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i'm so in love with this thing. so fast, so sharp, so quiet..so delicious.

would really appreciate some help from the landscape gurus cos i have a shitload to learn.
(sorry there are 5 images, i didnt really want to put it over 2 threads).

I quite like first and last. The rest didnt do much for me.

Doing landscape with such wide lens requires something that can lead the viewer into the image. There are simply too many things captured and DOF is generally too much even at f/2.8. Maybe find something more interesting, like a rock, fence or even a road that 'leads' the viewer's eyes into what you want to tell in the photo?

What do you need to learn?

The first of these shows the beauty of a WA lens well used. Well exposed, good composition ...

You're there!

Well, maybe there's a bit more to go.

OT aside .... I'm actually surprised at the learning curve in the D700. We're seeing some truly interesting, and fun, stuff from our time with it, but in as much as it's so similar to the D300, it's a very different piece of kit.

landscape is very alien to me. in fact, these are the first landscapes i've ever done with "intent". its freakin hard. i dunno what the hell i'm supposed to look for. much differnet to having a person in front of you. still...i had heaps of fun trying.

i feel like i;'ve opened up a whole new world of possibilities. be prepared for many trial and errors. lol

Isn't one of the best things about this hobby? That there are just so many different elements to it, so many different subsets of it to try to learn, to master, to play with ...

to enjoy.

Don't forget that there's no reason to shoot everything at eye level (unless you're fat and lazy like me). find an interesting pebble to stick in front of your lens. At 14mm and up close and personal it will look like a boulder.

Use a slow shutter speed with the cam on a tripod; let the image impart its own movement.

Select just a portion of something to feature ...

well for a first attempt i would say that you have done quite a good job! for me number 1 is the winner - absolutely stunning

last one for me! and I'm jealous of your toy!

Select just a portion of something to feature ...

I need a sticker with this on it to put on the back of the camera.. (always forget)

Have to agree with all of the above.
So much to learn, so much fun!?!

First is superb and last is excellent. Those few extra mm make a huge difference.

Who ever said size doesn't matter???

I like the first but find the lead in tree a bit too dominant, maybe a reshoot from a lower perspective?? Not sure about whether you have burnt in the sky but it looks like it needs a bit more work around some of branches on the right. The second creates a great sense of emptyness.

With WA, the thing I find hardest is getting a strong foreground interest so the background is not too distant or small. For some reason most of my WA shots are in portrait orientation- camera about 3 feet high and pointing down to almost get the tripod legs, who knows why???? Thanks for asking the question- makes you think.

I sometimes keep the camera to my eye (standing still of course!) while I look around, bending down looking up from the ground, and as Gary said varying camera height. Live view might make this easier!

Looks like you are enjoying the new lens.

Robert

Yep, #1 is the one Rooz. As someone else said that lens is so wide and the dof so large, that you need something to grab the viewer by the throat and lead him into the image. Exactly like in #1.

Try some building architecture with it and play around with the perspective by shooting at 14mm and tilting the camera. Keep playing and learning. That lens is a lot of fun.

Cheers
John

rob, i agree...thats what i'm struggling with the most. when i see something i like with this lens, i know theres a photo there somewhere but i just dont know where exactly. lol give me a person or object to add to the frame and i have no problems. (well apart from being a dumbass and not noticing the shadow on the fellas face. )



john i think i might take your advice and try something like that. thanx.

1st and 3rd are cool. perspective of the 3rd I like a lot, is that a kawasaki ninja 250R in that photo ???

I agree with Catcha. Lots of interest and contrast in the first.

No 3 has a sombre, almost moody feel to it.

Good shooting.............

trublubiker

Rooz
With landscapes it really helps to have a something interesting in the foreground....also have a middle ground and background. Composition is everything so look for lines that lead the eye into the image space. Light....light is the magic that paints landscapes. Work with beautiful light and bad weather. Look for lonely places.