HDR Portrait

[Dark Star]

The HDR obsession continues...after Nath's comments about HDR suiting only landscapes yesterday I thought I'd see what I could do with a portrait using HDR :eek:...well James likes it anyway :D

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/819/James---Tone-mapped.jpg

[Venomator]

Don't know much about HDR and all DS ... but I do like the portrait ...:thumbs:

It is different and tells a sort of moodyism in the composition ...:D

Only crits would be the 'dirty' forehead ...? And the too much space above the subject ... imo of course ...:thinking:


:p

[Dark Star]

Thanks venomator - I considered cropping the top but, funnily enough, James (the subject and my son) liked it as is, so I deferred to his choice :D

Thanks for the comments though - they all go in!!!

[Dark Star]

Cropped slightly:

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/819/James---Tone-mapped-crop1.jpg

[Venomator]

You're welcome ... is the 'dirty' (sorry couldn't think of another way to put it) ... a result of the HDR process ...:thinking:

Edit ... better Nr 2 for me ...:D


:p

[Dark Star]

Yes it is (I think) very strange effects can be had that can easily enhance or destroy!!! I have miles to go on this stuff!

[Grendel]

Only crits would be the 'dirty' forehead ...? And the too much space above the subject ... imo of course ...:thinking:
:p

That'll be the imprinted "D" John had branded on his forehead at birth :D

[Venomator]

That'll be the imprinted "D" John had branded on his forehead at birth :D

Nah ... it is more the effect across the full forehead I was referring to ... just me being picky ...:lol:


:p

[Dark Star]

Ah Yes James and his forehead are a constant source of frustration!!!

[Venomator]

:lol:

If that's the only one ... you got no worries ...:D


:p

[Dark Star]

Ahhhh I could give you a looooong list :gag:

[petemc]

I don't think it really works. The tones are kinda all over the shop. The grey levels are too high in his face and there's a halo around him. HDR, like any processing technique needs to be used with care. You also need to know when to use it and when not to. I've been asked by a magazine to do people HDR shots so I'm hoping to god I can get it to work :) Keep at it though, you might get the settings right with practice.

[Dark Star]

Thanks Pete - it was a play really although I do like the overall effect - including the halo (makes a change for my son to wear a halo!). I've been playing with HDR a lot since your article with mixed success. Its an interesting and subjective technique I must say.

[Nath]

For me the HDR thing is going to far.. It should be subtle to bring out the highlights/shadows of an image, not to make it look like a cartoon. But I quite like this its nicely done, however I would have liked to have seen more of the guitar.

[Dark Star]

Thanks Nath - I appreciate the comments - I know exactly what you mean re the 'cartoon' effect - its borderline on this one in my view. The guitar is my 30 year old Martin copy - its a beauty :D