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UER Forum > Archived UE Photo Critiques > HDR attempt (Viewed 708 times)
jeeptuff 


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HDR attempt
< on 6/8/2009 4:01 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
This is my first attempt at an HDR image. I chose to use Photomatix rather than PS CS3, as I will give CS3 an attempt in the near future. What do you all think? Is there any good? What is the bad? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks..



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anathema 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 1 on 6/8/2009 1:05 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I'm kinda laughing at the "BEER" written in huge letters. Silly taggers!

I'm not an expert on HDR by any stretch of the imagination, but the first thing that hits me is that there really isn't a lot of contrast. HDR takes down some contrast anyway, but you don't want to lose details.

Also, the point of view is not that exciting. What if you took it from about a 45* angle from the stairs? This shot works to document the tagging, but I think you can get more out of the scene from a different POV.

That being said, it's still a pretty cool shot. I like the HDR effect. Maybe next time try it in a shot that has more contrast to begin with.

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yokes 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 2 on 6/8/2009 2:01 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
The problems are more with the image itself than with any HDR treatment of it.

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desmet 




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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 3 on 6/8/2009 6:03 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Not a great image, doesn't need HDR.

insanedArk 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 4 on 6/8/2009 6:13 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I tried some HDR a week ago and got lots of advice from people. It turns out that the real point to HDR is to capture more then the sensor can capture, like if you're in a dark room looking outside, which is bright:

http://www.uer.ca/...d=1&threadid=68546

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inventor77 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 5 on 6/9/2009 6:07 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
just something to add:
HDR isn't a secret recipe for making good images. There has to be something inherently interesting about the shot to begin with before post-processing. The photo you've shown seems to be a mere snapshot instead of a planned composition.

as anathema said, HDR decreases contrast. In your case, jeeptuff, you'd want to rely on contrast to define some key components of your photo. By removing some of the dark areas that give things volume, you've made the staircase appear flat and almost disappear into the wall behind it. Since you've shot it straight on, you have no other planes to describe the form of the staircase.

don't be afraid of the shadows!

Dagon 

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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 6 on 6/10/2009 2:05 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by desmet
Not a great image, doesn't need HDR.


Exactly. HDR won't cure boring. Why put processing time into an image that is hopeless to begin with? It's crooked and awkwardly shot.

jeeptuff 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 7 on 6/10/2009 2:54 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Thanks for the feedback anathema, yokes, insane_dark and inventor77.

CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM is appreciated. Dagon and Desmet, your input was not in the least helpful, rude and snide I would say. I have not seen a topic in the critique section started by either one of you so the non-constructive criticism you gave is very uncalled for, that being said fuck you very much.

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krush 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 8 on 6/10/2009 8:34 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
The shot does'nt need HDR, only better composition. Photomatix usually leaves their watermark on, from the free trial.
CS3 is a bit pricey, unless you are making money on it.
Theres got to be a less expensive program that features HDR. Corel Paint Shop Pro has that.

ECUE
John A. 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 9 on 6/11/2009 12:22 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
The things about HDR is that there needs to be a bunch of contrast to begin with.

- John
muskratwombat 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 10 on 6/11/2009 12:29 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I have no comment on the image itself, but want to note that if you're just using your images to post on the web and don't need the super large version, you can take a screen shot of the final photomatix image before saving so it doesn't leave their watermark.

OwMamaHateful 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 11 on 6/11/2009 10:46 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I love HDR, and its an ongoing discussion, a lot of people dont dig it. I agree with desmet on his comment on this pic.

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adaliz 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 12 on 6/13/2009 9:00 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by John A.
The things about HDR is that there needs to be a bunch of contrast to begin with.


agreed. i'm not much of a fan of HDR images (they seem way fake) and with the lack of contrast here, it kind of defeats the purpose. also, i don't know if it's the post processing of the image, some gaussian blur effect you added, or the face that the image don't perfectly align, but the image is blurry...

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Cochiseg 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 13 on 6/13/2009 9:31 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
This doesnt seem like an image to hdr, it needs to have a good range of light-dark (like a picture of a light coloured house on a cloudy day)

This one you should do minor edits if you want a better image, but hdr isnt suited for it. Try pictures with clouds in them, really makes them stand out

Off-Limits 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 14 on 6/19/2009 11:25 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I don't really agree with the things said here, HDR doesn't decreases contrast. If you use the 'Micro-contrast' slider in Photomatix, you can add as much contrast as you like. HDR makes details visible.

