Advice for forthcoming trip...!

Hi

I am taking a trip to Scotland (Highlands) in a couple of weeks. I want to take lots of landscapes/scenery shots and it will be the first time I have ever used a tripod!

Most of my normal shots are portraits (indoor) etc and I am currently using manual for indoor shots with Metz flash and Aperture Priority (5.6) when taking outdoor shots....

Contrast and Sharpening set to normal...

I have taken a few landscape shots in the past, but they have mostly come out quite underexposed....I believe due to using EPS rather than spot etc..

Can anyone give me advice on getting some half decent landscape/scenery shots of the Scottish mountains...with my E-10 and tripod....

Also...I only have a clear filter, nothing else....would it be useful to buy any alternative filters....??

Many thanks

You can try experimenting with center weighted averaging instead of using ESP all the time. I've found it helps, especially for scenes such as sunsets and those with bright skies.

Also, the current philosophy on the forum seems to be tending more towards using low setting for Sharpness and doing this in post process for more control and leverage. I'm not totally convinced yet myself but the arguments for it make sense.

I would highly recommend you look into a high quality Hoya or B&W circular polarizer, especially if shooting near the ocean.

jon.d.w said:

Hi

I am taking a trip to Scotland (Highlands) in a couple of weeks. I
want to take lots of landscapes/scenery shots and it will be the
first time I have ever used a tripod!

Most of my normal shots are portraits (indoor) etc and I am
currently using manual for indoor shots with Metz flash and
Aperture Priority (5.6) when taking outdoor shots....

Contrast and Sharpening set to normal...

I have taken a few landscape shots in the past, but they have
mostly come out quite underexposed....I believe due to using EPS
rather than spot etc..

Can anyone give me advice on getting some half decent
landscape/scenery shots of the Scottish mountains...with my E-10
and tripod....

Also...I only have a clear filter, nothing else....would it be
useful to buy any alternative filters....??

Many thanks

Click to expand...

--

Oly E20/TCON-300, Kodak DC4800's/Ektanar lenses, Canon GL1, ZR25, Minolta HTsi+ 28-80/75-300 Silver
PBase supporter

Since you seem to be asking about exposure, I'll try to answer that.

When I've shot in the mountains I've used either spot meter or center weighted. I will point to something that looks close to middle gray, say a mountain side or rock, and set my exposure to that. Keep the exposure lock pressed (or go to full manual) and compose the shot.

You can also take an exposure reading from the most important part of the picture and guess how many stops it is from middle gray. After a little practice this isn't that hard. (Hint - most Caucasian skin tones are close to middle gray - that's why portraits are easy.)

If there are a couple of important spots in the picture I want properly exposed, I'll take a reading from the camera on them all and use an average (you need to be in full manual, not A to do that unless one of the objects hits the average.)

I've mostly used just a haze filter, but I have been playing with a polarizer. For one thing, it helps make dark blue skies. I've also started playing with a graduated ND filter - use one of these so the sky isn't over exposed or for reflections.

This shot was exposed by averaging the mountain and the reflection. It would have been much better with a graduated ND filter to make the mountain and the reflection closer to the same brightness.

jon.d.w said:

Hi

I am taking a trip to Scotland (Highlands) in a couple of weeks. I
want to take lots of landscapes/scenery shots and it will be the
first time I have ever used a tripod!

Most of my normal shots are portraits (indoor) etc and I am
currently using manual for indoor shots with Metz flash and
Aperture Priority (5.6) when taking outdoor shots....

Contrast and Sharpening set to normal...

I have taken a few landscape shots in the past, but they have
mostly come out quite underexposed....I believe due to using EPS
rather than spot etc..

Can anyone give me advice on getting some half decent
landscape/scenery shots of the Scottish mountains...with my E-10
and tripod....

Also...I only have a clear filter, nothing else....would it be
useful to buy any alternative filters....??

Many thanks

Click to expand...

Hi Jon,

Good advice recieved here so far.

All I might add is that you possibly try bracketing your shots. If your not sure how, the manual explains how to set the camera up.

Try 1/2 stop either direction, and then 1 full stop.

Save the ones you like best, and remember what your settings were. )

Good luck and have fun!

--
Vance.

http://users.ev1.net/~txcowboy

http://pub57.ezboard.com/bthedigitaldinguscommunity
now with live chat!

Yea, I think center weighted or spot (used on the right target) metering is good advice. If the skies are sunny with clouds, you might want to use a Low setting for Contrast to keep the white clouds from blowing out. Also, set your camera for auto review and check the histogram for good exposure after each shot. Good landscape photography usually involves slowing things down and taking time to evaluate your composition and exposure choices.

