My partner this week, Kali, challenged me to produce an HDR image using exposure compensation.
Until this week I knew where the button was, I'd just never used it. Now I know after a fashion how to use it, I think it will be extremely useful in the future.
I had a few problems along the way. I tried to use my main lens which is a fixed lens and only operates in Manual mode. Which is fine until you need to put some distance between yourself and the subject, but find that due to high tide there is insufficient room to get what you want when in a restricted space. Also dog leads get tangled up with tripods when dog gets bored!
The weather has been very uncooperative and the forecast today and tomorrow is overcast and cloudy. So I resorted to going to Kearsney Abbey which is a place I find extremely difficult to get a decent shot due to the light bouncing off the river and the overhanging branches and shade from the wooded area.
I found out that to set the exposure button I had to use AP and then had to change back to Manual mode. It's surprising how much even the tiniest careful change of setting can cause the image to wobble.
Eventually I resigned myself to using the kit lens in AP all the time. The slight breeze caused the leaves on the trees to move from picture to picture.
I then faffed about with Photomerge which was a learning curve in itself:) Luckily I found the Align button which went a long way to helping.
Just now I was excited to see that the sun has finally come out, despite the gloomy forecast. And my dinner is cooking. It will probably be cloudy again by the time I'm ready to venture out ...
@kali66 Hi Kali, I hope you like the above. It's not very HDR but with the exception of the last 15 minutes or so, the weather has not been helpful. I found this the hardest challenge to date but having expanded my knowledge somewhat, think it will be an invaluable tool in the future. So thanks very much! Apologies for the essay above, I thought it might amuse you:) Felicity
@stevepo Have just Googled this to try and answer your question. There's a tithe map (1836-41) which shows a castellated red brick wall built as an 'eyecatcher' by a waterfall. I believe the ruins in the picture were built as a folly. Hope this helps! There is mention of a mill on this site but I don't think it's this part. It's a very pretty spot if a tad muddy!
What a lovely scene you chose for this challenge. I take my hat off to you and how you throw yourself into these and always end up with a cracking shot. Well done Felicity
wonderful location, thankyou for putting me in the picture of your struggles with this one, a bit of humour goes a long way in photography when it gets frustrating! moving water and leaves were a bold choice for hdr lol. let me know if you try again sometime.
Oh I so get that frustration - but you did get a great photo in the end. I don't follow all the technical, but it sounds like quite a learning curve. You will have to do it again soon, before you forget.
@kali66 Thanks Kali, this was such a useful exercise. It will be invaluable for bright sunlight on the sea/cathedral cloisters/trying to focus on the outside from inside when everything is just blown out. I will be using this quite a bit in the future, a great learning curve:)
jx