JR's Regularly Updated HDR Photo Thread... Comments Welcome!

[JRWappel]

Hey Everyone,

Rather then create a new thread every time I want to post a picture, I have decided to create one thread that I will continue to update with fresh pictures. Comments are more then welcome.... both positive and negative. All of the pictures will be HDR (3+ exposures | handheld or tripod mount) or pseudo-HDR (single RAW | action or movement). I am a complete amateur and do this for fun.

All images are shot with:

• Canon 5D Mark II
• Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 IS L
• Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L
• Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L Series II
• Canon EF 100mm Macro f/2.8 IS L
• Manfrotto Tripod and Head

Images are edited in:

• Adobe Photoshop CS5
• Adobe Lightroom 4
• HDR Soft Photomatix
• Image Science DXO Pro

You can follow my work:

• www.JRWappel.com
• HDR Spotting
• 500px
• Google +

I look forward to hearing from everyone!

-JRW

 

[JRWappel]

Picture number 1- Nyhaven

Location: Copenhagen, Denamrk

Taken: November 2012

Information: The 17th century waterfront, canal and entertainment district is lined by brightly colored 17th and early 18th century townhouses and bars, cafes and restaurants and serves as a "heritage harbor" to many historical wooden ships.

Notes: This is a 3-shot (handheld) HDR. It was quite cold and overcast the day it was taken.

Link for full sized image.

 

[raaskohx10]

Brilliant composition. Shot would look more attractive if you reduced saturation little bit and adjusted vignetting. Sky looks purple from upper right corner, which may be adjusted easily in photoshop. Over all I'll give 9/10 for this shot.

 

[JRWappel]

Brilliant composition. Shot would look more attractive if you reduced saturation little bit and adjusted vignetting. Sky looks purple from upper right corner, which may be adjusted easily in photoshop. Over all I'll give 9/10 for this shot.

Those are two very good observations.... spot on! I can certainly see the potential over-saturation of this image. I think the vividness of the buildings and ships became more important to me as I was editing. The vignetting is something you will find in many of my shots because I enjoy it in many cases. To me, it focuses your eyes to the center or 'meat' of the shot. Obviously not all pictures need this, but I do enjoy it a bit... maybe, more then others.

This was my first time in Copenhagen and must say that I was mesmerized by the bight colors that can be found around the city. Unfortunately, the weather was quite overcast when these pictures were taken.

Thanks for the comment.

-JRW

 

[morbidsteve]

Hey I love this shot! I'm a new amateur myself.. just started a couple of weeks ago. Where in NJ are you?

 

[JRWappel]

Hey I love this shot! I'm a new amateur myself.. just started a couple of weeks ago. Where in NJ are you?

I live in Flemington and work in Bridgewater... central NJ.

-JRW

 

[JRWappel]

Picture number 2- Autumn Path

Location: Oslo, Norway

Taken: November 2012

Information: Path to the Akershus Fortress in Oslo, Norway.

Notes: This is a 3-shot (handheld) HDR. It was actually raining at the time that this picture was taken.

Link to full size image.

 

[Compaq]

Cool, I've never been there! Looks nice.

 

[dmunsie]

Really love the first one! The 2nd one could have benefited from tagging along the tripod. Awesome work.

 

[ceejtank]

Love the first shot. Minus the vignetting. I read your reasoning on vignetting... and I'm not a fan. BUT it is an excellent image!

The second one is nice as well, however the haloing effect, and the brightness inbetween the branches drives me crazy. Good shot though. Keep up the good work, I love HDR.

 

[JRWappel]

It's cool to see people following along to a single thread here. I have noticed others starting similar threads... hopefully this trend will continue and will liven up this area of the forum.

Cool, I've never been there! Looks nice.

This was my first time to that part of the world and it was an amazing trip. Unfortunately, it was cold and rainy most of the time ... it was November after all. This area is just outside of downtown Oslo overlooking the harbor.

Really love the first one! The 2nd one could have benefited from tagging along the tripod. Awesome work.

As I've stated, it was very cold and rainy. I was carrying around my body with lens, an additional two lenses, a flash, ultrabook, and external hard drive.... the added weight would have broken my back!!! I have considered one of those super light weight carbon fiber tripods... super pricey though! Maybe some day.

Love the first shot. Minus the vignetting. I read your reasoning on vignetting... and I'm not a fan. BUT it is an excellent image!

