Topic: Lake Sunset (Read 1758 times)

raysem · « **on:** September 24, 2009, 06:37:49 pm »

My first attempt at HDR.

I'm trying to gain some resolution in the shadow detail and sky, while letting the sun blow out.

Processed in PS CS4 from a stack of 5 images.

Comments? Suggestions? Smart remarks?

AndrewKulin · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2009, 08:30:20 pm »

Does not work at all because the sun and sky around it are way too blown out.

Also take a look at the bubbles/lake foam (?) on the water in the foreground - lots of ghosting there.

Andrew

stamper · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2009, 04:43:41 am »

Most times it isn't possible to use an exposure that that doesn't blow out the sun and the burn area. My solution is to use an exposure that captures the rest of the scene reasonably well and fix the burn out areas in Photoshop.

Layer fill mode and choose saturated yellow. Change the blend mode to multiply. Lower the fill opacity down to a level where the yellow matches the yellow in the image adjacent to the burn out area. This sometimes leaves a slight cast in the rest of the image that is pleasing but if not use the Blend if settings in the blending options layer to target the highlights. Use the underlying layer slider and spilt the little triangles to feather the transition. I find this to be a most realistic method of repairing the white areas if done properly.

BTW IMO your image composition is good and there are good tones in the sky that can be improved. Use the above method with the layer fill mode set to orange or red to further improve the sky. These methods combined with masking and Blend if options works well with sunset/sunrise shots.

jasonrandolph · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2009, 11:24:24 am »

I have to agree with Andrew. The sun is a deal breaker for me. So is the ghosting. Obviously I can't see the five images separately, but why not try processing them individually? I can't see any HDR effects in your image (no detail in the trees), so what was gained. I think it's a good composition, just a bad exposure.

cmi · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2009, 08:03:01 pm »

I want to add: The blowed out sun is disturbing no question but the light / dark ratio works for me, especially if I look at the small icon. The blown out parts would benefit from just a hint of detail while maintaining their overall brightness. One frame more with a better exposed sun area would accomplish this... So, I'd say, a near miss, not bad at all!

raysem · « **Reply #5 on:** September 26, 2009, 09:10:45 pm »

Thanks for the input!

I find it's hard to keep the high-lights from blowing and not ending up with a silhouette when shooting right into the sun!

I'll give some of your suggestions a try.....

Author Topic: Lake Sunset (Read 1758 times)