Windows of Photography: HDR (High Dynamic Range)

Showing posts with label HDR (High Dynamic Range). Show all posts

Friday, December 14, 2012

Keeping It Real with HDR

While most HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography is beautiful, fascinating and sometimes even surreal looking, it does not in most cases represent the reality that the human eye sees. I decided to create the above HDR photographs to illustrate the clarity, depth of details and color saturations that can be brought-out in a more realistic looking image when using this type of photography. I did very little post processing of the above images except of course for the combining of (5) frames to produce each HDR image. The clarity, depth of details and color saturations in these HDR photographs are due to the multi-frame Exposure Biases (-2.00 to 2.00) of each HDR image. There is a large range of possibilities for creativity when using High Dynamic Range imaging.

For more information see Wikipedia: High Dynamic Range Imaging

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Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G lens, Exposure: Multiple Exposures at f/11.0, IOS: 200, Focal Length: (Top: 48mm – Middle Image: 29mm – Bottom Image: 70mm), Exposure Mode: Manual, Exposure Bias: -2.00 to 2.00 EV in (5) Frames, Metering Mode: Spot, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: Infinity, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 12/01/2012 at 10:18 am to 10:29 am, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Nik Software HDR Efex Pro 2

Monday, February 6, 2012

Frozen Grace

I took the above photographs at the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans in 2009. The top photograph is what you might classify as a standard photograph. Although I think it’s pretty good and certainly not standard. I used ACDSsee Photo Manager 12 for the post processing of the image. The bottom photograph is the same photograph but I processed it in ACDSee Photo Manager 12 as a HDR (High Dynamic Range) image using three consecutive images with an Exposure Value (EV) of +/- 1.0. HDR processing can produce a more surreal looking photograph but, most of the time I prefer an image that is realistic looking. What I like about HDR photography and its post processing is the ability to produce a more 3-Dimensional image. Even though I captured the above HDR photograph using a hand held technique (tucking my elbows in to my sides), I strongly recommend using a tripod for stability. I also recommend using a remote shutter release trigger. When shooting HDR images it is very important to take your time. Look through your camera’s view finder and envision the final results. Think about where your light source is coming from and how this will affect your final image. But, as always, have fun with your photography.

For more information about HDR Photography and the Audubon Nature Institute see the links below:

To learn more about HDR Photography see the Pixiq and HDR Cream web-sites.

See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.

To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography

Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G lens, Subject Distance: 6.31 meters, Exposure: 1/60s at f/5.0, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 180mm, Filter: Ultra Violet, Lighting: Natural Daylight, HDR: Yes, Bottom Image, Post Processing: ACDSee Photo Manger 12, Date: 08/05/2009 at 11:22 am

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Friday, October 21, 2011

Silverback Gorilla

Are you looking at me? ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME! This male Siverback Gorilla has attitude. After getting this one set of HDR (High Dynamic Range) images Mr. Attitude set down and turn his back to everyone and would not turn around for another photographic opportunity. It was as if he stopped to pose for this one photograph and then said that there was going to be no more of that nonsense this morning.

When I am photographing animal species at a zoo are nature institute I find that I get my best results early in the morning. So, I make it a point to arrive just before the zoo or nature institute opens to the public. In most cases the animals have just been fed and released into their public viewing habitats. Also the animals are more active because it tends to be cooler in the early morning hours during the spring and summer months. Once the temperatures start to raise the animals look for a shady spot and then they tend to settle down for the rest of the day.

In my opinion the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana is one of the best places in the country to photograph animals in a more natural setting. The exhibits are well designed for viewers and photgraphers alike without obstructions. The Audubon Nature Institute relies on man-made rack walls and water barriers for many of their exhibts.

To learn more see the Audubon Nature Institute's web-site.

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To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography

Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G lens, Subject Distance: 11.9 meters, Exposure: 1/640s at f/5.0, Focal Length: 185mm, ISO: 200, Filter: Circular Polarizer, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Merged to HDR Pro: +/- 1 EV, Date: 08/05/2009 at 11:45 am

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Old Brick Wall

The above photograph is one of my first HDR (High Dynamic Range) images. In 2009 I was unaware of HDR photography when I took this image. I was just trying out some of the features of my Nikon D3 camera. Unfortunately, I only bracketed for three images at +/- 1 EV. When creating a HDR photograph you should use +/- 2 EV at a minimal. On the Nikon D3 that means you need to bracket at least 5 images to get +/- 2 EV. You should also lockup the mirror, close the view finder, use a tripod and a wired or wireless shutter release trigger. You can also use your camera’s timer instead of a remote shutter release trigger. All of that being said, I still like the way this brick-wall came out in the end. This brick-wall in the French Quarter of New Orleans could be over two-hundred years old. Photography may not have existed when this wall was constructed. Like this brick-wall, HDR photography takes planning to setup the shot for results that last over time.

See Wikipedia for or more information on HDR Imaging.

See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.

To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography

Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G lens, Subject Distance: 0.9 meters, Exposure: 1/320s at f/3.5, Focal Length: 24mm, ISO: 200 Filter: UV, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Merged to HDR Pro: +/- 1 EV, Date: 08/04/2009 at 8:29 am