HDR: First Real Attempt

hschlessphoto

I took this a couple weeks ago while there were still some leaves on the trees (I go to college in Maine), and I'm decently happy with the result. I only used three photos...just your basic over, mid, and under exposed set. Obviously this needs work, but that's what I come here for!

What do you all think for a first real attempt? I feel like I could have used a couple more dark layers to make the brick in the building seem a little more true to its color, but beyond that I would really appreciate the input.

Hank

JimKarczewski

Bring the blacks up... Just looking at it in the browser it seems like at least in the building section it's missing something in the low-end which you normally won't get with HDR.

How many shots did you take? Software for processing??

Stumblebum

Beautiful shot! Light, fall leaves, reflection, interesting building, exposure, compostion, all wonderful! I would process couple of things differently....a) straighten out the horizon (at least in my mind) by lifting right side up, even if top of tree is clipped b) As noted, bring up blacks or increase contrast a tad c) On my monitor (might be my problem only) the blues in the non-cloudy portion of the sky and some dark green trees seem unnatural...maybe reduce saturation or vibrance some. Cheers!

kobistar

very very nice. good work!

JimKarczewski

I still think you could had gone a little more dramatic with it, I think the building is the focal point in the center and just blah.

This is just running Deep 1 setting in Nik HDR on the image and adds that pop to it.. IMHO.

kdog

^^ That looks a lot better. Should have straightened the horizon while you were at it.

Earache

IMO, the scene/sky/lighting are great, but I don't care for the exaggerated/candy color tones - I think this composition, with the formal architecture and intense
fall colors, does not lend itself to the unnatural treatment. HDR can be used to increase dynamic range without altering tone characteristics and is, IMO, (more often than not) best used in that manner.
I suggest cloning the car also.

JimKarczewski

Well, Earache, I agree. But only having access to the jpg and taking all of 30 seconds to play with the file is different than having access to the original files which would be much easier to make changes to not come out so over-exagerated.

In fact I've gone from shooting 7 shot sequences (most one can do on a 1Dx) to shooting .3stop HDR's from basically black to white (well, almost) Histogram 50% left to 50% right and the smoothness and appearance doesn't scream HDR as the 1-stop, 7 image HDR's did. It takes more work doing them, but in the end, it's worth every bit!

Earache

JimKarczewski wrote: »

Well, Earache, I agree. But only having access to the jpg and taking all of 30 seconds to play with the file is different than having access to the original files which would be much easier to make changes to not come out so over-exagerated.

In fact I've gone from shooting 7 shot sequences (most one can do on a 1Dx) to shooting .3stop HDR's from basically black to white (well, almost) Histogram 50% left to 50% right and the smoothness and appearance doesn't scream HDR as the 1-stop, 7 image HDR's did. It takes more work doing them, but in the end, it's worth every bit!

Jim, my comments were directed at the OP in answer to his request for feedback.

fool4thecity

Earache wrote: »

IMO, the scene/sky/lighting are great, but I don't care for the exaggerated/candy color tones - I think this composition, with the formal architecture and intense
fall colors, does not lend itself to the unnatural treatment. HDR can be used to increase dynamic range without altering tone characteristics and is, IMO, (more often than not) best used in that manner.
I suggest cloning the car also.

Well stated! I agree completely, and you were nice about it. That is an example of what I hate about HDR. Work the tones not the color... I prefer a more realistic approach, I guess.