[DavidTrap (David)]

Thanks Troy, Chris, Liz & Dave - it was a great trip. The quote from the critique sessions was, "Oh, that's so sharp - it must have been taken with a D800". One of the instructors had just received his D800 and 14-24mm lens, so we enjoyed "rubbing it in" to the other instructor who shoots Canon.

It was disappointing not to have a golden sunrise, but the dark clouds suit the "Shipwreck Coast"! My wife came along for the trip - she thinks I've had too much fun on previous workshops without her.

Mike & H - I don't use ND grad filters at this time. I had a set of Cokin filters (hopeless), which have put me off spending more on the Lee filters.

In my defence, the light was really flat, so other than the shots directly into the sun, there was no need to dampen down highlights. The histograms for most of these photos were well within the goalposts - such is the amazing dynamic range of the modern sensor. The 14-24mm lens does not have a filter thread - so it isn't easy to mount a filter (google Nikon 14-24 and have a look at the front end of the lens). There are some third party adapters available, but they use a 145mm filter, which won't be cheap! I'm not sure if Lee make an adapter for that lens.

I will agree that "painting" light and dark into an otherwise flat scene with Lightroom, blurs the line between these being photographs and works of art. Because the highlights and shadows aren't blown out or clipped, I'm not dragging details out of white or black. I don't obsess about getting everything right "in camera", but adhere to the principle that you can't make chicken salad out of chicken #&%$. Overall, I enjoy post processing - it prolongs the pleasure of the photographic expedition!

DT

Edit - Lee do make a SW150 system for the 14-24. The graduated filters are 150x170mm plates. They don't make a polariser or Big Stopper (10ND) for that lens. $400 for the holder and a 2ND grad from B&H.