This is an HDR, comprised of six bracketed exposures, of the underside of Central Pier in Blackpool. The original images were taken quite a while ago, but it's only recently that I've been able to produce a decent HDR. The problem, in this instance, was that they were shot at 17mm with my 17-40 f/4L and the CA (chromatic aberration) at the edges of the images made creating a convincing HDR difficult. Anyway, I finally realised that all I needed to do was create some CA-corrected 16bit TIFFs and use them to construct the HDR image rather than the original RAW files. So, I processed the originals in ACR and loaded the subsequent TIFFs into Photomatix Pro, from which I created this image.
If you like this one you might also want to take a look at the following:
I think that the first is probably still my favourite.
On a totally unrelated matter: my apologies if you have been trying to access the tutorial pages today, but we ran into a technical problem at around 10.00 am this morning. For some reason, that we haven't quite managed to get to the bottom of yet, the entire folder vanished from the server. Anyway, we managed to get everything replaced by late afternoon (though had to recreate a few of the static pages and re-upload the masking tutorial), so everything should now be back to normal. That said, if you are a subscriber and run into any problems, please let me know.
comment byAndrew at 07:42 PM (GMT) on 18 March, 2008
The HDR really makes it look spectacular. The sharpness and contrast is awesome. How much time did you spend editing this photo?
comment bycsj @ id7.co.uk at 08:14 PM (GMT) on 18 March, 2008
tonally brilliant.... the depth to this image is awesome also, especially sat here knowing that I have exactly the same tools to create a similar image...is the foreground a receeding tide, or stone, or sand?...csj
comment byJohn Maslowski at 08:50 PM (GMT) on 18 March, 2008
One of the best HDR images I've seen. Excellent processing, the details are amazing. I'm a big fan of HDR and I get a variety of comments on my blog about my HDR images. Some photographers seem to actually hate these images while others love them. Great work here.
Amazing shot(s), David. I like that you left some of the blacks and haven't fade them into boring grey. HDR or not, an image like this needs the contrast. Congratulations.
comment byrhys at 08:59 PM (GMT) on 18 March, 2008
This is stunning. I can't wait for next months tutorial.
comment byalexandru savu at 09:34 PM (GMT) on 18 March, 2008
Awesome. Just that.
comment byoldshutterhand at 09:48 PM (GMT) on 18 March, 2008
From another world. Very professional.
comment byryan at 09:51 PM (GMT) on 18 March, 2008
absolutely awesome use of HDR really dramatic look , Fantastic
I don't think I've seen HDR used as effectively with black and white before. Whilst I know that many frown on the technique, I find it quite appealing as it gives yet another take on reality. This one has something quite alien (in a sci-fi sense) about it.
comment byNick at 12:07 AM (GMT) on 19 March, 2008
Holy cow! This really hit me between the eyes! One of the best black and white HDRs I've ever seen. I love the contrast - great job.
comment byKevin at 12:16 AM (GMT) on 19 March, 2008
Wow! great details in the water and under the floor. Great job!
comment byphlogger at 03:44 AM (GMT) on 19 March, 2008
I never really liked HDR images before...that is until I saw yours. Great work. Looking forward to the next tutorial.
comment bybryan k at 04:51 AM (GMT) on 19 March, 2008
this is my favorite of the pier shots! yes, absolutely stunning! a whole world in that one shot...
comment by Martin at 11:16 AM (GMT) on 19 March, 2008
Very nice HDR. I really hope the problems with the tutorials didn´t have anything to do with my minor correction remarks.
This is an HDR, comprised of six bracketed exposures, of the underside of Central Pier in Blackpool. The original images were taken quite a while ago, but it's only recently that I've been able to produce a decent HDR. The problem, in this instance, was that they were shot at 17mm with my 17-40 f/4L and the CA (chromatic aberration) at the edges of the images made creating a convincing HDR difficult. Anyway, I finally realised that all I needed to do was create some CA-corrected 16bit TIFFs and use them to construct the HDR image rather than the original RAW files. So, I processed the originals in ACR and loaded the subsequent TIFFs into Photomatix Pro, from which I created this image.
If you like this one you might also want to take a look at the following:
Under the North Pier #1
Under the North Pier #2
Under the North Pier #3
Under Fleetwood Pier
I think that the first is probably still my favourite.
On a totally unrelated matter: my apologies if you have been trying to access the tutorial pages today, but we ran into a technical problem at around 10.00 am this morning. For some reason, that we haven't quite managed to get to the bottom of yet, the entire folder vanished from the server. Anyway, we managed to get everything replaced by late afternoon (though had to recreate a few of the static pages and re-upload the masking tutorial), so everything should now be back to normal. That said, if you are a subscriber and run into any problems, please let me know.
The HDR really makes it look spectacular. The sharpness and contrast is awesome. How much time did you spend editing this photo?
tonally brilliant.... the depth to this image is awesome also, especially sat here knowing that I have exactly the same tools to create a similar image...is the foreground a receeding tide, or stone, or sand?...csj
One of the best HDR images I've seen. Excellent processing, the details are amazing. I'm a big fan of HDR and I get a variety of comments on my blog about my HDR images. Some photographers seem to actually hate these images while others love them. Great work here.
Amazing shot(s), David. I like that you left some of the blacks and haven't fade them into boring grey. HDR or not, an image like this needs the contrast. Congratulations.
This is stunning. I can't wait for next months tutorial.
Awesome. Just that.
From another world. Very professional.
absolutely awesome use of HDR really dramatic look , Fantastic
I don't think I've seen HDR used as effectively with black and white before. Whilst I know that many frown on the technique, I find it quite appealing as it gives yet another take on reality. This one has something quite alien (in a sci-fi sense) about it.
Holy cow! This really hit me between the eyes! One of the best black and white HDRs I've ever seen. I love the contrast - great job.
Wow! great details in the water and under the floor. Great job!
I never really liked HDR images before...that is until I saw yours. Great work. Looking forward to the next tutorial.
this is my favorite of the pier shots! yes, absolutely stunning! a whole world in that one shot...
Very nice HDR. I really hope the problems with the tutorials didn´t have anything to do with my minor correction remarks.
Very nice. It almost looks like Infrared film.
Like this alot. Has an almost Film Negative feel to it.
nice work !!
Thanks all.
Andrew: I probably spent somewhere between two and three hours on this one.
csj: it's sand.
Martin: no, it wasn't anything to do with your comments.
I usually dont like the HDR look, but this was well executed. the water/sand on the ground looks amazing. nice textures.
It looks like it's on fire of something from a Geiger shot
This looks like a charcoal painting. Awesome!
perfect and absolut breathtaking DRI shot!