Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: walter.sk on August 05, 2009, 10:30:43 am

Title: 3 HDR's from Bear Mountain, NY
Post by: walter.sk on August 05, 2009, 10:30:43 am
I was fortunate enough to come down from the peak of Bear Mountain as the fog began to lift, and I got these 3 shots.  The first two were 3 images, +/- 2 EV.  The third was 5 images, also +/- 2 EV.  My goal was to avoid the usual "HDR" look.  The contrast and color balance were adjusted in CS4.  All images were handheld using a Canon 1DMkII at ISO 1000 or 1200, at 8.5 frames per second.

[attachment=15850:ViewFrom...ainInFog.jpg]
[attachment=15849:BearMoun...oadInFog.jpg]
[attachment=15848:ViewFrom...adlights.jpg]
Title: 3 HDR's from Bear Mountain, NY
Post by: wolfnowl on August 05, 2009, 11:03:36 am
The first and third don't do much for me, but I really like the middle one.  The lighting and composition create a look like you've discovered some secret hideaway along the road that was only revealed when you stumbled upon it.  Very Brigadoon...

Mike.
Title: 3 HDR's from Bear Mountain, NY
Post by: jasonrandolph on August 05, 2009, 11:31:26 am
I have to agree with Mike, although I think all three compositions are pretty good.  The first and third shots have too much of t he HDR effect for my taste.  There is some obvious haloing in #3.  #2 is good and the least obvious as far as the HDR processing goes.  Take my words with a grain of salt though.  I like tack-sharp images,  Still, I think you have a good eye.
Title: 3 HDR's from Bear Mountain, NY
Post by: walter.sk on August 05, 2009, 12:10:01 pm
Thanks, Jason and Mike for the comments.  The middle one is my favorite, as well.  As I play with these HDR images I will get better control over the halos, which bothered me , too, in the 3rd image.  Also, next time, even in the rain, I'll drag the old Gitzo out.  I really hate shooting in the rain, even more so with a tripod, but it would have helped.
Title: 3 HDR's from Bear Mountain, NY
Post by: jasonrandolph on August 05, 2009, 05:16:22 pm
For handheld shots though, they were quite good.
Title: 3 HDR's from Bear Mountain, NY
Post by: NikoJorj on August 05, 2009, 05:51:55 pm
Nice treatment!

I like the second too, bu there is something special with the first... that really stands in the glow of the dead (?) branch and golden foliage, against the sea of clouds.
Title: 3 HDR's from Bear Mountain, NY
Post by: ProPhotoInsights on August 05, 2009, 06:42:40 pm
Great locations but I wonder if you really needed to produce HDR's for these images.
Simon
Title: 3 HDR's from Bear Mountain, NY
Post by: John R on August 05, 2009, 06:58:52 pm
Very good images. I especially like no-2. I think I know why all your images have a wonderful glow about them, and that is because you hand held three different shots. Each would be slightly out of register when combined even though you may think you did not move. Much like an Orton style image with or without Gausian blur. Very nice all the same.

JMR