Good luck,
Paul

jon.d.w said:

Hi

I am taking a trip to Scotland (Highlands) in a couple of weeks. I
want to take lots of landscapes/scenery shots and it will be the
first time I have ever used a tripod!

Most of my normal shots are portraits (indoor) etc and I am
currently using manual for indoor shots with Metz flash and
Aperture Priority (5.6) when taking outdoor shots....

Contrast and Sharpening set to normal...

I have taken a few landscape shots in the past, but they have
mostly come out quite underexposed....I believe due to using EPS
rather than spot etc..

Can anyone give me advice on getting some half decent
landscape/scenery shots of the Scottish mountains...with my E-10
and tripod....

Also...I only have a clear filter, nothing else....would it be
useful to buy any alternative filters....??

Many thanks

Click to expand...

jon,

Have you made any provision for storage? I know that is one of my biggest concerns when traveling.

I took a trip last year and stored over 2000 images on a storage device that failed! My advice, along with the other advice you have been given, is to have a backup plan in case something fails.

On my last trip I took my E-10, with a C-700 as a backup camera. All the pictures were stored on a laptop and on the storage device (it was repaired under warranty). Everything worked as planned this time.

It may seem excessive to have that much redundancy, but trust me--it's worth it. There is no way I could ever replace all those photos that were lost.

Bill Goosie

Yes, I have a Very tiny Sony Vaio Laptop which is my CF Card backup and 'store' if I run out of cards (this went with me to China last year!) and I have a Digital Ixus as camera backup...I know not a very good backup camera, but better than nothing!

Many thanks for the advice from everyone so far...

Bill Goosie said:

jon,

Have you made any provision for storage? I know that is one of my
biggest concerns when traveling.

I took a trip last year and stored over 2000 images on a storage
device that failed! My advice, along with the other advice you have
been given, is to have a backup plan in case something fails.

On my last trip I took my E-10, with a C-700 as a backup camera.
All the pictures were stored on a laptop and on the storage device
(it was repaired under warranty). Everything worked as planned this
time.

It may seem excessive to have that much redundancy, but trust
me--it's worth it. There is no way I could ever replace all those
photos that were lost.

Bill Goosie

Click to expand...

jon.d.w said:

Hi

Click to expand...

I am taking a trip to Scotland (Highlands) in a couple of weeks. There are two things you must take with you. Midge repellant and an alarm-clock. Midge repellant is essential as these wee beasties can really ruin your day They dont bite every-one but if you are sensitive to them they can raise a lump the size of your finger nail that will hurt for a week It is not the one you kill that is the problem its the ten thousand going to its funeral thatyou have to look out for .The alarm clock is so that you can be on the hill for first light ,around 6a.m in midmay,and if you need to walk in 5 or 10 miles I would reckon 4o'clock would be a good start time The good news is most people are just going home from the pub about then so prehaps you will not need the alarm call

If these photos will be prescious to you, I would spend the $300 or so to get a digital wallet or similar to give you redundant storage with the Vaio (unless you are not reusing the cards in which the Sony is your redundant storage). The money is probably not much in the context of what your trip will cost, plus you'll have it for all the future trips.

jon.d.w said:

Many thanks for the advice from everyone so far...

Bill Goosie said:

jon,

Have you made any provision for storage? I know that is one of my
biggest concerns when traveling.

I took a trip last year and stored over 2000 images on a storage
device that failed! My advice, along with the other advice you have
been given, is to have a backup plan in case something fails.

On my last trip I took my E-10, with a C-700 as a backup camera.
All the pictures were stored on a laptop and on the storage device
(it was repaired under warranty). Everything worked as planned this
time.

It may seem excessive to have that much redundancy, but trust
me--it's worth it. There is no way I could ever replace all those
photos that were lost.

Bill Goosie

Click to expand...

--

Click to expand...

Re exposure: If its cloudy, the big problem you will have is if you use ESP metering, your landscape will probably go too dark. In that situation I use the spot meter and take my exposure off the landscape, but then I underexpose that by 2/3 stop to 1 stop to let it go a little darker in an attempt to keep some detail in the sky. A graduated neutral density filter (grey on the top, clear on the bottom) can help with that problem too. Also, if you are using a tripod and things are not moving (watch for wind and branches!) you can take two exposures, one to capture detail in the clouds and one to capture detail in the shadows and merge them in photoshop later. Fred Miranda has made an action to automate the process. http://www.fredmiranda.com . If you have enough CF space, and can live with the resulting buffer clear times, the auto bracket would be a good idea.

