10mm building shots

bevanbraves · 24th January 2008, 10:34 PM

I've taken a few shots of buildings at 10mm. I found that the closer i got to the building (and at 10mm you can get pretty close and still frame a building) the better it looked.

But after getting home and seeing the pics on a screen, the buildings look flat (example attached).

is there a trick to taking building shots at 10mm?

Or do i need to do a better job of getting something in the foreground maybe???

Deckham · 24th January 2008, 10:58 PM

Well - first - try and see the image up on your screen/wall when you compose in the viewfinder. Notice how although the building may have been rather cool-looking - here it looks 2-dimensional. This is largely because you cannot see any walls - just a flat facade. For depth, try and capture a little perspective.

Secondly - you have a 10mm, man. What are you doing so far away from your subject? Get in a bit closer and use that wide angle, or it's a waste.

Thirdly - your white balance is out. I can't see the EXIF data. Was it on auto?

Finally - the shot is underexposed. I'm not sure what level you are at with your camera, but perhaps reading up a little about it and exposure/metering in general will help you.

esjay · 25th January 2008, 12:23 AM

What deckham said, and it also has a lot to do with the quality of the light/where the sun is. At different times of the day (early morning and evening are the best) the sun will be at a better angle to bring out more definition, texture and interesting shadows which gives the photo more depth.

pezzy · 25th January 2008, 3:46 AM

i know this isnt a photoshop related thread but i thought ill try and give the photo some life with some quick pp. really bored atm so i apologise for the slight off topic.

took about 5 mins with the dodge and burn tool, some playing around with saturation and sharpen.

Jackolow · 25th January 2008, 7:07 AM

I found that i had the same problem with 10mm... Try exposing the shot more effectively and you'll find that with the correct exposure... your photos just become brilliant. That itself should lead to what you had in mind.

plasticbastard · 25th January 2008, 7:28 AM

You do have something in the foreground, its just the wrong sort of thing.
The big tree is very distracting.

alexc · 25th January 2008, 9:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bevanbraves

is there a trick to taking building shots at 10mm?

Your framing could use some improvements - the church is the feature here, so the phallic tree emerging from camera right looks a bit weird.

With a the 10mm wide angle one trick is to line up the middle of the verticals of a building with the centre of your frame....

hmm.. did that make sense?

Get the middle of the church wall aligned with the middle of your view finder. This will reduce the distortion you are seeing - which is making the church recede into the background.

Then get up much closer for maximum impact. Make the most of intricate churchy details.

Your image looks under exposed to me as well. Shoot RAW and bracket for idiot proof exposures

(which is what I do as I'm a total tool half the time)

bevanbraves · 25th January 2008, 6:33 PM

Agreed, the time of day could have been better. And the shot(s) are not exposed too well. The tree is a major .... embarrassment.

Another example below, i got as close as i could but the front still looks flat rather than full of churchy details.

I guess the sort of feedback i was after was more generic, the pic was only an example.

Whats the best way for me to get the most out of my 10mm generally???

Dinuc · 25th January 2008, 8:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bevanbraves

Agreed, the time of day could have been better. And the shot(s) are not exposed too well. The tree is a major .... embarrassment.
Another example below, i got as close as i could but the front still looks flat rather than full of churchy details.

Chruchy deatils will stand out more when side lit. so either wait for sun or strobist it.

Quote:

I guess the sort of feedback i was after was more generic, the pic was only an example.
Whats the best way for me to get the most out of my 10mm generally???

Get closer. usual composition and framing tricks, rule of thirds etc.

Dna

edit: an example.

(actually shot at 11mm but don't tell anyone...

)

plasticbastard · 25th January 2008, 8:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dinuc

Chruchy deatils will stand out more when side lit. so either wait for sun or strobist it...

That will require the Canon 55580FM High Power Disposable Flash, which has a guide no of 150,000 at 5Km (ISO 100).

FB008 · 25th January 2008, 8:54 PM

the 10mm is all about composition baby!

Deckham · 25th January 2008, 8:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bevanbraves

Another example below, i got as close as i could but the front still looks flat rather than full of churchy details.

