Fish Street

I'm no expert at HDR - but I'm starting to have a play with it. This was done in Photomatix Pro 2.5.

Personally, I think HDR, like every technique has its day... but it's not something I'd like to apply as a trademark, much the same way as I wouldn't want to be labeled, holga, lomo, pinhole, etc..etc...

Please accept that this is a composition of five HANDHELD shots combined. I was seeking more feedback, tips and hints on general principles of HDR, and if it works for you, rather than "move the sign, straighten the church and add a donkey"

Ok, won't critique the shot particularly as you are right, things like the sign etc. but if that is five handhelds that's brilliant! As you say HDR has it's place but it's frequently used and does give an unreal feel to 'normal' type shots. Quite simply it depends on the picture whether it works or not but in general I like to see a shot that holds interest rather than an average shot made interesting by PP.

Actually I think your shot sums up quite often my issue that is 'wouldn't that be a nice shot except for the sign, or the modern colourful cars in the background, or the shop dummy climbing out of that persons head' etc. etc I've only tried HDR a couple of times so can't offer any tips, and mine were not too successful in PP. Photomatix seems to be the way to go though.

That's quite steady for a hand held, you really do need to use a tripod as you know the tiniest movement will cause blur in the final image.

In terms of that actual picture, it looks more like it's over saturated than a HDR... I think it takes some time to find the sweet-spot with photomatix tho - least that's what I remember!

In agreement Stu - much does depend on the image. I took the 5 image series when I was last back in the UK because I thought the street had interest without being HDR'd - but it was something that occurred to me at the time.... "I wonder if HDR would work well here"....

Azz - totally with you on the tripod - not much I could do about it as I rarely fly with the tripod for short visits - to compensate I propped my right shoulder and elbow up against the wall and tried to control my breathing in the same way one is taught to control ones breathing when shooting a rifle; it seems to work ok - but still - as you say - no substitute for a tripod, cable release and MU.

Photomatix is a pretty neat program - although it's not entirely intuitive with practice I'm sure it can produce some pretty good results.

For the complete newbie (me) What's HDR?

High Dynamic Range. Basically the problem with digital images or at least the sensor that produces them in your camera is that it can only cope with a certain latitude of dark to bright in a picture. So, as an example, if you look at what many of us try to do is keep all the detail in the blue sky with white clouds etc. whilst at the same time keeping an exposure suitable for the ground where the subject of interest is likely to be. Not easy as generally the range from dark to light is too much for the camera to cope with. The result is often skies that are completely white and 'blown'. Once you have pure white you can't bring any detail back into it so in most situations it is best avoided.

To a certain extent you can control it during the picture making process. You may add a graduated filter, like sunglasses for the sky portion but clear at the bottom so therefore the extreme of brightness is reduced, or you may try and avoid extremes by taking your picture on a duller day.

HDR can be done in different ways, but essentially you take several pictures and combine them in photoshop or Photomatix. You take one for the sky where the sky is exposed perfectly and the ground is very dark, and you take several others at different exposures. The picture framing remains exactly the same throughout but just the exposure changes so generally you need to do it on a tripod. Later the images are oiverlaid each otherf and the combined HDR image is one picture theoretically exposed correctly in every part. Of course you can twist this a little to taste and HDR images have a certain signature although some of the best are very subtle.

Just as a matter of interest digital sensors in cameras do vary slightly in their ability to control exposure latitude and modern cameras have improved ability over those of only 2 or 3 years ago. Certain cameras such as the Fuji S5 Pro have a wider range than almost any other DSLR. none have the range of lattitude of negative film though and digital images require good exposure control. Of course HDR isn't just used as a tool to maintain exposure and in fact we take the vast majority of pictures without it mainly because lay people don't even notice exposure issues (oh, the bliss!). HDR is sometimes used purely as a creative tool ecause the effect is what the photographer wants.

This is a generalised explanation, so accepted there are variations on these points.

HDR - High Dynamic Range

Basically it is a technique whereby one takes a series of photographs of the same subject at different exposures and then constructs a single image by combining each layer into one. That image will include its own individual exposed range from highlights, through mid-tones, to shadow. Which is why when you look at a HDR image it will contain aspects of all in balance.

You can then tone -map that single image into one where those tones are strengthened and combined to produce a slightly multi-dimensional image.

It dates back to the 30's and 40's but has more recently made a resurgence with the advent of technology to make it far easier to process.

Have a look at this link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDR_photography

Wow, elll you learn something every day.. Thanks... I understand the technique... but think I'm a long way off managing the control over exposures it requires..

So... I'm impressed with the picture in the thread Seems successful to me. Good range, sharp blues in the sky, but still good clarity in the street details and patches of light against the cobbles.

Really nice work Jack, great view

Interesting photo Jack. Love the way the eye is slowly drawn up until, Ahhhh, the tower in the center. Fascinating. Good lighting and sharp focus. Well done.