I like your hdr images but maybe you could try also other options that are more enhancing and less like painterly or grunge. Sometimes the pic looks even better when just enhanced and not so much modified with programs... have you tried that?
As you know, Mike, I am a big fan of HDR and am always trying to create a perfectly processed HDR shot. AND as you know, I'm no professional at it. What I love about this type of processing is how the detail stands out so much more than it does otherwise. Yes, you can up the contrast to get more detail, but sometimes that doesn't give the effect I'm looking for. And, I have to admit, I like the surreal, almost like a painting look of HDR photos. Here I think you have done a great job with the processing; especially in bringing out those little lost details. I love the lines and angles of this as well as the varying levels of light. Well done, my friend.
People either hate or love HDR on 365. (Ive noticed) love the detail in the bridge, hdr is great effect for this, the trees is what I noticed, they look like a painting, and see where Lara may have an idea for you to try
If you are asking personal opinions, you will get varying answers depending on who answers your question. My personal opinion is this seems like over editing. While some like this look and I think it can work for some types of images, I don't care for this.
The image below is the best example I can think of today where it's is handled lightly yet effectively. @veekay
I don't know if this is helps or not and it is my opinion only. ;-)
@missvicki I think I hate it! No, that's exaggerating, but I think it's usually over-done and does little to enhance the beauty of a shot. Used sparingly and judiciously, it can work, but most images seem to push HDR to the extreme until it looks garish, in my opinion.
Awsome, Mike. The pictures are worth a thousand words. HDR is the best thing since the invention of peanut butter or the cell phone. I am so taken by HDR, I feel that it is the biggest advance in photography since color film. Here is what I have written about HDRI .
Use of HDR:
My workflow involves downloading to Lightroom, visually choosing the best shots, exporting trios of AEB shots from my Canon 5D M2 to Photomatix, and importing back to Lightroom. Sometimes, I may want to crop, make adjustments, or alter the axis of the hdr slightly in Lightroom.
The HDR image processing is by Photomatix Pro 4.1 [PP] using the tonemapping or fusion choices in the software to enhance the image.
With HDR, one can accomplish the previously "impossible shot". http://365project.org/morrisroos/365/2011-10-03 . Normally, this shot is impossible to capture without the entire view of the landscape turning into a shadow and silhouette [without hdr] because of shooting directly into the sun.
The final hdr image is MUCH more that the sum of its parts [the 3 bracketed exposures]- I am continually amazed as to what the processing can do with one average and two poor photos.
I am totally taken by hdr photo results using Photomatix Pro 4.1: so much so that I "had to" buy a new camera and computer to get the best possible detail of capture and processing ability, as I feel that this is the biggest advance in photography since color film. It is quite easy to do with Photomatix and the software is only 100$. Reviewers say it is faster, easier to use and better than Photoshop PS5, which has a VERY steep learning curve to get past, for those that have not been trained professionally in photography fine arts, and PS5 is 7 times as expensive. You can try the full version of Photomatix Pro 4.1 for free. When you buy it, the watermark can be removed from your processed photos although I had some difficulty with this and had to redo a number of my early photos.
You need to be a be able to do AEB= automatic exposure bracketing [-2, 0,+2 stops from a "correct" exposure]. The result, an exceptional photo usually, is so much more than the sum of the parts, it is truly amazing. I now use AEB on all of my shots. You should be a be able to set it up so that it is all ready with the AEB and the burst of 3 shots under your Custom1 dial setting of your Canon. Nikon has a more adjustable AEB in its DSLR cameras and can do up to 5 captures with AEB. Because my Canon lenses have been doing such a great job with their IS [image stabilization], I have not even been needing to use a tripod, since trying out a test at 400mm. But everyone always says using a tripod is best. However, PP does adjust for a bit of motion and does have ghost removal tools.
Photographers on this site that use HDR essentially all the time, producing incredible results are: Juliette Packham (@sparkle) ; Mimi Ditchie (@mimigd) ; Cynce Frantz (@cfrantz) .
I too have been trying my hand at HDR using Photomatix Pro. Don has really put it all in a nutshell for you. I use a tripod 100% of the time and I always shoot RAW images. I prefer using the details enhancer and the natural/natural+ lighting effects. I am a rookie at this, there are some folks on 365 that do some awesome work GOOD LUCK!
I love HDR photos! I want to try it but I have no technical background so I don't understand half of what Don said. I have a Canon Rebel T3i. I have the latest MAC computer so I shouldn't have to buy a new computer or camera to try Photomatix Pro...right? Mike...I think your bridge picture is fabulous like a painting. Even though I don't have the technical terms to explain what I like, I do know when something is pleasing to the eye! Of course, Don, you are insanely good at this project! If you guys can dummy down a little and help me out...that would be great!
