As promised, here's the first shot of our local environment over here in Bulgaria. It's one of the station buildings, just down the road from our house, and despite the rather dilapidated appearance it is inhabited.
On a related note: taking this shot reminded me that it's been too long since I pointed my camera at something other than the kids; i.e. I really struggled to think of a way to photograph this building from this angle without replicating this shot: taken by Craig on his recent trip over here. As you can see though (if you've clicked the link), despite spending some time pursuing alternative angles, I ended up taking exactly the same shot. Despite the blatant compositional plagiarism though, I am pleased with how this one turned out.
And if you're interested, it's an HDR image constructed with Photomatix Pro from a seven shot sequence. In this instance, the settings were fairly moderate; i.e. I wanted to create a vaguely photorealistic final image rather than something more over-the-top.
As always, let me know what you think.
Update: following mikelangelo's comment (below) regarding the haloing around the building I decided to do a bit more work on this one. The original (slightly haloed) version is here:
comment byCarlos Garcia at 04:21 PM (GMT) on 1 June, 2009
Dave,
Replicated, but so different... like different parts of a personality... each a jewel. Fantastic building... just begs to be explored. I can only imagine the stories that the tracks and the building share. Beautiful. Thanks.
C.
comment by nick at 04:26 PM (GMT) on 1 June, 2009
I guess you caught it on a sunnier day ;)
comment byAdam Stevens at 04:33 PM (GMT) on 1 June, 2009
Wonderful shot! I do much prefer a more realistic HDR. Kind of like a big fill flash (only so much better) Were you able to get inside the station?
It would be difficult to do it justice from any other angle with those huge pylons...
A friend of mine does property shots for estate agents and a trick they use to get a different perspective is just to hoist the camera up on a tripod/ monopod - can make a huge difference...
Anyway, from the looks of the shot you must have a terrible time dealing with the cold weather, so I'll let you get back to your roaring log fire ;)
comment bymikelangelo at 04:56 PM (GMT) on 1 June, 2009
Very nice image. Vivid and I love the details in the shadow areas of the building that would normally be lost without HDR. However, the only thing I'm not a fan of is the subtle halo around the building in the blue sky. It's subtle, and not really a big deal..but I've been sensitive to that effect lately since I get it often in my images.
David, While I think this is a very pretty photo, I think I'd rather see this same angle about an hour after dusk with all the lights on, or perhaps with an express rushing by...
comment byMirko Herzner at 05:17 PM (GMT) on 1 June, 2009
I like the very soft use of HDR processing in this shot. I would not even have considered this being HDR processed at all. Anyway, it turned out really good!
comment by Libby at 05:20 PM (GMT) on 1 June, 2009
Eric: Nice idea, but this building seems never to be lit, and only tired local trains use this country line.
excellent! makes me want to put on the 3-D glasses I just got yesterday (when I went to see "UP" with my kids). ;)
comment byOlivier Jules at 05:35 PM (GMT) on 1 June, 2009
wonderful capture!!!
comment bycsj @ID7 at 06:12 PM (GMT) on 1 June, 2009
The building, and its owner were very interesting, I am glad that you have finally found time to venture out, I am so excited to see what you produce and the angles you are going to capture, against those that I shot. I have about four predictions for similar images that I think you will in time capture, i'm going to hold off on them til you post them. They may even be shots you yourself don't even realize you will take. csj @ID7
comment byThe Obvious at 09:00 PM (GMT) on 1 June, 2009
This is a very nice image, David. However, having been born and raised not too many kilometers away from Bulgaria, and having seen this type of structures all around me, this photo doesn't say anything to me... I'm sure you can find more intriguing (not touristic), things to take photos of (or capture them in a more intriguing way).
This photo is sort of like me coming to your hometown and snapping a photo of the sea, the pier, or a shipwreck... and presenting it to a isolated tribe in the deserts of Sahara. Other than the newness of the way things are built/maintained, it would still remain a snapshot rather than a work of art.
Just a thought... You've inspired all of us to capture the most basic things in life in a different way, to tell a story with each photo, and sometimes (lately) I've sensed that you are trying too hard to live up to the standard everyone expects (technically), and you have forgotten to look for artistic meaning in your photos.
comment bybeeveedee at 10:05 PM (GMT) on 1 June, 2009
Bright, clear colors to match the more sunny locale you are in now. Feels Mediterranean in quality of light. Would've never guessed this was HDR!
comment byLaszlo at 08:25 AM (GMT) on 2 June, 2009
What a great shot! Great details and colors. That blue sky is just so soothing. I also love how you've framed the symmetry in this shot. Awesome.
