Gladiators, Ready!!! Contenders, Ready!!! 3, 2, 1.....

[EdinburghGary]

Like / Hate ? :popcorn:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/2499147177_7da3e926d9_o.jpg


I hate it, but only because I don't understand HDR that much and therefore could not get the effect I wanted! Just dumped 9 exposures into photomatix, and pressed GO. Dragged a few sliders around, but really could not be *****.

PeteMC & Jimmy Lemon, if you see this, can I send you the raw files? Would love to see your efforts, even if it is a crap shot I took...

Anyone else want to have a bash? :D

Gary.

[NorthernNikon]

Unless you know what you want to achieve before you press the shutter there's no point putting your eye to the viewfinder. What did you want to achieve from this shot? Why did you take nine different exposures? You can't just do HDR for the sake of it and expect to get any decent results.

[EdinburghGary]

Unless you know what you want to achieve before you press the shutter there's no point putting your eye to the viewfinder. What did you want to achieve from this shot? Why did you take nine different exposures? You can't just do HDR for the sake of it and expect to get any decent results.

The sky was BLOOOOOOOOOOOWN to the max, I mean totally blown, and I was struggling to get both the foreground and sky in it. I think its a lovely hill, and enjoyed the scene but the sky was just so bright it was insane.

I then remembered being told that bracketing could be used to capture a much larger range of colours, and people say HDR helps bring out said extra range...so I ended up with the shot above :shrug:

In short, I wanted that scene, with none of the detail lost, and I could not get it right in the HDR software :)

Just to confirm, I never take a pic just for the sake of it, if I like something, I will shoot :)

[NorthernNikon]

Just to confirm, I never take a pic just for the sake of it, if I like something, I will shoot :)

Right I understand now. Traditionally you would have used ND Grads, but now HDR seems to be the in thing. At the time of the shot did you note how many stops difference there was between the sky and land? I wouldn't have expected to have need as many as nine exposures, maybe three, and you don't even need HDR software, merging layers in Photoshop would have the same effect.

[EdinburghGary]

Right I understand now. Traditionally you would have used ND Grads, but now HDR seems to be the in thing. At the time of the shot did you note how many stops difference there was between the sky and land? I wouldn't have expected to have need as many as nine exposures, maybe three, and you don't even need HDR software, merging layers in Photoshop would have the same effect.

Or a better effect? I mean this stinks, right? I will not be insulted, I already said I hate it :D

[NorthernNikon]

Or a better effect? I mean this stinks, right? I will not be insulted, I already said I hate it :D

I don't think that it stinks, but I do feel that it's failings lie in composition first and foremost and exposure onyl comes into it when you've found a good composition.

[EdinburghGary]

I don't think that it stinks, but I do feel that it's failings lie in composition first and foremost and exposure onyl comes into it when you've found a good composition.

What would you change? i thought about loosing foreground, some of the left and right, and realy making the hill the emphasis. I then thought I am doing HDR with it, would like to see how it effects the other bits too.

G.

[Techno-Geek]

Can i be honest Gary? I don't like it mate, Was that effect added in photoshop? what did the orginal look like?

Sorry to be blunt mate :thumbs:

Tony :thumbs:

[EdinburghGary]

Can i be honest Gary? I don't like it mate, Was that effect added in photoshop? what did the orginal look like?

Sorry to be blunt mate :thumbs:

Tony :thumbs:


Hi Techno,

It was HDR'd using Photomatix, I will post some of the originals shortly, want to try other ways to bring the sky out. :)

G.

[NorthernNikon]

What would you change? i thought about loosing foreground, some of the left and right, and realy making the hill the emphasis. I then thought I am doing HDR with it, would like to see how it effects the other bits too.

G.

Okay, well there's a genral lack of focal point. The foreground is uninteresting and there's a symmatry to the framing which I don't think sits well with the image. The sky has drama, but its lack of colour doesn't work well with the saturated greens and yellows.

If I were you, I'd go back and try to make the most of the yellow gorse to the right of the shot, using it to lead the eye into the hills beyond.

[EdinburghGary]

Okay, well there's a genral lack of focal point. The foreground is uninteresting and there's a symmatry to the framing which I don't think sits well with the image. The sky has drama, but its lack of colour doesn't work well with the saturated greens and yellows.

If I were you, I'd go back and try to make the most of the yellow gorse to the right of the shot, using it to lead the eye into the hills beyond.



Cheers NN - hopefully a nice blue sky too :)

[NorthernNikon]

Cheers NN - hopefully a nice blue sky too :)

Well blue would provide a nice contract against the yellow of the gorse. Give it a go and see how you fair.

HAving said that though it doesn't solve your issues with HDR, but someone else will have to help you out on that score.

[Techno-Geek]

Gaz give me the originals when you have them and i will play with them yeah? lol really bored and want something to do

[HuntingMartians]

Unless you know what you want to achieve before you press the shutter there's no point putting your eye to the viewfinder.

I couldn't disagreee more. Putting your eye to the viewfinder is very important in deciding if a shot is worth it. And also looking through the viewfinder can give people the inspiration to take a photo. I think you were just looking for an argument by saying that. :cuckoo::razz:

[EdinburghGary]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2054/2500581348_2d1922bdea_o.jpg

This is a non HDR - and I guess more in line with what you suggested NN? Going to do a 2nd edit too.

[EdinburghGary]

I couldn't disagreee more. Putting your eye to the viewfinder is very important in deciding if a shot is worth it. And also looking through the viewfinder can give people the inspiration to take a photo. ANd I think you were just looking for an argument by stating that.


Wow come on dude, I don't want no fights in my threads :) Look this was a really bad HDR effort, and if you look at my original post I said I didn't like it, and I say the same on my Flickr account. I am grateful to Northern Nikon for his thoughts, and yeah - that comment was maybe not helpful, I don't think he meant any harm :D

GROUP HUG TIME!!! :)

[Techno-Geek]

Gary can i take it and have a play?

[EdinburghGary]

Gaz give me the originals when you have them and i will play with them yeah? lol really bored and want something to do

Gimme 10 min, can you open NIKON RAW files?

[EdinburghGary]

Gary can i take it and have a play?

I will send you the originals if you like :clap:

[Techno-Geek]

I can't open raw files mate, haven't got the program installed :thumbs:

[EdinburghGary]

Well blue would provide a nice contract against the yellow of the gorse. Give it a go and see how you fair.

HAving said that though it doesn't solve your issues with HDR, but someone else will have to help you out on that score.

Thanks for all your comments :) I must admit to not originally having an issue with the composition, but I do definately take your lack of focal point on board. Sometimes with the wide angle, its very easy to say "wow look at all the stuff I can fit in"...

I am hear to learn and appreciate all the time and effort that goes into replying, so tar very mooch, all of you :)

[EdinburghGary]

I can't open raw files mate, haven't got the program installed :thumbs:



Okay, I upload a zip file with 9 jpegs!!!! All exposures.

[EdinburghGary]

I can't open raw files mate, haven't got the program installed :thumbs:

Are you on Broadband?

[Techno-Geek]

Okay, I upload a zip file with 9 jpegs!!!! All exposures.

:thumbs:

[EdinburghGary]

Techno, struggling to get this 30mb file online...do you use MSN messenger?

[Techno-Geek]

Can open it if you want me to :thumbs:

Send me your msn addy via pm :thumbs: