Hi James,
First off, thanks! I really appreciate your feedback.
There's been some great advice on this thread already, but I'll add a few more things. On my shots, I spend probably an average of 5 to 10 hours on each one processing them. This probably sounds like a lot, but that is what it takes for me to get them looking the way I want them. To me, processing is just as important as the actual framing and setup of the shot. The RAW files coming out of my camera have an incredible amount of information, but they do not accurately replicate the scene to my eye. They need to be processed to bring out the full potential.
One important thing is don't get too hung up on camera choice. I don't shoot with what most would call "Pro" gear (a Canon 30D and normally a 20mm prime lens). Most cameras, even point and shoot, can produce excellent results when used correctly.
Most of my shots recently have involved bracketting at -1 1/3 / 0 / +1 1/3 stops. I then merge these using either Photoshop or Photomatix and finalize them in Photoshop. I work in 16 bit TIF files throughout my entire workflow, and have found this to make a huge difference in the end result.
Here's a few things I think are important overall in the capture of the image:
* Shoot with a tripod, and use a remote. Essential for long exposures.
* If your camera has it, use Mirror Lock Up
* If shooting landscapes, use F16 to bring everything into focus
* Focus on something midway through the scene you are capturing
* Shoot in RAW and learn how to work with the files
* Use a circular polarizer for landscapes
* Consider shooting overlapping shots to create a panoramic
* Shoot in Manual and learn to control your exposure
I know this is a lot of information, but it was kind of a loaded question. If you have something more specific, I'd be glad to answer.
James
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