Posted by Kalin Wilson on April 6, 2012 at 2:52 AM
Ok, here is the shot I posted a week or so ago, completely reworked. It took a little longer than I thought it would, but I ended up getting this from a single exposure, no blends, through the magic of luminosity masks.
Once again, I've learned that I get the best results from a single decent exposure, than through HDR or other techniques. I don't know why I keep having to learn that.
Let me know what you think and any thoughts on improvements. I appreciate the comments on the last post.
I printed a 20" version that I'll have at the gallery tonight for First Friday. If you're in the neighborhood stop by and take a look.
"Colorado"
Canon 5DII, Tamron 28-75/2.8
large version linked also
I'm glad to see someone else with the same learning disability.
I hope I can make it out to the gallery tonight to see that print. The JPEG looks good.
Posted by Darren Huski on April 6, 2012 at 10:16 AM
Very nice.
And FWIW, I agree about getting all right in a single image. HDR, blending, stitching, etc only work for me about 30% of the time. Using grad filters allows me to have a much better success rate of a keeper.
This is really, really well done! Perfect light treatment on all the components!
Posted by Paul Martin on April 6, 2012 at 12:31 PM
Looks good to me, Kalin. I have the same problem with learning how to do HDRs and multiple blends, I guess they'll have to take my GNDs from my cold, dead hands. Good luck with the show!
I think that this is a big improvement when comparing the two. Much more realistic looking, esp. the cloudy skies. The larger image you attached here is from the previous version, so I have to settle for this small one. Again, this is an excellent image!
Posted by Russ Shugart on April 6, 2012 at 7:49 PM
Kalin, beautiful shot! Where are you showing this?
Posted by Kalin Wilson on April 6, 2012 at 7:59 PM
Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments and time to take a look.
John, the larger version is the same. The previous version is starkly different. The larger version appears a little lighter than the small one. They are both a little darker than the original.
Russ, I've got a print with me at our (CAZ and I) gallery, The Nature Photography Gallery on Tennyson St in North Denver. Stop by if you're in the neighborhood. Tonight is our monthly art walk.
Posted by Pam Colander on April 6, 2012 at 10:28 PM
I didn't see the other version but this looks great. At first I thought the LRC was too dark but it looks fine in the large copy. The light and the sky are perfect!
Nicely done! Exposure is dead on from what I can tell.
The discussion about GND filters vs HDR interests me. During my film days, I always experimented with GND filters, but haven't at all with the advent of HDR. I am finding my success in the neighborhood of 60%, but frankly its not worth even trying if conditions like if wind is present. But when the conditions are right, wow, the control one has to simulate the view one actually saw is outstanding. The April cover image of Devil's Tower is an HDR that I don't think I could have been captured any other way. HDR does has the inherent issues of alignment in images as well, depending on tripod use or not or any introduced movement.
Considering some limitations of shooting HDR, I definitely should have a GND filter or two in my camera bag.
Any recommendations on brand and type? Also curious the workaround if one's horizontal line differentiating bright from dark is not even. For instance on Kalin image, how would on deal with the filter impacting the sunlight mountain peaks? I suppose one could edit the image to bring back out the original brightness just for the sunlight peaks?
An image like this one is a good example of where a simple two image exposure blend (one for skies and perhaps the peaks, and one for land) would work quite well. It's quite easy to do and there's no grad line to contend with.
Posted by Dan Walters on April 9, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Very nice Kalin. The fall colors really stand out.
Discussion
15 repliesOnce again, I've learned that I get the best results from a single decent exposure, than through HDR or other techniques. I don't know why I keep having to learn that.
Let me know what you think and any thoughts on improvements. I appreciate the comments on the last post.
I printed a 20" version that I'll have at the gallery tonight for First Friday. If you're in the neighborhood stop by and take a look.
"Colorado"
Canon 5DII, Tamron 28-75/2.8
large version linked also
I'm glad to see someone else with the same learning disability.
I hope I can make it out to the gallery tonight to see that print. The JPEG looks good.
And FWIW, I agree about getting all right in a single image. HDR, blending, stitching, etc only work for me about 30% of the time. Using grad filters allows me to have a much better success rate of a keeper.
Russ
www.AlpineGalleria.com
John, the larger version is the same. The previous version is starkly different. The larger version appears a little lighter than the small one. They are both a little darker than the original.
Russ, I've got a print with me at our (CAZ and I) gallery, The Nature Photography Gallery on Tennyson St in North Denver. Stop by if you're in the neighborhood. Tonight is our monthly art walk.
The discussion about GND filters vs HDR interests me. During my film days, I always experimented with GND filters, but haven't at all with the advent of HDR. I am finding my success in the neighborhood of 60%, but frankly its not worth even trying if conditions like if wind is present. But when the conditions are right, wow, the control one has to simulate the view one actually saw is outstanding. The April cover image of Devil's Tower is an HDR that I don't think I could have been captured any other way. HDR does has the inherent issues of alignment in images as well, depending on tripod use or not or any introduced movement.
Considering some limitations of shooting HDR, I definitely should have a GND filter or two in my camera bag.
Any recommendations on brand and type? Also curious the workaround if one's horizontal line differentiating bright from dark is not even. For instance on Kalin image, how would on deal with the filter impacting the sunlight mountain peaks? I suppose one could edit the image to bring back out the original brightness just for the sunlight peaks?
An image like this one is a good example of where a simple two image exposure blend (one for skies and perhaps the peaks, and one for land) would work quite well. It's quite easy to do and there's no grad line to contend with.