Any photographers in here?

I like the coastal shot.

As for the sky, hmm..that was my first try with a full mechanical fisheye lens so that's why it's like that.

so..tips:

1. make sure clear sky - no clouds for miles...no exceptions
2. tripod
3. shot f5.6 but feel free to try diff. apertures
4. manual focus set on infinity - probably why it's blurry but depends on lens type
5. cable release and camera in Bulb mode
6. exposure was 25 minutes
7. no ambient light - you can see some yellow there from the camp fires
8. use mirror lock up
 
here are some HDR ones I just took over the past few days in NFLD, Canada

341661472_zrqyH-L.jpg


341662102_KEmtd-L.jpg


341662900_cY2ce-XL.jpg
 
holy hell those are some nice pictures^^

and i just looked up the price on that 2.8 u guys were talking about

are u ****** INSANE!!!! 1,600 bucks for that lens
that is insane man, just crazy, makes for some nice pics tho lol
 

HDR...an interesting process to add dynamic range to scenes which had too much dynamic range for digital imaging technology. Most impressive on cathedral interiors and the like where interior and exterior elements are important aspects of the composition.

When used on 'just another image' it adds a high degree of local contrast in dark areas and substantial decrease in contrast in light areas. Further, automated scrips remove a large degree of control, and consequently, a large degree restraint. I think a lot of people overlook the parts of an image which are degraded by HDR to focus on parts that seem 'improved' by the technique. I don't really believe that is an appropriate perspective as all parts of a composition add (or detract) from the image.

In the image above the HDR added great contrast which highlighted the natural texture of the building as well as made the colors jump off the screen. However, the very large radius of the effect causes the entire top third of the building to lose a significant amount of contrast, texture and color. Finally, the clouds practically disapear, which is a shame since the billowy soft clouds are a necessary background upon which the gritty, aged building is placed.

My recommendation would not be to eliminate the HDR effect, necessarily. I would look for an HDR action which allowed me to mask the effect so as to avoid the decrease in contrast on the top of the building and clouds. If no such HDR action is available then other techniques are available to add local contrast (google 'manuel librodo') along with the ability to mask giving you ultimate control over how your image is effected.

When I first started in PS I used to love making actions and cranking images to see how they came out the other end. What I realized is that while I generated a number of images that felt familiar and high quality, I was utterly failing to bring to the surface what made each individual image unique and special in its own way.

Anyway, I hope everyone reads this as constructive criticism; its certainly not meant exclusively for you, LEXi73.

Good luck!
 
NVP5White,
Thanks for the criticism. I do see your point and I totally agree... I tried to create a more even tone on the first photo of the house...this photo does not necessarily have characteristics of what most think HDR photos look like. I tried to expose the building without making it look totally unrealistic. I think the best HDR photos that I have seen are the ones that you cant initially look at it and identify if it is a HDR.

Thanks for the feedback and I agree...these were my first 4 ever
 
I'm glad you took those comments to mind. Its tough having an image critiqued especially if you didn't really intend for it, but I think its important for every photographer, no matter where they lay on the Amateur-Professional spectrum, to constantly review their own work...compare it to others whose images they like.

Here's the PBASE pages of Manuel Librodo. I can't say I've always tried to emulate him exactly, but his work is excellent and certainly worth emulating.

http://www.pbase.com/manny_librodo
 
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