HDR Attempt | Little Falls

[macpro88]

Just out and about this morning at my local gardens. Had a little stream running through, go in it and shot this where the fountain is (background) and the little fall.

Probably not the most interesting, but let me know how the technique is. Three photos.


HDR Attempt by macpro88, on Flickr



The three exposures:

IMG_6564 by macpro88, on Flickr


IMG_6566 by macpro88, on Flickr


IMG_6565 by macpro88, on Flickr

 

[cgipson1]

not bad at all... just looks a little soft.

 

[Compaq]

It's hard to tell, but it doesn't seem like you needed more than one exposure. The darkest one doesn't have anything properly exposed in it. I'd say you didn't need three exposures to cover the dynamic range of this particular scene at that time. If you were after the tonemapped look, then that's another thing, but you could have done that on one exposure I think.

(unless there are some overly overexposed areas in the water which I fail to notice)

 

[cgipson1]

I agree with compaq! Please post the lightest exposure in a larger size.

 

[macpro88]

Hmm, maybe I still don't quite get HDR lol

So the purpose of the HDR is to cover the dynamic range? So the most underexposed shot should have some properly exposed shots that would normally be overexposed? And then vice-versa for the overexposed shot?

Give me a few and I'll post the three exposures, at the coffee shot.. crappy internet lol

 

[macpro88]

Ok, the three exposures are up, I guess I was going for a more tone mapped look, I'm getting a more clear definition now of the two completely different techniques lol

 

[Compaq]

Yea, different things. Someone other than me is able to explain better. HDR stands for high dynamic range. This term is often wrongfully used when a certain effect is wanted. I honestly don't know whether "tonemapping" is a term referring to a single processing algorithm, or if it's a certain "look". Someone else will have to clarify. HDR technique is some form of technique used by the photographer to be able to increase the captured dynamic range that the sensor would be able to capture on its own. Multiple exposures is one way to go, filters is another. Sooo:

Tonemapping: (I'm guessing) local contrast adjustments
HDR: increasing the capture dynamic range

It seems from the larger images that you've captured the DR in just that shot. There's no point in taking multiple exposures unless they are specifically exposing for otherwise too bright or too dark areas of the scene. See the point? Another thing to be aware of the "HDR Hole". http://i.imgur.com/b2feF.png I've been stuck there for a long time. In this context I think they mean "tonemapping". Once your images are dependent on the processing to be successful, I think it's cause for worry. The processing should compliment the image, not make it IMO. Just be sure to utilise the tonemapping and HDR software such as photomatix when you need it. There's a line between photography and digital art, and I think I've stepped over that one a few times with software. You place that line wherever you like, of course. I'm digressing with moral speeches

 

[macpro88]

sweet, thanks for the clarification. will have to be more intentional and cautions in my terminology/processing techniques.

As for the initial image itself, it would be considered "tonemapping" than. Since the DR was already captured. So merging the three images was pointless since the same effect could have been obtained via tonemapping.

Now, I like the end result, after the merge I just kinda played with the settings till I like what I got. Its a little soft because I focused on the fall in the center and that brought the foreground rocks slight out of focus.

Something to improve upon!

 

[Bynx]

Here is what I get from your 3 shots. Always shoot for HDR. When you get home if you dont need those other shots then nothing lost. But if you find you might use more than 1 exposure then you will have what you need to make it happen.

 

[macpro88]

Wow, Bynx thank you! (I was wondering when you would stop by haha) lol That looks great.

I do like that mentality bynx, better have more than enough than not enough.

Again, another area to improve upon, thanks again all.