Can't Believe I'm Doing This, but...HDR, First Attempt

[Bynx]

Usually when Im setting the shutterspeed its for the highlights. I have blinkies set up so if the highlights are overexposed black flashes on and off. Not overexposed no blinkies. At that point I take my first shot then just dial down 3 clicks of the shutter speed (each click is equivalent to 1/3 fstop). Take pics every 3 clicks until the shadow areas have some detail. The difference between the brightest and darkest areas will determine how many shots to take. Dont be afraid to take too many. Its better than not enough.

 

[sm4him]

I really like the fact that your HDR doesn't SCREAM HDR.

What the heck is that? It looks like a covered bridge floating in the middle of a clearing!

Thanks; that whole not-screaming-HDR thing was kinda my goal.

This is a cantilever barn; they are primarily found in East TN and a few other parts of Southern Appalachia.


Here's a little bit about them and how they were used:
"Constructed in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the cantilever barn features a large upper story loft over two log cribs with an open driveway in the middle. Hay was usually stored in the large loft area and hay wagons could be driven in the covered drive and hay easily loaded from above. The overhangs on each side would be used as storage for a variety of farm equipment or a temporary holding area for cattle and other livestock. The overhangs protected the cribs from the rain and there was plenty of air circulation." (credit: Barns of Appalachia - The Cantilever)

I've always thought they were really cool looking, but I was so used to seeing the two that are in Cades Cove as a kid, that I was well into my 20s before I discovered they were not common to other parts of the country.

 

[MLeeK]

I really like the fact that your HDR doesn't SCREAM HDR.

What the heck is that? It looks like a covered bridge floating in the middle of a clearing!

Thanks; that whole not-screaming-HDR thing was kinda my goal.

This is a cantilever barn; they are primarily found in East TN and a few other parts of Southern Appalachia.


Here's a little bit about them and how they were used:
"Constructed in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the cantilever barn features a large upper story loft over two log cribs with an open driveway in the middle. Hay was usually stored in the large loft area and hay wagons could be driven in the covered drive and hay easily loaded from above. The overhangs on each side would be used as storage for a variety of farm equipment or a temporary holding area for cattle and other livestock. The overhangs protected the cribs from the rain and there was plenty of air circulation." (credit: Barns of Appalachia - The Cantilever)

I've always thought they were really cool looking, but I was so used to seeing the two that are in Cades Cove as a kid, that I was well into my 20s before I discovered they were not common to other parts of the country.

Thanks! I absolutely love it. When we go west this year I am going to have to do some exploring on the way. THere are so many things to see on the back roads it could take me months to get to Arizona!

 

[sm4him]

Usually when Im setting the shutterspeed its for the highlights. I have blinkies set up so if the highlights are overexposed black flashes on and off. Not overexposed no blinkies. At that point I take my first shot then just dial down 3 clicks of the shutter speed (each click is equivalent to 1/3 fstop). Take pics every 3 clicks until the shadow areas have some detail. The difference between the brightest and darkest areas will determine how many shots to take. Dont be afraid to take too many. Its better than not enough.

Good idea on the blinkies; I'll try to keep that in mind next time. I knew *how* to change my shutter speeds for a full stop, but somehow I got out there and just got befuddled--I'm normally good enough at math to KNOW that 1/60 to 1/80 is NOT a full stop. I blame the heat; okay, it was only about 82 degrees but I gotta blame something.

 

[The Barbarian]

I really like it. You've avoided all the usual junk people do in HDRs; no haloing, vegetation isn't neon green, and so on. The sky is a bit blown on the upper left, and it could stand a bit of rotation.

Otherwise, really good. Amazingly good for a first try.

 

[HughGuessWho]

Small world, sm4him, I just did an hdr of that same barn on Thursday. Here was my attempt.

View attachment 17646

 

[sm4him]

Small world, sm4him, I just did an hdr of that same barn on Thursday. Here was my attempt.

View attachment 17646

Nice! Yours is much brighter than mine, but then it looks like you had a much, much sunnier day up there! Were you actually AT the Cove on Thursday, or are these from your earlier trip (I might have you confused with someone else who was there in July...). I'm assuming you were actually there on Thursday, as it looks like the flowers back behind the barn are blooming. Did you see this thread: http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/nature-wildlife/295860-i-am-now-real-photographer.html? The flower in it is one of the ones back behind the barn.
I would LOVE to have gone on Thursday, since I usually try to avoid Fridays and Saturdays in the mountains, but I was out of town on Thursday, so Friday was my only option for at least the next two weeks. I intend to get back up there after Labor Day, now that I think I have a better idea of how to get the shots I need for some other HDRs.

 

[Bynx]

I much prefer to shoot on overcast days. On a sunny day like this shot, Id wait until the sun went behind a cloud.

 

[sm4him]

I much prefer to shoot on overcast days. On a sunny day like this shot, Id wait until the sun went behind a cloud.

Agreed, overcast is far better from a photography standpoint. But clear blue skies are better for my emotional well-being--and my Friday outing was about BOTH.

 

[ProsPhotos]

It look great. My favorite part is what the HDR process did to the clouds.

 

[HughGuessWho]

Small world, sm4him, I just did an hdr of that same barn on Thursday. Here was my attempt.

Nice! Yours is much brighter than mine, but then it looks like you had a much, much sunnier day up there! Were you actually AT the Cove on Thursday, or are these from your earlier trip (I might have you confused with someone else who was there in July...). I'm assuming you were actually there on Thursday, as it looks like the flowers back behind the barn are blooming. Did you see this thread: http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/nature-wildlife/295860-i-am-now-real-photographer.html? The flower in it is one of the ones back behind the barn.
I would LOVE to have gone on Thursday, since I usually try to avoid Fridays and Saturdays in the mountains, but I was out of town on Thursday, so Friday was my only option for at least the next two weeks. I intend to get back up there after Labor Day, now that I think I have a better idea of how to get the shots I need for some other HDRs.

You are correct on both accounts. I was there in July and was again last week. I had to be in Chattanooga on Monday and Tuesday on business, and there is no way I can be that close and not visit Cades Cove and the rest of the park.
I did see your earlier post of the flowers as well as the kids harassing the wildlife. In July, I called off 3 kids that were chasing the deer by the John Oliver Place. It's quite sad, actually.
I took a lot of pictures in 3 days, in the cove, up in the park and on the Roaring Fork path, but haven’t had time to process them. Will post some soon.

 

[vipgraphx]

I think I like Hugos better. However for your first attempt you did really good, I just wish there was more detail in those shadow areas.

As far a shooting over cast or sunny, Over cast always lends to interesting lighting where as sunny its pretty harsh but you also get great detail. My ideal time to shoot would be cloudy day during the golden hour.

 

[unpopular]

I prefer shooting on hazy/smoggy days myself. Fire season makes for great light.