Notice how you still have only one wall visible?

bevanbraves · 28th January 2008, 8:11 AM

I know the light is not improved. But is this sort of angle better for buildings?

alexc · 28th January 2008, 8:50 AM

If you were to critique your own shots, what would you say?

bevanbraves · 28th January 2008, 9:28 AM

1st photo
A touch overexposed in the clouds (-).
I think the tree arching over the scout hall frames it a bit (+)
two sides of the building gives it some depth (+)

2nd photo
A touch overexposed in the clouds (-).
horizon might not be straight (-)
you can see more of the street on the right than the left, maybe unbalancing the shot a bit (-)
i think the cloud pattern and 10mm lens effect on the sky gives the pic a different look (+)
I'm not sure if i should have cropped it so the bottom of the photo ran along the gutter rather than leaving a small bit of road at the bottom of the picture (in the centre).

I dont think i could have got closer to either without loosing something (framing tree in the 1st and i thought being able to see streets on the left and right of the hotel added something to the second).

24th January 2008, 10:34 PM	#1
bevanbraves Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1,671	10mm building shots I've taken a few shots of buildings at 10mm. I found that the closer i got to the building (and at 10mm you can get pretty close and still frame a building) the better it looked. But after getting home and seeing the pics on a screen, the buildings look flat (example attached). is there a trick to taking building shots at 10mm? Or do i need to do a better job of getting something in the foreground maybe???

24th January 2008, 10:58 PM	#2
Deckham Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Essendon, Melbourne Posts: 6,967	Well - first - try and see the image up on your screen/wall when you compose in the viewfinder. Notice how although the building may have been rather cool-looking - here it looks 2-dimensional. This is largely because you cannot see any walls - just a flat facade. For depth, try and capture a little perspective. Secondly - you have a 10mm, man. What are you doing so far away from your subject? Get in a bit closer and use that wide angle, or it's a waste. Thirdly - your white balance is out. I can't see the EXIF data. Was it on auto? Finally - the shot is underexposed. I'm not sure what level you are at with your camera, but perhaps reading up a little about it and exposure/metering in general will help you. __________________ Zenfolio

25th January 2008, 12:23 AM	#3
esjay Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 127	What deckham said, and it also has a lot to do with the quality of the light/where the sun is. At different times of the day (early morning and evening are the best) the sun will be at a better angle to bring out more definition, texture and interesting shadows which gives the photo more depth.

25th January 2008, 3:46 AM	#4
pezzy Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sydney Posts: 409	i know this isnt a photoshop related thread but i thought ill try and give the photo some life with some quick pp. really bored atm so i apologise for the slight off topic. took about 5 mins with the dodge and burn tool, some playing around with saturation and sharpen.

25th January 2008, 7:07 AM	#5
Jackolow Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mount Isa, Qld Posts: 1,523	I found that i had the same problem with 10mm... Try exposing the shot more effectively and you'll find that with the correct exposure... your photos just become brilliant. That itself should lead to what you had in mind.

25th January 2008, 7:28 AM	#6
plasticbastard Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sector ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha Posts: 3,941	You do have something in the foreground, its just the wrong sort of thing. The big tree is very distracting.

25th January 2008, 6:33 PM	#8
bevanbraves Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1,671	Agreed, the time of day could have been better. And the shot(s) are not exposed too well. The tree is a major .... embarrassment. Another example below, i got as close as i could but the front still looks flat rather than full of churchy details. I guess the sort of feedback i was after was more generic, the pic was only an example. Whats the best way for me to get the most out of my 10mm generally???

28th January 2008, 8:11 AM	#13
bevanbraves Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1,671	I know the light is not improved. But is this sort of angle better for buildings?

28th January 2008, 8:50 AM	#14
alexc Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mt Dandenong Posts: 1,420	If you were to critique your own shots, what would you say?

28th January 2008, 9:28 AM	#15
bevanbraves Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1,671	1st photo A touch overexposed in the clouds (-). I think the tree arching over the scout hall frames it a bit (+) two sides of the building gives it some depth (+) 2nd photo A touch overexposed in the clouds (-). horizon might not be straight (-) you can see more of the street on the right than the left, maybe unbalancing the shot a bit (-) i think the cloud pattern and 10mm lens effect on the sky gives the pic a different look (+) I'm not sure if i should have cropped it so the bottom of the photo ran along the gutter rather than leaving a small bit of road at the bottom of the picture (in the centre). I dont think i could have got closer to either without loosing something (framing tree in the 1st and i thought being able to see streets on the left and right of the hotel added something to the second).