Example: Left: normal exposure, Right: HDR (photomatix, with 4 exposures)


You have more details on the ceiling, the wood, the copper...

About your shot: It needs more contrast and sharpness. There is no depth, maybe another POV can help?

Hope you find this somewhat useful

Grtz
Joachim

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NAN 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 15 on 6/19/2009 12:11 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Off-Limits
I don't really agree with the things said here, HDR doesn't decreases contrast. If you use the 'Micro-contrast' slider in Photomatix, you can add as much contrast as you like. HDR makes details visible.

Example: Left: normal exposure, Right: HDR (photomatix, with 4 exposures)
http://i395.photob...070416_7_5_4-2.jpg

You have more details on the ceiling, the wood, the copper...

About your shot: It needs more contrast and sharpness. There is no depth, maybe another POV can help?

Hope you find this somewhat useful

Grtz
Joachim


I think the normal exposure looks better. I don't see much benefit in using hdr

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Off-Limits 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 16 on 6/19/2009 12:57 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I don't see much benefit in using hdr

I do

It's a matter of taste, and I prefer hdr

>>www.off-limits.eu<<
https://www.flickr...otos/33475620@N05/
inventor77 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 17 on 6/19/2009 1:06 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Off-Limits
I don't really agree with the things said here, HDR doesn't decreases contrast.


but you agree that the hdr process isn't a last resort for making a bad image a good image, right? You can't just take a snapshot of something, run it through photomatix and hope it turns out fine
like this http://www.pbase.c...76246/original.jpg

hdr is something that one should use delicately. Creating too much vibrancy and exaggerating every little detail in your photo makes it a complete mindfuck for the viewer to look at
http://www.flickr....orayem/1459097244/
An hdr like this, on the other hand
http://www.flickr....ileohm/2241543114/
has a nice balance. Things aren't overblown and there's a hierarchy of elements. There's a bit of a cropping issue, but aside from that, your eye can move freely about the photo and has areas to rest.
When an hdr is overblown, there's no focal point because everything is screaming for your attention.

Off-Limits, in your comparison shot, your hdr process is nice, but I think that it loses the depth you have in the first shot. Everything seems to have the same tone and chroma and seems that they could all be very well on the same plane. The depth you made to make hdr more effective, you seem to have taken away in the process. Something happens to colour and tones as foreground elements become background. In painting, to make foreground elements stand out, a painter would want to emphasize them by giving it more saturation and dull down the background--that's just one of many ways to create visual contrast (constrast meaning to emphasize something, not the ratio of black, grey and white)

There are ways to make a photo interesting without using too much post processing. Take some time to set up shots, consider how the light is affecting the elements in the frame, maybe move or adjust your angle or position if the lighting isn't quite working the way you want it to, change your ISO to make your camera more or less sensitive to light, etc.

yokes 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 18 on 6/19/2009 1:14 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Off-Limits: I completely agree with inventor77. The original has much more depth. The tone compression is very evident in your HDR example, and everything looks like it is on the same plain. Processing it with more "traditional" techniques like dodging and burning, while more time consuming, would potentially produce a much more natural and detailed image, without losing the depth. HDR can be used effectively.. but in general this is rarely accomplished.

That being said, some people enjoy the overprocessed clown vomit look. More power to them. Ultimately, it is an artistic choice by an artist (just as paint splatters and brush strokes are for painters). Unless your a photojournalist, there is nothing inherently "wrong" with doing whatever you want with your photos.
[last edit 6/19/2009 1:16 PM by yokes - edited 1 times]

"Great architecture has only two natural enemies: water and stupid men." - Richard Nickel
Off-Limits 


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Re: HDR attempt
<Reply # 19 on 6/19/2009 1:57 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
inventor77,

but you agree that the hdr process isn't a last resort for making a bad image a good image, right?
Why would it be a last resort? It's just one of many processing techniques.

The first two examples you give are not the hdr I'm talking about. Personally I hate that 'clown vomit' look, there's nothing natural anymore.

Maybe you should see my example in the large version (http://www.uer.ca/...d=1&threadid=68460) because I still believe it hasn't lost any depth.

Take some time to set up shots, ..., etc.
I'm not photographing that technical. I just shoot what catches my eye.

>>www.off-limits.eu<<
https://www.flickr...otos/33475620@N05/
UER Forum > Archived UE Photo Critiques > HDR attempt (Viewed 708 times)
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