Best thing is to take as many pictures under the circumstances you expect before you leave, so you have your method ironed out.

Have fun!

jon.d.w said:

Hi

I am taking a trip to Scotland (Highlands) in a couple of weeks. I
want to take lots of landscapes/scenery shots and it will be the
first time I have ever used a tripod!

Most of my normal shots are portraits (indoor) etc and I am
currently using manual for indoor shots with Metz flash and
Aperture Priority (5.6) when taking outdoor shots....

Contrast and Sharpening set to normal...

I have taken a few landscape shots in the past, but they have
mostly come out quite underexposed....I believe due to using EPS
rather than spot etc..

Can anyone give me advice on getting some half decent
landscape/scenery shots of the Scottish mountains...with my E-10
and tripod....

Also...I only have a clear filter, nothing else....would it be
useful to buy any alternative filters....??

Many thanks

Click to expand...

OK, point taken about the midges!!

Im starting from Inverness and driving to Ullapool and then round the coast (Gruinard), Torridon, Skye, Fort William etc etc....

Do you know any 'good spots' that are off the normal track (but not too far to walk!!)

Cheers

JW

PS, Im going there in a couple of weeks too!

edwin willis said:

jon.d.w said:

Hi

Click to expand...

I am taking a trip to Scotland (Highlands) in a couple of weeks.
There are two things you must take with you. Midge repellant and an
alarm-clock. Midge repellant is essential as these wee beasties can
really ruin your day They dont bite every-one but if you are
sensitive to them they can raise a lump the size of your finger
nail that will hurt for a week It is not the one you kill that is
the problem its the ten thousand going to its funeral thatyou have
to look out for .The alarm clock is so that you can be on the hill
for first light ,around 6a.m in midmay,and if you need to walk in 5
or 10 miles I would reckon 4o'clock would be a good start time The
good news is most people are just going home from the pub about
then so prehaps you will not need the alarm call

Click to expand...

jon

I'd invest about £8 or £9 in two maps published by the Ordnance Survey, Numbers 1 and 2 ("Northern Scotland, Orkney and Shetland" and "Western Scotland and the Western Isles"). These give an excellent impression (almost a portrait) of the land and show the classic viewpoints and other points of interest. (I don't know if you are considering going to Syke but I'd not bother and go to Mull instead but that's only my opinion.)

As for the view points, most of them are halfway up mountains or on top of hills and panoramas are called for but, again only MHO, you can only do them justice with the camera in portrait mode (sideways) for the panoramas. You'll have fun with the exposure and will need to get it the same (or nearly the same) for the series.

Did you know that they run steam trains from Fort William to Mallaig? Best seen and photographed from the road and in the station and just approaching the Mallaig station. Also at Mallaig it is possible to do a round trip on the ship that takes the mail etc out to the isles of Eigg, Rum and Canna. On the return journey you get the best views of Skye possible. (Also you can go from Skye to Mallaig on a ferry and so do a large round trip.)

Also the drive from Shiel Bridge to Glenelg is generally reckoned to be one of the world's finest. It's a single track road by the way...

Sorry, I seem to have gone off the subject a bit.

Good calls, David!

Sorry to jump in a little late. The highlands are among my favorite places on earth.

For Jon:

A personal favorite is the village of Arasaig, between Mallaig and Ft William.The road to Rhu from there is a study of rural life. Sunset from around the harbor is quite lovely. There are spectacular gardens about 1km from the village. NOT WELL MARKED! NOT WELL KNOWN! Ask in the village. Most showy rhododendrens I've ever seen. Don't know if it's the proper time for them or not; it should be close. I've ridden the steam train from Ft William and I recommend it if it will fit with your plans. You can photograph the train itself out the window as it crosses Glenfinnan viaduct. The train itself (there are 3, if I remember well) is wonderful. (From Ft William, the engine is pointed forward; on the return from Mallaig the engine is reversed. You might keep this in mind if you make the journey. The roads in and around Kyle of Lochalsh ( mostly single track) are not to be missed. I made a special trip one year to visit Eilean Donan Castle, probably the most photographed in all Scotland. For personal taste, the road between Mallaig and Ft William is one of the most scenic. Glencoe is not to be missed.

I could go on for hours and really get super boring with all this. Suffice to say, Jon, that I envy you this trip. Don't think I'll make it back there in the future. My pics are from the film days and not appropriate to the forum.
--
Archie
One day at a time