First attempt at HDR - Avebury Stone

[IanW]

Hello peeps,

This was my original take on this Avebury stone:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/IanW555/Avebury/Avebury_One-02_01.jpg

However, after stumbling across some posts on HDR I thought I would have a go:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/IanW555/Avebury/Avebury_One_HDR_01_03_Small.jpg

I think that the HDR still needs to some work, as I have bleeched the sky a bit. Think I need to mask the sky before boosting the contrast?

[eldiablo]

Masking may help, but it looks like you've got a lot of white pixels there. Try taking three to seven shots(depending on camera type) with your AEB set (tripod and remote as well). I have a 350d so I can only take 3 without re-adjusting and running the risk of messing up the shot (-2, 0, +2 / sometimes I digitally edit for -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3). I've had the best luck with extreme over and under exposures as I guess it captures the highest dynamic ranges for fore and background (maybe? could just be me). Hope that makes sense....

[Hikin Mike]

Masking may help, but it looks like you've got a lot of white pixels there. Try taking three to seven shots(depending on camera type) with your AEB set (tripod and remote as well). I have a 350d so I can only take 3 without re-adjusting and running the risk of messing up the shot (-2, 0, +2 / sometimes I digitally edit for -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3). I've had the best luck with extreme over and under exposures as I guess it captures the highest dynamic ranges for fore and background (maybe? could just be me). Hope that makes sense....

Made sense to me and I had a stroke!

Ian, you've got a great start!

[IanW]

Masking may help, but it looks like you've got a lot of white pixels there. Try taking three to seven shots(depending on camera type) with your AEB set (tripod and remote as well). I have a 350d so I can only take 3 without re-adjusting and running the risk of messing up the shot (-2, 0, +2 / sometimes I digitally edit for -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3). I've had the best luck with extreme over and under exposures as I guess it captures the highest dynamic ranges for fore and background (maybe? could just be me). Hope that makes sense....

Cool, thanks for that.

The second shot was done using AEB +/- 1/3. I will try increasing the AEB range and see if that helps. My 20D can also only take 3 shots on the AEB. Regards the White pixels, there is actually plenty of detail there from the overexposed shot, it just gets bleeched when I up the contrast required for the stone.

I will have another go and post result.

Ian.

[zippy25]

Ian,

I really like and prefer the original to the HDR. Your sky in the HDR is too blown out, IMHO. :)

[EveryMilesAMemory]

Not trying to fluster you on your first attempt, but I too like the first shot best?!

[brokedesigner]

i agree the first shot is definately better than the second, i don't think this subject needs hdr as you managed to get enough detail in the shadow areas in the first shot. With the HDR it just looses it's dramatic effect.

[IanW]

Okay guys, hopefully this will change your mind? ;)

This shot has been driving me mad, I hope you like it.

As always though please feel free to C&C. :oops:

Ian.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/IanW555/Avebury/Avebury_One_HDR_02_03.jpg

[ChrisLUM]

Definitely getting there. Much better IMO.

Chris

[uk86ze]

much better. what hdr software are you using, photomatix

[IanW]

much better. what hdr software are you using, photomatix

Just using Adobe Bridge and CS2. I know that photomatrix is highly regarded on here, but I wanted to see what CS2 could do first. If I get into HDR more I might look at photomatrix.

Chris,

Any suggestions you have are always welcome.

Ian.

[Hikin Mike]

Definitely better! I just using CS2 also to do my HDRs (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=343733).

[ChrisLUM]

I go a little crazy sometimes with HDR rendering. I like how you go the skys detail back. I'm just wondering if your able to get that foreground more exposed to see how it would turn out. At the same time it gives me a good feel of the time of day the last image you posted.

Chris

[noct]

looks like they need a couple stops more on the under exposed side.

[Anke]

I think I prefer the originals sky and the HDRs stone. In fact I think the original is better than the HDR. Good attempt though :D