LDS Salt Lake Temple

Any thoughts? Not sure what to say, but I'd like to get some feedback.

Either way I have to admit that I at least like this one! :) Thanks

for taking the time to look and hopefully comment!

I've tried taking some pictures of the temple, and it's a tough one to really capture. This is a good photo, but it's not as sharp as it could be, and the lights on the ground floor have nearly blown out that part. I suspect it's not sharp because it was an 1/8 second exposure and you wiggled a bit. To improve it, I'd suggest a tripod and a longer exposure time so you can lower the ISO (I don't know if grain was an issue here, but it's always good to minimize it, unless you actually want a grainy photo). To address the high contrast range, you might try shooting RAW mode, if your camera supports it, and then adjust the curves to bring it into a contrast range that 8-bit JPEG can handle.

Take all my comments with a grain of salt, though. Looking at your portfolio, I think you're a better photographer than I am. I have played a bit with figuring out how to get these sorts of night shots to come out.

One comment on your plan to purchase a Canon 20D (from your bio) -- I was going to do the same thing, but an experienced photographer friend convinced me to buy the less expensive 350D (Rebel XT) instead, and spend the price difference on a good lens. The two cameras have identical sensors and processors, and their capabilities are pretty similar. I followed his advice and I'm quite happy I did; the kit lens is pretty low end, and better optics make far more difference than the small feature differences between the cameras. I may outgrow the 350D a little sooner than I would the 20D, but it will be a good camera for several years, at least, and by that time even better stuff will be available.

Thanks so much for your comments! You're right, its not as sharp as I would have liked, but I was just cruisin around downtown and didn't want to lug the tripod, I was too lazy for that. I actually just got my 20D yesterday (it was a graduation present) so I'll try shooting RAW and see what I can do with that. I went for the 20D because I like the feel of it, the more extensive functions, and the fact that I had tried out my cousin's 20D and simply loved it. Just another thought about this photo though... what do you think of the building on the right? I don't particularly like it, but the picture was too unbalanced when I tried cutting it out. Anyway, thanks again.

I don't think it would be too bad to crop the office building and lamppost, leaving the temple off-centered. Removing the lamppost would be a really good idea, IMO, because I think it distracts more than the office building.

 

Congrats on your 20D, I'm sure you'll love it. What lens came with it? If it's the same as the 350D kit lens, you'll want to get something better ASAP (of course, even the kit lens will be a big step up from your P&S).

I got the same lens with my 20D that I used for this picture. Its the EF-S 18-55mm, F3.5-5.6 USM. The next lens I'm going to purchase is a nice tele... something around 300mm or 400mm...haven't decided yet. There is a pretty good airshow in Heber City on July 8th so I'm hoping I'll have one by then. Oh, and as for the picture here, when I try to cut out the lamp it gets really close to the Temple. I have some other shots from this angle taken closer up so the lamp is out, but so is the tree, which I actually liked. I guess it's a toss-up for me, but thank you again for your thoughts.