A few HDR Scenics

Joel_W · Apr 25, 2012

While out on my weekly photo shoot I always keep an eye out for HDR possibilities that I can process as realistic images. Both pictures were processed with Photomatrix Pro4, then further processing in Nikon Capture NX 2.3. Here's a few that I'm pretty pleased with.

cgipson1 · Apr 25, 2012

Nice! You definitely didn't over do these! Love the bottom one.. almost like a painting, with the soft tones and all!

I actually like HDR.. and use it a bit myself. I just can't stand that cartoony over-processed look that is so popular with noobs!

Joel_W · Apr 25, 2012

cgipson1 said:
Nice! You definitely didn't over do these! Love the bottom one.. almost like a painting, with the soft tones and all! I actually like HDR.. and use it a bit myself. I just can't stand that cartoony over-processed look that is so popular with noobs!

Thank you Charlie for the kind words. Like you, I use HDR to solve Dynamic Range issues. I want my pictures to look realistic, and have been working hard to achieve that goal. I've found that basic processing in Photomatrix Pro, then my regular workflow in Nikon Capture NX works for me. At least for now.

I'm in your camp as to way too many Noobs over process and end up with cartoon looking images that they seem to love. There is a time and place for that type of processing, but not the way that so many neophytes use it.

2WheelPhoto · Apr 25, 2012

Beautiful images

Weren't you tempted to move a few sliders and make a cartoon!? (j/k)

Joel_W · Apr 25, 2012

2WheelPhoto said:
Beautiful images

Weren't you tempted to move a few sliders and make a cartoon!? (j/k)

I thought about it, but then I came to my senses :lmao: :lol:

:greenpbl:

nmoody · Apr 25, 2012

As with the other I really like the range without it being overcooked. Nice work!

Trever1t · Apr 25, 2012

You really have to look at them full-size to appreciate the depth. Nice job on the processing, beautiful scenes.

Joel_W · Apr 25, 2012

Trever1t said:
You really have to look at them full-size to appreciate the depth. Nice job on the processing, beautiful scenes.

Trever1t, thank you so much for your positive words. I've really been trying to improve my HDR processing and work flow. It's a lot harder then it looked.

Majeed Badizadegan · Apr 25, 2012

I really like both Joel. These are a great application of HDR.

#1 Sky's coming in a little odd on the saturation (different hue's of blue). I like your composition choice.

#2 is really pleasant. It could do with a global contrast bump.

Cheers

Majeed Badizadegan · Apr 25, 2012

2WheelPhoto said:
Beautiful images

Weren't you tempted to move a few sliders and make a cartoon!? (j/k)

:lmao:

Joel_W · Apr 26, 2012

Rotanimod said:
I really like both Joel. These are a great application of HDR.

#1 Sky's coming in a little odd on the saturation (different hue's of blue). I like your composition choice.

#2 is really pleasant. It could do with a global contrast bump.

Cheers

Rotanimod, thanks so much for your kind words. I must have missed that uneven hue of sky blue. I used the the same control point setting in Capture NX for the entire sky. I'll have to go back and redo it.

LizardKing · Apr 26, 2012

Please don't take it the wrong way, cause I really like the pictures. Found them to be more to my taste than the regular overprocessed HDR you see around. It's for images like the #1 here that I'm tempted to experiment a little bit myself... But I believe #2 is a little unrealistic... Not overprocessed... it's just that there's something strange.

#1 is just great! Congratulations!

Regards,
LizardKing

Joel_W · Apr 26, 2012

LizardKing said:
Please don't take it the wrong way, cause I really like the pictures. Found them to be more to my taste than the regular overprocessed HDR you see around. It's for images like the #1 here that I'm tempted to experiment a little bit myself... But I believe #2 is a little unrealistic... Not overprocessed... it's just that there's something strange.

#1 is just great! Congratulations!

Regards,
LizardKing

LizardKing, thank you for your comments. Could you be a little more specific as to what is bothering you with picture #2. the only changes were the color hue of the sky, and I whitened the clouds just a tad. The colors of those plants and trees are as they actually were. The pictures were taken at the Westbury Arboretum and Planting Fields, so all those plants get plenty of TLC,and it shows in those magnificent beds.

vipgraphx · Apr 26, 2012

Joel - please do not take offense as I am giving honest feedback. Both of these photos do not look realistic to me.

1) the sky as rotinamod said is not right. The blue is nothing I would expect to see in a sky. I have no problem with altering colors if that is your choice but to say these are not over done as mentioned above is an understatement. The grass is also very bright.... I also think you need to use more black as it seems flat to me.

2) Better use of black and it has more depth. The sky in this one is also a very vibrant blue.... There is a tree with eltric hot pink leafs on it. I am not familar with all the trees in the world but I would think that just from past experience that tree would have more of a pinkish perhaps a magenta leaf. I think the tree on the left has the same leafs on it and those are more pink like I am thinking they would look vs the tree on the right. Also the foliage in the back ground blends in together with no real separation , which suggest you could use a little more mid tones in that area.

I like both pictures and you know I like vibrant colors and all. Out of honesty these do not look as realistic as been said. They look like HDR photos, maybe you did not go as far as moving the sliders to far to make it cartoony but you sure did bump up the saturation to make it look like a fantasy land....

Great composition in both photos!!