False Kiva

False Kiva Sunset I

During the recent RMNP get together in Moab, I made my first visit to False Kiva. I was forewarned that the location presented dynamic range challenges, so I was somewhat prepared to create blended/hdr images. As it turned out, the sunset was fantastic and I really wanted to include it in my image. So this is an HDR attempt, at which I'm a total neophyte. I used 3 images with Photomatix Details Enhancer option. Any and all critiques and suggestions are most appreciated.

Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4 L (Thanks Rich! )

Ummm... Wow! One of the nicer False Kiva images I've seen Scott! Super nice balance on the HDR!

Scott;

Yeah man! This is the BEST sky I've seen from this locale... dang -- this location brings back some great memories. Thank you for posting this, it's really beautiful.

Did you find the ammo box in the Kiva?

That looks very good, Scott.
The primary problem that I see is the halo between the light sky and darker roof.
It's not too bad here, but it probably would be obnoxious in a large print.

You really did have some of the best shooting conditions I've seen here. Great shot, especially for a first time HDRer! It does have some of the trademark HDR issues of uneven sky brightness, but the only spot that I think is really necessary to do something with is the overly bright section in the upper right. It's a bit distracting.

Thanks for the responses so far! Bill & Guy, do you have any tips for resolving the halo and uneven sky problems? Or is this inherent in the HDR process? Maybe the results would be better approaching this with an exposure blending technique?

Maybe the results would be better approaching this with an exposure blending technique?

I would sure give it a shot! This is one of the best FK images I've seen,
Well worth spending some time and addressing the issues raised.
Did you walk out in the dark?

Thanks, John. That means a LOT coming from you.

I hiked out after the light faded, but it wasn't quite dark - a beautiful night.

I'll chime in to agree that is one of the better False Kiva shots I've seen. As for processing, try either Photomatix or Photoshop exposure blending (I'm tending towards just using PS these days; Photomatix seems to automatically go to far afield). You might also try adding your 0 exposure as a layer to this one. I also think the extra work will be worth it and look forward to seeing the results.

Scott..one of the best I have seen from the location. WOW!! I agree about the halo...but I am not an expert in blending...

I agree, this is one of the best images from this location. The lighting is not very even, but it's not a big deal to me. The dynamic range must be huge. Thanks for sharing.

Scott, I can't help you on how to tweak Photomatix to further reduce the halo.
You've done remarkably well, and this may be as good as it gets.
I'd try a manual blend and see which you prefer.

Great job capturing the dynamic range! It looks excellent and the composition is gorgeous.

Beautifully done - that looks like an amazing sunset. I particularly like the way you've included the full extent of the alcove without the image looking too distorted (as I've seen in some other versions).

I was last there on New Year's Day this year and the sunset that night was also a stunner - however, we chickened out and set off back up the trail before it grew too dark... Ah well.

This shot of False Kiva is extra nice. Well done.

Not bad results for photomatix. I like the comp!

Hey Scott nice comp! I'm a newbie at HDR and blending so I can't comment on that. I've never been to the FK either but might have joined you were it not for the dang flu bug. Sounds like a great time was had by all.
John

Great sky combined with a great comp results in awesomeness!
I wouldn't worry about the halo along the ridge as it looks quite natural.

Beautiful shot with that sky, Scott - well worth some work.
In Photomatix, work with the Highlights Smoothing slider to control halos in sky boundaries. If that doesn't seem to work, try higher strength and lower light smoothing settings.
As previously suggested, a useful technique is to bring your HDR rendering and your original exposures into an image as layers and do some hand blending to address halos or color/detail issues that you can't tweak with photomatix's controls.

Have fun!

I can't say much in the way of photomatix or HDR, as I have no experience with these, but I can say that I think this is a beautiful image. Love that sky.

Very nice. I might reduce a minor amount of red or magenta in the shadows. Nice take on this area!!!!

Scott, very nice work. Like the comp and your subtle use of HDR. On first opening, reaction was wow! Continued inspection confirmed first reaction.

Bill Brennan

Thanks again for the comments, everyone.

I've been able to reduce the halo a bit with some manual working with the adjustment brush in LR. I'll definitely try Kalin and Joseph's suggestions.

Pretty awesome. I have no nits whatsoever - including the transition of light in the sky. The halo just looks like a standard JPEG/sharpening halo. Well done.

Great shot that anyone would love to have in their portfolio!

Awesome shot! I must admit thought that I did notice the HDR look when I first saw the photo. I think the middle portion of the sky is too dark. Anyhow it's a great shot, with a little more finessing it will be perfect.

Have you tried the other methods in Photomatix? According to their user manual, Tone Compression will give a more natural look (less significant halos) than Details Enhancer. And the manual says Exposure Blending has benefits over both the the Tone Mapping options:
- Blending the images has the effect of reducing noise whereas HDR and tone mapping
may amplify it.
- The blended image does not differ much from the source images, giving it a more
natural look.

Often I will try all 3 options and see what gives me the best results for that particular image.

That being said, this is a fantastic image. Nice job!

One of the best False Kiva shots I think I've seen. There are some reddish casts in the foreground rocks I' might be tempted to reduce, but it looks great as is.

Your comp is excellent, and the sunset is great. I just don't care for hdrs done with any automatic process that I've seen. It seems to rob the middle tones of any depth. I'm still working on manual blends and hope I get them down someday

I like this a lot, but there is the tell-tale hdr sky look. It's not bad though. (BTW, there is a dust spot). My first thought when I saw this was that I'd like to see the sky a little more contrasty. How bout a manual blend of just the sky? I think that 99.9% of the population would look at this and say, "Wow!". It's only us anal photographers who like to pick things apart. This really is a good image, Scott.

Lots of helpful suggestions. Thanks! I tried some of the other Photomatix options last night - exposure blending, and tone compression, as well as tweaking the highlights smoother. The dynamic range is just too much for the other options to handle, so this seems to be the best result for Photomatix. I'll try some manual blending techniques next. I'm getting lots of practice, that's for sure! And thanks for the dust spot alert, Paul. I can't imagine how I got dust on the sensor, in Utah?! You'd think I would have checked that closer.

Really like the colors in the foreground and in the sky.

Well done Scott! The conditions didn't look like they were going to be that good while we were at the BBQ, but they sure changed and you did well...
Wish I had gone there with you.. It sure beats my shots from the spring!

Holy cow.....this is one of the better False Kiva shots that I have seen. The processing looks normal to my eye and doesn't have that garish HDR look that is normally seen.

Somehow missed this. Has to be one of my favorite shots I've seen from this area, the sky is just spectacular.