On the way to work

[Kaye Leggett]

Inspired by Paul in Waipu, these photos are on my way to work...... I took them a few weeks ago and last week but have only just had the chance to process them. They are all taken as the sun rises, around 8- 8.30 this time of year. Next autumn I will stop on my way home and capture the sun set which in October is around 4.30pm - I'm just beginning to discover the art of planning my shots.

Hope you like these - and please let me know any improvements

[Shadowman]

Very nice.

[Geoff F]

Were these taken with a tripod?

The shutter speeds are quite low and some seem a fraction soft at full screen size. So I wonder if they could have been made sharper.

Or perhaps a little bit more sharpening during editing.

All good compositions and exposures.

[Digital]

Very nice captures.



Bruce

[Kaye Leggett]

Thanks John, Geoff and Bruce for looking. The first four were on a tripod, the last two hand held - I'll have a look at the sharpening again.....Thanks for the suggestion.

[Sergio M.]

These are all very nice, Kaye. Pretty cool that you already have yourself a project for next Autumn.

Sergio

[Geoff F]

The last two actually seem the sharpest to me. Were the others manual or auto focus?

I wonder if the camera auto focused on the far distance which was too far to be sharp which has left the foreground fractionally soft?

Or possibly a little bit of leaf movement during those long exposures?

[TonyW]

I like these pictures. It would be nice to be there soaking up the ambience. They look like scenes that somebody might have painted and so much different to the countryside here.

If they were mine I would be thinking about straightening the first, where the trees appear to be leaning inwards, and perhaps the last where the trees seem to be leaning to the left.

[Brownbear]

I especially like #2 for the beautiful scenery, colour, beautiful reflections and the composition. (yes, a little soft) I also like #6, a lot.

[moopy goops]

A nice selection of shots Kaye, well done. If that's just your way to work, imagine when you take a walk !
I love no 6. it makes me smile ,i think the composition is brilliant Thank you for sharing
If these were mine I think I'd crop the floating leaves out of no2 as they are a bit distracting and maybe try to straighten some trees in 1 and 6 but as I have been discovering thats hard as trees DO lean all over the place !

[Paniaa]

I like them all, lovely scenery, good composition, nice lighting.

[ShaneS]

Kaye;

Like Mat I am envious of your drive to work. My commute involves a lot of concrete and a glance or two at the water while in heavy traffic

I like the lot but the standouts are #5 and #6 for me. I also wonder if you could add a bit of contrast to the second shot (so it pops a bit) without losing too much of that misty morning look that is so lovely.

[Kaye Leggett]

Thanks to you all for looking and commenting. Yes, I am very lucky to work in such a beautiful place - sadly in the 17 years I've been there I've taken a walk perhaps once or twice a year.

I will have a look at straightening the trees, it would be easier if they weren't growing on a slope !

[Donald]

What a gorgeous set of images that wonderfully convey tranquility, peace and calmness. My compliments, Kaye.

And, I bet you start to enjoy your photography even more, now that you've discovered the thrill of planning your shots.

[Mike Buckley]

I'm just beginning to discover the art of planning my shots.

The results are already apparent. Keep up the good work and planning will exponentially improve both the quality of your photos and your enjoyment of the entire process. Indeed, there will be much more of a process to enjoy.

[Kaye Leggett]

Thank you Donald and Mike. Indeed wandering around Oxford yesterday afternoon I was planning for another day.........

[Kaye Leggett]

The last two actually seem the sharpest to me. Were the others manual or auto focus?

I wonder if the camera auto focused on the far distance which was too far to be sharp which has left the foreground fractionally soft?

Or possibly a little bit of leaf movement during those long exposures?

I wonder whether F10 is too large - the last photo was at F11. Also the last two were using a different lens where maybe the sweet spot is different - I'll do some more experimenting........

[Colin Southern]

I wonder whether F10 is too large - the last photo was at F11. Also the last two were using a different lens where maybe the sweet spot is different - I'll do some more experimenting........

Hi Kaye,

No - you won't see any difference between F10 and F11.

On first glance - to my eye - it just looks like a sharpening issue. Some of these need the black clipping point raised a bit too (they're a touch grey in the midtones).

[Colin Southern]

Merry Christmas Kaye!

[Kaye Leggett]

Colin - thank you - what more can I say.

And to all of you for the encouragement. I'm off to Donald's homeland tomorrow to see the New Year in properly and before the border controls get put up - Hopefully I will get some time to take a few New Year Shots