I went up to Fleetwood this afternoon with the intention of shooting some slow shutter speed images at high tide. Unfortunately, it was raining, windy, grey and dull, and none of them worked out. So, especially since I haven't had anything to post for a few days, I'm really pleased that I decided to shoot a couple of HDR sequences while I was there.
This one was shot at the top of the sea wall and was constructed from seven exposures (with a 1 EV spacing between them). I used Photomatix Pro to produce two versions: one optimised for the foreground and another, less radical version, tone mapped to produce a less HDR-like sky. These were then merged in Photoshop and toned using a Curve.
If you're interested, I've posted the metered exposure here:
On a totally unrelated matter, and my apologies for bringing this up again: if any of you have been pondering signing up for our Photoshop tutorials, now would be a good time, as we're giving away 75 copies of our 2009 Calendar to the next 75 people who sign up for an annual subscription or lifetime membership. Well, there were 75 when we started – we now have around 30 left.
If you're interested, you can find out more about the tutorials and the calendar here:
If you're already a subscriber, then you can also win a copy of the calendar by entering our new competition, full details of which have been posted in the members' forum. There have already been some great shots posted so even if you aren't interested in entering the competition you should definitely take a look.
comment byDan Kaufman at 06:48 PM (GMT) on 17 November, 2008
Ahhh, the Nightingale-esque imagery we've come to know and love! Excellent again as always. I didn't realize on first viewing that this was an HDR constructed image. To me this is a real testament to a skillfull HDR practitioner when the image doesn't scream "look at me, I'm HDR'. I'm inspired to go out and make a concerted effort to learn this skill set.
comment byDaveB at 07:24 PM (GMT) on 17 November, 2008
I've done some experimentation in the past with HDR, but have never attempted to produce two seperate images and merge them, although it makes as much sense as using seperate curves for the foreground and sky; I must give this a shot, this one is really cool!
comment byignacio guerra at 07:30 PM (GMT) on 17 November, 2008
im not sure why, but i love storms.. storm pictures are simply amazing :) know that every time you upload a storm-related picture, im really happy :P
comment bycsj @ id7.co.uk at 10:06 PM (GMT) on 17 November, 2008
Another old school Chromasia shot, I love the feel of this, it looks like a scene from a computer game, I cant tell the scale on first glance, and I think its that which makes it all the more interesting to look at. csj
comment byjelb at 11:22 PM (GMT) on 17 November, 2008
Bonjour,
great processing..Wonderful tones and details..Bravo!
comment byCarlos Garcia at 11:54 PM (GMT) on 17 November, 2008
This just makes me want to jump over the wall and see what's on the other side.
I love the positioning of the camera. Someone really did not like that sign on the left :)
comment byJessica Kehrli at 03:51 AM (GMT) on 18 November, 2008
When the DANGER sign has been torn in two.... that is a sign that perhaps there is some real danger haha. Nice dramatic look .
Now I am off to look at the competition submissions!
comment by Mark at 08:12 AM (GMT) on 18 November, 2008
Excellent image. There's a really strong sense of wanting to peer over the wall to see what's coming under those clouds - an almost uncomfortable sensation. The shallow DoF works really well on the foreground here.
There's an old saying about learning to see in B+W when you first use it. Clearly one modern version would be about 'learning to see in HDR' - being able to see beyond the rather insipid metered image on the other page to the finished product seen here. Great work.
I really like the processing and the low angle of the shot
comment by Sara at 12:20 PM (GMT) on 18 November, 2008
Hi David,
Any chance of buying a Chromasia calendar please?
The photo on the front Of Digital photographer looks incredibly like the young girl on the Dubai advertsing board...Is it your daughter?
Best wishes,
Sara.
comment byCraig at 12:33 PM (GMT) on 18 November, 2008
This has worked really well, producing two versions has really paid off. I have no sense of scale here, those signs could be ten inches or ten foot I have no idea, great!
comment bySimone at 04:30 PM (GMT) on 18 November, 2008
I like the contrast about color...grey and yellow...!
comment byClaus at 06:48 PM (GMT) on 18 November, 2008
Nice low down angle, and the colors are just up my ally! Great shot!
comment byCatalin at 11:59 AM (GMT) on 19 November, 2008
What I really like about this shot is the almost "glassy" look of it (particularly the floor). Is that because it was slightly wet? I've got the same kind of look in a few shots but just because it was a marble floor (http://www.momentaryawe.com/blog/?p=691)
comment byIlger.nl at 07:58 PM (GMT) on 19 November, 2008
Absolutely the right choice between your two HDR photos. This one is far more interesting. Brilliant processing.
comment byWolfgang at 06:45 PM (GMT) on 20 November, 2008
Great photo, I love the colours and this perspective.
comment bydjn1 at 08:42 PM (GMT) on 22 November, 2008
Thanks everyone :)
comment bycfimages at 02:53 AM (GMT) on 24 November, 2008
I really like this use of HDR. Good composition and subject matter.
comment byByhg at 03:12 PM (GMT) on 14 December, 2008
I really like this one. I usually don't like HDR, but here it is a light hdr and perfect for the composition here. Nice Job
comment bygroenkemarquez at 07:00 PM (GMT) on 11 January, 2009
I love your signature style ! This is the type of image that got me hooked to your photoblog ! Extraordinary !
