<<< o >>>the entrance 23 comments + add yours
chromasia.com

I was browsing through a folder of old RAW files earlier today and came across this one. I did try to process it at the time, but couldn't come up with anything I liked. Anyway, motivated by the fact that I don't have anything else to put up, I thought I'd give it another try.

This time around I decided to try an HDR version so used Photomatix Pro to generate and tone map a pseudo-HDR image. If you take a look at the original, you'll see that this version has a lot more detail and texture, especially on the surface of the object:

.../archives/the_entrance.php

The rest of the changes were fairly straightforward (Curves, Hue/Saturation, and so on) other than that I used the sky from the original image, not the tone mapped version. If you've tried single shot HDR's you'll know that one of the major problems is that they can be quite noisy. This doesn't much matter for textured areas of an image - such as the sand and scratched object in this image - but can be very noticeable in smoother areas such as the sky.

As always, let me know what you think.

captured
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
cropped?
1.57pm on 26/1/07
Canon 5D
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
30mm
f/3.2
1/1000
aperture priority
+0.0
evaluative
100
no
RAW
Photomatix Pro and ACR
minor
 
3x2 + HDR + fylde coast [scenic] + beachcombing
comment by Garry at 07:54 PM (GMT) on 27 September, 2008

Like it :).
It looks almost like a ruined tower from a bygone age... 'til you change perspective and remember it's a cup in the sand ;)

comment by Jess at 07:55 PM (GMT) on 27 September, 2008

I think you have a thing for buckets..... I have a thing for your thing for buckets!
Nice dynamic range as always in these bucket on the beach shots!

ps. ignore my comments on the last pic about the mainpage.... lol

comment by Benno Klier at 08:20 PM (GMT) on 27 September, 2008

Superb abstraction and excellent toning!

comment by Turnbill at 10:30 PM (GMT) on 27 September, 2008

Nice composition and processing. You're blessed in Great Britain with those wonderful brooding skies to work with.

comment by cy at 12:53 AM (GMT) on 28 September, 2008

simply beautiful. looks even better on my new mac. my old one died and just by your site alone i can already tell the difference visually. thanks for posting interesting things to test such.

comment by Rafael Perrone at 04:54 AM (GMT) on 28 September, 2008

It's impressive how you can change simple objects into great images.

comment by David C at 07:24 AM (GMT) on 28 September, 2008

Im still waiting on your tutorial on single file pseudo HDR images. Ive been waiting since you posted the image of the homeless guy in black and white. I cant seem to figure it out, and even if I did spend the time to figure it out on my own, I would still love to hear your take and learn your tips and tricks to doing it successfully. Great shot of the bucket by the way, love the tones!

comment by Audesou at 08:00 AM (GMT) on 28 September, 2008

Great shot and post-treatment!

This photograph gives me the impression of being in front of the Coliseum in Rome! :-)

comment by Claus at 09:58 AM (GMT) on 28 September, 2008

What a weird thing you have found here, but the combination of colors are just great!

comment by Nashai at 11:53 AM (GMT) on 28 September, 2008

The post-procesing gave the image the right feeling. Not it looks some ruins. And it doesn't look too much HDR and thats good.

comment by RD at 02:47 PM (GMT) on 28 September, 2008

Yes, the Roman Coliseum. The only structure left standing after a nuclear disaster. A striking image!

comment by Michael Paulison at 06:59 PM (GMT) on 28 September, 2008

Well, good thing you looked again. One really must keep on their toes on your blog. This plastic thing you photographed and everyone else on the planet walked by, looks like an ancient structure on the beach. Cleverly photographed and beautifully processed. This is my surprising find of the year! I could go on all day about how much I love this.

comment by Michael Paulison at 07:01 PM (GMT) on 28 September, 2008

Actually, I WILL go on all day... this should be your next tutorial on giving passed over photos a second chance. The encouragement factor alone is golden. OK... I'm done.

comment by Frida at 07:46 AM (GMT) on 29 September, 2008

Great image that shows you how the simplest things can bee a great photo.

comment by LightningPaul at 08:47 AM (GMT) on 29 September, 2008

Great result!! I love the clarity of the object.
I'm also a big fan of Photomatrix to enhance the details, contrasts and textures. Even I got some nice results of using single files.

comment by Craig at 10:38 AM (GMT) on 29 September, 2008

Great processing, the level of detail brought out compared to the original is quite amazing. Well done for taking a second look!

comment by Kristian Rasmussen at 11:19 AM (GMT) on 29 September, 2008

I have to agree the fact that the image doesn't look like an hdr is one of the things that makes it great! The tonal work and composition is just excellent. The way you brought out the writing and details of the 'object' is just plain brilliant. I'm still puzzled on what it could be.

comment by lasiate at 12:58 PM (GMT) on 29 September, 2008

cet objet sans doute minuscule devient un phare décapité par la tempête. Très beau traitement

comment by Robbie Veldwijk at 04:00 PM (GMT) on 29 September, 2008

Cool shot! Nice composition and DoF

comment by conflagratio at 08:18 PM (GMT) on 29 September, 2008

Very well processed, good progression from the detaill to the sharpness.

comment by djn1 at 08:49 PM (GMT) on 29 September, 2008

Thanks everyone :-)

comment by Jess at 04:40 PM (GMT) on 30 September, 2008

This really makes me want to buy a tutorial..... even as a poor student haha

Keep coming back to look at this one!


comment by Alex Caballero at 07:14 PM (GMT) on 9 October, 2008

Esta fotografia en especial me impresiona muchisimo, es muy acojonante, muy buen trabajo, saludos.