Temecula Rod Run (Mostly HDR)

pixelbasher wrote in post #9827661
See here is the problem with HDR. As it is highly subjective, almost an art in the different ways you can represent it, the way these were done it is obvious it is not about trying to be realistic, they have a "painted with pastels" effect, and I think he succeeded in that regard.

No he didn't, and the fact that you can't see the difference means you're talking without knowledge.

pixelbasher wrote in post #9827661
I don't like all of them due to the backgrounds and composition, but to say "this is how you do HDR" is so full of it. Sorry, but c'mon, let go of it!

Again, you're confused. I have many normal HDR's, I only posted an overcooked one to show him what it would look like done correctly.

pixelbasher wrote in post #9827661
Sure your image is nicely done, and you may well be the guru of "real" HDR, I wouldn't know, but me personally I'd have his #4 on my wall over your one anyday. Why? Because I like the effect in that particular image, and the background suits the car nicely. It would make a great poster in the right spot IMHO.

What you like is a subjective matter, what's done right is not.

pixelbasher wrote in post #9827661
And whilst your shot may be technically more "correct" in the land of realistic HDR, I have never been a fan of seeing nice cars in dingy areas, esp ones composed to give the effect of rust dripping onto the bonnet, and one of the first things I think when I look at it is I'm expecting someone is going to walk out that door and steal it . Some detail in the wheels wouldn't go astray either given it is a "real" HDR.......but that's just my opinion as a viewer of course.

Everything you see in my picture is on purpose, if you don't like it, that's fine, but I chose these things, the OP did not choose his, they are artifacts of missing knowledge.

pixelbasher wrote in post #9827661
And btw, I suck at HDR, but you already knew that I'm sure, because if I was good at it I would have agreed with you........no?

This part is obvious. You want to make a point? Post a picture you took that's better than the one I posted, otherwise...

What's "done right" is just as subjective. As I said, "A little of that goes a long way for me." This is the same argument that started when color film first came out, & I don't expect that it will ever end. But now would be a good place for it to end in this thread.

oops, sorry photosguy, I just saw your post.... Just throwing out opinions on the OP's images, it's not arguing.

First you tell him " look, this is how you do it" and post your image suggesting it's the benchmark of all HDR, now you say you posted an overcooked one on purpose to show how it's done correctly? You make no sense there mate, and I agree I AM confused!

This is not mathematics., nor it should be treated as such. There is no right and wrong no matter how much you want there to be. You don't have to use the same formula each time. If I like it, then that's fine. If the OP likes them, that's fine too. If you don't like them, that's fine too of course. But to basically tell him he is doing it wrong, is well, wrong.

Here we go Otherwise what? Otherwise I can't comment on HDR or what I like if I can't produce a picture better than your one?
I just like taking and looking at photos, This is merely a side hobby for me. I couldn't care less about being "better" or "worse" than anyone.

Just for the record I don't have a photo that's "better" than that one you posted, and as nice as it is, I still say I'd rather have the OP's "terrible" #4 on my wall anyday. Why? Because in my opinion the effect suits the shot, and it's different. Your type of photo is too cliche for me, nice car against old building, yada yada. But that's just my misguided opinion of course!

I think I'm going to puke

Hehe... I think before this gets out of control I'll say this:

pixelbasher, I really appreciate your comments. I saw your flickr and I love the pictures. I'm especially jealous of your extra 260. I had an Extra 330 and an Edge 540 that crashed due to issues out of my control...

VisualEchos: I appreciate your comments and help as well. I will try to refine my HDR's to get rid of halos and overcooked images. Like I said, I never claimed to have amazing pictures and I post them here to get help from those who can spot my flaws and help me with improving them, so I thank you.

Although I may not have the technique down perfectly, I am trying to represent these images as art. And I did have the vision of producing outrageous pictures for a few of them... And as long as a person finds it appealing to themselves, even with it's flaws, there is nothing wrong with that!


However the true issue at hand, I feel, is perception. For example, I for one cannot see the appeal in a Picasso painting, others perceive them amazing, the same goes for music or cars... But I agree, perfecting the technique THEN applying your own personality to your art is the key to attaining appeal and your reputation and I believe that may be the point VisualEchos is trying to emphasize, so let's not castrate Andrew for that

Nice photos Mate! Cars really allow the HDR process to shine.

I notice that your style right now represents what mine was like when I first started doing HDRs, I have gone away from it since, but I have one 'pointer'.

HDRs create alot of highlight and halos. Do your best to eliminate it during your processing. You'll likely not be able to do it in your HDR software, but try and fix it in photoshop.

If you visit my Flickr site, I have an HDR test gallery up there to remind me how far I have come. Back then I thought the photos were awesome (which for my skill level I was happy with them). Now I look back and see all my mistakes...the biggest being halos and highlights. I have since learned how to get rid of those.

Like Pixelbasher said, photography is art. You have your own personal style and you should keep that. That's why my only recommendation is to work on the halos. The neat thing about a well done HDR like your's is, if you print it on canvas it looks like a painting rather than a photo. -Which, for me, is sometimes my ultimate goal.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #9827904
What's "done right" is just as subjective.

So the huge hot-spots and super blotchy/grainy areas are right in line with a flawless exposure, which is what an HDR is after. Hmmm... And I thought you were here to teach people.

A bad exposure is a bad exposure, period. If that's what you like, I suggest you get out more.

pixelbasher wrote in post #9828365
Otherwise what? Otherwise I can't comment on HDR or what I like if I can't produce a picture better than your one?

Not at all, comment on what you like, but don't comment on a technique you know nothing about. As for the rest of your post, it's really a waste of my time to address, as this is more of a communication issue than a real disagreement. I understand that you like his pictures better than mine, just don't try to tell me who has better technique when you don't even understand the goal.

His goal was to create those images that he posted, he did that. Sure they could be better, as could mine, and perish the thought, yours too. If you don't think yours can get any better, then I guess you have won at photography

If you like to create and always do create what you consider perfect images, then good luck to you, but don't heap on others who choose not to share the same single lane ideals you may carry. It's the different ideas that people have that make photography as vast and as interesting as it is, not the "must do it this way" ideas you seem to follow.

anyone in temecula do HDR ? i would def like to learn this style

I like them.... they have a cartoon/drawing feel to some of them. Its a unique way to represent your work. Some will like it some will hate it, IMO thats when you know you've done a good job, because people will always look at it and talk about it.

YEP! Thanks! Here's a few more I have done over time:

pixelbasher wrote in post #9832644
It's the different ideas that people have that make photography as vast and as interesting as it is, not the "must do it this way" ideas you seem to follow.

This is so true. There is no RIGHT and WRONG way to photography or PP. Some people like B&W. More black...more white? HDR....more fake, more real? Sure there are right ways to do things, but there are an infinate amount of changes that can be made within the "right way"