I went up to Fleetwood this afternoon with the intention of shooting some slow shutter speed images at high tide. Unfortunately, it was raining, windy, grey and dull, and none of them worked out. So, especially since I haven't had anything to post for a few days, I'm really pleased that I decided to shoot a couple of HDR sequences while I was there.
This one was shot at the top of the sea wall and was constructed from seven exposures (with a 1 EV spacing between them). I used Photomatix Pro to produce two versions: one optimised for the foreground and another, less radical version, tone mapped to produce a less HDR-like sky. These were then merged in Photoshop and toned using a Curve.
If you're interested, I've posted the metered exposure here:
.../archives/storm_conditions.php
On a totally unrelated matter, and my apologies for bringing this up again: if any of you have been pondering signing up for our Photoshop tutorials, now would be a good time, as we're giving away 75 copies of our 2009 Calendar to the next 75 people who sign up for an annual subscription or lifetime membership. Well, there were 75 when we started – we now have around 30 left.
If you're interested, you can find out more about the tutorials and the calendar here:
http://www.chromasia.com/tutorials/online/
If you're already a subscriber, then you can also win a copy of the calendar by entering our new competition, full details of which have been posted in the members' forum. There have already been some great shots posted so even if you aren't interested in entering the competition you should definitely take a look.
Ahhh, the Nightingale-esque imagery we've come to know and love! Excellent again as always. I didn't realize on first viewing that this was an HDR constructed image. To me this is a real testament to a skillfull HDR practitioner when the image doesn't scream "look at me, I'm HDR'. I'm inspired to go out and make a concerted effort to learn this skill set.
I've done some experimentation in the past with HDR, but have never attempted to produce two seperate images and merge them, although it makes as much sense as using seperate curves for the foreground and sky; I must give this a shot, this one is really cool!
im not sure why, but i love storms.. storm pictures are simply amazing :) know that every time you upload a storm-related picture, im really happy :P
Another old school Chromasia shot, I love the feel of this, it looks like a scene from a computer game, I cant tell the scale on first glance, and I think its that which makes it all the more interesting to look at. csj
Bonjour,
great processing..Wonderful tones and details..Bravo!
This just makes me want to jump over the wall and see what's on the other side.
I love the positioning of the camera. Someone really did not like that sign on the left :)
When the DANGER sign has been torn in two.... that is a sign that perhaps there is some real danger haha. Nice dramatic look .
Now I am off to look at the competition submissions!
Nice result! Really feels cold!
Excellent image. There's a really strong sense of wanting to peer over the wall to see what's coming under those clouds - an almost uncomfortable sensation. The shallow DoF works really well on the foreground here.
There's an old saying about learning to see in B+W when you first use it. Clearly one modern version would be about 'learning to see in HDR' - being able to see beyond the rather insipid metered image on the other page to the finished product seen here. Great work.
I really like the processing and the low angle of the shot
Hi David,
Any chance of buying a Chromasia calendar please?
The photo on the front Of Digital photographer looks incredibly like the young girl on the Dubai advertsing board...Is it your daughter?
Best wishes,
Sara.
This has worked really well, producing two versions has really paid off. I have no sense of scale here, those signs could be ten inches or ten foot I have no idea, great!
I like the contrast about color...grey and yellow...!
Nice low down angle, and the colors are just up my ally! Great shot!
What I really like about this shot is the almost "glassy" look of it (particularly the floor). Is that because it was slightly wet? I've got the same kind of look in a few shots but just because it was a marble floor (http://www.momentaryawe.com/blog/?p=691)
Absolutely the right choice between your two HDR photos. This one is far more interesting. Brilliant processing.
Great photo, I love the colours and this perspective.
Thanks everyone :)
I really like this use of HDR. Good composition and subject matter.
I really like this one. I usually don't like HDR, but here it is a light hdr and perfect for the composition here. Nice Job
I love your signature style ! This is the type of image that got me hooked to your photoblog ! Extraordinary !