Gave HDR a try again

DanBMX · Mar 12, 2011

Orange Alpine 160 by danarbon11, on Flickr

I tried not to over do it, but then I wonder if I haven't done enough? Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks
Dan

newb · Mar 12, 2011

I like it. Do you have a single exposure for comparison?

DanBMX · Mar 12, 2011

Thanks. Yeah I do, I will upload it in a minute.

Dan

DanBMX · Mar 12, 2011

Original Exposure, well one of them, and an overdone HDR unless you like that sort of thing.

orange alpine(original exposure) by danarbon11, on Flickr

orange alpine hdr(overdone) by danarbon11, on Flickr

Dan

Over Exposed · Mar 12, 2011

First Off, nice whip.

As for the HDR, I like the single exposure better than the HDR result. The only element of the composition that I think would have really benefited from the use of HDR is the bit of sky in the BG, and that is not properly exposed for in the HDR rendition.

That said, I think your PP work is good in the first HDR version. Apply what you've learned there to a scene that needs it more and has proper expsoures gathered and you'll have a good thing going. :thumbup:

DanBMX · Mar 12, 2011

Thanks, yeah i will try find somewhere a bit more worthy of a HDR, i was more trying to just see what i could do with editing software and if i could get it too work haha.

Unfortunately its not my bike

was on loan from the shop until my bike is delivered.

How would you go about collecting the proper exposures? Is it a case of taking 7 photos, at different exposures and then editing them accordingly?

Dan

480sparky · Mar 12, 2011

The number of exposures depends on the subject. If I can mount the camera on a tripod, I do. If the subject is totally static,then I can take my time and take 3, 5,7, even 9 shots of varying exposures.

However, the world does not photograph landscapes alone. Sometimes, the subject is moving enough that only one exposure can be made. In this case, I shoot a single image in RAW and create my over- and under-exposed frames with software. I find the results aren't as good as when I have multiple shots to work with, but ya gotta do what ta gotta do.

DanBMX · Mar 12, 2011

Well at least I know I've been doing the right thing, it's just dialling in the different exposures, and editing it in a way that doesn't melt your eyes!

Bynx · Mar 12, 2011

I dont see any HDR at all in your effort. The idea is you are supposed to get some detail in both ends -- the highlights (sky) and the shadows. Your sky is still blown. Your result is not much better than a good single shot. As for your composition, you might want to have less distraction behind the bike next time. Or move closer and use wider ftop to get less depth of field so the background is just a blur.

480sparky · Mar 12, 2011

Comp, DOF, focus, background, etc. aren't the issue here. It's the application of the HDR process.

My first HDR subject was my neighbors' shed. Not exactly photogenic, but provided a good model to practice the process. And it was handy as hell. I probably ended up with over 1000 clicks before I started to get my head wrapped around the basics of the concept. Only then did I bother to start to look for something worthwhile to photograph. All those images ended up going into The Black Hole.

DanBMX · Mar 12, 2011

Okay, so I need to work on getting different exposure levels. I will try this next time, I didn't think much about composition, I just wanted to try HDR, and apparently fail, but hey, I won't learn any other way.

Thanks for the crit, I will keep all this in mind next time.

Dan

Bynx · Mar 12, 2011

Comp, DOF, focus, background are certainly the issue in every pic thats posted. In this case an HDR ? photo that wasnt HDR. Pointing out the other things that would have improved the image doesnt hurt. If something had been taken into account to separate the bike from its background that would be a pretty slick photo.

480sparky · Mar 12, 2011

So when you're trying out a new technique, you expect the results to be worthy of the cover of National Geographic?

C'mon..... the OP asked about HDR......... in the HDR forum.

Bynx · Mar 12, 2011

Yup each and every time. Never made it but I at least strive for that. Why waste a shot even trying a technique. Seems like a bit of a waste to me. Taking a shot is more than just click so you may as well get used to thinking more than just to the end of your nose. And since it isnt an HDR then may as well talk about the rest of the pic. And whats the harm about talking about the whole pic? And whats it to you by the way? I think it should be up to the OP to be voicing any objections.

480sparky · Mar 12, 2011

Then I apologize for all of use cretins who cannot achieve perfection the first time around. Forgive us. We're only mortals, not born with a silver lens cap in our camera bag.