HDR landscape

Generated HDR - Tone mapped copy-1
Originally uploaded by Wuby Z

Here is my latest attempt at HDR. The exposure problems were only minor (the detail in the sky was blown out) so the real reason I processed it like this was to bring out the details. I like how HDRs do that. I try to keep mine subtle too so they don't look cartoonish, flat, or overprocessed.

This is the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The HDR is made with only one photo. I took it in RAW so I could export different exposures after the fact. Actually, with this one I exported 5 different exposures. I used the original exposure plus -2, -1, +1 and +2. I use photomatix to combine them. After all images are combined I do the tone mapping. I will go over the basic settings I use here:

Keep the strength low unless you want to look way overprocessed. I think I used around 30-40.

I put smooting on High, and Microcontrast too (this is where the details really come out)

Adjust black and white clip as necessary.

The luminosity is important. Adjusting it can increase the local contrast as well. Adjust it to your preference. Overdoing this can again make things look overprocessed in my opinion.

Keep the saturation lower then you think. If it looks good in the preview it usually ends up being a little too much from what I have found.


When all that is done I usually take the exported, tone mapped imaged into photoshop and maybe adjust the curves, maybe sharpen it up. Of course it depends on the image.

This one came out alright. It does look pretty processed, but the HDR did bring back my sky, and there is a ton of detail in the cliffs.

$10 Macro Studio

10 dollar macro studio. Make your own at home.

I really want to try this out. I have never done macro shots like this, and I definitely don't have money for a macro lens, but it looks like it would be fun. Anyway...here is the article on how to do it. Actually making the studio looks quite simple, and it is under 10 dollars..

Try it out and post some example in our group FreeDP.

Railroad Bridge

Railroad Bridge
Originally uploaded by gwENvision

This is a good thread to see a few examples of using objects to frame your seen. It is a useful composition technique that will undoubtedly be useful to all photographers at one point or another. You should definitely try it out.

More Reverse Macro

Originally uploaded by ..::dani::..

This is one of the best photos I have seen for awhile. I really like simple compositions. This is a great example of the reverse macro technique described here. Make sure and browse through all these photos taken by "dani"

Contest Finalists - Vote for Your Favorite Above

Ali Al - "4/27/08"

Amy (Amy Martin Photography) - "Noises"

RIP SKI - "Chris"

*Only one vote per person will count.

THANKS ALL FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.

WIN A FLICKR PRO ACCOUNT: Rebel XTI portrait contest

My Flickr Group is running a contest through May. All you have to do is submit your best portrait. At the end of the month we will vote here on the blog. Then...I buy a flickr pro account for the winner. Here is the group and the contest thread.

Photoshop Tutorial : Cross Processing a Digital Photo

I found this tutorial that shows how to mimic a traditional cross processing effect using photoshop. This was the result I got. I am not sure how good it is, but if you take a read maybe you can come up with something better. Here is the link.