Point me in the right direction (again)

So at the beginning of the season I picked up my first DSLR and started shooting photos in the manual setting. I posted up a thread on my first attempt but haven't posted much since. I have taken the advice given to me to shoot in RAW and to pick up LR4. As a self proclaimed photo JONG any other suggestion or pointers would be most welcome.

Everything was shot with a D3200 with a 18-55mm lens (The one that comes in the package) and no filters (I dont own any, and know nothing about them)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8553/8...e29a0917_b.jpg
DSC_0250 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/8...33563b87_b.jpg
DSC_0684 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5452/8...d535d196_b.jpg
DSC_0003 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2815/8...5d506caa_b.jpg
DSC_0988 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/8...8ac02ba1_b.jpg
DSC_0651 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5463/8...b08e637f_b.jpg
DSC_0246 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8419/8...7a8e597a_b.jpg
DSC_0175 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/8...c174621e_b.jpg
DSC_0472 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5456/8...81daaf11_b.jpg
DSC_0391 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5340/8...723e7803_b.jpg
DSC_0713 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8135/8...a5b3a237_b.jpg
DSC_0205 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/8...69cf20c5_b.jpg
DSC_0228 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/8...8965866b_b.jpg
DSC_0338 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2814/8...25668887_b.jpg
DSC_0906 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/8...9552a0ca_b.jpg
DSC_0363 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3748/8...26dd64c0_b.jpg
DSC_0069 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/8...c6972197_b.jpg
DSC_0276 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7458/8...b5cb8fe9_b.jpg
DSC_0392 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/8...1e3bee1a_b.jpg
DSC_0254 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/8...4543a0fe_b.jpg
DSC_0155 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8135/8...d0bcc416_b.jpg
DSC_0295 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2864/8...a243369b_b.jpg
DSC_0318 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8553/8...b42a01f1_b.jpg
DSC_0514 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/8...8ec83ded_b.jpg
DSC_0107 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/8...27295cb9_b.jpg
DSC_0593 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3820/8...1f43537d_b.jpg
DSC_0628 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/8...d0cb486c_b.jpg
DSC_0361 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/8...a9379a17_b.jpg
DSC_0919 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3735/8...aeea48e8_b.jpg
DSC_0222 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3799/8...028cc754_b.jpg
DSC_0226-2 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/8...26317cc8_b.jpg
DSC_0236 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2821/8...5ce0272e_b.jpg
DSC_0372-2 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/8...b380200e_b.jpg
DSC_0426 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5322/8...c0956b55_b.jpg
DSC_0178 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5465/8...f850e216_b.jpg
DSC_0107-2 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5343/8...6737743e_b.jpg
DSC_0111 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/8...7fea6ac8_b.jpg
DSC_0144 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/8...574f6bcd_b.jpg
DSC_0723 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8...a474be4d_b.jpg
DSC_0505 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8553/8...21fd352a_b.jpg
DSC_0994 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3820/8...4d1eea85_b.jpg
DSC_0041 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5449/8...1c6b92f6_b.jpg
DSC_0038 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5452/8...cb80b55f_b.jpg
DSC_0004 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8...ec394834_b.jpg
DSC_0624 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8129/8...cb96b719_b.jpg
DSC_0046 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr

For those interested, Here is the full TR

Some pretty sweet pics, especially considering you're using a fairly limiting 18-55mm kit lens. Get yourself a better lens (faster focus, better IQ, etc) and your pictures will get better accordingly. If you can spring for it, the Nikon 16-85mm is a great one-lens quiver.

Also, buy a circular polarizer. They're super easy to use and will help your landscape photography immensely. You don't have to spend a fortune, you should be able to get a Marumi or Hoya for under $40.

what steve said

i'll add, too
the biggest thing overall that i saw while scrolling through (pick out 5ish if you want more detailed crit!) that you can work on is composition. I can be more specific, but maybe spend some more time analyzing good photos and photographers, looking specifically at compositions and why they "work" then take the same approach to your own shots. That is really take the time to set up your shots.

what these guys said. I know jackshit about photography, so i'm clearly an expert. These snaps are light years better than what was going on a decade ago. You'll figure out the tech aspects, as you've been a quick ski/climb study, it's the composition that might take time. Looking at it backwards-what's the final image/shot/product you want and how do you work back from there: to what mountain you're at, to standing in the right spot, at the right time, with the right settings, with the right skier, doing the right turn...

fkna, you've got a great start at it, keep on shootin'...:yourock:

Thanks for the pointers so far. Ill look into getting a circular polarizer. Is there any other cheapish add-ons that might help me out? Im probably a little ways out cash wise from buying a nicer lens but Ill ask anyways. What are the pros and cons of going with a lens like Steve suggested (16-85mm) versus something that goes 18-200mm?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sklar

(pick out 5ish if you want more detailed crit!)

---

How about 7? These are the photos that I think look pretty good but are missing something to really make them special.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/8...27295cb9_b.jpg
DSC_0593 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5343/8...6737743e_b.jpg
DSC_0111 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/8...574f6bcd_b.jpg
DSC_0723 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8...a474be4d_b.jpg
DSC_0505 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/8...c174621e_b.jpg
DSC_0472 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5456/8...81daaf11_b.jpg
DSC_0391 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5340/8...723e7803_b.jpg
DSC_0713 by Aaron Diamond13, on Flickr

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by _Aaron_

Thanks for the pointers so far. Ill look into getting a circular polarizer. Is there any other cheapish add-ons that might help me out? Im probably a little ways out cash wise from buying a nicer lens but Ill ask anyways. What are the pros and cons of going with a lens like Steve suggested (16-85mm) versus something that goes 18-200mm?

---

The Nikon 18-200 is a pretty sweet lens for the money. It's heavy to be carrying around all the time on ski tours, though. If you want a cheap/light lens that would give you better IQ then what you have, you can look at the 50mm 1.8. You can get the used for 50-80 or brand new for under a hundred bucks.

Also, as far as those 7, on 3,4 and 7, you have good action, but really flat light. That's going to make it really difficult to get the good contrast and exposure you want. There's not really a ton you can do other than wait for better light, try to amp up the contrast in post, or maybe try to play around with some off-camera lighting.

of the second set:

1. Distracting foreground, when composing, think "why am i composing it like this?" In short, are each of the elements that you are including in the frame contributing to the image or detracting from it? Follow Adam Barker on FB for some good tips on compositions.

2. is a pretty good image, to improve (while i know it might not have been safe or possible) would be to move farther to your right and shoot more straight down at the climber and get a little more slope and less sky. Capturing the athlete's face is a sure way to improve the photo as it really helps to show emotion and draw the viewer in.

3. doesn't really do anything for me: it's a butt shot, the angle and comp doesn't do the feature justice.

4. looks like a pretty flat light day, which can be really tough, jump in the trees or shoot tighter maybe. I recall Barker making some fb posts about flatlight pow shots, too. Maybe not peak action either.

5. Too much snow, I can't tell whats going on (which is good for the skiing and bad for the photo!)

6. solid shot, good context, peak action face. Were you standing up? getting low is a good way to showcase the size of the feature

7. there can be exceptions to getting face, and i think this is a fine one. can't exactly put my finger on how to improve this one, maybe the angle?

IQ of 16-85 is superior to the 18-200. It's a bit lighter and more compact, also. Yes, you'll lose some reach, but it doesn't appear that you needed 200mm worth of reach in any of the photos you posted... The difference between 16 and 18 at the wide end is significant too, and you'll appreciate it in other areas besides shooting skiing.