Hdr

[light50]

I was experimenting today with HDR pictures. I took three pictures with -2, 0, +2 ev and then used a free demo software to combine them( I do not intend to advertise any software...please ignore watermark). The final result was satisfying, but I would like to find some more interesting places to test the method. (Mad Aussie style......I wish)
As usual I welcome feedback.

[ericmark]

Although a lovely image can't really see this would need HDR.
I know with Photoshop it shows you the range used. Can't remember with Picturenaut and never used Photomatix but sure it will show range and may have it wrong but does not look to be a high range.

I find HDR does seem to give one super blue sky. And the way it alters colours can give a pleasing effect but it is not really what the process is designed for.

The image is really good and I really like it.

[Mad Aussie]

It's a nice image. I agree probably not really neccessary to use HDR on it though. At least you were subtle about it ... this is nice .... a soft touch on landscapes is my peferred technique .... sometimes

Look for a scene you have trouble with both the bright and dark areas then go for it with HDR.

[light50]

Thank you for the kind words. I did not want to change colours too much just to remove excessive shadows having a "correct" sky exposure. Unfortunately I am just discovering Photoshop, but I will try to see what results can I get using it.
Here is the picture I got before the adjustments.....

[Marko]

I'm with the others - not sure that HDR was needed, but you've done a nice job with it! I too prefer subtle HDR.

[Mad Aussie]

Looking at the original scene, you've certainly improved it!

[light50]

Thank you MA. Your A Bay #2 shot made me realize that combining different evs of the same photo one can achieve better results.

[Mad Aussie]

Thank you MA. Your A Bay #2 shot made me realize that combining different evs of the same photo one can achieve better results.

There are different ways to do this too. I use Photomatix also but not all my 'HDR Merge' shots are done that way. Some I do manually with photoshop and that way people don't realize it's more than one exposure at all.
Some shots though are accused of being HDR and are a single exposure using either Lightroom and/or photoshop.

Sometimes shadows NEED to be there and removing them too much unbalances the shot and looks unnatural. Your shot above is a nice balance.

[light50]

Thank you for your insight MA