While I have become somewhat disenchanted with over-the-top HDR images, it is a technique I'm continuing to explore, not least because it does enable you to produce images that are impossible (or very difficult) to create by any other means. If you take a look at the metered exposure, linked below, you will see what I mean, i.e. the foreground and the area to the right of the image are both very dark.
The final image, as you can see, is considerably more vibrant, and the tonal range is more balanced. In short then, in my opinion at least, it's a technique that's great for this type of scene.
On a totally different matter: we're currently running a competition to win a lifetime membership to our Photoshop tutorials. If you'd like to take part the details are linked below:
Now this is what HDR was made for! great processing. Are you taking this from inside another building, its just that it looks like there is buildings superimposed over the trees, on left.
Would love to come out to Dubai one year just for the opportunity to photograph all these amazing scenes.
comment byPete Carr at 07:50 AM (GMT) on 19 March, 2010
Must admit that I'm in the same place. Bit bored of the OTT HDR. Maybe its from seeing it on Flickr all the time and thinking "Eugh" *shrugs* Nice photo though. Really works well.
comment byRyan Rahn at 07:55 AM (GMT) on 19 March, 2010
This doesn't strike me as an over-the-top HDR image (which I can't stand, really). This is just right - the glowing light is amazing! Well done!
comment byFrank de Jol at 08:17 AM (GMT) on 19 March, 2010
I actually agree that this is close to being too much HDR for me. It works great for the sky and the towers, but the colours in the palms and the reflections in the glass on the right are starting to look a bit odd to me. Horses for courses, I guess. It's certainly a striking image, and what someone else said about visiting Dubai, but I guess there are always new ways to look at where you are yourself.
comment byPhilip Jensen at 11:05 AM (GMT) on 19 March, 2010
I agree with Tom, even though the HDR works overall, I think it should have been "toned" down on the palms. It's just too over the top. Other then that I really enjoy the sky and the towers, they contain that "wow"-factor!
comment byCarlos Garcia at 11:44 AM (GMT) on 19 March, 2010
Dave,
Thanks for the original. These are amazing architectural designs! This particular capture is vibrant! I love how nature is juxtaposed against the structures.
Very beautiful shot! I really love the reflections and the clear and bright colors in this one...
comment byJason at 12:31 PM (GMT) on 19 March, 2010
Even though I was there with you I still can't work this one out! I am guessing you shot this at an angle through the low glass wall like the one to the right of your shot. Its the only way I can work our the reflections/faded image to the left of the scene..? Looks really cool though. This is exactly the type of HDR I am into.
By the way, I posted the last of my shots from DIFC. Would really appreciate it if you get the chance to look at it before we meet. Thanks, Jason
comment bydjn1 at 01:14 PM (GMT) on 19 March, 2010
Dan: it's shot through glass, but it's a continuation of the glass to the right rather than a building.
Pete: yep, I've seen far too many OTT HDR shots. I do still think that it's a useful technique though.
Tom/Philip: I did think about toning down the palms in the foreground, but decided that I preferred this version.
Jason: I've just taken a look at your recent shots, and while I think they're all good, this one is my favourite:
While I have become somewhat disenchanted with over-the-top HDR images, it is a technique I'm continuing to explore, not least because it does enable you to produce images that are impossible (or very difficult) to create by any other means. If you take a look at the metered exposure, linked below, you will see what I mean, i.e. the foreground and the area to the right of the image are both very dark.
.../archives/emirates_towers.php
The final image, as you can see, is considerably more vibrant, and the tonal range is more balanced. In short then, in my opinion at least, it's a technique that's great for this type of scene.
Oh, and this is a shot of the Emirates Towers, shot from the DIFC in Dubai.
On a totally different matter: we're currently running a competition to win a lifetime membership to our Photoshop tutorials. If you'd like to take part the details are linked below:
http://www.chromasia.com/tutorials/online/competition.php
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
cropped?
Canon 5D Mark II
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
25mm
f/16
1/15, 1/60, and 1/250
aperture priority
+0.0
evaluative
100
no
RAW
Photomatix Pro
no
Now this is what HDR was made for! great processing. Are you taking this from inside another building, its just that it looks like there is buildings superimposed over the trees, on left.
Would love to come out to Dubai one year just for the opportunity to photograph all these amazing scenes.
Must admit that I'm in the same place. Bit bored of the OTT HDR. Maybe its from seeing it on Flickr all the time and thinking "Eugh" *shrugs* Nice photo though. Really works well.
This doesn't strike me as an over-the-top HDR image (which I can't stand, really). This is just right - the glowing light is amazing! Well done!
Brilliant.
I actually agree that this is close to being too much HDR for me. It works great for the sky and the towers, but the colours in the palms and the reflections in the glass on the right are starting to look a bit odd to me. Horses for courses, I guess. It's certainly a striking image, and what someone else said about visiting Dubai, but I guess there are always new ways to look at where you are yourself.
I agree with Tom, even though the HDR works overall, I think it should have been "toned" down on the palms. It's just too over the top. Other then that I really enjoy the sky and the towers, they contain that "wow"-factor!
Dave,
Thanks for the original. These are amazing architectural designs! This particular capture is vibrant! I love how nature is juxtaposed against the structures.
C.
Very beautiful shot! I really love the reflections and the clear and bright colors in this one...
Even though I was there with you I still can't work this one out! I am guessing you shot this at an angle through the low glass wall like the one to the right of your shot. Its the only way I can work our the reflections/faded image to the left of the scene..? Looks really cool though. This is exactly the type of HDR I am into.
By the way, I posted the last of my shots from DIFC. Would really appreciate it if you get the chance to look at it before we meet. Thanks, Jason
Dan: it's shot through glass, but it's a continuation of the glass to the right rather than a building.
Pete: yep, I've seen far too many OTT HDR shots. I do still think that it's a useful technique though.
Tom/Philip: I did think about toning down the palms in the foreground, but decided that I preferred this version.
Jason: I've just taken a look at your recent shots, and while I think they're all good, this one is my favourite:
http://www.escapism-online.com/blog-entry.php?pid=238
I would have been happy if I'd produced it.
This for me is what HDR was always about. Like the tones and the contrast of the green and blue. Great stuff.
This is great ! "picky on the colors" or not, this is what HDR is very good for, giving you the full dynamic range. Love the multiple reflections !
dave... I would never have guessed this was hdr, therefore in my mind it is perfection!
dave... I'd love to see this as a mini-psd, starting from a screen grab of the tone-mapping settings ;-)
Great colors and a nice bright image!
brilliant capture of the reflections .... !