Basically, HDR boils down to taking several images of the same scene at widely varying exposures (giving you extreme shadow/highlight details) and then blending them together for a high definition photograph. After that, you jump into a photo editing program such as Photoshop to create whatever it is you are going to create. To do it right, you really need a powerful camera, one capable of pulling in all of the shadow/highlight details, which I don't have. But, I decided to put my aging Nikon digital to work just to see what might result. Here are a few samples.
I know I've got a way to go, but the journey sure is fun. Now, if I can just figure out how to get my hands on one of those high-end cameras...
OMG!! Those pictures are amazing. Not just pictures ... they are a-r-t. Any one of them would make a beautiful painting, but the first one is my favorite. it pret' near took my breath away. But I truly love every single one of them. Bravo! (I don't think you NEED another camera.)
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan. My camera is OK for on line viewing but not strong enough for print. I could point out flaws in the photos but I believe I'll indulge myself and just bask in the warm fuzzy for a bit. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteNicely done. HDR is tricky, it can be far too overdone. Fun stuff, though.
ReplyDeleteAgree Barbara, it can be overdone. But it's all just a matter of taste, I guess.
DeleteHmm. You'd think commenting via Chrome would work flawlessly on Google's own properties, but apparently not. So here I am in IE 10, trying again :-)
ReplyDeleteI downloaded a program but haven't installed it yet. Maybe I can fake the high and low exposures.
I really like the plaster look of the clouds and sky in the second photo.
Sorry if this is actually comment #3 ;-)
I tried Chrome a couple of times and gave up. Same with Safari. I'm back to Firefox. You can fake the look and there are any number of programs out there that do it. The second photo that you liked was done in an HDR toning program.
DeleteThey're rather like impressionistic paintings. I like them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rubye... They aren't intended to be photographs but rather, renderings.
DeleteOf them all that second shot is the best in my eye. You have made the sky look the ocean and with that feeling the building is under the sea but so dry. yes I think there is an Impressionistic quality to that one but also a touch of Beat, no rule is too sacred to break. Yeah that high end camera thing, well you got some age on you but I am willing to bet you could grab one from a tourist and run like hell.
ReplyDeleteNow you're talking. I could scream something like Yankee Go Home to confuse them.
DeleteI don't know anything about photography, but those pictures are awesome.
ReplyDeletenice adventuring out there in the world of image creation. intriguing effects.... glad it's a fun trip.
ReplyDeleteNice Stuff Mr. C. I keep a distance from HDR, just can't get a feeling for it, but what you are doing take the image to a different plane.
ReplyDeleteTom and Harlequin... danke. I think I'm just getting started.
ReplyDeletePunch... I know what you mean bro. I haven't found what I'm looking for yet. Part of the journey.
HDR seems to work best in those pictures where you want a strong, gritty, intense mood. In my opinion, it works perfectly for the pictures of the seafood shack and used tire shop.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the high end camera thing...tell Stephen King his writing is superb, he must have a great typewriter.
I agree Peeper. It does work best on those two but that could be my camera, not the process. Far less hidden highlight/shadow information in those two photos that my aging sensor cannot capture. So,you're thinking that if I could get one of King's typewriters I could auction it for the cash to get a camera?
DeleteThanks to you and this post (and pictures), I finally understand what HDR is all about.
ReplyDeleteIt is a poor craftsman that blames his tools.
ReplyDeleteOK lets go back over the notes from Ansel. The eye holds a value range of 50,000 something or others from black to white, film reduces this to nine, according to Ansel, Minor White taught there were 10, never the less that was film sooo let's add a zone or two for digital and you have 11 or 12.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest it is the nature of the beast. The Beast is Photography. A Beast we try to turn into a Beauty every day.
Later,
Niepce