Wow. I missed this when you posted it. I think this is the first HDR shot I've seen that I'm unequivocally positive about. It's really funny comparing it to Craig's shot: not only did you get a better day, and gently applied the Walt-Disney HDR magic wand to make it pop a bit more, but you even got the red flowers (poppies, I guess) to bloom in the foreground.
As promised, here's the first shot of our local environment over here in Bulgaria. It's one of the station buildings, just down the road from our house, and despite the rather dilapidated appearance it is inhabited.
On a related note: taking this shot reminded me that it's been too long since I pointed my camera at something other than the kids; i.e. I really struggled to think of a way to photograph this building from this angle without replicating this shot: taken by Craig on his recent trip over here. As you can see though (if you've clicked the link), despite spending some time pursuing alternative angles, I ended up taking exactly the same shot. Despite the blatant compositional plagiarism though, I am pleased with how this one turned out.
And if you're interested, it's an HDR image constructed with Photomatix Pro from a seven shot sequence. In this instance, the settings were fairly moderate; i.e. I wanted to create a vaguely photorealistic final image rather than something more over-the-top.
As always, let me know what you think.
Update: following mikelangelo's comment (below) regarding the haloing around the building I decided to do a bit more work on this one. The original (slightly haloed) version is here:
.../archives/ganchovets_station_1.php
Dave,
Replicated, but so different... like different parts of a personality... each a jewel. Fantastic building... just begs to be explored. I can only imagine the stories that the tracks and the building share. Beautiful. Thanks.
C.
I guess you caught it on a sunnier day ;)
Wonderful shot! I do much prefer a more realistic HDR. Kind of like a big fill flash (only so much better) Were you able to get inside the station?
It would be difficult to do it justice from any other angle with those huge pylons...
A friend of mine does property shots for estate agents and a trick they use to get a different perspective is just to hoist the camera up on a tripod/ monopod - can make a huge difference...
Anyway, from the looks of the shot you must have a terrible time dealing with the cold weather, so I'll let you get back to your roaring log fire ;)
Very nice image. Vivid and I love the details in the shadow areas of the building that would normally be lost without HDR. However, the only thing I'm not a fan of is the subtle halo around the building in the blue sky. It's subtle, and not really a big deal..but I've been sensitive to that effect lately since I get it often in my images.
David, While I think this is a very pretty photo, I think I'd rather see this same angle about an hour after dusk with all the lights on, or perhaps with an express rushing by...
I like the very soft use of HDR processing in this shot. I would not even have considered this being HDR processed at all. Anyway, it turned out really good!
Eric: Nice idea, but this building seems never to be lit, and only tired local trains use this country line.
excellent! makes me want to put on the 3-D glasses I just got yesterday (when I went to see "UP" with my kids). ;)
wonderful capture!!!
The building, and its owner were very interesting, I am glad that you have finally found time to venture out, I am so excited to see what you produce and the angles you are going to capture, against those that I shot. I have about four predictions for similar images that I think you will in time capture, i'm going to hold off on them til you post them. They may even be shots you yourself don't even realize you will take. csj @ID7
This is a very nice image, David. However, having been born and raised not too many kilometers away from Bulgaria, and having seen this type of structures all around me, this photo doesn't say anything to me... I'm sure you can find more intriguing (not touristic), things to take photos of (or capture them in a more intriguing way).
This photo is sort of like me coming to your hometown and snapping a photo of the sea, the pier, or a shipwreck... and presenting it to a isolated tribe in the deserts of Sahara. Other than the newness of the way things are built/maintained, it would still remain a snapshot rather than a work of art.
Just a thought... You've inspired all of us to capture the most basic things in life in a different way, to tell a story with each photo, and sometimes (lately) I've sensed that you are trying too hard to live up to the standard everyone expects (technically), and you have forgotten to look for artistic meaning in your photos.
Bright, clear colors to match the more sunny locale you are in now. Feels Mediterranean in quality of light. Would've never guessed this was HDR!
What a great shot! Great details and colors. That blue sky is just so soothing. I also love how you've framed the symmetry in this shot. Awesome.
Thanks everyone.
The Obvious: that's a good point, that I'll pick up on when I next post a similar shot.
Wow. I missed this when you posted it. I think this is the first HDR shot I've seen that I'm unequivocally positive about. It's really funny comparing it to Craig's shot: not only did you get a better day, and gently applied the Walt-Disney HDR magic wand to make it pop a bit more, but you even got the red flowers (poppies, I guess) to bloom in the foreground.