Gave HDR a try again

newb · Mar 13, 2011

Wow, what a joke. Give it a rest. He asked about the HDR effect in the pic, stick to input on that.

I still like the first one the best, but yes, you should be able to get detail in the sky. The first one seems like a single exposure with the saturation jacked way up.

What program did you use to generate the picture?

DanBMX · Mar 13, 2011

I wasn't bothered about composition, d.o.f., or antthing else, just the HDR technique, which has been pointed out, it did not work, that's fine, I can try again with other shots I take.

I used Lightroom to load the images in to, and then "merged to HDR in Photoshop". I think I know what went wrong, and I am going to change that. I've found something I personally think would be a more suitable subject to try HDR with, and when I get round to it, I will post those results so you can all point out how I can improve further.

I'm only trying to learn more about different aspects of photography and editing, so I appreciate it when people take the time to tell me what im doing wrong or maybe even right, and how I can change things.

So everyone just chilllllllll please!

Thanks
Dan

Provo · Mar 13, 2011

Well with a bike like that you wouldn't have a problem at all being noticed in the dark as you ride around goodness that color is bright. I have seen dodge chargers in that color bike ok car not ok but that's another subject.
As for the image yes the sky is blown out before and after the only thing that tone-mapping did for your image is bring out some details that are not as noticeable in the original along with contrast.

I would continue to experiment with your bike and take some more shot's perhaps if there's a nice park around you can have the bike positioned on a small hill and take your shot so the background is at a focal distance and
soften this way it creates somewhat of a 3d look illustrating your main subject the bike.

DanBMX · Mar 13, 2011

So really just alter my d.o.p.? That seems to be the main thing people keep picking up on...

Okay, I will give it a go.

Provo · Mar 13, 2011

DanBMX said:
So really just alter my d.o.p.? That seems to be the main thing people keep picking up on...

Okay, I will give it a go.

Nobody is picking on you made a post and asked for critique & comments
the only way to learn a few things is to have your work judged and from that is
where you can learn to apply it towards future projects & up your game.

You can post what one would think would be the perfect image but guess what is not
everyone cup of tea so you will expect someone to say something opposite of what others
would say. Nothing should be taken to the heart. The ultimate judge to please is yourself #1

DanBMX · Mar 13, 2011

Yeah, I know what you mean. Some people will like this, others will like that. I only enjoy photography because I like it, I would just like some other peoples opinions, to help me improve

Dan

DanBMX · Mar 15, 2011

shed hdr by danarbon11, on Flickr

Tried again, again, agaaaain.

Crit once again appreciated.

Thanks
Dan.

480sparky · Mar 15, 2011

Sorry.... it's totally flat. No color, no depth.

What does a non-HDR image look like?

Provo · Mar 15, 2011

Dan I see that numerous people have previously mentioned depth of field composition etc..
How come you are not applying any of those tips to your shooting? It will help you alot
for starters look up images using rules of thirds just to get an understanding of composition

here's a useful link to understanding how composition works, Dof, rules of thirds.
10 Top Photography Composition Rules

When you think composition think outside the box for example a family portrait
would you chop off the heads or feet or both when zooming in? How would the
viewers see your image? from family portrait understanding you know that the ideal
image is one capturing the entire person or for a close up face and shoulders etc..
depending on the mood. In this case your chopped off the shed+fence+tree even the door if
that was your center point has been lumber-jacked up. We are trying to help you I know the
example I gave seems like nip picking but it's not it is intended to give you a better understanding.

DanBMX · Mar 15, 2011

because im more interested in specificly the technigue of hdr, rather than improving the composition. sounds stupid, and maybe composition is half the problem here.

DanBMX · Mar 15, 2011

right deleted pictures. starting again, right from the very beginning. i have a place in mind. i shall try get there sooon.

480sparky · Mar 15, 2011

I think HDR is simply one tool that's available to use. It's not THE tool, just one of many. Some images just don't work well with HDR, some even will look worse. So HDR isn't a cure-all for a poor image not a substitute for bad practices. I would like to at least see you 0 EV images you're working with.

To me, the trick is to recognize which scenes/subjects/lighting cases will be improved with HDR after the shutter snaps. It took me the better part of a year to get my head wrapped around HDR, the concept, the process, the methods, the procedure and how to make it work in the way I want it to.

Yes, sometimes HDR can take a mundane image and make it smashing. And sometimes, HDR can 'tweak' an image just a bit to improve it.

Original 0 EV Image:

-2/0/+2 HDR: