Can someone diagnose this?

[Photoguy]

I'm wondering if someone can tell me the difference on these shots, as my shots always look like the former two rather than the latter. Anything too far away seems hazy like in this first two photos, yet the photographer in the last shot seems to have conquered this problem. Can anyone here, more experienced than me obviously, tell me what I'm doing wrong? I can tell one of the photos has too much blue in it, but it seems the last photo is much clearer than the rest. Is this a result of haze in the air? Some people seem to be able to get great clarity in their photos regardless of distance and then there are some like me, that get many great shots with everything that's distant faded out. Thanks!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drona/479655184/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ruthann/444260806/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/slapbcn/2815276908/

 

[ukcatfan]

I would guess that a CP filter would help.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Two things: First what type of equipment are you using and second, could you post a couple of your pictures with the exif info to look at?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

In post processing adjusting the black levels and also contrast can work wonders in removing the haze from photos. It works well for dusty arenas at horse shows too!

And to add - yes, that is haze in the air. Shooting very early in the morning may give you the best chance to not have that and also on cooler days. Valley's can be particularly bad though b/c the air sinks in with less movement than open area's. And Yosemite can get a lot of smoke haze from campfires in the valley so you might not even luck out with early morning at that particular location.

Filters on the camera can help and used to be the best way with film. Now with digital I tend to correct in post processing.

 

[SrisonS]

In post processing adjusting the black levels and also contrast can work wonders in removing the haze from photos. It works well for dusty arenas at horse shows too!

Here's a Before and After that might help you see how the adjustment in black levels can make the picture look better. Yes, others things were adjusted here; but they were minor compared to what the Black levels did.....


6788 Levels by Scott Smith (SRisonS), on Flickr

 

[mom2rtk]

I absolutely second the recommendation of shooting early in the day. We have traveled to some national parks as a family and it's a big challenge to be there at the right time of day, especially with teenagers in the family who don't like to get up early. But it really is worth it to find a way. We took the Railway in to see the Grand Canyon in 2005, and I was really unhappy with the photos I got. The only time of day I got to shoot was high summer in the middle of the afternoon. It's very hazy then. Because of the railway schedule, I never got to see it in different light.

I still wanted to do better, and this last summer I finally got to go back. We were online day after day trying to find an opening to stay at the Lodge IN the Grand Canyon this time so I could be there for the golden hour at sunrise and sunset. Here's the shot I got this summer as my family slumbered mere yards from the rim:

[/url] North Rim Sunrise by mom2rtk, on Flickr[/IMG]

I've been reading a lot on photography this past year too. Scott Kelby has written a series of books. He commented on this very issue in one of those books (Thanks YesDear!). He said most places that buy nature photographs will not even LOOK at photographs taken outside that golden hour. While I don't seek to sell my work, it's a great recommendation for anyone wanting great nature photography.

Most family vacations don't allow us to spend days, or maybe even hours in a given spot. But if there's a shot that's important to you, it's worth being careful with your timing.

 

[jcb]

While post-production can bring out many things, there is no substitute for being in the right place at the right time (with the right equipment). This location is a great example. Inspiration point is typically (unless you were Ansel Adams) a late afternoon/early evening location.

The view from here looks pretty much due east. (Compare the shadows in the first photo with those in the last.) The first photo appears to have been taken looking (more or less) toward the sun. It is also slightly over-exposed. The last photo was taken later in the day where with the sun was illuminating the peaks on the right.

Now, post production clearly helps. The last photo added saturation and contrast to bring out the texture in the granite peaks. I've not, however, had a whole lot of luck using post production to eliminate haze and reduce the effects of an over-exposure. It can also hurt. For my tastes, the second photo has too much contrast (and I like a good bit of contrast).

Interestingly, August (when the last photo was taken) in Yosemite Vally is usually not the best time for landscape photography in Yosemite because the water falls have dried up or slowed to a trickle. Yet, the photographer in the last photo was able to create a perfectly good photo.

 

[GrillMouster]

Processing is different on those shots, to that could effect the clarity/contrast. Additionally, time of day and time of year can greatly affect the scene, too. For example, during winter the air can be much drier than in the summer, giving greater visibility. Less humidity means less haze (dust caputured in water droplets floating in the air or light reflection/refraction on said drops).