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G6u7a1m

G6u7a1m

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Hi folks,

Ok here is my first attempt at creating an HDR image using elements 10. Let me know which you guys prefer and if I managed to get it right.




Original Image with very light exposure adjustment






First MANUALLY done HDR image












Same image as above with the Blue skies smartbrush filter



Thanks in advance.

Felix
 

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I like the middle one just my preference, very nice scene.
 
The original without a doubt! The HDR's are flat and the colors are wrong.
 
Thanks I wanted to give HDR a try. When you said the colors were wrong please explain. I know I didn't touch the saturation adjustment slider, all I did was create layers and adjust the exposure values. The two HDR images were created using 5 duplicate images evenly exposed. Trying to learn about Post Processing so wondering how the middle image's colors could be wrong.

Thanks again

Felix
 
Thanks bnggreenchev

I think the scene kind of pops with HDR. Still learning though.
 
G6u7a1m said:
G6u7a1m wrote:

Thanks I wanted to give HDR a try. When you said the colors were wrong please explain. I know I didn't touch the saturation adjustment slider, all I did was create layers and adjust the exposure values. The two HDR images were created using 5 duplicate images evenly exposed. Trying to learn about Post Processing so wondering how the middle image's colors could be wrong.

Thanks again

Felix
Click to expand...
In the first photo the sky and water have a very natural color. In the HDR shots, it is artificial looking, the kind of color you get in a cheaply printed book. Also the grass and background trees have an unnatural rust color.

I applaud you for experimenting with HDR processing because there are times when it will produce a much improved image, but in this case you first image was a very nice shot and really doesn't need much if any processing.
 
OK I see what you are talking about now. The sky appears a little too blue in the second and a lotta too blue in the third. Thanks for explaining that.
 
I like the original one, I don't think this specific scene is good one to use HDR with.
 
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm gonna try that the next time out. Hopefully I can find a good subject to use for it.
 
To me the first one seems most natural, with an increasing saturation in the next two. That doesn't mean they're "bad" - many people like the saturated look, and because of the off-season foliage, the saturation helps a bit.

These look as though either (1) they're from JPEG's or (2) that f/14 is a bit much for that sensor. I haven't yet seen figures on diffraction limits (and the lens is involved, too), so I'd probably do some test series to see where that lens/body combination works best. So my choice? I'd probably go for 2/3 of the way between #1 and #2!
 
Interesting post, I'm very interested in HD, I consider dynamic range in a photo (HD) to be as important as resolving power. I have everything I need to do HD via software, but I find it is only needed or usable in very unique high contrast situations. I think 99% of what I take, HD processing will only make a photo look fake....I like the 1st one, it looks very natural.

Since I shoot with the a850 I do use the in camera Optimizer, but then I'm very willing to make my shadow or dark areas, of my image, DARK with just a natural hint of detail. Using curves tool.

The point is to show detail in the darkest areas and detail in the lightest areas. No pure white and no pure black in my photos. This is accomplished by dodging and burning, in a
16 bit tiff, in Photoshop.

In other words, the digital Ansel Adam's way. He has some great books. His expertise still applies today. Maybe more so in this auto everything craze.


Cheers!
 
Haven't read the other replys but I like 1 much better than the others. The others look too light overall and lack of difference gives them flat appearance.
 
This isn't a popularity contest. The best one is the one YOU like the best.
 
I actually like all three. The reason I'm asking for opinions is to learn what may or may not work with the general public.

Thanks

Felix
 
For now i like 1 the best, but I would make the color of the sky and water between 1 and 3.




2eeffcc9850945fd89691d96a873c35d.jpg
 
Last edited:
How'd out do that? I'm not very well versed in post processing.:-)
 
It's the nr 1 picture loaded in lightroom 4.3 and actually just the shutterspeed a bit down.
 
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