Unhappy with photos from Alaska Cruise
Jun 13, 2016 08:06:19 #
Bobb42 wrote:
Just returned from a Cruise to Alaska. The trip was very nice but I am not happy with the pictures. The camera is a Canon T3i using mostly a Canon 55-250 lens. Most shots were in Program mode using IS. Speeds seemed to be fast enough for the focal length used but they were just not sharp. Most of the shots showed an f 7.1. Other than taking another Cruise (not likely) what might have I done differently?
Since no images were posted with the question I can only speculate but very likely the shutter speeds were too slow.
When shooting on board subjects the standard rules work fairly well. Ship to shore images are different. The action of the boat due to wind, waves and motion require much faster shutter speeds.
Jun 13, 2016 08:18:17 #
Low resolution. Could you use higher resolution? Higher resolution = better quality.
Bobb42 wrote:
Finally got it to work. Shutter speed 1/320
Focal length 250mm
f stop 6.3
IS ON
Focal length 250mm
f stop 6.3
IS ON
Jun 13, 2016 08:22:54 #
From my experience, roughly 50 years of taking photos from & of boats and ships--large and small (including one Alaska cruise) your shutter speed was not nearly high enough; today's digital cameras give you a wide latitude in settings--use them. I seldom shoot "on the water shots", at less than 1/500 and frequently use 1/2000+. The cruise ship has built in vibrations even when tied up at the dock, at sea is usually rolling from sea surface conditions, and you are swaying a bit, sometimes a lot, to counteract the ship's roll and pitch. If you are taking a picture of another boat/ship, remember it is in motion too even if anchored. If you can't get the f-stop and shutter speeds you want because of light limitations, increase the ISO.
If the rule of focal length limits your shutter speed, ignore the rule.
If the rule of focal length limits your shutter speed, ignore the rule.
Jun 13, 2016 08:37:41 #
Basil wrote:
On a good day, on solid ground, I would think that would be adequate, especially with IS. Perhaps the motion of the boat was such that higher SS was needed?
Is it possible the pics u don't like were taken from the ship? The ship even when stopped is always vibrating/moving.
Jun 13, 2016 08:45:06 #
Your problem is that your f-stop is too low. For those kinds of landscape pictures you need f16 or higher.
Check your depth of field on one of the DOF apps for your camera, f-stop and likely focus distance. Your EXIF might give actual focus distance.
You also do need the high shutter speed with the lens you are using. That means you likely needed a high ISO.
Check your depth of field on one of the DOF apps for your camera, f-stop and likely focus distance. Your EXIF might give actual focus distance.
You also do need the high shutter speed with the lens you are using. That means you likely needed a high ISO.
Jun 13, 2016 09:00:36 #
Bobb42 wrote:
Just returned from a Cruise to Alaska. The trip was very nice but I am not happy with the pictures. The camera is a Canon T3i using mostly a Canon 55-250 lens. Most shots were in Program mode using IS. Speeds seemed to be fast enough for the focal length used but they were just not sharp. Most of the shots showed an f 7.1. Other than taking another Cruise (not likely) what might have I done differently?
I suggest that you USE the camera BEFORE you go on a trip like this. And learn about exposure so you don't have to depend on the camera to take perfect shots. Practice practice practice.
Jun 13, 2016 09:00:55 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
jerryc41 wrote:
Mostly likely, camera movement was the culprit. Perhaps the shutter speed wasn't high enough, although "speeds seemed to be fast enough." Raising the ISO would allow for a higher shutter speed. Is there something in front of the subject or behind it that is in focus. Your camera might have achieved good focus, but on the wrong subject. That's why many people prefer single center point focus.
If you read his responses to my questions, it's seems most likely it was a user focusing issue. He has a problem with his left hand and was holding the camera with his right hand only on a moving boat. His inability to hold the camera properly, boat movement, and a shutter speed of 1/320 second seems the most probable culprit to me. I agree about a faster shutter speed. A speed of at least 1/1000, given the circumstances, may have given him better results.
Jun 13, 2016 09:21:14 #
[quote=Bobb42]Just returned from a Cruise to Alaska. The trip was very nice but I am not happy with the pictures. The camera is a Canon T3i using mostly a Canon 55-250 lens. Most shots were in Program mode using IS. Speeds seemed to be fast enough for the focal length used but they were just not sharp. Most of the shots showed an f 7.1. Other than taking another Cruise (not likely) what might have I done differently?[/qu
Did you have a CPL on, I have that lens , on my copy it does not like CPL's at a bit more than the 150 mark, had one once in a lifetime event missed as the shots were unusable, further checking and itgets worse as you near max extension, has trouble focusing . Bob.
