Better pictures

Can anyone give me any tips on how to improve my pictures?

I have a Pentax P50, which I use mainly for landscape photography when I am on holiday. If the weather is clear I get colourful pictures. However, if the sky is overcast my photographs make the situation look even duller than it really was. They look slightly underexposed and lack detail. It does not matter which set-up I use with the camera because I get the same results if I use manual exposure or the camera’s “landscape” program facility.

Hello Hayesgooner

You have not said what film you are using for your landscape photos.
With print film, a fair degree of under exposure exposure will be automatically compensated for in the print processing stage. With slide film what you take is what you get, there is very little lattitude.
I suspect that your cameras metering is being fooled on dull days by the light from the sky. To get round this, manually meter by taking a reading with the camera pointing at the grass or road.
On dull days it is often best to avoid doing landscapes, as the results are usually disappointing. However, the use of warm vivid slide films such as Fuji Velvia or Kodak Extra Colour can help the situation. A warm up filter such as an 81C can also help.

I hope this helps

gpwalton

My suggestions would be to read lots of photographic books and magazines, experiment with meter readings over and under what the camera recommends, use slide film so you can see what you're really getting without lab printing trying to compensate, if you can find a progressive camera club join and see what others are doing.

You're a little far away to join ADAPS (Atherton & District Amateur Photographic Society) but we welcome new members and try to help everyone as much as possible. I'm sure there are other clubs who have the same open approach and perhaps this would be useful.

Otherwise, keep practicing and makes notes of what you do to help you improve technique.

Gentlemen,

Thanks for your advice. The film I use is usually standard stuff like Kodak Gold or Fuji Superia, ASA 100 when abroad, plus 200 or 400 if I am in the UK. I have never tried slide film because I like to have my pictures on 6x4 paper. Can slide be put on paper?

There are ways to print slide on paper, but the results, although they can be good, are often disappointing, and usually more expensive.

I think what JR was suggesting was that you use slide to experiment with. Negative film is always subject to lab interference at the printing stage, so you can never be sure that what you get back was the result of your own efforts, or the lab trying to "enhance" your results.

With slide you will see what you (or the camera) did. If you are under- or over-exposing you will see immediately.

It's worth shooting a roll or two to "calibrate" yourself.

George

Thanks for that, George, that's exactly what I was suggesting!

Johns advice about joining a Photographic Society is well worth thinking about. Most Photographic Societies are excellent places to gradually learn photography, techniques and composition. They are great places to make friends who have similar interests. The Jessops website has a Photographic Society Locator.
I did not mention it before, but on sunny days, using a polarising filter will improve the colour saturation of your photos.

regards
Graham

Thanks, gents. I'll keep all your advice in mind. And I've used a polariser in sunny conditions and I do like the results.