Structures in Landscape

[ericmark]

I have my assignment as on title and I have already started to collect together images.

I think high dynamic range is the way to go and I have produced quite a few images using this method. Because it is all for a college course I have to use Photoshop CS4 even if there is better around.

I use a Pentax 10D and have just three lenses for it. The one it came with 18mm to 55mm I think and old lenses off 35mm camera which were 28mm F2 and 400mm F6.4 plus tripod remote and assorted filters all from old wet process SLR.

At the moment main problem is odd colours when using HDR. Don’t mind extra blue sky but do want it blue not turquoise. Also rainbow effect as if light has caught lens but not in original RAW images as far as I can see.

Still loads to learn not sure about Radius and Threshold setting when using HDR converter going form 32 bit to 16 bit mode.

Have used Photoshop 7 in past but so much more on CS4 so I am starting it seems from scratch all over again.

I do realise I have made some mistakes for example set camera to P instead of Av and did not select AF.S for focus not re-tested since I found errors.

Well that’s me.

[Bambi]

first off, welcome Ericmark. Glad to have you here

Not an expert on HDR but there are many on this board. If you post a picture they will help you improve it immensely! However, I do remember in listening to the podcast on HDR that photoshop does not do the best job. so that might be part of the problem. 59 – HDR – High dynamic range photography – Interview with Joseph Cartright

also this thread might be useful:
Tips for getting great HDR.....

[ericmark]

A low res image but still shows the problem the sky was not anywhere near that blue. Tried the link no picture just sound should it have been like that? The Abbey was one of the subjects Turner painted and I was trying to show I could do with a camera what he did with the brush. Still needs some ivy adding and a couple of cows in foreground but very near same position as he used.

[Bambi]

my suggestion would be to move this to the critique section, that way more would see it and could help. However, not sure that this photo would need hdr as it seems fairly bright overall. Perhaps post this and the original shots. (oh and it seems unlevel)

[mithrandir]

I also have a K10D and have been using HDR processing as a base for the art photo process. I used Dynamic Auto Paint on your picture (after leveling it).
Is this close to what you are trying to achieve?

[ericmark]

Thank you all. The input has been very helpful. I have also been looking at other posts on using HDR. Reading what "Bambi" said about free programs I tried using "Picturenaut". Oh what a difference. No fiddling to set the curve in HDR Conversion just select "compute". And the colours were well within acceptable levels.

However for exam that option is not open to me. I realise it is all to do with shape of histogram.

When I convert from 32 bit to 16 bit using Photoshop CS4 histogram under Local Adaptation there is an area between high sky brightness and rest of picture which I should be able to reduce the contrast on which means an S shaped line on histogram. But as I adjust this line for contrast it also changes the colour.

What I would guess is happening is the light levels of Red, Green, and Blue are very different so when I alter them en-block it is not altering them all at same point in picture. Cure maybe to just use a straight line!

Maybe the corrections need to be done elsewhere? I have not given up yet.

Mithrandir sorry no that is not what I want. The texture of building, the fish pond and grass have all worked out OK. But the Sky has completely changed colour.

[ericmark]

On the corner I have included the histogram and settings used. This is more what I wanted. I am sure it is all to do with shape of histogram and what I was trying to do was.

Shallow slope at all white and all black rather than flat line in case one of the colours are within that area so it will not mess up sky. Then S shape to decrease contrast in sky but increase in brick work.

As to if I have achieved the aims not so sure. The Radius and Threshold I don't really understand so I tried different positions until I got some good sharp stone look. Not quite sure how to write that up. "Fiddled about" is not really what I want to say but really that is what I did!