Did you have a CPL on, I have that lens , on my copy it does not like CPL's at a bit more than the 150 mark, had one once in a lifetime event missed as the shots were unusable, further checking and itgets worse as you near max extension, has trouble focusing . Bob.
Jun 13, 2016 09:25:00 #
Bryan Peterson has written many books, thought to be very basic, - and I suppose they are - but they are also packed with the mix of art and science.
I've recently picked up his "Learning To See Creatively" (3rd Edition) "Lotsa Good Stuff"
I've recently picked up his "Learning To See Creatively" (3rd Edition) "Lotsa Good Stuff"
Jun 13, 2016 10:07:28 #
Mr. Brown, I do not know about your level of photographic expertise but AUTO is not the best selection for landscape photography. Landscapes are stationary subjects and they give the photographer time to plan and think about the photograph to be made. I know that at times, especially during a cruise, a little bit of speed is necessary to photograph a scenery and we cannot photograph the subject the way it should be.
The shutter speed when looking for sharpness is crucial and I prefer to double the shutter speed compared to the focal length of the lens just to be sure, in this particular case I would prefer to use 1/500sec. easily achievable using Shutter Priority and I would say selecting ISO 400 to help the aperture to go toward small lens openings like f8.
Even when using VR (Image Stabilizer) my best option for a steady camera has been a tripod and I know how inconvenient it could be during a cruise to the point that most probably it will not work very well aboard. The images will need editing, especially RAW files and sharpening should be applied to get a reasonable sharpened file when cropped to 50%, which by the way is a pretty large enlargement.
These images appear pretty good in sharpness for their size but I can understand that perhaps you do not see in them what you envisioned.
There are several parameters involved, as you know, in a sharp photograph and many times it is us, not the camera or lens, at fault. Using a tele, even with IS requires extra care for sharper images.
Just saying.
The shutter speed when looking for sharpness is crucial and I prefer to double the shutter speed compared to the focal length of the lens just to be sure, in this particular case I would prefer to use 1/500sec. easily achievable using Shutter Priority and I would say selecting ISO 400 to help the aperture to go toward small lens openings like f8.
Even when using VR (Image Stabilizer) my best option for a steady camera has been a tripod and I know how inconvenient it could be during a cruise to the point that most probably it will not work very well aboard. The images will need editing, especially RAW files and sharpening should be applied to get a reasonable sharpened file when cropped to 50%, which by the way is a pretty large enlargement.
These images appear pretty good in sharpness for their size but I can understand that perhaps you do not see in them what you envisioned.
There are several parameters involved, as you know, in a sharp photograph and many times it is us, not the camera or lens, at fault. Using a tele, even with IS requires extra care for sharper images.
Just saying.
Jun 13, 2016 10:10:51 #
You might want to ask another person you know to take a few shots with your camera. Preferably someone that you feel does do good work. Compare the images to yours. If the pictures come out like the ones you posted, then it is a equipment problem. If they are better than yours, it is probably a technique issue. At least that way you will know where to start looking for the solution. As I got older, I had to recognize that my photos were better when I used a monopod for camera support. At one time I was an expert with a hand gun. Now I settle for the barn door. Good luck. Leon
Jun 13, 2016 10:41:10 #
Bobb42 wrote:
Just returned from a Cruise to Alaska. The trip was very nice but I am not happy with the pictures. The camera is a Canon T3i using mostly a Canon 55-250 lens. Most shots were in Program mode using IS. Speeds seemed to be fast enough for the focal length used but they were just not sharp. Most of the shots showed an f 7.1. Other than taking another Cruise (not likely) what might have I done differently?
How many of your photos were shot through the ship's windows & how many were shot on deck?
Jun 13, 2016 10:49:35 #
Jun 13, 2016 10:56:37 #
Bobb42
Loc: Ohio
I have had the Canon T3i for about 3 years and the 55-250 lens for 2 years. I have been into photography for close to 50 years but just recently started looking more closely at my results. Usually, I am happy with the photos I have taken. I see Alaska as maybe a once in a lifetime. I did some experimenting with the lens and camera before we left. Unfortunately, nothing was as far away as the scenes in Alaska.
I have gotten many good ideas to try if the chance comes up again.
I have gotten many good ideas to try if the chance comes up again.
Jun 13, 2016 10:58:16 #
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