5th December 2013 - Windy garden (1st HDR)

Topic of the day - Evergreen

A view of my garden from my lounge showing some evergreen shrubs. You can see how windy it is by the bird feeder - the camera was on the tripod!!

This is my 1st HDR image. I bought Photmatix Pro 4 and have started to try to understand how to use it. I have only got as far as bracketing three shots and loading it via LR. I chose a "painterly" option and then didn't what else to do!! I am going to have fun with this I can see - you may hear me screaming for help!! LOL!! I wish I could sit and watch someone using it and showing me "tone mapping" etc and I am sure it would make more sense. I always feel such an idiot when I get new software etc. It took me ages to find the HDR image which had exported back to LR and was in a stack but I couldn't open the stack!! I hope it all becomes clear!!

Thanks for your great comments on my silly hat and scarf shot yesterday - glad I gave you all a laugh!!

[Al Bailey]

I have photomatix ...... I love the effects you can get with it. The best way to get to know what it can do is to use it on different types of photo and different colours. Enjoy it! :)

[Lisa Stein]

this is a wonderful image, Pam! Hats off to you for learning the new software and techniques! I am excited to see what you post!

[Yorkie]

Just a beautiful natural and colorful shot.

[carol white]

Lovely capture!!

[Elisabeth Sæter]

Nice shot!

[Yvonne]

Such a beautiful scene, Pam. You are so smart--figuring out how to do HDR.

[Sarah Munnings]

Brilliantly processed, I have recently got photomatix.....and done just a couple of shots to upload here

[Sue Wilde]

Nicely done. Photomatix is really very easy to use. Put your bracketed images in and start playing with the sliders on the left. I always try to get the closest I can to "natural", unless I'm really looking for something outrageous. People tend to forget why we use the multiple images. It's so that you can bring out the dark patches and reduce the highlights and so end up with a tonal range closer to what the eye can see. Really useful for middle of the day, in full sun, with deep shadows.

[Jo]

As I mentioned on another thread to you, I was only looking at photomatrix this evening and am very interested in seeing how you get along as I might take the plunge myself! Liking what I see so far btw.

[Kay Hodges]

Nice shot and beautiful hdr!

[Ross Walker]

Photomatix and Efex are on my Christmas wish list, not so I can create weirdness, though. Your image conveys the windy conditions well.

[Henri Russell]

Great job. I sure you will learn it soon.

[Nita]

It does look windy. Have fun with the software - I get very intimidated by software so I know what you are talking about.

[Katia]

Great 1. attempt! :)

[Phillip Chilton]

I like this Pam, its subtle HDR, its so easy to overcook it on HDR & this is done well

[Jan K]

Well done, Pam. I am nowhere near this point and applaud you for trying HDR. Next year, perhaps!
I love that you didn't overdo it - you got great color and tones without it screaming 'HDR'.