How to get the most out of a Sigma 18-35 Art lens

[Ramsden]

Hi Guys 

I got a new Sigma 18-35 Art lens before Xmas and am struggling to get the best out of it - in my opinion. 

Last night I took this photo at sunset using a monopod 

This was f16   35mm   1/50s and ISO 6400. All done in semi darkness and auto took over. 

Question: How do I improve my technique and skills to get the most out of this lens?

Thanks

Ramsden

[Waddizzle]

I shoot lots of landscapes.  I strongly recommend using a tripod for the best results.  

You don’t need to use such a narrow aperture.  Any setting between f/4 and f/8 is sufficient.  This will bring your ISO down significantly.

I also recommend using Av mode with a tripod.  You can then manually dial in ISO 100 and allow the camera to adjust shutter speed for the best results.

Shooting in RAW can allow you to bring out more detail in your foreground shadows.  This shot is a good candidate to also try to capture an HDR multiple exposure.  Again, the HDR shot is best achieved using a tripod or a very steady hand.   

[Ramsden]

Thanks Waddizzle - great advice. No excuses, I was walking my dog and  camera,  300 yds from my home. But I didn't go prepared for a great sunset. I have generic problem at night working on my camera settings in failing light. So any tips will be welcome. Ive noted your advice and settings. Practice Practice Practice! 

[Waddizzle]

Yes, practice, practice, practice.  But first you must learn, learn, learn the basics of photography.  You will never get the results you want until you better understand why your images look the way they do.

[Ramsden]

Hi Waddizzle

Thanks for the link to Youtube. Ive just watched this morning and its great for my level and have subscribed to his other on-line material.

Happy New Year from the Yorkshire

Ramsden

[ebiggs1]

How you shoot a image like this has more to do with post editing than it does with the camera settings.

If you can't go full Photoshop get DPP4 form Canon. It is free and you can d/l it form the Canon website. ISO 6400 is probably way off as indicated above.

[Ramsden]

Hi 

Thanks - I was probably a bit silly putting that post on line. As others have pointed out - I need to be more grounded in the exposure triangle + I seem to be attracted to taking photographs in the evening and at night! 

Im currently moving my photos to a lap top, from my ipad, and I may treat myself to Photoshop, but will try DPP4.

I keep reading different articles and books, so its a case of transfering the theory into practice when I'm away from home.

Thanks once more for your support and encouragement.

Ramsden

[ebiggs1]

"I keep reading different articles and books, ..."

All well and good education is good, most of the time. Unless it starts to confuse you so that is where a teacher is so helpful and important. Someone that can explain the procedure, answering your specific questions.  A book or article can be daunting at times. And the Youtube vids are sometimes just plain wrong and do more harm than good. Education is good but confusion is not.

"I need to be more grounded in the exposure triangle"

The exposure triangle is clever but it's just a tool. There are alot of things it doesn't tell you.

[March411]

Ramsden,

Good information and recommendations from ebiggs and waddizzle! I would also suggest that using your histogram, Display simulation and  the rear screen will help you learn how to achieve a good exposure when shooting in low light. These are great tools for sharping your skills. 

To ebiggs point, he is correct that PS or DPP can help improve images in post. Your results will be vastly better if you shoot in RAW but I have used PS Camera Raw on jpegs with good results. As an example, I downloaded your image and made a couple of adjustments in PS camera raw. The results re decent for only spending about 2 minutes of time on post for your image. Shadows and curve adjusts using the brush tool allowed me to open up the exposure on the foreground of the image.

All that being said, post can fix challenges but I always attempt o get the image exposure right in camera. I believe it allows me to improve my skill sets and makes life easier in post.

I had to reduce the image quality to re-post your image but you can see how the foreground shadows have been reduced and the overall exposure is a bit more balanced.

 

[Ramsden]

Hi March411

Thanks for your mail. You’ve made huge improvements to the original. You’ve brought out so much detail. I totally agree that its better to work on the photographic skills - Right First Time - used to be one of the quality management mantras.

I’ve invested in some nice equipment and really want to learn to use it properly. My late Dad was a semi pro photographer and I grew up developing my own films in our cellar - a long time ago.

But like today, here in the UK, we took dog and cameras for a walk, and it was minus 2% - my fingers were freezing and eye’s watering, a very low bright sun, in a clear blue sky - it wasn’t easy. 

Thanks again for your advice - its most welcome 

DPP installed.

Ramsden