Holiday Bow HDR - My First HDR

AMBP · Dec 7, 2011

Ok so the bow should have been placed better than what it is, but hey.. This is my first HDR..

Got 6 layers merged with Photoshop CS4.. Only exposure and gamma settings messed with using the HDR merge in Photoshop..

30 second exposure average with small tripod and wireless remote. C&C needed on quality and color. Wish the bow was set differently.. Apart from that, I like the outcome..

-Oh, and the starbursts were on purpose..

*Also, a church used this as the main front page bulletin cover..

Must not be too bad of a capture!

*Canon EOS T3i (600D) Rebel 18MP w/EFS 18-55mm Kit Lens
---Pulling out.. Thanks for your comments and suggestions---

raphaelaaron · Dec 7, 2011

need to post the direct link in the img tag.

AMBP · Dec 7, 2011

I know.. freakin' copy didn't copy...

SurfCityJohn · Dec 7, 2011

I like it. Maybe crop that edge of the other bow on the far right.

AMBP · Dec 8, 2011

SurfCityJohn said:
I like it. Maybe crop that edge of the other bow on the far right.

Hmm.. I didn't even see that there..

SurfCityJohn · Dec 8, 2011

I took another look, this composition has a lot of potential. Maybe light the bow a little from the front with a light out of frame. You really got me thinking. I guess I better put up my xmas tree before the wife complains. Inspiration is a foot!

480sparky · Dec 8, 2011

As posted, it seems dark to me. Makes me feel gloomy instead of cheery. But that's just me.

Majeed Badizadegan · Dec 8, 2011

My first thought is that it's a little busy.
My second thought is it is sharp and has nice processing.
My third thought is the composition is lacking

AMBP · Dec 8, 2011

Rotanimod said:
My first thought is that it's a little busy.
My second thought is it is sharp and has nice processing.
My third thought is the composition is lacking

Ah.. That second thought made me smile..

'Cause I know the rest wasn't that great.. Just shootin' various angles on an already extremely busy tree..

When you say 'composition', do you mean the overall layout or scene in the photo?

*I took this photo with no other lights apart from the tree and its lights. The family was asleep and I didn't feel like turning all the lights on around me to get any better lighting. No excuse, I know.. I coulda' shot when they were awake. But tell me, for that kind of situation, with that kind of lighting or lack of lighting, and being a first HDR.. Is the quality good? I followed a tutorial online that I read before I got my camera a few months ago. Didn't even go and try to find it again. Just went based off my memory..

I learn better by trying it out and pushing buttons..

Anywho, thanks for the replies.. Much helpful

Majeed Badizadegan · Dec 8, 2011

AMBP said:
Ah.. That second thought made me smile.. 'Cause I know the rest wasn't that great.. Just shootin' various angles on an already extremely busy tree.. When you say 'composition', do you mean the overall layout or scene in the photo?

*I took this photo with no other lights apart from the tree and its lights. The family was asleep and I didn't feel like turning all the lights on around me to get any better lighting. No excuse, I know.. I coulda' shot when they were awake. But tell me, for that kind of situation, with that kind of lighting or lack of lighting, and being a first HDR.. Is the quality good? I followed a tutorial online that I read before I got my camera a few months ago. Didn't even go and try to find it again. Just went based off my memory.. I learn better by trying it out and pushing buttons.. Anywho, thanks for the replies.. Much helpful

The "quality" of the photo is fine. I think finding interesting angles/compositions that evoke thought and different feelings is the challenge beyond the technical aspects.

Pau1 · Dec 8, 2011

I can measure water, flour and other ingredients with exacting precision... that doesn't make me a baker.

Majeed Badizadegan · Dec 8, 2011

Pau1 said:
I can measure water, flour and other ingredients with exacting precision... that doesn't make me a baker.

Metaphorically speaking

mdruziak · Dec 8, 2011

I like the composition, but the bow seems to get lost in the shadows.

Just curious. Why HDR on a photo like this? There doesn't seem to be a lot of EV range in the scene other than the lights. I was just wondering what you were trying to accomplish using HDR that you couldn't do with a single exposure.

The photo seems a little dark to me. Maybe doing an HDR with a +1 or +2 exposure compensation might make things pop a little more. Or maybe doing an HDR with a series something like 0, -3, +1, +2. I'm thinking the -3 (or maybe even -4) might tone down the lights and the + values brighten up the overall photo.

shootermcgavin · Dec 8, 2011

Yeah I don't think this is a correctly done HDR shot, it's nice but your range is still pretty low. Also CS5 is horrible at HDR so I'm assuming CS4 is as bad if not worse. I haven't played around with photomatrix yet but I hear that is on the top of the choice list.

mdruziak · Dec 8, 2011

shootermcgavin said:
Yeah I don't think this is a correctly done HDR shot, it's nice but your range is still pretty low. Also CS5 is horrible at HDR so I'm assuming CS4 is as bad if not worse. I haven't played around with photomatrix yet but I hear that is on the top of the choice list.

I like Oloneo PhotoEngine for HDR and I agree with your comment on CS5.