@marytj ; all you need to do, Mary, is to download the full version of PP for free. Try it out until you feel the 100$ is a good deal. You can read your manual of your Canon to set the Custom1 dial setting for automatic exposure bracketing [AEB]. Then just do it. The PP software makes it so easy, there is no rocket science in it.
@bk12racing I like your shot, the colours are really cool. Ignore the haters, if you like it, do it. After all, if we only shot what everyone liked, the site would be empty. Quite literally have not one image.
Looks like this shot would be nice bare naked, which is the starting point for any photo.
I am not yet sure what I think of hdr but use and experiment with it. Most of the time it is just too much, garish, including photos I posted here and were quite popular. I do not like them although I left them in my project. There are others that I like the effect it create. Most of the time I use only one photo taken in raw . like this picture
@morrisroos@marytj@scottmel Don't forget there is a cheaper version called Photomatix Essentials which is a lite version of the Pro, I also am totally a beginner at hdr but it seems to work approx the same & is about $60 cheaper!!!
I am just starting to play with HDR myself. I have seen plenty of images I like and plenty I don't, some look overly processed and haloed where as others have a more natural look and perfect execution. I prefer the later but each to their own. But that's the whole idea of learning and I have discovered with time and as I have got better at things that what I thought looked great on reflection wasn't so great. But I do love seeing everyones ideas and concepts in there projects on display.
I have been mucking around with HDR quite a bit recently! Ive also been reading a few threads on here that dont really like the HDR effect. Each to their own I say! Me personally I quite like the effect HDR has on an image. Here are a few that I have done. Some may think they are a little processed but I like them! :)
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
The image below is the best example I can think of today where it's is handled lightly yet effectively. @veekay
I don't know if this is helps or not and it is my opinion only. ;-)
Use of HDR:
My workflow involves downloading to Lightroom, visually choosing the best shots, exporting trios of AEB shots from my Canon 5D M2 to Photomatix, and importing back to Lightroom. Sometimes, I may want to crop, make adjustments, or alter the axis of the hdr slightly in Lightroom.
The HDR image processing is by Photomatix Pro 4.1 [PP] using the tonemapping or fusion choices in the software to enhance the image.
With HDR, one can accomplish the previously "impossible shot". http://365project.org/morrisroos/365/2011-10-03 . Normally, this shot is impossible to capture without the entire view of the landscape turning into a shadow and silhouette [without hdr] because of shooting directly into the sun.
The final hdr image is MUCH more that the sum of its parts [the 3 bracketed exposures]- I am continually amazed as to what the processing can do with one average and two poor photos.
I am totally taken by hdr photo results using Photomatix Pro 4.1: so much so that I "had to" buy a new camera and computer to get the best possible detail of capture and processing ability, as I feel that this is the biggest advance in photography since color film. It is quite easy to do with Photomatix and the software is only 100$. Reviewers say it is faster, easier to use and better than Photoshop PS5, which has a VERY steep learning curve to get past, for those that have not been trained professionally in photography fine arts, and PS5 is 7 times as expensive. You can try the full version of Photomatix Pro 4.1 for free. When you buy it, the watermark can be removed from your processed photos although I had some difficulty with this and had to redo a number of my early photos.
You need to be a be able to do AEB= automatic exposure bracketing [-2, 0,+2 stops from a "correct" exposure]. The result, an exceptional photo usually, is so much more than the sum of the parts, it is truly amazing. I now use AEB on all of my shots. You should be a be able to set it up so that it is all ready with the AEB and the burst of 3 shots under your Custom1 dial setting of your Canon. Nikon has a more adjustable AEB in its DSLR cameras and can do up to 5 captures with AEB. Because my Canon lenses have been doing such a great job with their IS [image stabilization], I have not even been needing to use a tripod, since trying out a test at 400mm. But everyone always says using a tripod is best. However, PP does adjust for a bit of motion and does have ghost removal tools.
Photographers on this site that use HDR essentially all the time, producing incredible results are: Juliette Packham (@sparkle) ; Mimi Ditchie (@mimigd) ; Cynce Frantz (@cfrantz) .
i shot 12 frames with fisheye to cover 360 degree (4 direction, each directions 3 frames (-2,0,2 exposure/AEB). it's handheld since no tripot allowed.
using PTGUI to merge the frames, photomatix to make some hdr adjustments and lightroom for converting into jpeg format.
Looks like this shot would be nice bare naked, which is the starting point for any photo.
and also the last picture in my project