3rd attempt at HDR....

[GregA2k6]

Hello all!

I moved up from my Canon Powershot A620 to a Nikon D90 (my first DSLR) about 3 weeks ago and decided it would be fun to play with some HDR.

The first two I went extreme with and they looked interesting and effective in their own way....this example I tried a more natural look and I think I like the results better.

(Photomatix for HDR conversion, Nikkor 18-200 lens)

Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[mariuss]

Why is the snow not white?
The rest its not bad.

--



http://photo.net/photos/MariusSabo

 

[GregA2k6]

--
Thanks for the comment and question Marius!

The sun was quite low in the sky and most of the foreground was in shade. Perhaps that contributed to the colour of the snow?

Any suggestions on how to improve it? (perhaps more direct light would help with the colour of the snow? white balance adjustment?...I'm still wrapping my head around this new camera!)

Thanks very much!

Greg

P.S. Your portfolio is amazing! (do you use a lot of HDR techniques with your landsape work?)

 

[mariuss]

Sorry for delay, Greg.

--
Thanks for the comment and question Marius!

The sun was quite low in the sky and most of the foreground was in
shade. Perhaps that contributed to the colour of the snow?

Can be. But the main problem is that the snow has not the same color and amount of light everywhere. Look at the roof and then at the right window (in the middle of the house).

Any suggestions on how to improve it? (perhaps more direct light
would help with the colour of the snow? white balance
adjustment?...I'm still wrapping my head around this new camera!)

Dou you use RAW-s or JPEG-s? How many photos for one image?

Every image has its own setting in Photomatix. There is no standard setting. You have to play more with these settings. Don't let Photomatix do the job automatic. I can't tell you wich settings I would use in this case because I don't have your photos, but sometimes i use something like this (please, take it as example only):
Strenght: 50
Color Saturation: 40
Luminosity: -5
Light Smoothing: High or very high

Thanks very much!

Welcome.

Greg

P.S. Your portfolio is amazing!

Thanks you.

(do you use a lot of HDR techniques with your landsape work?)

Sometimes.

--



http://photo.net/photos/MariusSabo

 

[BCJames]

I like it. The snow -is- white on my calibrated monitor. I mean it dirty in places, but it is white.

I do question the over all sharpness. It is soft. I bit too soft. What was this taken with? That might explain if anything can be done to correct that.

Don't be offended though, because over all I like it.
--
DOF tutorial:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7394992_UpiXL

Composition Tutorial:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7399326_BoLgW

'Seeing The Light' Tutorial:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7399332_QEgdi

Passion should be the driving force for every shot you
take. For without passion, what's the point?

 

[GregA2k6]

--
Not offended at all! Thanks for the input!

I agree that it a touch on the soft side and that it could definitely use some sharpening. It was taken with a Nikon D90.

Appreciate your feedback!

Greg

 

[GregA2k6]

--

Ahh...I see what you mean now. There is definitely a difference in tone there on the snow.

I used 3 photos (0, -2, +2 EV) shot in RAW.

Thanks for the suggestion on those settings! I will continue to play with them in Photomatix.

Appreciate the help!

Greg

 

[BCJames]

What lens? I am assuming you were on a tripod to get multiple files? The last one you posted was sift too. Aperture setting? I dont know. I don't think it is a sharpening issue. Sorry. Just trying to help.
--
DOF tutorial:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7394992_UpiXL

Composition Tutorial:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7399326_BoLgW

'Seeing The Light' Tutorial:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7399332_QEgdi

Passion should be the driving force for every shot you
take. For without passion, what's the point?

 

[GregA2k6]

--

Here you go:

Nikkor 18-200 lens, aperature f11, ISO 200, Tripod mounted. (3 exposures -2, +2 EV)

As far as my last image I posted being soft....that would have been with my Canon A620 point and shoot I assume. (haven't posted here in a long time!)

Thanks again though! The more input the better!!

Greg

 

[BCJames]

Well then brother I cannot figure it out. Unless it has everything to do with post process.

Here is an HDR image I did using just PhotoShop. As you can see it is plenty sharp. I wish I could help.



--
DOF tutorial:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7394992_UpiXL

Composition Tutorial:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7399326_BoLgW

'Seeing The Light' Tutorial:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7399332_QEgdi

Passion should be the driving force for every shot you
take. For without passion, what's the point?

 

[G10Rebel]

Looks lively in its softness.

Might I suggest tweaking more using Topaz Adjust or LucisArt? They could give more punches to HDR.
--
http://hdr.strivearth.com | canon fodder

 

[G10Rebel]

I hope it might help:

Photomatix detail enhancer algorithm sometimes gives out blackened areas in presence of noises in bright.

On the other hands, noise in dark areas will be processed into whites by Photomatix.

Try using HDR on high ISO images that has not been noise removed and you'll know.

I use Canon Powershot G10, so I have experiences
--
http://hdr.strivearth.com | canon fodder

 

[GregA2k6]

Thanks for that tip! I will try those plug-ins for sure!

Greg

P.S. I really enjoyed your HDR portfolio! Some excellent images!