post processing, but getting the exposure right is still better than ajusting the exposure afterwards.
>> Photon
Correct me if I am wrong, but any post processing results in quality loss (mostly details that you cant get back), except if you shoot in raw. Which is limited to some extend.
I need to learn my camera too...
>> Anonymous
>>29781
Exactly. Why not just get it right the first time around?

And if nothing else, learning how to get the right exposure in-camera will let you get better shots. You can fine tune an image in post-processing, but you can't create something that's just not there.

It's been said, just practice. After a while you'll know when you need to do what.
>> Anonymous
>>29721
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_system

ZS won't help you much getting results like in your middle example, though. You could've exposed a little bit more to get more details from the shadows without burning the highlights (but not like in the right example, it's overburned beyond any reason), but that's about it.

The example you posted needs a colour filter, so it's either "pre-processing" (filter on your lens), or post-processing. Or waiting for better light. Or messing with WB, if you're on digital.

>>29811
You're right. Tweaking the knobs won't automagically recreate what's not there to begin with, and will usually just cut what actually is there on the opposide side of the scale.
>> Anonymous
Thanks for the replies ;)
gonna keep practicing then!
>> jeepers
I learned one thing recently...
To get that lovely sunset golden glow that your eyes see at sundown and sunup set your digital camera to cloudy. Never set it to auto.

I'm over simplifying this or wrong but Cloudy setting is making up for the bluish cast clouds cause but making the image redder.

Setting to auto the camera sees a lot of red and tries to correct it and you'll never capture the same tints your eyes see.