The second one is nice as well, however the haloing effect, and the brightness inbetween the branches drives me crazy. Good shot though. Keep up the good work, I love HDR.

One thing I have learned is that leaf-less trees can be tough when working with HDR. A slight breeze will move the branches in between shots and discoloration and haloing will be apparent in post processing. I'm still trying to find way to minimize these effects.

Thanks for all of the comments. I'll have another ready very soon!

-JRW

 

[JRWappel]

Picture number 3- Sunrise Over Skansen Krona

Location: Gothenburg, Sweden

Taken: November 2012

Information: The sun rises over a 17th Century fortress known as Skansen Krona in Gothenburg, Sweden. It was originally built outside the city walls as part of the defenses against a possible Danish attack. It is now situated in the center of the city on a hill in the Haga district.

Notes: This is a 3-shot (handheld) HDR. This was taken in the morning as the sun was coming up. Obviously, the sun made the shot and processing very difficult.

Link to full size image.

 

[ceejtank]

It's cool to see people following along to a single thread here. I have noticed others starting similar threads... hopefully this trend will continue and will liven up this area of the forum.

Cool, I've never been there! Looks nice.

This was my first time to that part of the world and it was an amazing trip. Unfortunately, it was cold and rainy most of the time ... it was November after all. This area is just outside of downtown Oslo overlooking the harbor.

Really love the first one! The 2nd one could have benefited from tagging along the tripod. Awesome work.

As I've stated, it was very cold and rainy. I was carrying around my body with lens, an additional two lenses, a flash, ultrabook, and external hard drive.... the added weight would have broken my back!!! I have considered one of those super light weight carbon fiber tripods... super pricey though! Maybe some day.

Love the first shot. Minus the vignetting. I read your reasoning on vignetting... and I'm not a fan. BUT it is an excellent image!

The second one is nice as well, however the haloing effect, and the brightness inbetween the branches drives me crazy. Good shot though. Keep up the good work, I love HDR.

One thing I have learned is that leaf-less trees can be tough when working with HDR. A slight breeze will move the branches in between shots and discoloration and haloing will be apparent in post processing. I'm still trying to find way to minimize these effects.

Thanks for all of the comments. I'll have another ready very soon!

-JRW

In regards to the haloing.. take a well exposed image of the shot, perhaps the "middle" shot in terms of exposure, and use layer mask to keep those parts properly exposed.

 

[Red_John]

I like picture 2 and 3, but mostly the number 2.. And just an observation: A "complete amateur" with a Canon 5D Mark II? Nice job buddy!

 

[JRWappel]

It's cool to see people following along to a single thread here. I have noticed others starting similar threads... hopefully this trend will continue and will liven up this area of the forum.

Cool, I've never been there! Looks nice.

This was my first time to that part of the world and it was an amazing trip. Unfortunately, it was cold and rainy most of the time ... it was November after all. This area is just outside of downtown Oslo overlooking the harbor.



As I've stated, it was very cold and rainy. I was carrying around my body with lens, an additional two lenses, a flash, ultrabook, and external hard drive.... the added weight would have broken my back!!! I have considered one of those super light weight carbon fiber tripods... super pricey though! Maybe some day.

Love the first shot. Minus the vignetting. I read your reasoning on vignetting... and I'm not a fan. BUT it is an excellent image!

The second one is nice as well, however the haloing effect, and the brightness inbetween the branches drives me crazy. Good shot though. Keep up the good work, I love HDR.

One thing I have learned is that leaf-less trees can be tough when working with HDR. A slight breeze will move the branches in between shots and discoloration and haloing will be apparent in post processing. I'm still trying to find way to minimize these effects.

Thanks for all of the comments. I'll have another ready very soon!

-JRW

In regards to the haloing.. take a well exposed image of the shot, perhaps the "middle" shot in terms of exposure, and use layer mask to keep those parts properly exposed.

I actually haven't done overly much masking and I think you are correct... it could probably help me around my problem areas. I am going to start trying that more and more on upcoming images.

I like picture 2 and 3, but mostly the number 2.. And just an observation: A "complete amateur" with a Canon 5D Mark II? Nice job buddy!

Yeah yeah... more money then brains probably. Actually, I got the body used on ebay super cheaply. It makes no sense to buy a lesser model new when you can have something nicer used.... in my opinion anyway.

Thanks guys...

-JRW